MRI-based radiomics model to preoperatively predict mesenchymal transition subtype in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

AIM

To develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics model for the preoperative identification of mesenchymal transition (MT) subtype in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and eighty-nine patients with histopathologically confirmed HGSOC were enrolled retrospectively. Among the included patients, 55 patients were determined as the MT subtype and the remaining 134 were non-MT subtype. After extracting a total of 204 features from T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and contrast-enhanced (CE)-T1WI images, the Mann-Whitney U-test, Spearman correlation test, and Boruta algorithm were adopted to select the optimal feature set. Three classifiers, including logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF), were trained to develop radiomics models. The performance of established models was evaluated from three aspects: discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility.

RESULTS

Seven radiomics features relevant to MT subtypes were selected to build the radiomics models. The model based on the RF algorithm showed the best performance in predicting MT subtype, with areas under the curves (AUCs) of 0.866 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.797-0.936) and 0.852 (95 % CI: 0.736-0.967) in the training and testing cohorts, respectively. The calibration curves, supported with Brier scores, indicated very good consistency between observation and prediction. Decision curve analysis (DCA) showed that the RF-based model could provide more net benefit, which suggested favorable utility in clinical application.

CONCLUSION

The RF-based radiomics model provided accurate identification of MT from the non-MT subtype and may help facilitate personalised management of HGSOC.

Pasteurella multocida strains of a novel capsular serotype and lethal to Marmota himalayana on Qinghai-Tibet plateau in China

Pasteurella multocida is a zoonotic pathogen causing serious diseases in humans and animals. Here, we report P. multocida from wildlife on China's Qinghai-Tibet plateau with a novel capsular serotype, forming a single branch on the core-genome phylogenetic tree: four strains isolated from dead Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana) and one genome assembled from metagenomic sequencing of a dead Woolly hare (Lepus oiostolus). Four of the strains were identified as subspecies multocida and one was septica. The mouse model showed that the challenge strain killed mice within 24 h at an infectious dose of less than 300 bacteria. The short disease course is comparable to septicemic plague: the host has died before more severe pathological changes could take place. Though pathological changes were relatively mild, cytokine storm was obvious with a significant rise of IL-12p70, IL-6, TNF-αand IL-10 (P < 0.05). Our findings suggested P. multocida is a lethal pathogen for wildlife on Qinghai-Tibet plateau, in addition to Yersinia pestis. Individuals residing within the M. himalayana plague focus are at risk for P. multocida infection, and public health warnings are necessitated.

Search for Heavy Neutral Leptons in Electron-Positron and Neutral-Pion Final States with the MicroBooNE Detector

We present the first search for heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) decaying into νe^{+}e^{-} or νπ^{0} final states in a liquid-argon time projection chamber using data collected with the MicroBooNE detector. The data were recorded synchronously with the NuMI neutrino beam from Fermilab's main injector corresponding to a total exposure of 7.01×10^{20} protons on target. We set upper limits at the 90% confidence level on the mixing parameter |U_{μ4}|^{2} in the mass ranges 10≤m_{HNL}≤150  MeV for the νe^{+}e^{-} channel and 150≤m_{HNL}≤245  MeV for the νπ^{0} channel, assuming |U_{e4}|^{2}=|U_{τ4}|^{2}=0. These limits represent the most stringent constraints in the mass range 35 Collapse

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Affiliation(s)

P Abratenko Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
O Alterkait Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
D Andrade Aldana Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, Illinois 60616, USA
L Arellano The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
J Asaadi University of Texas, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA
A Ashkenazi Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, 69978
S Balasubramanian Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
B Baller Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
G Barr University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RH, United Kingdom
D Barrow University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RH, United Kingdom
J Barrow Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, 69978
V Basque Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
O Benevides Rodrigues Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, Illinois 60616, USA
S Berkman Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
A Bhanderi The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
A Bhat University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
M Bhattacharya Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
M Bishai Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
A Blake Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom
B Bogart University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
T Bolton Kansas State University (KSU), Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
J Y Book Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
M B Brunetti University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
L Camilleri Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
Y Cao The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
D Caratelli University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
F Cavanna Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
G Cerati Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
A Chappell University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
Y Chen SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
J M Conrad Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
M Convery SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
L Cooper-Troendle University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA
J I Crespo-Anadón Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid E-28040, Spain
R Cross University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
M Del Tutto Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
S R Dennis University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
P Detje University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
A Devitt Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom
R Diurba Universität Bern, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
Z Djurcic Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA
R Dorrill Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, Illinois 60616, USA
K Duffy University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RH, United Kingdom
S Dytman University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA
B Eberly University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine 04104, USA
P Englezos Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
A Ereditato University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
J J Evans The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
R Fine Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
O G Finnerud The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
W Foreman Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, Illinois 60616, USA
B T Fleming University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
D Franco University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
A P Furmanski University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
F Gao University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
D Garcia-Gamez Universidad de Granada, Granada E-18071, Spain
S Gardiner Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
G Ge Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
S Gollapinni Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
E Gramellini The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
P Green University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RH, United Kingdom
H Greenlee Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
L Gu Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom
W Gu Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
R Guenette The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
P Guzowski The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
L Hagaman University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
O Hen Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
C Hilgenberg University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
G A Horton-Smith Kansas State University (KSU), Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
Z Imani Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
B Irwin University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
M Ismail University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA
C James Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
X Ji Nankai University, Nankai District, Tianjin 300071, China
J H Jo Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
R A Johnson University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, USA
Y-J Jwa Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
D Kalra Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
N Kamp Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
G Karagiorgi Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
W Ketchum Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
M Kirby Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
T Kobilarcik Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
I Kreslo Universität Bern, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
M B Leibovitch University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
I Lepetic Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
J-Y Li University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
K Li Wright Laboratory, Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
Y Li Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
K Lin Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
B R Littlejohn Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, Illinois 60616, USA
H Liu Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
W C Louis Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
X Luo University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
C Mariani Center for Neutrino Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Viriginia 24061, USA
D Marsden The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
J Marshall University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
N Martinez Kansas State University (KSU), Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
D A Martinez Caicedo South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT), Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, USA
S Martynenko Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
A Mastbaum Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
I Mawby University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
N McConkey University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
V Meddage Kansas State University (KSU), Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
J Micallef Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
K Miller University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
A Mogan Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
T Mohayai Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA
M Mooney Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
A F Moor University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
C D Moore Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
L Mora Lepin The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
M M Moudgalya The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
S Mulleriababu Universität Bern, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
D Naples University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA
A Navrer-Agasson The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
N Nayak Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
M Nebot-Guinot University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
J Nowak Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom
N Oza Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
O Palamara Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
N Pallat University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
V Paolone University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA
A Papadopoulou Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA
V Papavassiliou New Mexico State University (NMSU), Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, USA
H B Parkinson University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
S F Pate New Mexico State University (NMSU), Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, USA
N Patel Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom
Z Pavlovic Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
E Piasetzky Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, 69978
I Pophale Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom
X Qian Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
J L Raaf Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
V Radeka Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
A Rafique Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA
M Reggiani-Guzzo University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
L Ren New Mexico State University (NMSU), Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, USA
L Rochester SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
J Rodriguez Rondon South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT), Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, USA
M Rosenberg Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
M Ross-Lonergan Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
C Rudolf von Rohr Universität Bern, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
I Safa Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
G Scanavini Wright Laboratory, Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
D W Schmitz University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
A Schukraft Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
W Seligman Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
M H Shaevitz Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
R Sharankova Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
J Shi University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
E L Snider Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
M Soderberg Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA
S Söldner-Rembold The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
J Spitz University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
M Stancari Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
J St John Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
T Strauss Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
A M Szelc University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
W Tang University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
N Taniuchi University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
K Terao SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
C Thorpe Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
D Torbunov Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
D Totani University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
M Toups Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
Y-T Tsai SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
J Tyler Kansas State University (KSU), Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
M A Uchida University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
T Usher SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
B Viren Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
M Weber Universität Bern, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
H Wei Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA
A J White University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
S Wolbers Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
T Wongjirad Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
M Wospakrik Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
K Wresilo University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
W Wu University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA
E Yandel University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
T Yang Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
L E Yates Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
H W Yu Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA
G P Zeller Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
J Zennamo Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, Illinois 60510, USA
C Zhang Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, New York 11973, USA

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Comparative analysis of shotgun metagenomics and 16S rDNA sequencing of gut microbiota in migratory seagulls

Background

Shotgun metagenomic and 16S rDNA sequencing are commonly used methods to identify the taxonomic composition of microbial communities. Previously, we analysed the gut microbiota and intestinal pathogenic bacteria configuration of migratory seagulls by using 16S rDNA sequencing and culture methods.

Methods

To continue in-depth research on the gut microbiome and reveal the applicability of the two methods, we compared the metagenome and 16S rDNA amplicon results to further demonstrate the features of this animal.

Results

The number of bacterial species detected by metagenomics gradually increased from the phylum to species level, consistent with 16S rDNA sequencing. Several taxa were commonly shared by both sequencing methods. However, Escherichia, Shigella, Erwinia, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Escherichia albertii, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella enterica, and Shigella flexneri were unique taxa for the metagenome compared with Escherichia-Shigella, Hafnia-Obesumbacterium, Catellicoccus marimammalium, Lactococcus garvieae, and Streptococcus gallolyticus for 16S rDNA sequencing. The largest differences in relative abundance between the two methods were identified at the species level, which identified many pathogenic bacteria to humans using metagenomic sequencing. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the correlation coefficient for the two methods gradually decreased with the refinement of the taxonomic levels. The high consistency of the correlation coefficient was identified at the genus level for the beta diversity of the two methods.

Conclusions

In general, relatively consistent patterns and reliability could be identified by both sequencing methods, but the results varied following the refinement of taxonomic levels. Metagenomic sequencing was more suitable for the discovery and detection of pathogenic bacteria of gut microbiota in seagulls. Although there were large differences in the numbers and abundance of bacterial species of the two methods in terms of taxonomic levels, the patterns and reliability results of the samples were consistent.

The Effect of MDSC-Derived Exosomes Played in Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma Cells after Ionizing Radiation

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Radiotherapy is the main treatment for esophageal cancer. Previous studies have shown that radiotherapy not only kills tumor cells directly, but also reshapes the immune microenvironment of the tumor. It has been reported an increase in the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) can occur in tumor tissue after ionizing radiation. Exosomes are mediators of intercellular information exchange and are also involved in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we wanted to understand whether MDSC in esophageal cancer tissue are involved in the regulation of tumor cell response to ionizing radiation via exosomes.

MATERIALS/METHODS

KYSE-150 was used to construct a subcutaneous transplantation tumor model in nude mice. And then mice irradiated with 5 Gy×5fx and 0 Gy×5fx respectively. After irradiation, the spleens of the mice were used to isolate MDSC, and collect the cell supernatants to extract the exosomes. Based on the exosomes, we divided the experiment into three groups (control, exosomes, exosomes+radiation). Exosomes were injected into a nude mouse model of esophageal cancer via the tail vein or co-cultured with KYSE-150 cells. Mice were irradiated with a 5 Gy×5fx after completion of injection, and KYSE-150 cells were irradiated with a single dose 4 Gy. After radiation, KYSE-150 cells were used to detect cell cloning, apoptosis and cell cycle by flow cytometry, cell proliferation by CCK 8. XRCC4,XRCC5,XRCC6,γH2AX,ATM expression in cells and tumor tissue were measured by Western blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

The tumor volume was significantly reduced after 5 Gy x 5fx radiation. When exosomes co-cultured with KYSE-150 cells, decrease in apoptosis and increase in cell cloning and cell proliferation were found in the exosomes+radiation group and exosomes group after radiation when compared with the control group, with this change being more pronounced in the exosome+radiation group. The results of the cell cycle assay showed that after ionizing radiation, the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly lower, and the proportion of cells in the S and G2/M phases were significantly higher in the exosomes+radiation group and exosomes group when compared to the Control group. The protein and mRNA expression of XRCC4,XRCC5,XRCC6,γH2AX,ATM in cells were increased in exosomes+radiation group and exosomes group after radiation when compared with the control group, with this change being more obvious in the exosome+radiation group. After irradiation, tumor volumes were measured in nude mice and the results showed that exosomes+radiation group tumors were the largest in volume, while the control group regressed most significantly after irradiation.

CONCLUSION

MDSC-derived exosomes have a tumor growth-promoting effect in esophageal squamous carcinoma, which is enhanced by ionizing radiation, and this may be related to the accelerated repair of damage in tumor tissue after radiation.

First Double-Differential Measurement of Kinematic Imbalance in Neutrino Interactions with the MicroBooNE Detector

We report the first measurement of flux-integrated double-differential quasielasticlike neutrino-argon cross sections, which have been made using the Booster Neutrino Beam and the MicroBooNE detector at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The data are presented as a function of kinematic imbalance variables which are sensitive to nuclear ground-state distributions and hadronic reinteraction processes. We find that the measured cross sections in different phase-space regions are sensitive to different nuclear effects. Therefore, they enable the impact of specific nuclear effects on the neutrino-nucleus interaction to be isolated more completely than was possible using previous single-differential cross section measurements. Our results provide precision data to help test and improve neutrino-nucleus interaction models. They further support ongoing neutrino-oscillation studies by establishing phase-space regions where precise reaction modeling has already been achieved.

[Safety evaluation of simultaneous administration of quadrivalent influenza split virion vaccine and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in adults aged 60 years and older]

Objective: To evaluate the safety of simultaneous administration of quadrivalent influenza split virion vaccine and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in adults aged 60 years and older. Methods: From November 2021 to May 2022, eligible participants aged 60 years and older were recruited in Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, and a total of 2 461 participants were ultimately enrolled in this study. Each participant simultaneously received one dose of quadrivalent influenza split virion vaccine and one dose of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The safety was observed within 28 days after vaccination. Safety information was collected through voluntary reporting and regular follow-ups. Results: All 2 461 participants completed the simultaneous administration of both vaccines and the safety follow-ups for 28 days after vaccination. The mean age of the participants was (70.66±6.18) years, with 54.61% (1 344) being male, and all participants were Han Chinese residents. About 22.51% (554) of the participants had underlying medical conditions. The overall incidence of adverse reactions within 0-28 days after simultaneous vaccination was 2.07% (51/2 461), mainly consisting of Grade 1 adverse reactions [1.83% (45/2 461)], with no reports of Grade 4 or higher adverse reactions or vaccine-related serious adverse events. The incidence of local adverse reactions was 0.98% (24/2 461), primarily presenting as pain at the injection site [0.93% (23/2 461)]. The incidence of systemic adverse reactions was 1.42% (35/2 461), with fever [0.85% (21/2 461)] being the main symptom. In the group with underlying medical conditions and the healthy group, their overall incidence of adverse reactions was 2.53% (14/554) and 1.94% (37/1 907), respectively. The incidence of local adverse reactions in the two groups was 1.62% (9/554) and 0.79% (15/1 907), respectively, and the incidence of systemic adverse reactions was 1.44% (8/554) and 1.42% (27/1 907), respectively, with no statistically significant differences between them (all P>0.05). Conclusion: It is safe for adults aged 60 years and older to receive quadrivalent influenza split virion vaccine and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine at the same time.

First Measurement of Quasielastic Λ Baryon Production in Muon Antineutrino Interactions in the MicroBooNE Detector

We present the first measurement of the cross section of Cabibbo-suppressed Λ baryon production, using data collected with the MicroBooNE detector when exposed to the neutrinos from the main injector beam at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The data analyzed correspond to 2.2×10^{20} protons on target running in neutrino mode, and 4.9×10^{20} protons on target running in anti-neutrino mode. An automated selection is combined with hand scanning, with the former identifying five candidate Λ production events when the signal was unblinded, consistent with the GENIE prediction of 5.3±1.1 events. Several scanners were employed, selecting between three and five events, compared with a prediction from a blinded Monte Carlo simulation study of 3.7±1.0 events. Restricting the phase space to only include Λ baryons that decay above MicroBooNE's detection thresholds, we obtain a flux averaged cross section of 2.0_{-1.7}^{+2.2}×10^{-40}  cm^{2}/Ar, where statistical and systematic uncertainties are combined.

ICARUS at the Fermilab Short-Baseline Neutrino program: initial operation

The ICARUS collaboration employed the 760-ton T600 detector in a successful 3-year physics run at the underground LNGS laboratory, performing a sensitive search for LSND-like anomalous ν e appearance in the CERN Neutrino to Gran Sasso beam, which contributed to the constraints on the allowed neutrino oscillation parameters to a narrow region around 1 eV2 . After a significant overhaul at CERN, the T600 detector has been installed at Fermilab. In 2020 the cryogenic commissioning began with detector cool down, liquid argon filling and recirculation. ICARUS then started its operations collecting the first neutrino events from the booster neutrino beam (BNB) and the Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) beam off-axis, which were used to test the ICARUS event selection, reconstruction and analysis algorithms. ICARUS successfully completed its commissioning phase in June 2022. The first goal of the ICARUS data taking will be a study to either confirm or refute the claim by Neutrino-4 short-baseline reactor experiment. ICARUS will also perform measurement of neutrino cross sections with the NuMI beam and several Beyond Standard Model searches. After the first year of operations, ICARUS will search for evidence of sterile neutrinos jointly with the Short-Baseline Near Detector, within the Short-Baseline Neutrino program. In this paper, the main activities carried out during the overhauling and installation phases are highlighted. Preliminary technical results from the ICARUS commissioning data with the BNB and NuMI beams are presented both in terms of performance of all ICARUS subsystems and of capability to select and reconstruct neutrino events.

Metagenomics of gut microbiome for migratory seagulls in Kunming city revealed the potential public risk to human health

BACKGROUND

Seagull as a migratory wild bird has become most popular species in southwest China since 1980s. Previously, we analyzed the gut microbiota and intestinal pathogenic bacteria configuration for this species by using 16S rRNA sequencing and culture methods. To continue in-depth research on the gut microbiome of migratory seagulls, the metagenomics, DNA virome and RNA virome were both investigated for their gut microbial communities of abundance and diversity in this study.

RESULTS

The metagenomics results showed 99.72% of total species was bacteria, followed by viruses, fungi, archaea and eukaryota. In particular, Shigella sonnei, Escherichia albertii, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella enterica and Shigella flexneri were the top distributed taxa at species level. PCoA, NMDS, and statistics indicated some drug resistant genes, such as adeL, evgS, tetA, PmrF, and evgA accumulated as time went by from November to January of the next year, and most of these genes were antibiotic efflux. DNA virome composition demonstrated that Caudovirales was the most abundance virus, followed by Cirlivirales, Geplafuvirales, Petitvirales and Piccovirales. Most of these phages corresponded to Enterobacteriaceae and Campylobacteriaceae bacterial hosts respectively. Caliciviridae, Coronaviridae and Picornaviridae were the top distributed RNA virome at family level of this migratory animal. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the sequences of contigs of Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus had highly similarity with some coronavirus references.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the characteristics of gut microbiome of migratory seagulls were closely related to human activities, and multiomics still revealed the potential public risk to human health.

[Efficacy and safety of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in diabetic macular edema patients with and without prior vitrectomy: a retrospective cohort study]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IDI) in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients with and without prior vitrectomy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on DME patients who received IDI treatment at the Aier Eye Hospital, Beijing from March 2018 to August 2020. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had undergone vitrectomy or not. Clinical and follow-up data, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), central macular thickness (CMT), occurrence of ocular and systemic complications, and time to DME recurrence and retreatment, were collected before and after IDI injection at 15 days, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, χ² test or Fisher's exact test, and generalized estimating equations. Results: Thirty-six patients (41 eyes) were included, with 19 patients (21 eyes) in the vitrectomy group and 17 patients (20 eyes) in the non-vitrectomy group. Compared with baseline, BCVA of eyes in the vitrectomy group was significantly improved at 15 days after IDI injection, with values of 1.00 (0.52, 1.31) and 0.61 (0.30, 1.00), respectively (Z=-2.10, P=0.036); BCVA of eyes in the non-vitrectomy group was significantly improved at 1 month after IDI injection, with values of 0.76 (0.60, 1.35) and 0.52 (0.10, 0.70), respectively (Z=-2.24, P=0.025). Compared with baseline, CMT of eyes in both groups was significantly reduced at all follow-up time points after 15 days of IDI injection (all P<0.05). In the vitrectomy group, CMT before and 15 days after injection were 487 (438, 661) μm and 389 (340, 553) μm, respectively (Z=-3.45, P<0.001); in the non-vitrectomy group, CMT before and 15 days after injection were 486 (410, 641) μm and 323 (290, 396) μm, respectively (Z=-4.07, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in BCVA and CMT between the two groups at all follow-up time points (all P>0.05). The time to DME recurrence was 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) months in the vitrectomy group and 5.0 (4.0, 5.0) months in the non-vitrectomy group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.675). Four eyes (19.0%) in the vitrectomy group and three eyes (15.0%) in the non-vitrectomy group had high IOP, with no significant difference (P=0.529). No severe ocular or systemic complications were observed in any patients. Conclusions: IDI treatment is safe and effective in DME patients with and without prior vitrectomy, with similar efficacy, but with faster onset of action in patients with prior vitrectomy. There was no significant difference in DME recurrence within 6 months after IDI injection between the two groups.

[Developmental effects of TCIPP and TnBP on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos]

Objective: To investigate the toxicity of tris (2-chloropropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tributyl phosphate (TnBP) on the growth and development of zebrafish embryos, as well as to explore the underlying mechanisms at the transcriptional level. Methods: With zebrafish as a model, two hpf zebrafish embryos were exposed to TCIPP and TnBP (0.1, 1, 10, 100, 500, and 1 000 μmol/L) using the semi-static method, and their rates of lethality and hatchability were determined. The transcriptome changes of 120 hpf juvenile zebrafish exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of 0.1 and 1 μmol/L were measured. Results: The 50% lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of TCIPP and TnBP for zebrafish embryos were 155.30 and 27.62 μmol/L (96 hpf), 156.5 and 26.05 μmol/L (120 hpf), respectively. The 72 hpf hatching rates of TCIPP (100 μmol/L) and TnBP (10 μmol/L) were (23.33±7.72)% and (91.67±2.97)%, which were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05). Transcriptome analysis showed that TnBP had more differential genes (DEGs) than TCIPP, with a dose-response relationship. These DEGs were enriched in 32 pathways in total, including those involved in oxidative stress, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and nuclear receptor-related pathways, using the IPA pathway analysis. Among them, three enriched pathways overlapped between TCIPP and TnBP, including TR/RXR activation and CAR/RXR activation. Additionally, DEGs were also mapped onto pathways of LXR/RXR activation and oxidative stress for TnBP exposure only. Conclusion: Both TCIPP and TnBP have growth and developmental toxicities in zebrafish embryos, with distinct biomolecular mechanisms, and TnBP has a stronger effect than TCIPP.

[Peripheral blood KCNMA1 methylation level is associated with the occurrence and progression of lung cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of KCNMA1 gene methylation levels in peripheral blood with lung cancer.

METHODS

The methylation levels of 4 CpG sites in KCNMA1 gene were quantitatively detected in 285 patients with lung cancer, 186 age- and sex-matched patients with benign pulmonary nodules and 278 matched healthy control subjects using mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The association of KCNMA1 methylation levels with lung cancer was analyzed using logistic regression models adjusted for covariates. The KCNMA1 methylation levels in different subgroups of lung cancer patients were compared using Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

In subjects over 55 years and in female subjects, the highest quartile (Q4) vs the lowest quartile (Q1) of KCNMA1_CpG_5 methylation levels were significantly correlated with lung cancer (for subjects over 55 years: OR=2.60, 95% CI: 1.25-5.41, P=0.011; for female subjects: OR=2.09, 95% CI: 1.03?4.26, P=0.042). From Q2 to Q4 of KCNMA1_CpG_5 methylation levels, their correlation with lung cancer became gradually stronger (P=0.003 and 0.038, respectively). In male subjects, the OR of Q4 of KCNMA1_CpG_5 methylation levels was 0.35 in patients with lung cancer as compared with patients with benign nodules (95% CI: 0.16-0.79, P=0.012). KCNMA1_CpG_3 methylation level was significantly lower in invasive adenocarcinoma than in noninvasive adenocarcinoma (P=0.028), and that of KCNMA1_CpG_1 was significantly higher in patients with larger tumors (T2-4) than in those with smaller tumors (T1) (P=0.021).

CONCLUSION

The change of peripheral blood KCNMA1 methylation level is correlated with the occurrence and development of lung cancer.

First Constraints on Light Sterile Neutrino Oscillations from Combined Appearance and Disappearance Searches with the MicroBooNE Detector

We present a search for eV-scale sterile neutrino oscillations in the MicroBooNE liquid argon detector, simultaneously considering all possible appearance and disappearance effects within the 3+1 active-to-sterile neutrino oscillation framework. We analyze the neutrino candidate events for the recent measurements of charged-current ν_{e} and ν_{μ} interactions in the MicroBooNE detector, using data corresponding to an exposure of 6.37×10^{20} protons on target from the Fermilab booster neutrino beam. We observe no evidence of light sterile neutrino oscillations and derive exclusion contours at the 95% confidence level in the plane of the mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2} and the sterile neutrino mixing angles θ_{μe} and θ_{ee}, excluding part of the parameter space allowed by experimental anomalies. Cancellation of ν_{e} appearance and ν_{e} disappearance effects due to the full 3+1 treatment of the analysis leads to a degeneracy when determining the oscillation parameters, which is discussed in this Letter and will be addressed by future analyses.

Dehydrocostus Lactone Reduced Malignancy of HepG2 Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via Down-Regulation of the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

We studied the effect of dehydrocostus lactone (DHL) on the biological characteristics of HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The inhibition of cell viability by different concentrations of DHL (10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 μmol/liter) was measured using MTT test. As the determined half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was 20.33 μmol/liter, DHL in a concentration of 20 μmol/liter was used in further experiments. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion ability, and apoptosis were assessed by Ki-67 immunofluorescence, Transwell assay, and TUNEL analysis. The level of p-AKT protein was determined by Western blotting. DHL significantly inhibited the viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 cells in comparison with the control group, and induced cells apoptosis. DHL down-regulated the expression of p-AKT protein in the HepG2 cells in comparison with the control group. PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activator 740Y-P could block the above-mentioned effects of DHL. Thus, DHL inhibits the malignancy of HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells via down-regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

An imported human case with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.2.75 in Yunnan Province, China

The Omicron variants spread rapidly worldwide after being initially detected in South Africa in November 2021. It showed increased transmissibility and immune evasion with far more amino acid mutations in the spike (S) protein than the previously circulating variants of concern (VOCs). Notably, on 15 July 2022, we monitored the first VOC / Omicron subvariant BA.2.75 in China from an imported case. Moreover, nowadays, this subvariant still is predominant in India. It has nine additional mutations in the S protein compared to BA.2, three of which (W152R, G446S, and R493Q reversion) might contribute to higher transmissibility and immune escape. This subvariant could cause wider spread and pose a threat to the global situation. Our timely reporting and continuous genomic analysis are essential to fully elucidate the characteristics of the subvariant BA.2.75 in the future.

Influence of alveolar mixing and multiple breaths of aerosol intake on particle deposition in the human lungs

Predictive dosimetry models play an important role in assessing health effect of inhaled particulate matter and in optimizing delivery of inhaled pharmaceutical aerosols. In this study, the commonly used 1D Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry model (MPPD) was improved by including a mechanistically based model component for alveolar mixing of particles and by extending the model capabilities to account for multiple breaths of aerosol intake. These modifications increased the retained fraction of particles and consequently particle deposition predictions in the deep lung during tidal breathing. Comparison with an existing dataset (J. Aerosol Sci., 99:27-39, 2016) obtained under two breathing conditions referred to as slow and fast breathing showed significant differences in 1 μm particle deposition between predictions based on subject-specific breathing patterns and lung volume (slow: 30 ± 1%, fast: 21 ± 1%, (average ± standard deviation), N = 7) and measurements (slow: 43 ± 9%, fast: 30 ± 5%) when the prior version of MPPD (single breath and no mixing, J. Aerosol Sci., 151:105647, 2021) was used. Adding a mixing model and multiple breaths moved the predictions (slow: 34 ± 2%, fast:25 ± 2%) closer to the range of deposition measurements. For 2.9 μm particles, predictions from both the original (slow: 70 ± 2%, fast: 57 ± 2%) and the revised MPPD model (slow: 71 ± 2%, fast: 59 ± 3%) compared well with experiments (slow: 67 ± 8%, fast: 58 ± 10%). This was expected as suspended fraction of 2.9 μm particles was small and thus the addition of alveolar mixing and multi breath capability only slightly increased the retained fraction for particles of this size and greater. The revised 1D model improves dose predictions in the deep lung and support human risk assessment from exposure to airborne particles.

miR-204-3p downregulates KRT16 and promotes corneal repair in tree shrew fungal keratitis model

OBJECTIVES

Corneal repair is critical for the treatment and recovery of corneal injuries. However, the molecular mechanism underlying corneal repair remains unclear.

METHODS

A tree shrew model of corneal fungal infection was established by injecting Fusarium solani into the corneal stroma to study the role of miR-204-3p in repairing corneal injury induced by fungal keratitis and to explore the potential mechanisms underlying the repair process.

RESULTS

miR-204-3p expression was significantly downregulated, while KRT16 expression was significantly upregulated after F. solani infection in the cornea of tree shrews. Moreover, miR-204-3p injection promoted corneal injury repair post-infection, potentially by downregulating KRT16 expression. Results of a luciferase reporter gene assay showed that miR-204-3p had a targeted relationship with KRT16. KRT16 protein expression levels decreased after miR-204-3p injection into the cornea with fungal keratitis, reducing the degree of corneal injury.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we report for the first time that miR-204-3p and KRT16 influence the repair of corneal injury. In addition, their effects on the repair of corneal injury were studied in a tree shrew model, providing an experimental basis for the study of pathogenesis of human fungal keratitis.

Antibiotic resistance and genomic features of Clostridioides difficile in southwest China

Background

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) caused by toxigenic strains leads to antibiotic-related diarrhea, colitis, or even fatal pseudomembranous enteritis. Previously, we conducted a cross-sectional study on prevalence of CDI in southwest China. However, the antibiotics resistance and characteristics of genomes of these isolates are still unknown.

Methods

Antibiotic susceptibility testing with E-test strips and whole genome sequence analysis were used to characterize the features of these C. difficile isolates.

Results

Forty-nine strains of C. difficile were used in this study. Five isolates were non-toxigenic and the rest carried toxigenic genes. We have previously reported that ST35/RT046, ST3/RT001 and ST3/RT009 were the mostly distributed genotypes of strains in the children group. In this study, all the C. difficile isolates were sensitive to metronidazole, meropenem, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and vancomycin. Most of the strains were resistant to erythromycin, gentamicin and clindamycin. The annotated resistant genes, such as macB, vanRA, vanRG, vanRM, arlR, and efrB were mostly identified related to macrolide, glycopeptide, and fluoroquinolone resistance. Interestingly, 77.55% of the strains were considered as multi-drug resistant (MDR). Phylogenetic analysis based on core genome of bacteria revealed all the strains were divided into clade 1 and clade 4. The characteristics of genome diversity for clade 1 could be found. None of the isolates showed 18-bp deletion of tcdC as RT027 strain as described before, and polymorphism of tcdB showed a high degree of conservation than tcdA gene.

Conclusions

Most of the C. difficile isolates in this study were resistant to macrolide and aminoglycoside antibiotics. Moreover, the MDR strains were commonly found. All the isolates belonged to clade 1 and clade 4 according to phylogenetic analysis of bacterial genome, and highly genomic diversity of clade 1 was identified for these strains.

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

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

Search for an Excess of Electron Neutrino Interactions in MicroBooNE Using Multiple Final-State Topologies

We present a measurement of ν_{e} interactions from the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam using the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber to address the nature of the excess of low energy interactions observed by the MiniBooNE Collaboration. Three independent ν_{e} searches are performed across multiple single electron final states, including an exclusive search for two-body scattering events with a single proton, a semi-inclusive search for pionless events, and a fully inclusive search for events containing all hadronic final states. With differing signal topologies, statistics, backgrounds, reconstruction algorithms, and analysis approaches, the results are found to be either consistent with or modestly lower than the nominal ν_{e} rate expectations from the Booster Neutrino Beam and no excess of ν_{e} events is observed.

First Measurement of Energy-Dependent Inclusive Muon Neutrino Charged-Current Cross Sections on Argon with the MicroBooNE Detector

We report a measurement of the energy-dependent total charged-current cross section σ(E_{ν}) for inclusive muon neutrinos scattering on argon, as well as measurements of flux-averaged differential cross sections as a function of muon energy and hadronic energy transfer (ν). Data corresponding to 5.3×10^{19} protons on target of exposure were collected using the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber located in the Fermilab booster neutrino beam with a mean neutrino energy of approximately 0.8 GeV. The mapping between the true neutrino energy E_{ν} and reconstructed neutrino energy E_{ν}^{rec} and between the energy transfer ν and reconstructed hadronic energy E_{had}^{rec} are validated by comparing the data and Monte Carlo (MC) predictions. In particular, the modeling of the missing hadronic energy and its associated uncertainties are verified by a new method that compares the E_{had}^{rec} distributions between data and a MC prediction after constraining the reconstructed muon kinematic distributions, energy, and polar angle to those of data. The success of this validation gives confidence that the missing energy in the MicroBooNE detector is well modeled and underpins first-time measurements of both the total cross section σ(E_{ν}) and the differential cross section dσ/dν on argon.

[Safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage closure combined with patent foramen ovale closure for atrial fibrillation patients with patent foramen ovale]

Objective: To analyze the safety and efficacy of combined left atrial appendage (LAA) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in adult atrial fibrillation (AF) patients complicating with PFO. Methods: This study is a retrospective and cross-sectional study. Seven patients with AF complicated with PFO diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences from June 2017 to October 2020 were selected. Basic data such as age, gender and medical history were collected. The atrial septal defect or PFO occluder and LAA occluder were selected according to the size of PFO, the ostia width and depth of LAA. Four patients underwent left atrial appendage closure(LAAC) and PFO closure at the same time. PFO closure was performed during a one-stop procedure of cryoablation combined with LAAC in 2 patients. One patient underwent PFO closure at 10 weeks after one-stop procedure because of recurrent transient ischemic attack (TIA). All patients continued to take oral anticoagulants. TEE was repeated 8-12 weeks after intervention. In case of device related thrombus(DRT), TEE shall be rechecked 6 months after adjusting anticoagulant and antiplatelet drug treatment. Patients were follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months by telephone call, and the occurrence of cardio-cerebrovascular events was recorded. Results: Among the 7 patients with AF, 2 were male, aged (68.0±9.4) years, and 3 had a history of recurrent cerebral infarction and TIA. Average PFO diameter was (3.5±0.8)mm. Three patients were implanted with Watchman LAA occluder (30, 30, 33 mm) and atrial septal defect occluder (8, 9, 16 mm). 2 patients were implanted with LAmbre LAA occluder (34/38, 18/32 mm) and PFO occluder (PF1825, PF2525). 2 patients were implanted with LACbes LAA occluder (24, 28 mm) and PFO occluder (PF2525, PF1825) respectively. The patients were followed up for 12 (11, 24) months after operation. TEE reexamination showed that the position of LAA occluder and atrial septal defect occluder or PFO occluder was normal in all patients. DRT was detected in 1 patient, and anticoagulant therapy was adjusted in this patient. 6 months later, TEE showed that DRT disappeared. No cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events occurred in all patients with AF during follow-up. Conclusions: In AF patients complicated with PFO, LAAC combined with PFO closure may have good safety and effectiveness.

Search for Neutrino-Induced Neutral-Current Δ Radiative Decay in MicroBooNE and a First Test of the MiniBooNE Low Energy Excess under a Single-Photon Hypothesis

We report results from a search for neutrino-induced neutral current (NC) resonant Δ(1232) baryon production followed by Δ radiative decay, with a ⟨0.8⟩  GeV neutrino beam. Data corresponding to MicroBooNE's first three years of operations (6.80×10^{20} protons on target) are used to select single-photon events with one or zero protons and without charged leptons in the final state (1γ1p and 1γ0p, respectively). The background is constrained via an in situ high-purity measurement of NC π^{0} events, made possible via dedicated 2γ1p and 2γ0p selections. A total of 16 and 153 events are observed for the 1γ1p and 1γ0p selections, respectively, compared to a constrained background prediction of 20.5±3.65(syst) and 145.1±13.8(syst) events. The data lead to a bound on an anomalous enhancement of the normalization of NC Δ radiative decay of less than 2.3 times the predicted nominal rate for this process at the 90% confidence level (C.L.). The measurement disfavors a candidate photon interpretation of the MiniBooNE low-energy excess as a factor of 3.18 times the nominal NC Δ radiative decay rate at the 94.8% C.L., in favor of the nominal prediction, and represents a greater than 50-fold improvement over the world's best limit on single-photon production in NC interactions in the sub-GeV neutrino energy range.

New ribotype Clostridioides difficile from ST11 group revealed higher pathogenic ability than RT078

Clostridioides difficile is the predominant antibiotic-associated enteropathogen associated with diarrhoea or pseudomembranous colitis in patients worldwide. Previously, we identified C. difficile RT078 isolates (CD21062) from elderly patients in China, including two new ribotype strains (CD10010 and CD12038) belonging to the ST11 group, and their genomic features were also investigated. This study compared sporulation, spore germination, toxin expression, flagellar characteristics, and adhesion among these strains in vitro and analysed their pathogenic ability in vivo using animal models. The results showed sporulation and spore germination did not significantly differ among the three C. difficile strains. CD10010 and CD12038 showed higher transcriptional levels of toxins until 48 h; thereafter, the transcriptional levels of toxins remained constant among RT078, CD10010, and CD12038. RT078 showed a loss of flagellum and its related genes, whereas CD12038 showed the highest motility in vitro. Both CD10010 and CD12038 initially showed flg phase OFF, and the flagellar switch reversed to phase ON after 48 h in swim agar. Flagellar proteins and toxins were both upregulated when flg phase OFF changed to flg phase ON status, enhancing their pathogenic ability. CD12038 showed the highest adhesion to Hep-2 cells. Histopathology and inflammation scores demonstrated that CD12038 caused the most severe tissue damage and infection in vivo. The new ribotype strains, particularly CD12038, exhibit higher pathogenic ability than the typical RT078 strain, both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, more attention should be paid to this new C. difficile strain in epidemiological research; further studies are warranted.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus provoked cytokine storm causing severe infection on BALB/c mice

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become the most important pathogen of hospital-acquired (HA) or community-acquired (CA) infections. However, it is unclear of the cytokines responsible for pathological hyper-inflammation in sepsis related cytokine storm for MRSA infection. In this study, we selected typical HA-MRSA strain (YNSA163: ST239-t030-SCCmecⅢ) and two CA-MRSA isolates (YNSA7: ST59-t439-SCCmecⅣa and YNSA53: ST59-t437-SCCmecⅤb) from our previous research, infected on BALB/c mice, and analyzed the cytokine storm patterns during infection process. The animal experiments revealed the most serious lethal effect on BALB/c mice caused by YNSA7 strain infection, followed by YNSA53, and no BALB/c mice died for YNSA163 infection. Histopathological analyses revealed that lung was the most seriously damaged organs, followed by spleen and kidney, especially for CA-MRSA infection. The severe inflammatory reactions, tissue destruction, and massive exudation of inflammatory mediators and cells could be identified in CA-MRSA strains infected mice. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 were both highly expressed in spleen and lung of YNSA7 and YNSA53 dead cases compared with YNSA53 survived and YNSA163 cases, which demonstrated cytokine storm pattern for CA-MRSA strains infection. The results of IL-6 intervention experiment verified that the enhanced IL-6 secretion was responsible for the host lethality of YNSA7 infection. RNA-sequencing results among three MRSA isolates indicated most of the differentially expressed genes referred to cellular process, metabolism and genetic information processing of bacteria. Specifically, clpP, chp chemotaxis inhibit, fnbB, pathogencity island protein and virulence associated protein E were highly expressed in YNSA7 strain. In general, CA-MRSA strains provoked cytokine storm on BALB/c mice led to severe infection and lethality, the up-regulated of some virulence genes might play important role in pathogenesis.

[Peripheral blood EMR3 gene methylation level is correlated with breast cancer in Chinese women]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of methylation levels of C19orf57, MAP9, EMR3, NEK6 and PCOLCE2 genes in peripheral blood with breast cancer (BC) in Chinese women.

METHODS

We collected peripheral blood samples from 258 early-stage BC patients and 272 healthy women. Agena matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was utilized to quantitatively measure the methylation levels of CpG sites in the genes. The association between DNA methylation and BC was analyzed using a logistic regression model adjusted for covariants. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed to analyze the association between the gene methylation levels and age. The methylation levels of the genes in the BC patients with different clinical characteristics were investigated using non-parametric tests.

RESULTS

In stead of EMR3 gene hypermethylation as found in BC patients as found in the Caucasian population, EMR3 gene hypomethylation was found to correlate with BC in Chinese women, but this correlation was significant only in women beyond the age of 50 years (for every 10% reduction of the methylation level, EMR3_CpG_1: OR=1.40; EMR3_CpG_2: OR=2.31; EMR3_CpG_3: OR=2.76, P < 0.05). EMR3 methylation was not or was only weakly correlated with tumor stage, size, lymphatic metastasis, ER, PR, HER2, or Ki67. Our data did not show a correlation between C19orf57 methylation and BC.

CONCLUSION

Peripheral blood EMR3 gene hypomethylation is associated with BC in Chinese women, especially in those at an old age and in postmenopausal women.

Search for a Higgs Portal Scalar Decaying to Electron-Positron Pairs in the MicroBooNE Detector

We present a search for the decays of a neutral scalar boson produced by kaons decaying at rest, in the context of the Higgs portal model, using the MicroBooNE detector. We analyze data triggered in time with the Fermilab NuMI neutrino beam spill, with an exposure of 1.93×10^{20} protons on target. We look for monoenergetic scalars that come from the direction of the NuMI hadron absorber, at a distance of 100 m from the detector, and decay to electron-positron pairs. We observe one candidate event, with a standard model background prediction of 1.9±0.8. We set an upper limit on the scalar-Higgs mixing angle of θ<(3.3-4.6)×10^{-4} at the 95% confidence level for scalar boson masses in the range (100-200)  MeV/c^{2}. We exclude, at the 95% confidence level, the remaining model parameters required to explain the central value of a possible excess of K_{L}^{0}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] decays reported by the KOTO collaboration. We also provide a model-independent limit on a new boson X produced in K→πX decays and decaying to e^{+}e^{-}.

Comparison of virulence-related determinants between the ST59-t437 and ST239-t030 genotypes of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen for human infection. Hospital-acquired (HA) and community-acquired (CA) MRSA infections are serious clinical problems worldwide. In this study, we selected typical HA-MRSA strain and CA-MRSA isolates from our previous research and compared their phenotypic and pathogenic abilities both in vitro and in vivo.

Results

ST59-t437-SCCmecIVa (YNSA7) and ST59-t437-SCCmecVb (YNSA53) belonged to two prevalent subclones of CA-MRSA, while ST239-t030-SCCmecIII (YNSA163) was an HA-MRSA epidemic clone in Southwest China. ST59-t437 strains demonstrated faster growth ability, higher survival rate resistance to human blood, and more toxin secretion levels and cytotoxicity than ST239-t030. The virulence and regulatory genes of hld, psm-α, RNAIII, agrA, and crtN were highly expressed on CA-MRSA isolates, especially the ST59-t437-SCCmecIVa subclone. However, the ST239-t030 strain had the strongest adhesion and biofilm ability among these MRSA bacteria. Animal experiments revealed the most serious lethal effect on BALB/c mice caused by the YNSA7 strain infection. The survival rates of BALB/c mice infected with the three MRSA strains were 16.7, 50.0 and 100.0% for YNSA7, YNSA53 and YNSA163, respectively. Histopathological analyses of infected animals indicated that the lungs were the most seriously damaged organs, especially for ST59-t437 MRSA. Severe inflammatory reactions, tissue destruction, and massive exudation of inflammatory mediators and cells could be identified in ST59-t437 strain-infected animals.

Conclusions

In general, ST59-t437 strains showed higher pathogenic ability than the ST239-t030 isolate, while ST239-t030 MRSA revealed the features prevalent in hospital settings, specifically for adhesion and biofilm ability.

Characteristics of Angiotensin I-converting enzyme 2, type II transmembrane serine protease 2 and 4 in tree shrew indicate it as a potential animal model for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), type II transmembrane serine protease 2 and 4 (TMPRSS2 and TMPRSS4) are important receptors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, the full-length tree shrewACE2 gene was cloned and sequenced, and its biological information was analyzed. The expression levels of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and TMPRSS4 in various tissues or organs of the tree shrew were detected. The results showed that the full-length ACE2 gene in tree shrews was 2,786 bp, and its CDS was 2,418 bp, encoding 805 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis based on the CDS of ACE2 revealed that tree shrews were more similar to rabbits (85.93%) and humans (85.47%) but far from mice (82.81%) and rats (82.58%). In silico analysis according to the binding site of SARS-CoV-2 with the ACE2 receptor of different species predicted that tree shrews had potential SARS-CoV-2 infection possibility, which was similar to that of rabbits, cats and dogs but significantly higher than that of mice and rats. In addition, various tissues or organs of tree shrews expressed ACE2, TMPRSS2 and TMPRSS4. Among them, the kidney most highly expressed ACE2, followed by the lung and liver. The esophagus, lung, liver, intestine and kidney had relatively high expression levels of TMPRSS2 and TMPRSS4. In general, we reported for the first time the expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and TMPRSS4 in various tissues or organs in tree shrews. Our results revealed that tree shrews could be used as a potential animal model to study the mechanism underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection.

[miR-483-5p aggravates cisplatin-induced premature ovarian insufficiency in rats by targeting FKBP4]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of FKBP4 protein in cisplatin-induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).

OBJECTIVE

We performed ITRAQ assay of the ovarian tissues from 4 mice with cisplatin-induced POI and 4 control mice, and identified FKBP4 as a significantly down-regulated protein in the oocytes and granulosa cells following cisplatin treatment. TargetScan software was used for target analysis of FKBP4, and qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to verify the expression levels of miR-483-5p and FKBP4 in the mouse models. Serum samples were collected from patients with POI and healthy women for detecting miR-483-5p level with qRT-PCR. Cell transfection and dual-luciferase assay were performed to determine the relationship between miR-483-5p and FKBP4. In primary granulosa cells and KGN cells, we examined the effect of miR-483-5p alone, miR-483-5p and cisplatin, and miR-483-5p combined with both cisplatin and FKBP4 on cell apoptosis. We also assessed ovarian function in a transgenic mouse model with ovarian miR-483-5p overexpression in comparison wigh wildtype mice using immunofluorescence assay, in situ hybridization and ELISA.

OBJECTIVE

Ovarian FKBP4 expression was significantly decreased in mice with cisplatin-induced POI. Analysis using TargetScan software indicated that FKBP4 was the potential target of miR-483-5p, which was highly expressed in the ovaries and serum of POI mice and in the serum of patients with POI. In vitro experiments further confirmed that FKBP4 was the target of miR-483-5p. In KGN and primary granulosa cells, FKBP4 overexpression significantly reduced cell apoptosis induced by both cisplatin and miR-483-5p overexpression (P= 0.0045 and 0.0177, respectively). In the transgenic mice with miR-483-5p overexpression in the oocytes, cisplatin induced more severe ovarian damages as compared with those in the wild-type mice.

OBJECTIVE

miR-483-5p/FKBP4 is a new and important pathway in cisplatin-induced POI, in which cisplatin increases ovarian miR- 483-5p expression to result in targeted downregulation of FKBP4. Up-regulation of miR-483-5p may increase ovarian sensitivity to cisplatin and cause severe ovarian dysfunction. Detection of serum miR-483-5p level may help to predict the occurrence and development of POI.

Prospects for beyond the Standard Model physics searches at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment: DUNE Collaboration

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) will be a powerful tool for a variety of physics topics. The high-intensity proton beams provide a large neutrino flux, sampled by a near detector system consisting of a combination of capable precision detectors, and by the massive far detector system located deep underground. This configuration sets up DUNE as a machine for discovery, as it enables opportunities not only to perform precision neutrino measurements that may uncover deviations from the present three-flavor mixing paradigm, but also to discover new particles and unveil new interactions and symmetries beyond those predicted in the Standard Model (SM). Of the many potential beyond the Standard Model (BSM) topics DUNE will probe, this paper presents a selection of studies quantifying DUNE's sensitivities to sterile neutrino mixing, heavy neutral leptons, non-standard interactions, CPT symmetry violation, Lorentz invariance violation, neutrino trident production, dark matter from both beam induced and cosmogenic sources, baryon number violation, and other new physics topics that complement those at high-energy colliders and significantly extend the present reach.

Different effects of probiotics and antibiotics on the composition of microbiota, SCFAs concentrations and FFAR2/3 mRNA expression in broiler chickens

AIMS

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of probiotics and antibiotics on microbial composition, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration and free fatty acid receptor 2/3 (FFAR2/3) expression in boiler chickens.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 150 1-day-old male broilers were randomly allocated into three groups, control (CON) group, probiotics (PB) group and antibiotics (ATB) group. Results indicated that PB improved the average body weight from 1 to 21 days and feed intake from 21 to 42 days (P < 0·05), while ATB improved the feed efficiency from 1 to 42 days (P < 0·05). Based on 16s rRNA sequencing, PB treatment increased the amount of kingdom bacteria, and the relative abundance of the main bacteria including acetate and butyrate producing bacteria of phylum Firmicutes, family Ruminococcaceae and genus Faecalibacterium. ATB treatment also increased the relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes, family Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, however, it introduced some pathogenic bacteria, such as bacteria of family Rikenellaceae and Enterobacteriaceae. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) assay revealed that PB increased acetate and butyrate concentrations at both 21 and 42 days, and propionate at 42 days in the colorectum. Moreover qRT-PCR analysis showed PB treatment significantly activated the FFAR2/3 mRNA expressions. On the contrast, ATB treatment lowered the colorectal propionate at 21 days, and decreased acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations at 42 days, accompanied with decreased FFAR2/3 mRNA expressions.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the CON birds, an enriched SCFAs producing bacteria with higher SCFAs contents and activated FFAR2/3 expressions are prominent features of PB birds. However, antibiotics treatment plays the reverse effect compared to PB treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study brings a significant idea that less SCFAs concentration may be another reason why the antibiotics inhibit the immune system development and immunity of the body.

Heterogeneity in lobar and near-acini deposition of inhaled aerosol in the mouse lung

Laboratory animals are often used to derive health risk from environmental exposure or to assess the therapeutic effect of a drug delivered by inhaled therapy. Knowledge of the in-situ distribution of deposited particles on airway and alveolar surfaces is essential in any assessment of these effects. A unique database including both high-resolution lung anatomy and deposition data in four strains of laboratory mice have been recently made publicly available to the research community (https://doi.org/10.25820/9arg-9w56). Using these data, we investigated the effect of particle size on the distribution of deposited particles at the lobar and near-acini level. Analysis was performed on a total of 33 mice where 3, 16 and 14 animals were exposed to 0.5μm, 1μm and 2μm particles, respectively. Ratio of normalized deposition to normalized volume was calculated for each lobe (DV lobe ). At the near-acini level, the skew and standard deviation of the frequency distribution of particle deposition were calculated. Significant deviation above 1 was found for DV ratio in the cranial lobe (DV Cranial ). DV Middle , DV Caudal and DV Accessory were all significantly <1 and lower than DV left (p<0.01). At the near-acini level, skew and standard deviation were positively correlated with particle size and the presence of hot spots (high deposition) were mainly found in the apical region of the lung. These results highlight the uneven distribution of deposited particles in the mouse lung. Thus, depending on the lung sample location, individual analysis to determine overall deposition may either underestimate or overestimate total lung burden, at least for micron-sized particles.

Purification of Plasmodium and Babesia- infected erythrocytes using a non-woven fabric filter

The purification of parasite-infected erythrocytes from whole blood containing leucocytes is crucial for many downstream genetic and molecular assays in parasitology. Current methodologies to achieve this are often costly and time consuming. Here, we demonstrate the successful application of a cheap and simple Non-Woven Fabric (NWF) filter for the purification of parasitized red blood cells from whole blood. NWF filtration was applied to the malaria-parasitized blood of three strains of mice, and one strain of rat, and to Babesia gibsoni parasitized dog blood. Before and after filtration, the white blood cell (WBC) removal rates and red blood cell (RBC) recovery rates were measured. After NWF filter treatment of rodent malaria-infected blood, the WBC removal rates and RBC recovery rates were, for Kunming mice: 99.51%±0.30% and 86.12%±8.37%; for BALB/C mice: 99.61%±0.15% and 80.74%±7.11%; for C57 mice: 99.71%±0.12% and 84.87%±3.83%; for Sprague-Dawley rats: 99.93%±0.03% and 83.30%±2.96%. Microscopy showed WBCs were efficiently removed from infected dog blood samples, and there was no obvious morphological change of B. gibsoni parasites. NWF filters efficiently remove leukocytes from malaria parasite-infected mouse and rat blood, and are also suitable for filtration of B. gibsoni-infected dog blood.

[Research advances in the adverse effects of azo dyes]

China is the world's largest producer and user of dyes. The mass production and widespread use of disperse azo dyes led to environmental pollutions and potential human health risks. Azo dyes in environmental media (i.e., water, soil, air, and dust), food and clothing can enter the human body through multiple exposure routes, and some of them can be metabolized to produce more toxic metabolites, which can trigger toxic effects such as allergic reactions, tumor formation, and endocrine disruptions. This study systematically reviewed the production and use of azo dyes, environmental concentrations, human exposures, toxic effects and their underlying mechanisms, and regulations and standards. Meanwhile, the research trends of azo dyes were also discussed.

First Measurement of Differential Charged Current Quasielasticlike ν_{μ}-Argon Scattering Cross Sections with the MicroBooNE Detector

We report on the first measurement of flux-integrated single differential cross sections for charged-current (CC) muon neutrino (ν_{μ}) scattering on argon with a muon and a proton in the final state, ^{40}Ar (ν_{μ},μp)X. The measurement was carried out using the Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber detector with an exposure of 4.59×10^{19} protons on target. Events are selected to enhance the contribution of CC quasielastic (CCQE) interactions. The data are reported in terms of a total cross section as well as single differential cross sections in final state muon and proton kinematics. We measure the integrated per-nucleus CCQE-like cross section (i.e., for interactions leading to a muon, one proton, and no pions above detection threshold) of (4.93±0.76_{stat}±1.29_{sys})×10^{-38}  cm^{2}, in good agreement with theoretical calculations. The single differential cross sections are also in overall good agreement with theoretical predictions, except at very forward muon scattering angles that correspond to low-momentum-transfer events.

CXCL-10/CXCR3 in macrophages regulates tissue repair by controlling the expression of Arg1, VEGFa and TNFα

Macrophages have been reported to participate in inflammation, tissue homeostasis and tissue repair. The detailed mechanism of macrophage-mediated tissue repair is not clear. CXCL-10, secreted by monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts, mediates immune response and angiogenesis by binding to CXCR3. In this study, the expression of CXCL-10 and CXCR3 in porcine lung injury induced by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection was firstly examined. The results showed that the expression of both CXCL-10 and CXCR3 increased in the infected pig lungs. In addition, the increased expression of CXCL-10 and CXCR3 in macrophage treated by poly (I:C) was also observed, suggesting the autocrine system existed in macrophages. Furthermore, CXCL-10 treatment induced upregulation of Arg1 and VEGFa, and downregulation of TNFα in macrophage, and CXCR3 antagonist AMG487 treatment presented the contrary effects on the expression of Arg1, VEGFa, and TNFα. CXCL- 10-stimulated effects were dependent on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Wound-healing assay showed that CXCL-10 treatment macrophage conditioned medium promoted the healing process of endothelial cells. Our results suggested that CXCL-10/CXCR3 in macrophage may mediate tissue repair by regulating the macrophage expression of Arg1, VEGFa and TNFα. Modulation of CXCL-10/CXCR3 axis in macrophage may be a potential therapeutic strategy for tissue injury and repair.

Response of the gut microbiota during the Clostridioides difficile infection in tree shrews mimics those in humans

BACKGROUND

Clostridioides difficile is a major cause of antibiotic associated diarrhea. Several animal models are used to study C. difficile infection (CDI). The tree shrew has recently been developed as a model of primate processes. C. difficile infection has not been examined in tree shrews. We infected tree shrews with hyper-virulent C. difficile strains and examined the alterations in gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

RESULTS

C. difficile colonized the gastrointestinal tract of tree shrew and caused diarrhea and weight loss. Histopathologic examination indicated structures and mucosal cell destruction in ileal and colonic tissues. The gut microbial community was highly diversity before infection and was dominated by Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. Antibiotic administration decreased the diversity of the gut microbiota and led to an outgrowth of Lactobacillus. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriales, Lachnospiraceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia, Blautia, and Tyzzerella increased following C. difficile infection. These taxa could be biomarkers for C. difficile colonization.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the disease symptoms, histopathology, and gut microbiota changes following C. difficile infection in tree shrews were similar to those observed in humans.

1202 Validation Of A Novel Wearable Home Sleep Testing Device For Assessment Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Introduction

There is a substantial need for an accurate and easy-to-use tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) assessment. Belun Ring Platform (BRP), a novel photoplethysmography (PPG)-based home sleep apnea testing system with a proprietary deep learning algorithm, has been shown to have good sensitivity and specificity in predicting OSA in subjects without significant comorbidities and medications known to affect heart rate (HR). In this study, we further tested its performance in subjects referred for in-lab polysomnography (PSG) assessment of sleep disorders without excluding those with non-arrhythmia comorbidities or the subjects on HR-affecting medications.

Methods

PSG was recorded simultaneously with the Ring in the sleep lab and the studies were manually scored by certified sleep technicians according to the AASM Scoring manual version 2.4. Exclusion criteria include age &lt;18, unstable cardiopulmonary status, recent hospitalization within 30 days, significant arrhythmias, baseline HR &lt;50 or &gt;100, home oxygen use, pacemaker/defibrillator, post-cardiac transplantation or Left ventricular assist device.

Results

A cohort of 78 individuals (26 males and 52 females, age 50.5) were studied with 26 taking HR-affecting medications. Of these, 35 (45%) had AHI &lt; 5; 14 (18%) had AHI 5-15; 15 (19%) had AHI 15-30; 14 (18%) had AHI &gt; 30. The Ring-REI correlated well with the PSG-AHI (r =0.83, P &lt;0.001). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity in categorizing AHI &gt;15 were 0.808, 0.931, and 0.735 respectively. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were 0.675, 0.947, 3.509, and 0.094 respectively. The use of HR-affecting medications did not significantly affect the sensitivity and specificity of BRP in predicting OSA (P =0.16 and 0.44 respectively).

Conclusion

BRP is promising as a reasonable tool for OSA assessment and can potentially be incorporated into a broad spectrum of clinical practices for identification of patients with OSA.

Support

This study is supported by a Grant from Belun Technology Company Limited.