Maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation and risk for fetal congenital genitourinary system defects

BACKGROUND

Taking folic acid supplementation could reduce the risk of neural tube defects for offspring in the maternal periconceptional period, but the relationship between folic acid use and other birth defects remains unclear, such as genitourinary system birth defects.

METHODS

The data from a Prenatal Health Care System and Birth Defects Surveillance System in Tongzhou, Beijing, China, were collected from 2013 to 2018. We adjusted for differences in characteristics between comparison groups using propensity score inverse probability weighting and assessed associations with Poisson regression modeling.

RESULTS

A total of 65,418 live births and stillbirths were included, and there were 194 cases with congenital genitourinary defects among them. The prevalence of genitourinary system birth defects was 29.2 (34.9) per 10,000 for FA/MMFA users (nonusers). Compared to nonusers, FA/MMFA users had a lower risk for genitourinary system birth defects (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67, 0.98), and for hypospadias (aRR 0.55, 95% CI 0.40, 0.76).

CONCLUSIONS

FA or MMFA supplementation during the maternal periconceptional period could reduce the risk for genitourinary system birth defects in offspring. More mechanisms should be explored for the protective effect.

IMPACT

Folic acid (FA) or multiple micronutrients containing folic acid (MMFA) supplementation during the maternal periconceptional period could reduce the risk for genitourinary system birth defects in offspring. Maternal FA/MMFA supplementation during the periconceptional period may reduce the risk for hypospadias.

Low anterior resection syndrome and quality of life after intersphincteric resection for rectal cancer: a propensity score-matched study

PURPOSE

Our aim was to perform a propensity score-matched study to compare the long-term functional outcomes and quality of life following intersphincteric resection vs. low anterior resection (LAR) with very low anastomosis.

METHODS

Patients who underwent intersphincteric resection or low anterior resection with low anastomosis (≤ 4 cm from the anal verge) for rectal cancer between January 2017 and June 2020 were retrospectively included. A propensity score-matching process was performed. Functional outcomes and quality of life were assessed using the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 3 Level Version (EQ-5D-3L), EORC-QLQ C30, EORC-QLQ CR29, Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS), Wexner, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaires. The primary outcome was the presence of LARS at least 12 months after surgery. The second outcome was the postoperative quality of life of included patients.

RESULTS

After propensity matching, 128 patients were included, including 58 males and 70 females with a median age of 59.5. Patients in the intersphincteric resection group showed a higher incidence of incontinence to flatus (32.8% versus 14.0%, p = 0.043) and stools (42.2% versus 21.9%, p = 0.046), pain/discomfort (25.0% versus 7.8%, p = 0.001), and bowel dysfunction, while the LARS scores (15.0 versus 13.2, p = 0.461) and major LARS rates (26.6% versus 14.1%, p = 0.078) were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSION

ISR leads to increased bowel incontinence rate and increased anal pain, without affecting the grade of low anterior resection syndrome, fecal urgency, and clustering. LAR might be the preferred sphincteric-preserving approach when negative resection margins and a safe anastomosis are guaranteed. Patients should be fully informed about potential functional impairment after sphincter-preservation procedures.

Multidetector CT-derived tricuspid annulus measurements predict tricuspid regurgitation reduction after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

AIM

To use multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT)-derived tricuspid annulus (TA) measurements to identify predictors for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) reduction after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and to investigate the impact of TR change on prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, single-centre study was conducted on consecutive patients who underwent TAVR with concomitant baseline mild or more severe TR from April 2012 to April 2022. TA parameters were measured using MDCT.

RESULTS

The study comprised 266 patients (mean age 74.2 ± 7.6 years, 147 men) and 45.1% had more than one grade of TR reduction at follow-up. Independent predictors of TR reduction at follow-up were distance between TA centroid and antero-septal commissure (odd ratio [OR] 0.776; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.672-0.896, p=0.001), baseline TR of moderate or worse (OR 4.599; 95% CI: 2.193-9.648, p<0.001), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (OR 1.018; 95% CI: 1.002-1.035, p=0.027), age (OR 0.955; 95% CI: 0.920-0.993, p=0.019), and pre-existing atrial fibrillation (OR 0.209; 95% CI: 0.101-0.433, p<0.001). Patients without TR reduction had higher rates of rehospitalisation (hazard ratio [HR] 0.642; 95% CI: 0.413-0.998, p=0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

The MDCT-derived TA parameter was predictive of TR reduction after TAVR. Persistent TR after TAVR was associated with higher rates of rehospitalisation.

[Feasibility and safety of transseptal transcatheter mitral valve replacement for severe mitral regurgitation]

A prospective, single-center, single-arm, and open-design study was performed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of transseptal transcatheter mitral valve replacement in the treatment of severe mitral regurgitation. Patients with symptomatic moderate-severe or severe mitral regurgitation at high-surgical risk and anatomically appropriate for the HighLife transseptal mitral valve replacement (TSMVR) system in West China Hospital, Sichuan University from December 2021 to August 2022 were enrolled. Four patients (1 male and 3 females) with severe mitral regurgitation were included, with a median age of 68.5 (64.0-77.0) years and a median Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of 8.1% (6.4%-8.9%). Technical success was achieved in all the patients. There was no residual mitral regurgitation, paravalvular leakage, or left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Three major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events occurred within 30 days after the procedure, including ventricular tachycardia, iatrogenic atrial septal defect closure, and heart failure readmission. The current study preliminarily demonstrates that transcatheter mitral valve replacement using the HighLife system via the transseptal approach for severe mitral regurgitation is feasible and relatively safe.

Source identification of PCBs in Antarctic air by compound-specific isotope analysis of chlorine (CSIA-Cl) using HRGC/HRMS

Occurrence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Polar Regions has received great concern in the past several decades due to their long-term adverse effect on biological health in such a fragile environment. However, there is still argument over their source and fate in these pristine areas. Here we attempted to use a novel approach (compound-specific isotope analysis of chlorine, CSIA-Cl) to identify the source of POPs in Antarctic air by comparison with the source area. The results showed that the relative isotope-ratio variation of Cl (δ³⁷Cl') values showed a large variation from - 137 to 9.04 ‰ in the gas-phase samples, and a significantly negative correlation (p < 0.01) was obtained against the logKoa values of PCBs. There were no significant correlations (p > 0.05) observed between the δ³⁷Cl' values and meteorological parameters except for PCB-28 which showed temperature dependence. By contrast, the δ³⁷Cl' values in the urban (Beijing) air ranged from - 12.8 to 2.03 ‰. The larger variation of δ³⁷Cl' in Antarctic air indicated evidently influence of long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) on isotopologue fractionation of PCBs. This study may shed light on the application of CSIA-Cl for source identification of chlorinated POPs on a large scale.

The relationship between maternal periconceptional micronutrient supplementation and non-syndromic cleft lip/palate in offspring

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the relationship between maternal periconceptional supplementation with folic acid only (FAO) or with multiple micronutrients containing folic acid (MMFA) and non-syndromic cleft lip/palate in offspring.

METHOD

The data came from a prenatal health care system and a birth defects surveillance system in Beijing, China, from 2013 to 2018. Information on maternal FAO/MMFA supplementation was collected by questionnaire in the first trimester, and data on cleft lip/palate were collected at delivery or termination of pregnancy. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) by the propensity score to adjust for the confounders and Poisson regression model was used to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

A total of 63,969 participants were included in the study. Compared to the no-supplementation group, the adjusted RR for the supplementation group was 0.51 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.64). And the adjusted RRs for FAO and MMFA compared to the no-supplementation group were 0.56 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.76) and 0.48 (95% CI: 0.35, 0.65), respectively. Compared to supplement FAO and MMFA with less than 8 days out of 10 days, the adjusted RRs for FAO and MMFA with 8 or more days out of 10 days were 1.17 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.75), and 2.05 (95% CI: 1.37, 3.31), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Maternal supplementation with micronutrients, either FAO or MMFA, during the periconceptional period can reduce the risk for non-syndromic cleft lip/palate in offspring. However, women should be more cautious with MMFA supplementation.

Chronic Hemorrhagic Anemia Caused by Hookworm Infection: A Case Report

PURPOSE

Hookworm infection is one of the causes of long-term chronic hemorrhagic anemia in patients. This article reports a case of chronic severe anemia caused by hookworm infection.

METHODS

The capsule endoscopy showed that there were a large number of hookworms in the small intestine of a patient. At the same time, using the technique of saturated brine floatation and the automatic stool analyzer, hookworm eggs were detected.

RESULTS

The patient's anemia was caused by hookworm infection and was significantly improved after anti-hookworm treatment.

CONCLUSION

Hookworm infection cannot be ignored in the differential diagnosis of patients with chronic anemia. Capsule endoscopy combined with stool detection haves an important clinical value for the diagnosis of hookworm disease.

Modification effects of ambient temperature on associations of ambient ozone exposure before and during pregnancy with adverse birth outcomes: A multicity study in China

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies suggest that both ambient ozone (O₃) and temperature were associated with increased risks of adverse birth outcomes. However, very few studies explored their interaction effects, especially for small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA).

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the modification effects of ambient temperature on associations of ambient O₃ exposure before and during pregnancy with preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), SGA and LGA based on multicity birth cohorts.

METHODS

A total of 56,905 singleton pregnant women from three birth cohorts conducted in Tianjin, Beijing and Maoming, China, were included in the study. Maximum daily 8-h average O₃ concentrations of each pregnant woman from the preconception period to delivery for every day were estimated by matching their home addresses with the Tracking Air Pollution in China (TAP) datasets. We first applied the Cox proportional-hazards regression model to evaluate the city-specific effects of O₃ exposure before and during pregnancy on adverse birth outcomes at different temperature levels with adjustment for potential confounders, and then a meta-analysis across three birth cohorts was conducted to calculate the pooled associations.

RESULTS

In pooled analysis, significant modification effects of ambient temperature on associations of ambient O₃ with PTB, LBW and LGA were observed (P_interaction < 0.05). For a 10 μg/m³ increase in ambient O₃ exposure at high temperature level (> 75^th percentile), the risk of LBW increased by 28 % (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13-1.46) during the second trimester and the risk of LGA increased by 116% (HR: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.16-4.00) during the entire pregnancy, while the null or weaker association was observed at corresponding low (≤ 25^th percentile) and medium (> 25^th and ≤ 75^th percentile) temperature levels.

CONCLUSION

This multicity study added new evidence that ambient high temperature may enhance the potential effects of ambient O₃ on adverse birth outcomes.

Aberrant methylation-mediated downregulation of the LINC01554 gene accelerates the malignant progression and regulates the chemosensitivity of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is diagnosed as a malignant tumor with a poor prognosis, the associated mechanisms still need to be further investigated. The LINC01554 gene is confirmed to participate in the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in LSCC has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the function and the potential mechanism of LINC01554 in LSCC, LINC01554 further was used as a molecular target for the diagnosis and molecular targeted therapy of LSCC. The microarray-based gene expression profiling of LSCC and its adjacent non-tumor tissue were used to identify the differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied to verify the expression levels of LINC01554 in tissue and LSCC cell lines. The DNA methylation level of the LINC01554 promoter was detected by the application of bisulfite genomic sequencing (BGS), and the bisulfite conversion-specific/methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (BS-MSP) method. The effect of LINC01554 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of squamous cell carcinoma was assessed by MTS, wound healing, transwell, RT-qPCR, Western blot in vitro-cultured TU177 cells, and AMC-HN-8 cells. The microarray-based gene expression profiling identified the differentially expressed lncRNAs, including LINC01554, with downregulation in the LSCC tissue vs. normal tissue. The RT-qPCR verified the downregulation of LINC01554 in the LSCC tissue (P=0.0049) and LSCC cell (P=0.0020). The BGS and BS-MSP exhibited the hypermethylation level of the LINC01554 promoter, which mediated the downregulation of LINC01554. A gain-of-function experiment showed that LINC01554 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TU177 and AMC-HN-8. Subsequently, LINC01554 overexpression was shown to decrease cell viability in TU177 and AMC-HN-8 cells treated with cisplatin. Our findings indicated that the aberrant methylation-mediated downregulation of LINC01554 promoted malignant progression and cisplatin resistance in LSCC, and LINC01554 may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and a novel therapeutic target for LSCC.

[Preliminary clinical experience of the novel transcatheter aortic valve system Prizvalve® for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis]

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the novel Prizvalve^® system in treating severe aortic stenosis. Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, single-arm, observational study. A total of 11 patients with severe aortic stenosis with high risk or inappropriate for conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) were included, and TAVI was achieved with the Prizvalve^® system between March 2021 and May 2021 in West China Hospital. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed immediately after prosthesis implantation to evaluate mean transaortic gradient and maximal transaortic velocity. The device success rate was calculated, which was defined as (1) the device being delivered via the access, deployed, implanted and withdrawn, (2) mean transaortic gradient<20 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) or a maximal transaortic velocity<3 m/s post TAVI, and without severe aortic regurgitation or paravalvular leak post TAVI. TTE was performed at 30 days after the surgery, and all-cause mortality as well as the major cardiovascular adverse events (including acute myocardial infarction, disabling hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke) up to 30 days post TAVI were analyzed. Results: The age of 11 included patients were (78.1±6.3) years, with 8 males. A total of 10 patients were with NYHA functional class Ⅲ or Ⅳ. Devices were delivered via the access, deployed, implanted and withdrawn successfully in all patients. Post-implant mean transaortic gradient was (7.55±4.08) mmHg and maximal transaortic velocity was (1.78±0.44) m/s, and both decreased significantly as compared to baseline levels (both P<0.05). No severe aortic regurgitation or paravalvular leak was observed post TAVI. Device success was achieved in all the 11 patients. No patient died or experienced major cardiovascular adverse events up to 30 days post TAVI. Mean transaortic gradient was (9.45±5.07) mmHg and maximal transaortic velocity was (2.05±0.42) m/s at 30 days post TAVI, which were similar as the values measured immediately post TAVI (both P>0.05). Conclusions: TAVI with the Prizvalve^® system is a feasible and relatively safe procedure for patients with severe aortic stenosis and at high risk or inappropriate for SAVR. Further clinical studies could be launched to obtain more clinical experience with Prizvalve^® system.

Periconceptional Folic Acid Supplementation and Newborn Birth Weights

BACKGROUND

The relationship between maternal folic acid supplementation and the birth weights of offspring remains inconclusive.

AIM

To examine the associations between maternal supplementation with folic acid only (FAO) or multiple micronutrients containing folic acid (MMFA) and newborn birth weights, as well as the risk of small for gestational week age (SGA) and large for gestational week age (LGA) newborns.

METHODS

Data on 31,107 births from 2015 to 2018 were extracted from the population-based prenatal health care system in a district of Beijing. Generalized linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation and birth weights or with risk of small for gestational week age (SGA) and large for gestational week age (LGA).

RESULTS

Compared with newborns whose mothers did not use any folic acid supplements, the newborns with maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation had similar median birth weight but had a lower risk of SGA [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.68-0.97)], however newborns born to mothers who took multiple micronutrients with folic acid (MMFA) with high compliance had a 25.59 g (95% CI: 6.49-44.69) higher median birth weight. Periconceptional women took folic acid only (FAO) (aOR = 0.83; 95%CI: 0.67-1.01) or MMFA (aOR = 0.74; 95%CI: 0.60-0.91) with high compliance decreased the risk of SGA, but has no impact on the risk of LGA.

CONCLUSION

Periconceptional FAO supplementation has no impact on the median birth weight of offspring and the risk of LGA. Compared with FAO, MMFA supplementation may increase the average birth weight, and a high compliance of supplementation with FAO or MMFA may reduce the risk of SGA, with MMFA having ad stronger effect than FAO.

Maternal Periconceptional Folic Acid Supplementation and Risk for Fetal Congenital Heart Defects

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of maternal periconceptional supplementation with folic acid or multiple micronutrients containing folic acid on the prevention of fetal congenital heart defects (CHDs).

STUDY DESIGN

Data were drawn from a Prenatal Health Care System and a Birth Defects Surveillance System in a district of Beijing, China. A total of 63 969 singleton births, live or stillborn, 308 CHDs among them, during 2013 to 2018 were included. Associations between different patterns of supplementation and risk for total CHDs or main types of CHDs were evaluated with risk ratios (RRs).

RESULTS

For folic acid or multiple micronutrients containing folic acid users compared with nonusers, the adjusted RRs (ARRs) for total CHDs, critical CHD, and ventricular septal defect (VSD) were 0.60 (95% CI, 0.44-0.83), 0.41 (95% CI, 0.26-0.67), and 0.47 (95% CI, 0.30-0.74), respectively. When we compared multiple micronutrients containing folic acid users with folic acid users, the ARRs were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.66-1.09), 0.64 (95% CI, 0.41-1.00), and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.63-1.41) for total CHDs, critical CHD, and VSD, respectively. We also found that, compared with supplementation initiated after conception, supplementation initiated before conception was associated with a lower risk for CHDs: the ARRs were 0.68 (95% CI, 0.48-0.95) for total CHDs and 0.26 (95% CI, 0.10-0.71) for critical CHD, but 1.08 (95% CI, 0.63-1.83) for VSD.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal periconceptional supplementation with folic acid or multiple micronutrients containing folic acid seems to decrease the risk for CHDs, especially critical CHD, in offspring. Supplementation confers a greater protective effect when it is initiated before conception. We did not find any difference between folic acid and multiple micronutrients containing folic acid in terms of preventing CHDs.

Malignant acanthosis nigricans and diseases with extensive oral papillary hyperplasia

Oral papillary lesions represent a variety of developmental and neoplastic conditions. Early diagnoses of different papillary lesions are challenging for oral medicine specialists. Malignant acanthosis nigricans (MAN) is a rare cutaneous disorder and a potential marker of underlying hidden tumours. It is characterized by papillary lesions that always involve the oral mucosa. In oral medicine specialities, MAN is not well understood. When the early signs of MAN are extensive oral lesions and slight cutaneous pigmentation without obvious florid cutaneous papillomatosis, the diagnosis can be incorrect or delayed. Oral medicine specialists should ask affected patients to provide details of their medical history and conduct a timely systemic examination.

Maternal periconceptional folic acid supplements use and fetus risk for limb defects

BACKGROUND

Associations between the periconceptional folic acid only (FAO) or multiple micronutrients containing folic acid (MMFA) supplementation and risk for limb defects are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between periconceptional folic acid supplements use and risk for limb defects, including clubfoot, polydactyly, syndactyly, and limb deficiencies.

METHODS

Data were derived from a cohort based on a pregnancy registry in a district of Beijing, China, from 2013 to 2018. Information on maternal periconceptional FAO and MMFA supplementation was collected via face-to-face interviews at first trimester. Pregnancy outcomes including limb defects were ascertained in livebirths, stillbirths, and elective pregnancy terminations and were recorded into the system. Propensity score methods were used to adjust for potential confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 63 969 women with a singleton delivery were included. The overall prevalence of limb defects was 47.5 per 10 000 (n = 63 969) singleton deliveries. Decreased prevalence of limb defects was found among FAO/MMFA users compared with women who did not take supplements (nonusers) (46.1 vs. 61.9 per 10 000 births, adjusted risk ratio [RR] 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56, 1.12). Compared with nonusers (n = 6462, 10.2%), women who took either FAO (n = 26 567, 42.0%) or MMFA (n = 30 259, 47.8%) had a lower risk for total clubfoot (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20, 0.84), and for isolated clubfoot (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.17, 0.97). For other limb defects except clubfoot, FAO supplementation did not appear to be associated with reduced risk, while MMFA supplementation group had 30%-50% reduced risks for other limb defects. A lower risk for limb defects or isolated limb defects was found with MMFA supplementation when FAO supplementation was used as a control.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal periconceptional supplements with either FAO or MMFA had inverse association with clubfoot in offspring, and MMFA was associated with lower risk for isolated limb defects compared with FAO.

Impact of nodular calcification on the outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

Background

Calcified plaque is thought to adversely impact clinical outcomes but the impact of nodular calcification after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear.

Purpose

This study sought to explore the impact of nodular calcification on the outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndromes.

Methods

Five-hundred culprit plaque with calcification were analysed from 495 ACS patients in whom PCI was performed. Plaques were divided into nodular calcification group (n=238) and non-nodular calcification group (n=262). Calcification is defined as an area with low back-scattering signal and a sharp border. Nodular calcification was defined as a protruding mass with an irregular surface, high backscattering, and signal attenuation on optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Results

Patients with nodular calcification were older (p&lt;0.001) and had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.006) compared to patients with non-nodular calcification. Lesion length (31 (25.2, 38.5) vs. 29 (22.8, 34.1), p&lt;0.001) was longer in plaques with nodular calcification. A higher prevalence of superficial calcium (p&lt;0.001) was observed in plaques with nodular calcification compared with non-nodular calcification group. Minimum stent area (MSA) (5.0 (3.9, 6.3) vs. 5.4 (4.2, 6.7), p=0.011) and stent expansion (70 (62.7, 81.8) vs. 75 (65.2, 86.6), p=0.004) were significantly smaller in the nodular calcification group than in the non-nodular calcification group. Independent predictors of nodular calcification were age (p&lt;0.001) lesion length (p=0.002) and calcium depth (p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the presence of nodular calcification is associated with unfavourable outcomes with smaller minimum stent area and higher incidence of stent under expansion in patients with ACS treated with primary PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Gender-specific difference of clinical and plaque characteristics in myocardial infarction with non-obstructive artery (MINOCA): insights from optical coherence tomography

Background

To date, sparse data are available with regard to gender differences in coronary plaque morphology and composition as underlying mechanism of MINOCA.

Purpose

To assess the differences in coronary plaque morphology in culprit lesion between women and men with MINOCA using intravascular optical coherence tomography.

Methods

Totally, 7404 consecutives acute myocardial infarction patients who underwent emergency coronary angiography between 2016 and 2019 were screened. MINOCA were identified in 292 patients (mean age: 72.6% male, 54.1% with ST-segment elevation). Optical coherence tomography was performed in 190 patients (men, n=142).

Results

Women with MINOCA were older (62.5±10.6 vs. 54.0±11.5, P&lt;0.001) and more over 55 years (75.3% vs. 43.6%, P&lt;0.001). Although women with MINOCA more frequently presented with NSTEMI (56.8% vs. 41.7%, P=0.025) and prior coronary artery disease (CAD) (33.3% vs. 6.3%, P&lt;0.001), they were less likely smoker (27.2% vs. 58.8%, P&lt;0.001). There was no significant difference in incidence of plaque rupture, erosion and calcified nodule between men and women. However, women were more likely to have thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (39.6% vs. 22.5%, P=0.025).

Conclusion

Women with MINOCA were older, more frequently presented with NSTEMI and less smoking compared to men. Besides, more TCFA were observed in women.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Clinical and OCT plaque profilesProportion of clinical and OCT profiles

Sulforaphane overcomes T790M-mediated gefitinib resistance in vitro through epithelial-mesenchymal transition

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of sulforaphane (SFN) on gefitinib-resistant cell lines with a T790 mutation (PC-9/AB11). The PC-9 and PC-9/AB11 cells were stained with H&E and visualized with a light microscope. The CCK-8 assay method was used to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of gefitinib and SFN on the cells. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were analyzed via flow cytometry. The cytotoxic interaction between the two drugs was evaluated in vitro using the combination index method, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and alterations in the signaling pathways were determined by Western blot analysis. Compared to the PC-9 cells, the gefitinib-resistant PC-9/AB11 cells acquired a T790M mutation and had characteristics in accordance with EMT. The combination of gefitinib and SFN induced dose-dependent antiproliferative effects in the PC-9 and PC-9/AB11 cells, while both induced cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis only in the PC-9/AB11 cells. The synergistic effect in the PC-9/AB11 cells was associated with this drug combination, as it caused an expression change of the epithelial (E-cadherin, claudin-1) and matrix proteins (vimentin, N-cadherin) in the cells, related to the reversal of EMT, as well as an expression change of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), p-EGFR, p-AKT, and p-ERK proteins. In this study, SFN overcame T790M-mediated gefitinib resistance in vitro through EMT. Thus, a combination of gefitinib and SFN may be a beneficial treatment strategy for lung cancer patients with acquired resistance due to T790M mutation.

Prospective evaluation of first-trimester screening strategy for preterm pre-eclampsia and its clinical applicability in China

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate, in a Chinese population, the performance of a screening strategy for preterm pre-eclampsia (PE) using The Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF)'s competing-risks model and to explore its clinical applicability in mainland China.

METHODS

This was a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study including 10 899 women with singleton pregnancy who sought prenatal care at one of 13 hospitals, located in seven cities in mainland China, between 1 December 2017 and 30 December 2019. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) and maternal serum levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation were measured and converted into multiples of the median using Chinese reference ranges. Individualized risk for preterm PE was calculated using the FMF algorithm. Prior risk was calculated based on maternal demographic characteristics and obstetric history. We evaluated the efficiency of the screening strategy using various combinations of biomarkers and analyzed its predictive performance for a composite of placenta-associated adverse pregnancy outcomes, including PE, placental abruption, small-for-gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth, at fixed false-positive rates for preterm PE.

RESULTS

We identified 312 pregnancies that developed PE, of which 117 cases were diagnosed as preterm PE (< 37 weeks' gestation). There were 386 pregnancies complicated by severe composite placenta-associated adverse outcome, including preterm PE, 146 cases of severe SGA (birth weight < 3^rd percentile) neonate, 61 cases with placental abruption and 109 cases of early preterm birth < 34 gestational weeks. The triple-marker model containing biomarkers MAP, UtA-PI and PAPP-A achieved, at fixed false-positive rates of 10%, 15% and 20%, detection rates for preterm PE of 65.0%, 72.7% and 76.1%, respectively, and detection rates for severe composite placenta-associated adverse outcome of 34.7%, 41.7% and 46.4%, respectively. Replacing PAPP-A with PlGF or adding PlGF to the model did not improve the performance. Of women screening positive for preterm PE at a fixed 5% false-positive rate, an estimated 30% developed at least one placenta-associated adverse pregnancy outcome, including PE, placental abruption, SGA (birth weight < 10^th percentile) and preterm birth < 37 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

The FMF competing-risks model for preterm PE was found to be effective in screening a mainland Chinese population. Women who screened positive for preterm PE had increased risk for other placenta-associated pregnancy complications. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Enhanced removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solution by surface modified activated carbon with bacteria

AIMS

The adsorption behaviour and mechanisms of the surface modified activated carbon with bacteria was evaluated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

16S rRNA was employed to identify the hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria. The bacteria was characterized by TEM and electron microscope. The surface modified activated carbon with bacteria was characterized by SEM. The adsorption behaviour was tested by static adsorption and dynamic adsorption.

CONCLUSION

The adsorption efficiency of the modified activated carbon was high when pH was weak acidic, and the adsorption capacity increased with the increase of temperature ranging from 20 to 35°C. The adsorption capacity peaked at 234·6 mg g^-1 at 25°C, which was sixfold higher than that of activated carbon. The pseudo-first-order kinetic can more accurately assess Congo red adsorption on the two adsorbents. The adsorption of Congo red by bacteria surface modified activated carbon fitted well with the Langmuir's model. The adsorption process was endothermic, and the biological floccules were formed during the adsorption. The physical adsorption is the main driving force.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results indicate that the bacteria surface-modified activated carbon can be used effectively as an adsorbent to eliminate Congo red from aqueous solutions.

FOXD1-AS1 regulates FOXD1 translation and promotes gastric cancer progression and chemoresistance by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common gastrointestinal cancer with a high global mortality. Recent reports have suggested that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) are implicated in multiple aspects of GC, including pathogenesis, progression, and therapeutic response. Herein, we investigated the function of FOXD1-AS1 in GC progression and chemoresistance. Expression of FOXD1-AS1 was low in normal stomach tissues but was upregulated in GC cell lines. Silencing of FOXD1-AS1 impaired GC cell proliferation and motility in vitro, and repressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Importantly, FOXD1-AS1 upregulation increased the resistance of GC cells to cisplatin. Moreover, we found that FOXD1-AS1 promoted FOXD1 protein translation through the eIF4G-eIF4E-eIF4A translational complex. We also demonstrated that FOXD1-AS1 released eIF4E from phosphorylated 4E-BP1 and thereby strengthened the interaction of eIF4E with eIF4G by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was due to the post-transcriptional upregulation of PIK3CA, in turn induced by FOXD1-AS1-mediated sequestering of microRNA (miR)-466. Furthermore, we verified that FOXD1-AS1 facilitated GC progression and cisplatin resistance in a FOXD1-dependent manner. In conclusion, FOXD1-AS1 aggravates GC progression and chemoresistance by promoting FOXD1 translation via PIK3CA/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. These findings highlight a novel target for treatment of patients GC, particularly patients with cisplatin resistance.

Concentrations and distribution of novel brominated flame retardants in the atmosphere and soil of Ny-Ålesund and London Island, Svalbard, Arctic

Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) were investigated in Arctic air and soil samples collected from Ny-Ålesund and London Island, Svalbard, during Chinese scientific research expeditions to the Arctic during 2014-2015. The concentrations of Σ₉NBFRs in the Arctic air and soil were 4.9-8.7 pg/m³ (average 6.8 pg/m³) and 101-201 pg/g dw (average 150 pg/g dw), respectively. The atmospheric concentration of hexabromobenzene (HBB) was significantly correlated with that of pentabromotoluene (PBT) and pentabromobenzene (PBBz), suggesting similar source and environmental fate in the Arctic air. No significant spatial difference was observed among the different sampling sites, both for air and soil samples, indicating that the effects of the scientific research stations on the occurrence of NBFRs in the Arctic were minor. The fugacities from soil to air of pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), 2,3-dibromopropyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (DPTE), and decabromodiphenylethane 1,2-bis (pentabromophenyl) ethane (DBDPE) were lower than the equilibrium value, indicating a nonequilibrium state of these compounds between air and soil, the dominant impact of deposition and the net transport from air to soil. The correlation analysis between the measured and predicted soil-atmosphere coefficients based on the absorption model showed that the impact of the soil organic matter on the distribution of NBFRs in the Arctic region was minor. To the best of our knowledge, this work is one of the limited reports on atmospheric NBFRs in the Arctic and the first study to investigate the occurrence and fate of NBFRs in the Arctic soil.

Impact of macrophage infiltration in patients with st-segment elevation myocardial infarction caused by plaque erosion: an in vivo optical coherence tomography study

Background

Chronic inflammatory infiltration is a common process for atherosclerosis development. However, autopsy studies reveal that incidence rate of inflammatory infiltrates are less abundant in plaque erosion compared with plaque rupture.

Purpose

Studies performed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) have allowed to establish the severity of plaque inflammation by assessing macrophage infiltration (MØI). In this study, we aimed at assessing the impaction of MØI in plaque erosion among patients with STEMI by using OCT.

Methods

A total of 1561 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) who underwent OCT imaging were enrolled in this study. According to the exclusion criteria, 312 patients with STEMI exhibiting plaque erosion were classified as MØI or no MØI.

Results

163 (52.2%) patients had MØI at the site of plaque erosion, whereas 149 (47.8%) patients had no evidence of MØI and patients of MØI group were significantly older (P=0.015). The result of angiography showed the prevalence of multi-vessel disease appeared more frequency (P=0.021) and diameter stenosis% were higher (P=0.031) in MØI group. OCT results showed the minimum fibrous-cap thickness was thinner (P&lt;0.001) and the maximum lipid arc was larger (P=0.005) in MØI group. Some patients underwent imaging follow-up at 1 year. There was no significant difference in the culprit plaque morphology progress among two groups (Figure 1A-1D).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that plaque inflammation can increase culprit lesion severity and plaque vulnerability in patients with STEMI caused by plaque erosion.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

lncRNA SNHG11 Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression by Activating the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Oncogenic Autophagy

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are under active investigation in the development of cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). Oncogenic autophagy is required for cancer cell survival. The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of lncRNA small nucleolar host gene 11 (SNHG11) in GC. We show that SNHG11 is upregulated in GC, and that its upregulation correlated with dismal patient outcomes. Functionally, SNHG11 aggravated oncogenic autophagy to facilitate cell proliferation, stemness, migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC. Mechanistically, SNHG11 post-transcriptionally upregulated catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) and autophagy related 12 (ATG12) through miR-483-3p/miR-1276, while the processing of precursor (pre-)miR-483/pre-miR-1276 was hindered by SNHG11. SNHG11 induced GSK-3β ubiquitination through interacting with Cullin 4A (CUL4A) to further activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Intriguingly, SNHG11 regulated autophagy in a manner dependent on ATG12 rather than the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, whereas SNHG11 contributed to the malignant behaviors of GC cells via both pathways. Finally, SNHG11 upregulation in GC cells was shown to be transcriptionally induced by TCF7L2. In conclusion, we reveal that SNHG11 is an onco-lncRNA in GC and might be a promising prognostic and therapeutic target for GC.

Clinical Effects of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Treating Breast Cancer

Objective: To explore clinical effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in treating breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed among 26 breast cancer patients receiving NAC. Chemotherapeutic effects were evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST), Japanese Breast Cancer Society (JBCS) grading, and Miller and Payne (MP) grading. Results: After chemotherapy, the percentage of tumor cells was significantly reduced, but chemotherapeutic period possessed no dramatic influence on curative effects. Among 20 patients with complete data, 2 achieved clinically complete response (CR), 10 showed partial response (PR), 4 had stable disease (SD), and 4 exhibited progress disease (PD). The total effective rate (CR + PR) of NAC was 60% (12/20). Besides, evaluation results from RECIST were generally in line with those from JBCS grading and MP grading. Conclusion: NAC is effective among the majority of patients with breast cancer. In addition, tumor size determined through clinical palpation is generally in accordance with responses to chemotherapy, and consistent performance is observed for three systems in grading responses to chemotherapy.

Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and its determinants among pregnant women in Beijing

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its determinants among pregnant women in the Tongzhou district of Beijing, China.Methods: This study was performed on data collected in the routine work of the prenatal health care system from 27,119 pregnant women in the Tongzhou district of Beijing during 2013-2018. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the factors associated with GDM.Results: The overall prevalence of GDM was 24.24%, and it showed an increasing trend over the 6 years. A univariate analysis showed that the prevalence of GDM increased with age (p < .001). In multivariate analysis, it was found that women with a non-local household registration, as well as those without a local household registration but whose husbands had one, had a lower risk for GDM than both spouses who had local registration. Women who were overweight/obese had a higher risk for GDM than women with a normal pre-pregnancy body mass index. Multipara women had a lower likelihood of developing GDM.Conclusions: We found a slightly higher prevalence of GDM in the Tongzhou district of Beijing than has been found in other studies, and the prevalence rose over the 6 years of the study. Advanced age, pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity, and local household registration were important risk factors for GDM. Multiparity may be a protective factor against developing GDM. Intensive health education on related determinants should be strengthened for the prevention and control of GDM, especially in high-risk women.

Time and laser ranging: a window of opportunity for geodesy, navigation and metrology

Recent progress in the domain of time and frequency (T/F) standards requires important improvements of existing time distribution links. Among these, the accuracy of time transfer is actually an important part of the concerns in order to establish and maintain time & space references from ground and/or space facilities. Several time transfers by laser link projects have been carried out over the past 10 years with numerous scientific and metrological objectives. Satellite Laser ranging (SLR) has proven to be a fundamental tool, offering a straightforward, conceptually simple, highly accurate and unambiguous observable. Depending on the mission, LR is used to transmit time over two-way or one-way distances from 500 to several millions of km. The following missions and their objectives employed this technique: European Laser Timing (ELT) at 450 km, Time Transfer by Laser Link (T2L2) at 1,336 km, Laser Time Transfer (LTT) at 36,000 km, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) at 350,000 km, and MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) at tens of million km. This article describes the synergy between SLR and T/F technologies developed on the ground and in space and as well as the state of the art of their exploitation. The performance and sources of limitation of such space missions are analyzed. It shows that current and future challenges lie in the improvement of the time accuracy and stability of the time for ground geodetic observatories. The role of the next generation of SLR systems is emphasized both in space and at ground level, from the point of view of GGOS and valuable exploitation of the synergy between time synchronization, ranging and data transfer.

DLX6-AS1 promotes cell proliferation, migration and EMT of gastric cancer through FUS-regulated MAP4K1

Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most prevalent carcinoma resulting in cancer-related deaths in the world, with differences among geographic areas. Although the incidence and mortality rates of GC in Asia are decreasing, the search for diverse and effective therapies of GC is still needed to be fully inquired. The present research explored the expression pattern, functional role and underlying mechanism of DLX6-AS1 in GC. Firstly, we measured DLX6-AS1 expression in GC and then found the elevated level of DLX6-AS1. To further inspect the function role of DLX6-AS1 involved in GC, we performed lost-of-function assays. The silencing of DLX6-AS1 suppressed cell proliferation, migration and EMT process of GC cells. Subsequently, we uncovered that MAP4K1 was also up-regulated in GC and could be positively regulated by DLX6-AS1. Moreover, MAP4K1 down-regulation similarly inhibited GC progression. In addition, DLX6-AS1 stabilized MAP4K1 via modulating FUS. In summary, DLX6-AS1 modulated GC progression through FUS-regulated MAP4K1. Our paper exposed the role and regulatory mechanism of DLX6-AS1 in GC, which suggested a novel and valid therapy for GC patients.

P5004Peripheral neuropathy and increased risk of heart failure: a population-based longitudinal cohort study

Background

One of the main pathophysiological processes thought to be implicated in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy is a microvascular disease (MiVD) that is prevalent in type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the role of MiVD in the development of heart failure (HF) is not known. T2D screening programmes identify three types of MiVD – retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Both retinopathy and nephropathy have been independently associated with the development of incident HF in observational cohort studies. There is less data on peripheral neuropathy and HF outcomes. This study aimed to determine the independent association of diabetic neuropathy with incident HF events in a large longitudinal population cohort of T2D patients with a detailed clinical follow-up that includes available echocardiographic data.

Design

This was a population-based longitudinal cohort study from the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research in Tayside Scotland study (GoDARTS) from 1996 to 2016. A total of 9,598 patients with T2D were included with data available on hospital admissions, prescribing and other clinical variables including age, gender, smoking history, duration of T2D, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride, total LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. Neuropathy cases were identified using a well-validated record linkage method utilising neuropathic drug prescription records to identify cases of neuropathic pain and to monofilament testing that is used to diagnose neuropathy.

Results

There were 805 HF events. After adjustment for clinical variables, the presence of painful neuropathy related to a 57% increased risk of incident HF (HR 1.57, 95% CI = 1.32–1.89, p<0.001). A similar risk was also observed with diabetic neuropathy identified by monofilament testing with a 52% (HR 1.52, CI = 1.013–1.225, P<0.05) increased risk of incident HF.

Conclusions and relevance

Peripheral neuropathy, a feature of MiVD, may be pathophysiologically associated with the development of HF in patients with T2D and may be a therapeutic target.

Rab GTPase 21 mediates caerulin-induced TRAF3-MKK3-p38 activation and acute pancreatitis response

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory disease. Caerulin induces significant pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages, causing serve damage to pancreatic acinar cells. The potential role of Rab GTPase 21 (Rab21) in this process was tested in this study. In murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), caerulin induced Rab21-TRAF3-MKK3 complex association. Rab21 silencing (by targeted shRNAs) or knockout (by CRISPR/Cas9 method) largely inhibited caerulin-induced MKK3-TRAF3 association, downstream MKK3-p38 activation and production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-17). Conversely, ectopic Rab21 overexpression in BMDMs potentiated caerulin-induced MKK3-TRAF3 association and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. The cytotoxicity of caerulin-activated BMDMs to co-cultured pancreatic acinar cells was alleviated by Rab21 knockdown or knockout, but exacerbated with Rab21 overexpression. In vivo, administration of Rab21 shRNA lentivirus significantly attenuated pancreatic and systemic inflammations in caerulin-injected AP mice. Collectively, our results suggest that Rab21 mediates caerulin-induced MKK3-p38 activation and pro-inflammatory responses.

Seasonal variation and human exposure assessment of legacy and novel brominated flame retardants in PM2.5 in different microenvironments in Beijing, China

Indoor exposure to legacy and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) may cause potential risks to human health. Studies on seasonal variations of indoor PM_2.5-bound BFRs are scant. This study comprehensively investigated the seasonal variations of PM_2.5-bound polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and NBFRs in various indoor environments (i.e. activity room, dormitory, home and office) and outdoor PM_2.5 in Beijing, China over one year. The levels of PBDE (226 ± 108 pg m^-3) were higher than that of NBFRs (27.0 ± 16.0 pg m^-3) in all indoor environments. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) were the most abundant BFRs. Office showed the highest mean concentrations of Σ₁₅PBDEs (251 ± 125 pg m^-3) and Σ₉NBFRs (33.0 ± 18.0 pg m^-3), which may be related to the higher number density of indoor materials. The concentrations of Σ₉NBFRs and Σ₁₅PBDE in indoor PM_2.5 were found to be significantly higher than those in the corresponding outdoor PM_2.5 (p < 0.05). Two to twenty-fold seasonal variations were observed for levels of PM_2.5-bound BFRs during one year, and indoor concentrations increased slightly during the central-heating period (November 2016-March 2017). Seasonal variations of BFRs could be affected by temperature, relative humidity and concentrations of particle matters. The PM_2.5-bound BFRs concentrations in PM_2.5 were negatively correlated with temperature and relative humidity, while positively correlated with PM_2.5 concentrations (p < 0.05). Atmospheric haze pollution could possibly contribute to higher levels of indoor PM_2.5-bound BFRs. Human daily intake of BFRs via PM_2.5 inhalation showed seasonal differences, and the highest exposure risk occurred in winter. Toddlers were assessed to be more vulnerable to indoor PM_2.5-bound BFRs in all seasons. This study provided the first-hand measurements of seasonal concentrations and human exposure to PM_2.5-bound BFRs in different indoor scenarios in Beijing.

Measurement of the Spin Tune Using the Coherent Spin Motion of Polarized Protons in a Storage Ring

This Letter reports the first spin tune measurement at high energies (24 and 255 GeV) with a driven coherent spin motion. To maintain polarization in a polarized proton collider, it is important to know the spin tune of the polarized proton beam, which is defined as the number of full spin precessions per revolution. A nine-magnet spin flipper has demonstrated high spin-flip efficiency in the presence of two Siberian snakes [H. Huang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 264804 (2018).10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.264804]. The spin flipper drives a spin resonance with a given frequency (or tune) and strength. When the drive tune is close to the spin tune, the proton spin direction is not vertical anymore, but precesses around the vertical direction. By measuring the precession frequency of the horizontal component, the spin tune can be precisely measured. A driven coherent spin motion and fast turn-by-turn polarization measurement are keys to the measurement. The vertical spin direction is restored after turning the spin flipper off and the polarization value is not affected by the measurement. The fact that this manipulation preserves the polarization makes it possible to measure the spin tune during the operation of a high energy accelerator.

Temporal variations of PM2.5-bound organophosphate flame retardants in different microenvironments in Beijing, China, and implications for human exposure

In the present study, the temporal distribution of PM_2.5-bound organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) was comprehensively investigated in various indoor environments as well as outdoor air in Beijing, China over a one-year period. The mean concentrations of Σ₉OPFRs were 22.7 ng m^-3 and 1.40 ng m^-3 in paired indoor and outdoor PM_2.5, respectively. The concentrations of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TNBP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) in indoor PM_2.5 were significantly correlated with those in outdoor PM_2.5. For different indoor microenvironments, mean concentrations of Σ₉OPFRs were in the order of office (29.0 ± 11.7 ng m^-3) > home (24.0 ± 9.4 ng m^-3) > dormitory (19.4 ± 4.9 ng m^-3) > activity room (14.4 ± 3.1 ng m^-3). TCIPP was the most abundant compound in the indoor PM_2.5, followed by TCEP. Significantly higher concentrations of OPFRs were observed in indoor environments with more furnishing, electronics or other materials (p < 0.05). Moreover, lower levels of OPFRs in indoor air were observed at well-ventilated (with higher air exchange rate) indoor sampling sites. Concentrations of Σ₉OPFRs in the activity room, dormitory, homes and outdoor sites generally increased in summer and heating seasons (November 2016 to February 2017). Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between temperatures and mass concentrations of OPFRs with higher vapor pressures, i.e. TNBP, TCEP and TCIPP in all indoor and outdoor samples. Seasonal differences in human exposure were observed and the highest daily exposure dose occurred in summer. Toddlers may suffer the highest exposure risk of PM_2.5-bound OPFRs via inhalation among all age groups. This is one of the very few studies that have revealed the seasonal variation and human exposure of PM_2.5-bound OPFRs in different microenvironments, which shed light on emission sources and fate of OPFRs and potential human exposure pathway.

Astragalosides modulates contractile function of toad gastrocnemius muscle

Huangqi (Radix Astragali) is a well-known traditional Chinese herbal medicine, it is an effective treatment for consumptive disease, such as the common cold, diarrhea, fatigue and cardiac diseases. Astragalosides (AST) is the main component of Huangqi. The purpose of this study is to investigate the modulation effect of AST on the skeletal muscle contractile function. Our results showed that the toad gastrocnemius muscle contractile response was significantly increased after the use of AST (25 mg/L, bath for the isolated muscle), which produced a left-ward shift of the contractile force-stimulation intensity curve. Moreover, AST also prevented the repetitive stimulation-induced decrease in muscle contractile force and recovery amplitude of muscle contraction. These results demonstrate that AST can affect contractile performance of toad gastrocnemius muscle and contribute to skeletal muscle anti-fatigue.

Altitudinal dependence of PCBs and PBDEs in soil along the two sides of Mt. Sygera, southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Surface soil samples were collected from Mt. Sygera in the southeast of Tibetan Plateau to investigate the altitudinal distribution of PCBs and PBDEs along the two sides of the mountain. The average concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs were 177 pg g-1 dw and 15 pg g-1 dw, respectively. The relationships between the log-transformed TOC-normalized concentrations and the altitudes showed different trends on the two sides. On the windward side, there was a positive correlation for the heavier PCBs; while on the leeward side, the concentrations increased and then decreased for PCBs and PBDEs at the altitude of 4100-4200 m, corresponding to the change in vegetation. The observed discrepancy on the two sides of the mountain demonstrated different key factors associated with precipitation and the forest canopy. Additionally, values of windward-leeward Enrichment Factors (W/L EFs) for the heavier PCB congeners (PCB-138, 153, and -180) were an order of magnitude higher in sites above 4200 m, which also suggested that vegetation played an important role in the altitudinal accumulation of POPs in soil. This is one of the very few studies that have revealed the differences in altitudinal accumulation of POPs along the two sides of a mountain.

Dihydromyricetin inhibits caerulin-induced TRAF3-p38 signaling activation and acute pancreatitis response

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common inflammatory disease in gastrointestinal tract. Our previous study has shown that caerulin induces TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3)-p38 signaling activation and pro-inflammatory response in macrophages, causing damage to co-cultured pancreatic acinar cells. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a flavonoid extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata, which has displayed anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant functions. Our results here show that DHM potently inhibited caerulin-induced expression and productions of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-17) in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). DHM significantly inhibited caerulin-induced TRAF3 protein stabilization, TRAF3-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) association and following MKK3-p38 activation in BMDMs. Significantly, DHM was ineffective against caerulin in TRAF3-silenced BMDMs. Importantly, DHM supplement attenuated the cytotoxicity of caerulin-activated BMDMs to co-cultured pancreatic acinar cells, resulting in significantly decreased acinar cell death and apoptosis. In vivo, DHM co-administration largely attenuated pancreatic and systemic inflammation in caerulin-injected AP mice. Together, DHM inhibits caerulin-induced TRAF3-p38 signaling activation and AP response. DHM could be further studied as a potential anti-AP agent.

An entirely enclosed scanning tunnelling microscope capable of being fully immersed in liquid helium

We present an ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV)-sealed high-stability scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) that can be entirely immersed in liquid helium and readily used in a commercial Dewar or superconducting magnet. The STM head features a horizontal microscanner that can become standalone and ultrastable when the coarse approach inertial motor retracts. Low voltage is enough to operate the STM even at low temperature owing to the powerful motor. It is housed in a tubular chamber of 49 mm outer diameter, which can be pumped via a detachable valve (DV), UHV-sealed and remain sealed after the DV is removed. The entire so-sealed chamber can then be inserted into liquid helium, where in situ sample cleavage is done via vacuum bellow. This allows sample cleavage and STM measurements to take place in better UHV with higher cooling power. Quality atomic resolution images of graphite and charge density wave on 1T-TiSe₂ taken in ambient and 14 K conditions, respectively, are presented.

High Spin-Flip Efficiency at 255 GeV for Polarized Protons in a Ring With Two Full Siberian Snakes

In polarized proton collision experiments, it is highly advantageous to flip the spin of each bunch of protons during the stores to reduce the systematic errors. Experiments done at energies less than 2 GeV have demonstrated a spin-flip efficiency over 99%. At high energy colliders with Siberian snakes, a single magnet spin flipper does not work because of the large spin tune spread and the generation of multiple, overlapping resonances. A more sophisticated spin flipper, constructed of nine-dipole magnets, was used to flip the spin in the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. A special optics choice was also used to make the spin tune spread very small. A 97% spin-flip efficiency was measured at both 24 and 255 GeV. These results show that efficient spin flipping can be achieved at high energies using a nine-magnet spin flipper.

Long non-coding RNA CASC15 regulates gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and epithelial mesenchymal transition by targeting CDKN1A and ZEB1

Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) is responsible for a diverse range of cellular functions, such as transcriptional and translational regulation and variance in gene expression. The lncRNA CASC15 (cancer susceptibility candidate 15) is a long intergenic non‐coding RNA (lincRNA) locus in chromosome 6p22.3. Previous research shows that lncRNA CASC15 is implicated in the biological behaviors of several cancers such as neuroblastoma and melanoma. Here, we aimed to explore in detail how CASC15 contributes to the growth of gastric cancer (GC). As predicted, the expression of CASC15 was enriched in GC tissues and cell lines as compared with healthy tissues and cells using qRT‐PCR. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to demonstrate that high expression of CASC15 is linked to a poor prognosis for patients suffering from GC. Additionally, functional experiments proved that the down‐ or up‐regulation of CASC15 inhibited or facilitated cell proliferation via the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and also suppressed or accelerated cell migration and invasion by affecting the progression of the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). In vivo experiments showed that the knockdown of CASC15 lessened the tumor volume and weight and influenced the EMT process. This was confirmed by western blot assays and immunohistochemistry, indicating impaired metastatic ability in nude mice. CASC15 involvement in the tumorigenesis of GC occurs when CASC15 interacts with EZH2 and WDR5 to modulate CDKN1A in nucleus. Additionally, the knockdown of CASC15 triggered the silencing of ZEB1 in cytoplasm, which was shown to be associated with the competitive binding of CASC15 to miR‐33a‐5p.

Ebselen suppresses inflammation induced by Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway

Ebselen is a seleno-organic compound that has been demonstrated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A previous study determined that ebselen inhibits airway inflammation induced by inhalational lipopolysaccharide (LPS), however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated the effect of ebselen on the glutathione peroxidase (GPX)‑reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and interleukin‑8 (IL‑8) expression induced by Helicobacter pylori LPS in gastric cancer (GC) cells. Cells were treated with 200 ng/ml H. pylori‑LPS in the presence or absence of ebselen for various durations and concentrations (µmol/l). The expression of toll‑like receptor 4 (TLR4), GPX2, GPX4, p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), phosphorylated‑p38 MAPK, ROS production and IL‑8 expression were detected with western blotting or ELISA. The present study revealed that TLR4 expression was upregulated; however, GPX2 and GPX4 expression was reduced following treatment with H. pylori LPS, which led to increased ROS production, subsequently altering the IL‑8 expression level in GC cells. Additionally, it was determined that ebselen prevented the reduction in GPX2/4 levels induced by H. pylori LPS, however, TLR4 expression was not affected. Ebselen may also block the expression of IL‑8 by inhibiting phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. These data suggest ebselen may inhibit ROS production triggered by H. pylori LPS treatment via GPX2/4 instead of TLR4 signaling and reduce phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, resulting in altered production of IL‑8. Ebselen may, therefore, be a potential therapeutic agent to mediate H. pylori LPS-induced cell damage.

A genome-wide association study suggests that MAPK14 is associated with diabetic foot ulcers

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a devastating complication of diabetes.

OBJECTIVES

To identify genetic contributors to the development of DFUs in the presence of peripheral neuropathy in a Scottish cohort with diabetes using a genome-wide association study.

METHODS

A genome-wide association approach was applied. A case was defined as a person with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) who had ever had a foot ulcer (current or previous) in at least one foot, as well as a positive monofilament test result (i.e. evidence of peripheral neuropathy) recorded in their longitudinal e-health records. A control was defined as an individual with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) who has never been recorded as having a foot ulcer in either foot but who had a positive monofilament test result recorded in either foot in their longitudinal e-health records.

RESULTS

There were 699 DFU cases and 2695 controls in the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research in Tayside Scotland (GoDARTS) dataset. The single-nucleotide polymorphism rs80028505 (Chr6p21·31) in MAPK14 reached genome-wide significance with a lowest P-value of 2·45 × 10-8 . The narrow-sense heritability of this phenotype is 0·06.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that MAPK14 is associated with DFUs.

Note: A highly symmetrical piezoelectric motor with self-matching friction and large output force

We present a new stacked TunaDrive motor with two intact piezoelectric stacks being spring-clamped by a pair of parallel highly polished zirconia ceramic rods. Compared with the earlier version we presented with five stacks, it has a simpler and more compact structure and is much easier to build. Although the usage of piezoelectric material is cut by ∼35%, the motor can still provide a large output force of ∼1.92 N, which is nearly the same as that of the earlier version. The simple and symmetrical structure, high rigidity, and large output force make the new motor an ideal tool for coarse approach with nanometer precision.