[Effect of HBV DNA load on the safety and prognosis of systematic therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: To study the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the occurrence of liver damage, HBV reactivation (HBVr) and the influence of HBVr on the prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving systemic therapy. Methods: The clinical data of 403 patients with HBV-related HCC at the Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University et al, from July 2018 to December 2020 were collected. The incidence of liver damage and HBVr during systematic therapy, and the influence of HBVr on survival prognosis were analyzed. Results: Of the 403 patients, 89.1% were male (n=359), with a median age of 51 years (51.5±12.1). Before propensity score matching (PSM), the proportion of patients with cirrhosis, TNM and advanced BCLC stage was higher in high HBV-DNA (baseline HBV-DNA>1000 U/ml, n=147) group comparing with the low HBV-DNA (baseline HBV DNA≤1000 u/ml, n=256) group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in baseline indexes between the two groups after PSM. In 290 patients after PSM, there was no significant difference in the incidence of liver damage and HBVr between high HBV-DNA group and low HBV-DNA group (P>0.05). Survival analysis was performed on 169 patients with survival data, the median overall survival (OS) was found to be 11.49 months (95%CI: 7.77-12.89) and 16.65 months (95%CI: 10.54-21.99, P=0.008) in the high and low HBV-DNA groups, respectively. And median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.41 months (95%CI: 5.06-8.67) and 10.55 months (95%CI: 6.72-13.54, P=0.038), respectively, with a statistically significant difference. There were no differences in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between patients with and without HBVr and those with or without liver damage (P>0.05). Conclusions: HBV-DNA levels above 1 000 U/ml before systemic therapy do not increase the risk of liver damage or HBVr during systemic therapy in patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma, and such patients can safely receive systemic therapy.

Limosilactobacillus reuteri peptidoglycan alleviates aflatoxin B1-induced toxicity through adsorbing toxins and improving growth, antioxidant status, immunity and liver pathological changes in chicks

1. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of a peptidoglycan produced by Limosilactobacillus reuteri against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced toxicity in vitro and in vivo in broiler chicks.2. Toxin adsorption experiments were carried out firstly in vitro. These experiments indicated that the absorption efficiency of the peptidoglycan for AFB1 was 64.3-75.9%.3. In the in vivo experiments, Hy-Line Brown chicks were fed a diet containing AFB1 at 71.43 µg/kg with and without peptidoglycan supplementation at concentrations of 100, 200, or 300 g/kg feed from 0-42 d of age.4. The peptidoglycan supplementation in AFB1-contaminated diets resulted in significant improvements in terms of average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, white blood cell count, haemoglobin content, glutathione peroxidase activity, immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, IgM and Newcastle disease virus antibody titres (p < 0.05) and diminished liver steatosis.5. In conclusion, peptidoglycan supplementation alleviated AFB1-induced toxicity through adsorbing toxins and improving growth performance, antioxidant ability, immunity and liver pathological changes in chicks. The optimal supplemental dose was 200 mg/kg in feed.

[Application of super-resolution and ultrafast ultrasound to reveal the characteristics of vascular blood flow changes after rat spinal cord injury at different segments]

Objective: To investigate the changes of spinal vascular blood flow in SD rats after cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal cord injury (SCI) using super-resolution ultrafast ultrasound technology. Methods: A total of 9 SD rats were used to construct SCI models at different segments using a 50 g aneurysm clip. Super-resolution ultrafast ultrasound technology was used to perform vascular blood flow imaging on the spinal cord of rats before and after injury at 6 hours, obtaining quantitative information such as spinal cord vascular density and blood flow velocity. Results: Ultrasound imaging showed that after SCI, the vascular density in the thoracic segment decreased (18.16%±1.04%) more than in the cervical segment (11.42%±1.39%) and lumbar segment (13.88%±1.43%, both P<0.05). The length of the spinal cord with decreased vascular density in the thoracic segment [(4.80±0.34)mm] was longer than that in the cervical segment [(2.80±0.57)mm] and lumbar segment [(3.10±0.36)mm, both P<0.05]. After injury, the decrease of blood flow in the thoracic segment [(8.87±0.85)ml/min] was higher than that in the cervical segment [(4.88±0.56)ml/min] and lumbar segment [(6.19±0.71)ml/min, both P<0.05]. HE staining and Nissl staining showed that the proportion of cavity area after thoracic SCI (11.53%±0.93%) was higher than that in the cervical segment (4.90%±1.72%) and lumbar segment (7.64%±0.84%, both P<0.05). The number of Nissl bodies in the thoracic segment (18.0±5.3) was also lower than that in the cervical segment (32.3±5.1) and lumbar segment (37.0±5.6) (both P<0.05). Conclusions: There are different changes in vascular blood flow after SCI in different segments of rats. The same injury causes the most severe damage to blood vessels in the thoracic spinal cord, followed by the lumbar spinal cord, and the cervical spinal cord has the least damage.

[Associations of blood pressure change with change in foods' intake among adults with mild to moderate hypertension]

Objective: To explore the association between the intake and changes in various types of food and the changes in blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Methods: Mild to moderate hypertension participants with complete baseline and outcome data were included from DECIDE-Diet study, a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Dietary records and blood pressure measurements at both 7-day run-in (baseline) and 28-day intervention phases were collected for enrolled participants. Blood pressure change was defined as the difference between blood pressure at the end of trial and the baseline blood pressure. Baseline intake of food was the average daily intake during the run-in period, and the intake increment was defined as the difference between the average intake during the trial period and the average intake during the run-in period. After adjusting for age, sex, study center, intervention groups, baseline body mass index (kg/m2), antihypertension medication use, and baseline total calorie intake, a linear regression model was used to analyze the associations of the before-after-intervention change in blood pressure with baseline intake and intake increment of foods. Results: A total of 258 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were included, including 133 males, aged (56.5±9.9) years. (1) After adjusting for confounding factors, there was no significant association between baseline intake of food and baseline blood pressure (all P>0.05). The blood pressure change was negatively associated with baseline intakes of tubers, vegetables, and vegetable oils but positively with baseline intake of meats; and was negatively associated with intake increment of whole grains and fish (all P<0.05). (2) The multiple linear regression analysis showed that baseline intake of vegetables (β=-0.021, P=0.004), vegetable oils (β=-0.260, P=0.002), and increment in intake of fish (β=-0.128, P=0.026) were all significantly associated with changes in systolic blood pressure; baseline intake of vegetables (β=-0.017, P=0.002), vegetable oils (β=-0.182, P=0.001), dairy products (β=0.021, P=0.022), and increment in intake of fish (β=-0.092, P=0.010) were all significantly associated with changes in diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Increasing the intake of whole grains, vegetables, vegetable oils, and fish and decreasing the intake of meat may be beneficial for blood pressure control in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

Iris metastasis from clear cell renal cell carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common type of tumor that can metastasize to any organs and sites. However, it is extremely rare for ccRCC to metastasize to the iris. Here, we describe a rare case of iris metastasis from ccRCC with a history of left nephrectomy in 2010.

CASE SUMMARY

A 62-year-old male was admitted to the hospital due to blurred vision and red eyes, and a mass was found on the iris in the right eye. B-scan ultrasonography revealed a well-bounded high-density lesion at the corner of the anterior chamber at the 3-4 o'clock position. Phacoemulsification with simultaneous intraocular lens implantation and iridocyclectomy was performed in the right eye. The lesion was confirmed to be metastatic ccRCC by histological and immunohistochemical analyses. The patient was still alive at 9 mo after surgical treatment. Ocular metastasis can be an initial sign with a poor prognosis. Timely detection and treatment may improve survival. Clinicians should pay attention to similar metastatic diseases to prevent misdiagnosis leading to missed treatment opportunities.

CONCLUSION

This report of the characteristics and successful management of a rare case of iris metastasis from ccRCC highlights the importance of a comprehensive medical history, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and clinical manifestation for successful disease diagnosis.

An E-band multi-channel Doppler backscattering system on EAST

An E-band (60-90 GHz) multi-channel Doppler backscattering (DBS) system with X-mode polarization has been installed on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), which can measure the turbulence at five different radial locations simultaneously. This system can launch 31 fixed microwave frequencies in the range of 60-90 GHz with a 1 GHz interval into the plasma, and five probing signals are selected by employing a reference signal and multiple filters. During experiments, the frequency of the reference signal is tunable in the E-band, and the selected probing signals can be changed as needed without any other adjustments, which can be performed in one shot or between shots. Furthermore, the incident angle can be adjusted from -10° to 20°, and the wavenumber range is 4-25 cm-1 with a wavenumber resolution of Δk/k ≤ 0.35. Ray tracing simulations are employed to calculate the scattering locations and the perpendicular wavenumber. In this article, the hardware design, ray tracing, and initial results obtained from the EAST plasma will be presented.

Role of DCLK1/Hippo pathway in type II alveolar epithelial cells differentiation in acute respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND

Delay in type II alveolar epithelial cell (AECII) regeneration has been linked to higher mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the interaction between Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) and the Hippo signaling pathway in ARDS-associated AECII differentiation remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to understand the role of the DCLK1/Hippo pathway in mediating AECII differentiation in ARDS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AECII MLE-12 cells were exposed to 0, 0.1, or 1 μg/mL of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 6 and 12 h. In the mouse model, C57BL/6JNarl mice were intratracheally (i.t.) injected with 0 (control) or 5 mg/kg LPS and were euthanized for lung collection on days 3 and 7.

RESULTS

We found that LPS induced AECII markers of differentiation by reducing surfactant protein C (SPC) and p53 while increasing T1α (podoplanin) and E-cadherin at 12 h. Concurrently, nuclear YAP dynamic regulation and increased TAZ levels were observed in LPS-exposed AECII within 12 h. Inhibition of YAP consistently decreased cell levels of SPC, claudin 4 (CLDN-4), galectin 3 (LGALS-3), and p53 while increasing transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) at 6 h. Furthermore, DCLK1 expression was reduced in isolated human AECII of ARDS, consistent with the results in LPS-exposed AECII at 6 h and mouse SPC-positive (SPC+) cells after 3-day LPS exposure. We observed that downregulated DCLK1 increased p-YAP/YAP, while DCLK1 overexpression slightly reduced p-YAP/YAP, indicating an association between DCLK1 and Hippo-YAP pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that DCLK1-mediated Hippo signaling components of YAP/TAZ regulated markers of AECII-to-AECI differentiation in an LPS-induced ARDS model.

[Spatial autocorrelation and related factors of stroke mortality in Zhejiang Province based on spatial panel model in 2015-2020]

Objective: To explore the spatial autocorrelation and macro influencing factors of stroke mortality in Zhejiang Province in 2015-2020 and provide a scientific basis for stroke prevention and control strategy. Methods: The data on stroke death were obtained from Zhejiang Chronic Disease Surveillance System. The spatial distribution of stroke mortality was explored by mapping and spatial autocorrelation analysis. The spatial panel model analyzed the correlation between stroke mortality and socioeconomic and healthcare factors. Results: From 2015 to 2020, the average stroke mortality was 68.38/100 thousand. The standard mortality of stroke was high in the areas of east and low in the west, high in the south and low in the north. Moreover, positive spatial autocorrelation was observed (Moran's I=0.274-0.390, P<0.001). Standard mortality of stroke was negatively associated with per capita gross domestic product (GDP) (β=-0.370, P<0.001), per capita health expenditure (β=-0.116, P=0.021), number of beds per thousand population (β=-0.161, P=0.030). Standard mortality of ischemic stroke was negatively associated with per capita GDP (β=-0.310, P=0.002) and standard management rate of hypertension (β=-0.462, P=0.011). Standard mortality of hemorrhagic stroke was negatively associated with per capita GDP (β=-0.481, P<0.001), per capita health expenditure (β=-0.184, P=0.001), number of beds per thousand population (β=-0.288, P=0.001) and standard management rate of hypertension (β=-0.336, P=0.029). Conclusions: A positive spatial correlation existed between stroke mortality in Zhejiang Province in 2015-2020. We must focus more on preventing and controlling strokes in relatively backward economic areas. Moreover, to reduce the mortality of stroke, increasing the investment of government medical and health funds, optimizing the allocation of medical resources, and improving the standard management rate of hypertension are important measures.

[Postpartum fatal pulmonary embolism with F5 gene mutation: a case report]

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the leading causes of maternal death. Various clinical and environmental risk factors can cause PE. Here, we reported an uncommon PE case with multiple etiological causes, including caesarean section, overweight, anti-cardiolipin antibody positive, and factor 5 gene mutation. The patient was a 25-year-old woman who developed cardiac asystole and apnea one day after cesarean delivery due to pulmonary embolism. After cardiopulmonary resuscitation and thrombolytic therapy, high doses of epinephrine were still needed to maintain blood pressure and heart rate, so we treated her with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to maintain systemic circulation. She progressively improved and was discharged on oral warfarin treatment. Comprehensive laboratory tests revealed a positive anticardiolipin antibody. Through whole exon gene sequencing, we identified a novel mutation (A2032➝G) in the F5 gene. This mutation was predicted to result in the replacement of lysine with glutamate at position 678, close to one of the APC cleavage sites. P.Lys678Glu was found to be a detrimental mutation by SIFT software and suspected detrimental by Polyphen-2 software. Attention should be paid to the etiological screening of young patients with pulmonary embolism, which is helpful in guiding the anticoagulant scheme and anticoagulant duration, and is of great significance in preventing thrombosis recurrence and complications.

[The value of cardiac MRI in the risk stratification in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]

Objective: To explore the value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in the risk stratification of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods: HCM patients who underwent CMR examination in Fuwai Hospital between March 2012 and May 2013 were retrospectively enrolled. Baseline clinical and CMR data were collected and patient follow-up was performed using telephone contact and medical record. The primary composite endpoint was sudden cardiac death (SCD) or and equivalent event. The secondary composite endpoint was all-cause death and heart transplant. Patients were divided into SCD and non-SCD groups. Cox regression was used to explore risk factors of adverse events. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the performance and the optimal cut-off of late gadolinium enhancement percentage (LGE%) for the prediction of endpoints. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used to compare survival differences between groups. Results: A total of 442 patients were enrolled. Mean age was (48.5±12.4) years and 143(32.4%) were female. At (7.6±2.5) years of follow-up, 30 (6.8%) patients met the primary endpoint including 23 SCD and 7 SCD equivalent events, and 36 (8.1%) patients met the secondary endpoint including 33 all-cause death and 3 heart transplant. In multivariate Cox regression, syncope(HR=4.531, 95%CI 2.033-10.099, P<0.001), LGE% (HR=1.075, 95%CI 1.032-1.120, P=0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HR=0.956, 95%CI 0.923-0.991, P=0.013) were independent risk factors for primary endpoint; Age (HR=1.032, 95%CI 1.001-1.064, P=0.046), atrial fibrillation (HR=2.977, 95%CI 1.446-6.131, P=0.003),LGE% (HR=1.075, 95%CI 1.035-1.116, P<0.001) and LVEF (HR=0.968, 95%CI 0.937-1.000, P=0.047) were independent risk factors for secondary endpoint. ROC curve showed the optimal LGE% cut-offs were 5.1% and 5.8% for the prediction of primary and secondary endpoint, respectively. Patients were further divided into LGE%=0, 0<LGE%<5%, 5%≤LGE%<15% and LGE%≥15% groups. There were significant survival differences between these 4 groups whether for primary endpoint or secondary endpoint (all P<0.001) and the accumulated incidence of primary endpoint was 1.2% (2/161), 2.2% (2/89), 10.5% (16/152) and 25.0% (10/40), respectively. Conclusion: LGE is an independent risk factor for SCD events as well as all-cause death and heart transplant. LGE is of important value in the risk stratification in patients with HCM.

[Pulmonary crystal-storing histiocytosis: a case report]

A 45-year-old female patient was found to have a nodule in the right lower lobe on physical examination. Chest CT showed the nodule was lobulated measuring 24 mm×23 mm, with obvious enhancement and adjacent pleural traction. As the PET-CT showed increased ¹⁸F-FDG uptake suggesting malignancy, the wedge resection of the right lower lobe was performed. Grossly, the mass was adjacent to the pleural area with indistinct boundary. On cut sections, the lesion was solid and tough, with a greyish-pink colour. Microscopically, the lesion had an ill-defined margin, and was composed of spindle and polygonoid histiocytes with rich eosinophilic cytoplasm similar to rhabdoid muscle cells. The cytoplasm of histiocytes was filled with diamond-shaped or club-shaped crystals. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed the histiocytes were positive for CD68, κ, λ, IgG, IgM and IgA. The patient had been followed up for 41 months and had shown neither recurrences nor new diseases. CSH is a rare non-neoplastic histiocytic proliferative disease. Pulmonary CSH should be differentiated from multiple diseases. Accurate pathological diagnosis depends on its morphology and immunophenotype. This disease is often related to potential lymphoproliferative or plasma cell disorder. After diagnosis, a systemic examination is required and long-term follow-up is recommended.

[Causal links between long-term exposure to NO2 and the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization]

Objective: To determine the causal association between long-term Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exposure and the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization. Methods: Based on a sub-cohort of a community-based prospective cohort study, a total of 36 271 participants were recruited from 35 communities randomly selected in Guangzhou in 2015. The annual average exposure of NO₂, demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and information on the causes of hospitalization was collected. We applied marginal structural Cox models to investigate the effect of NO₂ on cardiovascular hospitalization. Demographic and behavioral factors also stratified results. Results: The mean age of participants in the present study was (50.9±17.8) years, and the cardiovascular admission rate was 8.7%, with 203 822 person-years of follow-up. The annual mean NO₂ concentration was 48.7 μg/m³ during 2015-2020. For each 10 μg/m³ increase in NO₂ concentrations, the HRs (95%CIs) of total cardiovascular hospitalization, cardiovascular hospitalization, and cerebrovascular hospitalization were 1.33 (1.16-1.52), 1.36 (1.16-1.60) and 1.25 (1.00-1.55), respectively. Participants who were never married/married, with secondary education, high exercise frequency, or non-smokers/current smokers may be more susceptible than their counterparts. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to NO₂ significantly increased hospitalization risk for cardiovascular disease.

Cu-Mediated Thianthrenation and Phenoxathiination of Arylborons

Great success in synthetic chemistry is motivated by the development of novel and reactive linchpins for carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formation reactions, which has dramatically altered chemists' approach to building molecules. Herein, we report the ready synthesis of aryl sulfonium salts, a versatile electrophilic linchpin, via a novel Cu-mediated thianthrenation and phenoxathiination of commercially available arylborons with thianthrene and phenoxathiine, providing a series of aryl sulfonium salts in high efficiency. More importantly, by leveraging the sequential Ir-catalyzed C-H borylation and Cu-mediated thianthrenation of arylborons, the formal thianthrenation of arenes is also achieved. The Ir-catalyzed C-H borylation with undirected arenes normally occurred at the less steric hindrance position, thus providing a complementary method for thianthrenation of arenes in comparison with electrophilic thianthrenation. This process is capable of late-stage functionalization of a series of pharmaceuticals, which might find wide synthetic applications in both industry and academic sectors.

[Protective effect of anti-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis drug Pirfenidone and Sufenidone (SC1011) on pulmonary injury induced by tuberculosis in a mouse tuberculosis model]

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of anti-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) marketed drug Pirfenidone and its clinical drug Sufenidone (SC1011) against lung injury in a mouse tuberculosis model. Methods: C57BL/6 mouse model of tuberculosis was established. A total of 75 C57BL/6 mice were infected with 1×10⁷ CFU/ml H37Rv suspension by aerosol and randomly divided into untreated (n=9) group, isoniazid+rifampicin+pyrazinamide (HRZ) group (n=22), PFD+HRZ group (n=22), and SC1011+HRZ group (n=22). C57BL/6 mice were infected with H37Rv by aerosol for 6 weeks and then treated. Seven mice in each treatment group were weighed, sacrificed, dissected and observed for lung and spleen lesions at 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. HE staining and Masson staining were used to assess degree of lung injury and fibrosis, respectively. ELISA was used to assess the IFN-γ/TNF-α content in the serum of mice in each treatment group after 4 weeks of treatment. Hydroxyproline (HYP) content in lung tissue was measured by alkaline hydrolysis; meanwhile, CFU counts were used to assess the bacterial load in the lung and spleen of mice in each treatment group and the recurrence of spleen and lung tissue after 12 weeks of drug withdrawal. Results: At 8 weeks, the HYP content in the lung tissue was (630±58), (635±17), and (840±70) μg/mg in the PFD+HRZ, SC1011+HRZ, and HRZ treatment group, respectively (P<0.05).At 8 weeks, the proportion of Masson staining blue-stained area, that was, positive area, in lung tissue was 16.65%±1.82%, 10.01%±2.16%, and 21.36%±3.21%, respectively (F=27.11, P<0.001).The lung injury scores by HE staining at 8 weeks were (5.00±0.50), (5.00±0.47), and (6.89±0.99) points, respectively (F=19.81, P<0.001).The results of 4-week ELISA showed that the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the serum of the SC1011+HRZ-treated group were lower than those of the HRZ-treated group (all P<0.05).The degree of lung injury and fibrosis in PFD+HRZ and SC1011+HRZ treatment groups were lower than those in HRZ treatment group (all P<0.001). The number of viable bacteria in the lung tissue of mice treated with PFD+HRZ, SC1011+HRZ, and HRZ for 4 weeks was lower than that of mice untreated [(1.82±0.10), (1.91±0.05), (1.79±0.17) vs. (5.27±0.07) lg(CFU+1)/ml, all P<0.05)]. And the aseptic transformation of the spleen of mice was achieved in each treatment group at 8 weeks of administration. After 12 weeks of drug withdrawal, the recurrence of lung infection in the SC1011+HRZ treatment group was 3/7 lower than 5/7 in the HRZ treatment group (P>0.05); the recurrence of spleen infection in the SC1011+HRZ treatment group was 1/7 lower than 5/7 in the HRZ treatment group (P>0.05).Pulmonary infection recurred more frequently in PFD+HRZ 6/7 versus HRZ 5/7 (P>0.05). Conclusions: PFD/SC1011, when combined with HRZ, reduced lung injury and reduced secondary fibrosis in pulmonary tuberculosis in C57BL/6 mice. SC1011 combined with HRZ has no significant short-term therapeutic effect on MTB, but may reduce its recurrence rate in long-term treatment, especially in reducing the recurrence rate of mouse spleen.

[Burned-out testicular germ cell tumors: a clinicopathological analysis of three cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and possible mechanisms of burned-out testicular germ cell tumors. Methods: The clinical and imaging data, histology and immunophenotypic characteristics of three cases of burned-out testicular germ cell tumors diagnosed at the Ruijin Hospital, Medical College of the Shanghai Jiaotong University, from 2016 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The relevant literature was reviewed. Results: The mean age of the three patients was 32 years. Case 1 had an elevated preoperative alpha-fetoprotein level (810.18 μg/L) and underwent "radical pancreaticoduodenectomy and retroperitoneal lesion resection" for a retroperitoneal mass. Postoperative pathology showed embryonal carcinoma, which needed to exclude gonadal metastasis. Color Doppler ultrasound showed a solid mass of the right testis, with hypoechoic lesion and scattered calcification in some areas. Case 2 was a "right supraclavicular lymph node biopsy specimen." Chest X-ray showed multiple metastases in both lungs. The biopsy showed metastatic embryonic carcinoma and bilateral testicular color Doppler ultrasound revealed abnormal calcifications in the right testicle. Case 3 showed a cystic mass of the right testis with calcification and solid areas. All 3 patients underwent radical right orchiectomy. Grossly, borders of the testicular scar areas were well defined. Cross sectioning of the tumors showed a gray-brown cut surface and single focus or multiple foci of the tumor. The tumor maximum diameter was 0.6-1.5 cm. Microscopically, lymphocytes, plasma cells infiltration, tubular hyalinization, clustered vascular hyperplasia and hemosiderin laden macrophages were found in the scar. Atrophic and sclerotic seminiferous tubules, proliferation of clustered Leydig cells and small or coarse granular calcifications in seminiferous tubules were present around the scar. Seminoma and germ cell neoplasia in situ were seen in case 1, germ cell neoplasia in situ was seen in case 2 and germ cells with atypical hyperplasia were seen in case 3. Immunohistochemistry showed that embryonic carcinoma expressed SALL4, CKpan(AE1/AE3) and CD30, seminoma and germ cell tumor in situ expressed OCT3/4, SALL4 and CD117, and spermatogenic cells with atypical hyperplasia expressed CD99 and SALL4. The Ki-67 positive index was about 20%, while OCT3/4 and CD117 were both negative. Conclusions: Burned-out testicular germ cell tumors are rare. The possibility of gonad testicular metastasis should be considered first for extragonadal germ cell tumor. If fibrous scar is found in testis, it must be determined whether it is a burned-out testicular germ cell tumor. The burned-out mechanisms may be related to the microenvironment of tumor immune-mediated and local ischemic injury.

YAP-regulated type II alveolar epithelial cell differentiation mediated by human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) contributes to higher mortality worldwide. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have immunomodulatory and regenerative potential. However, the effects of hUC-MSCs as an ARDS treatment remain unclear. We investigated the role of hUC-MSCs in the differentiation of type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECII) by regulating Yes-associated protein (YAP) in ARDS. Male C57BL/6JNarl mice were intratracheally (i.t.) administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an ARDS model, followed by a single intravenous (i.v.) dose of hUC-MSCs. hUC-MSCs improved pulmonary function, decreased inflammation on day 3, and mitigated lung injury by reducing the lung injury score and increasing lung aeration (%) in mice on day 7 (p < 0.05). hUC-MSCs inactivated YAP on AECII and facilitated cell differentiation by decreasing Pro-surfactant protein C (Pro-SPC) and galectin 3 (LGALS3) while increasing podoplanin (T1α) in lungs of mice (p < 0.05). In AECII MLE-12 cells, both coculture with hUC-MSCs after LPS exposure and the YAP inhibitor, verteporfin, reduced Pro-SPC and LGALS3, whereas the YAP inhibitor increased T1α expression (p < 0.05). In conclusion, hUC-MSCs ameliorated lung injury of ARDS and regulated YAP to facilitate AECII differentiation.

[Study on the related factors of antiviral treatment in previously reported hepatitis C patients based on the Andersen model]

Objective: To understand the basic characteristics of previously reported patients with hepatitis C and analyze the related factors affecting their antiviral treatment. Methods: A convenient sampling method was adopted. Patients who had been previously diagnosed with hepatitis C in the Wenshan Prefecture of Yunnan Province and Xuzhou City of Jiangsu Province were contacted by telephone for an interview study. The Andersen health service utilization behavior model and related literature were used to design the research framework for antiviral treatment in previously reported hepatitis C patients. A step-by-step multivariate regression analysis was used in previously reported hepatitis C patients treated with antiviral therapy. Results: A total of 483 hepatitis C patients, aged 51.73 ± 12.06 years, were investigated. The proportion of male, agricultural occupants who were registered permanent residents, farmers and migrant workers was 65.24%, 67.49%, and 58.18%, respectively. Han ethnicity (70.81%), married (77.02%), and junior high school and below educational level (82.61%) were the main ones. Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that married patients with hepatitis C (OR = 3.19, 95% CI: 1.93-5.25, compared with unmarried, divorced, and widowed patients) with high school education or above (OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.54-4.20, compared with patients with junior high school education or below) were more likely to receive antiviral treatment in the predisposition module. Patients with severe self-perceived hepatitis C in the need factor module (compared with patients with mild self-perceived disease, OR = 3.36, 95% CI: 2.09-5.40) were more likely to receive treatment. In the competency module, the family's per capita monthly income was more than 1,000 yuan (compared with patients with per capita monthly income below 1,000 yuan, OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.02-2.47), and the patients had a high level of awareness of hepatitis C knowledge (compared with patients with a low level of knowledge, OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.01-2.35), and the family members who knew the patient's infection status (compared with patients with an unknown infection status, OR = 4.59, 95% CI: 2.24-9.39) were more likely to receive antiviral treatment. Conclusion: Different income, educational, and marital statuses are related to antiviral treatment behavior in hepatitis C patients. Family support of hepatitis C patients receiving hepatitis C-related knowledge and their families knowing the infection status is more important in promoting the antiviral treatment of patients, suggesting that in the future, we should further strengthen the hepatitis C knowledge of hepatitis C patients, especially the family support of hepatitis C patients' families in treatment.

[Efficacy of selective bronchial occlusion in the treatment of intractable pneumothorax]

Objective: To analyze the effect of selective bronchial occlusion (SBO) in the treatment of intractable pneumothorax. Methods: A total of 86 patients with refractory pneumothorax treated with SBO in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 were included in this study. The basic information, diagnosis and treatment of the patients were collected and analyzed based on their inpatient records. Results: The age of the subjects was (62±11) years old, and 83 cases (96.5%) were male. The first time SBO cure rate was 30.2% (26/86). The effective rate of the first time SBO treatment was 38.4% (33/86), and the final cure rate of SBO was 59.3% (51/86). The total cure rate of SBO combined with other therapies was 73.3% (63/86). The median time [M (Q₁, Q₃)] from the first plugging to the complete cessation of air leakage in SBO cured patients was 6.5 (3, 7) days, which was shorter than that in the final extubation patients after SBO [11 (7, 19) days] (H=30.24, P<0.001). The median [M (Q₁, Q₃)] length of hospital stay of the first SBO cured patients was 19 (14, 25) days, which was shorter than that of all patients [28 (19, 37) days] (H=12.89, P=0.002). The median [M (Q₁, Q₃)] hospitalization expenses of patients with first SBO cure, effective SBO treatment and ineffective SBO treatment were 23 187 (18 906, 27 798), 41 580 (29 388, 50 762) and 38 462 (27 542, 51 720) yuan, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (H=18.58, P<0.001). The incidence of complications after SBO was 7.59% (11/145). Conclusion: SBO has good efficacy and relative high safety in the treatment of intractable pneumothorax.

[Clinical follow-up analysis of multidisciplinary treatment of children with spinal muscular atrophy]

Objective: To analyze the follow-up and clinical effect of multidisciplinary treatment on the children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Methods: The clinical data including nutritional status, respiratory function, bone health and motor function of 45 children with SMA who received multidisciplinary management 1-year follow-up in the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from July 2019 to October 2021 were retrospectively collected. Comparisons before and after management were performed using paired-samples t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test, etc. Results: The age of 45 patients (25 boys and 20 girls) was 50.4 (33.6, 84.0) months at the enrollment, with 6 cases of type 1, 22 cases of type 2, and 17 cases of type 3 respectively. After the multidisciplinary management, the cases of SMA patients with malnutrition decreased from 22 to 12 (P=0.030), the level of vitamin D were significantly increased ((45±17) vs. (48±14) nmol/L, t=-4.13, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the forced vital capacity %pred, the forced expiratory volume at 1 second %pred, and the peak expiratory flow %pred ((76±19)% and (76±21)%, (81±18)% and (79±18)%, (81±21)% and (78±17)%; t=-0.24, 1.36, 1.21; all P>0.05). The Cobbs angle of scoliosis also improved significantly (8.0°(0°, 13.0°) vs. 10.0°(0°, 18.5°), Z=-3.01, P=0.003). The Hammersmith functional motor scale expanded scores of children with SMA type 2 and type 3 both showed significant elevation (11.0 (8.0, 18.0) vs. 11.0 (5.0, 18.5) scores, 44.0 (36.5, 53.0) vs. 44.0 (34.0, 51.5) scores, Z=2.44, 3.11, P=0.015, 0.002). Conclusion: Multidisciplinary management is beneficial for delaying the progression of the multi-system impairments of SMA patients, such as malnutrition, restrictive ventilation dysfunction and scoliosis.

[Effects of caloric restriction and rope-skipping exercise on cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight or obese college students]

Objective: To explore the effect of three interventions including caloric restriction, rope-skipping exercise and caloric restriction combined with rope-skipping exercise on cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight or obese college students. Methods: This study was a pilot randomized controlled trial. Overweight or obese students who met the inclusion criteria were recruited at Sun Yat-sen University in September 2019 and were randomly divided into four groups: caloric restriction group (CR), rope-skipping group (RS), combined group (CR-RS) and control group (CT). The intervention in each group lasted 8 weeks, specifically: the daily energy intake of CR was 100% to 110% of the basal metabolic energy; RS was instructed to rope three times a week, and CR-RS combined caloric restriction with rope-skipping. At the baseline and end of 8-week intervention, basic information, anthropometric indicators and fasting vein blood of students were collected. Paired t test and Wilcoxon paired-samples signed rank test were used for comparison before and after intervention, and analysis of covariance was used for comparison between groups after intervention. Results: A total of 29 students completed the trial and were included in the final analysis (7, 9, 7 and 6 students in CR, RS, CR-RS and CT, respectively). The mean age of students were (19.00±1.00) years, including 11 males and 18 females. The baseline characteristics of four groups were comparable. After 8 weeks of intervention, compared with CT, there was an increase in the body fat percentage and fat mass index in CR and CR-RS (P<0.05). Insulin level decreased in CR-RS (P<0.05). Systolic blood pressure in CR and diastolic blood pressure in CR-RS were higher (P<0.05). Compared with baseline, fat mass index decreased in CR (P<0.05), while body weight, BMI, and fat mass index decreased in CR-RS (P<0.05). Conclusion: It is suggested that the caloric restriction alone and calorie restriction combined with rope-skipping exercise can benefit overweight or obese college students with cardiometabolic risk factors.

[Clinical follow-up analysis of nusinersen in the disease-modifying treatment of pediatric spinal muscular atrophy]

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of disease-modifying drug nusinersen on children with spinal muscular atrophy. Methods: The baseline and longitudinal clinical data of 15 children who were treated with nusinersen in the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from October 2019 to October 2021 were retrospectively collected. The general data (gender, age, genotype, and clinical classification, etc.), motor function, nutritional status, scoliosis and respiratory function were analyzed. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparing multi-system conditions before and after treatment. Results: The age of 15 cases (7 males, 8 females) was 6.8 (2.8, 8.3) years, with 2 cases of type 1, 6 cases of type 2, and 7 cases of type 3 respectively, and the course of disease was 55.0 (21.0, 69.0) months. After 9.0 (9.0, 24.0) months of treatment, the motor function scale evaluations of the Hammersmith neurological examination section 2 (13.0 (7.0, 23.0) vs. 18.0 (10.0, 25.0) scores, Z=-2.67, P=0.018) of 15 children, the Hammersmith functional motor scale expanded (38.0 (18.5, 45.5) vs. 42.0 (23.0, 51.0) scores, Z=-2.38, P=0.018), and the revised upper limb module (27.0 (19.5, 32.0) vs. 33.0 (22.5, 35.5) scores, Z=-2.52, P=0.012) of children with type 2 and 3 had significantly improved. Thirteen patients achieved clinically significant motor function improvement, and 2 of them had kept stable scale scores. Subjective reports also indicated that the muscle strength and daily exercise ability of these children improved after treatment, and no serious adverse reactions were reported. Supplemented by the multi-disciplinary team management, the levels of some indicators such as Cobbs angle of scoliosis and forced vital capacity all had significantly improved (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Nusinersen can improve the motor function of patients with 5q spinal muscular atrophy, which is also proved safe to be used in children. The drug treatment supplemented by the multi-disciplinary team management is helpful to improve the multi-system function of the children with spinal muscular atrophy.

Recent Advances in Thianthrenation/Phenoxathiination Enabled Site-Selective Functionalization of Arenes

Site-selective functionalization of simple arenes remains a paramount challenge due to the similarity of multiple C–H bonds in the same molecule with similar steric environment and electronic properties. Recently, the site-selective thianthrenation/phenoxathiination of arenes has become an attractive solution to reach this challenging goal and it has been applied in the late-stage functionalization of various bioactive molecules. This short review aims to summarize recent advances in the site-selective C–H functionalization of arenes via aryl thianthrenium salts, as well as mechanistic insights in the remarkable site-selectivity obtained in thianthrenation step.

1 Introduction

2 Site-Selective Thianthrenation of Arenes and Mechanistic Insight

3 Thianthrenation-Enabled Site-Selective Functionalization of Arenes

3.1 Thianthrenation-Enabled C(sp 2)–C Bond Formation Reaction

3.2 Thianthrenation-Enabled C(sp 2)–X Bond Formation Reaction

4 Conclusion and Outlook

[Clinical study of mesenchymal stem cells from third-party donors in the treatment of refractory late onset hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplanation]

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of third-party bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of refractory delayed hemorrhagic cystitis (LOHC) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: Twenty patients with refractory LOHC received conventional therapy combined with MSCs obtained from third-party donors' bone marrow (BM) . MSCs were given intravenously at a dose of 1 × 10(6) cells/kg once weekly until either the symptoms improved or no changes in LOHC were seen after continuous infusion four times. BK viruria (BKV) -DNA, JC viruria (JCV) -DNA, and CMV-DNA were detected by real-time quantitative PCR before and 8 weeks after the MSCs infusion. Results: ① Of the 20 patients with refractory LOHC, 15 were males, and 5 were females, and the median age was 35 (15-56) years. There were 5 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) , 9 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) , 5 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) , and 1 case of maternal plasma cell like dendritic cell tumor (BPDCN) . There were 4 cases of HLA identical transplantation and 16 cases of HLA incomplete transplantation. ②The median number of MSC infusions for each patient was 3 (range: 2-8) . Seventeen patients achieved complete response, and one had a partial response after treatment. The overall response rate was 90%. Over a median follow-up period of 397.5 days (range 39-937 days) post-transplantations, 13 patients survived, and 7 died. The causes of death included aGVHD (1 case) , infections (5 cases) , and TMA (1 case) . ③The copy numbers of BKV-DNA and CMV-DNA in urine in the 8th week after MSCs infusion were significantly lower than those observed before treatment (11342.1×10(8) copies/L vs 5.2×10(8) copies/L, P=0.016; 3170.0×10(4) copies/L vs 0.2×10(4) copies/L, P=0.006, respectively) , while JCV-DNA did not significantly differ when compared to before treatment (P=0.106) . ④ No adverse reactions related to MSC infusion occurred in any of the 20 patients. Conclusion: Third-party bone marrow-derived MSC has significant efficacy and good safety in the treatment of refractory LOHC after allogeneic HSCT.

[Value of albumin RNAscope in situ hybridization in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the utility of albumin RNAscope in situ hybridization in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and its mimics. Methods: One hundred and fifty-two cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and its mimics and 33 cases of normal tissue were selected from the pathology database of the Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2013 to December 2019. Tissue microarrays were constructed and RNAscope in situ hybridization was performed to detect the expression of albumin mRNA. Results: No albumin mRNA expression was detected in normal tissues except for the liver. All hepatocellular carcinoma regardless of its degree of differentiation and primary or metastatic nature had detectable albumin mRNA, with strong and diffuse staining in 90.7% (49/54) of cases. While the positive rate of HepPar-1, Arg-1 or one of them by immunohistochemistry was 87.0% (47/54), 85.2% (46/54) and 92.6% (50/54) respectively. The positive rates of albumin mRNA in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and biphenotypic hepatocellular carcinoma were 7/15 and 9/10, respectively. The former showed focal or heterogeneous staining, while the latter showed strong and diffuse staining. The positive rate of hepatoid adenocarcinoma was 8/19, and the albumin expression could be diffuse or focal. Sporadic cases of poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma and metastatic colon adenocarcinoma showed focal staining of albumin mRNA. Conclusions: Detection of albumin mRNA by RNAscope in situ hybridization is of great value for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of HCC, and the sensitivity may be improved by combining with HepPar-1 and Arg-1. It also offers different diagnostic clues according to different expression patterns.

[Pathogenic spectrum and laboratory indicators of fungal infections in the central nervous system]

Central nervous system (CNS) fungal infections are challenging and difficult to diagnose and treat. This article introduces the high risk factors, pathogen spectrum and laboratory indicators that cause CNS fungal infection. As patients with CNS fungal infections are often accompanied by immunodeficiency, it is especially necessary for clinical early detection, early prevention, and early diagnosis, and timely and effective implementation of optimized diagnosis and treatment programs to prevent further deterioration of the disease.

[Clinicopathological features of NTRK3 gene rearrangement papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of NTRK3 gene rearrangement thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC). Methods: The PTC cases without BRAF V600E mutation were collected at Fujian Provincial Hospital South Branch from January 2015 to January 2020. The cases of NTRK3 gene rearrangement PTC were examined using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The clinical data, histopathological characteristics, immunohistochemical features and molecular pathological changes were retrospectively analyzed. Data from the TCGA PTC dataset and the literature were also studied. Results: A total of 3 PTC cases harboring NTRK3 gene rearrangement were confirmed. All the patients were female, aged from 26,49,34 years. Histologically, two of them demonstrated a multinodular growth pattern. Only one case showed prominent follicular growth pattern; the other two tumors showed a mixture of follicular, papillary and solid growth patterns. All tumors showed a typical PTC nuclear manifestation, with some nuclear pleomorphism, vacuolated foci and oncocytic features. The characteristic formation of glomeruloid follicular foci was present in two cases which also showed psammoma bodies, and tumoral capsular or angiolymphatic invasion. The background thyroid parenchyma showed chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Mitotic rates were low, and no cases had any tumor necrosis. The pan-TRK and TTF1 testing was both positive in 3 cases, while S-100 and mammaglobin were both negative in them. FISH studies confirmed the NTRK3 gene rearrangement in all 3 cases. Studies on the TCGA datasets and literature revealed similar findings. Conclusions: NTRK3 gene rearrangement PTC is rare. It may be easily misdiagnosed due to the lack of histological and clinicopathological characteristics. Molecular studies such as pan-TRK immunostaining, FISH and even next-generation sequencing are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry of pan-TRK performed in the PTC cases without BRAF V600E mutation can be used as a good rapid-screening tool. With the emergence of pan-cancer tyrosine receptor kinase inhibitors, proper diagnosis of these tumors can help determine appropriate treatments and improve their outcomes.

[Role of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 in multidrug resistance of colorectal cancer and its correlation with multidrug resistance gene P-gp]

Objective: To investigate the role of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) in colorectal cancer multidrug resistance and its correlation with multidrug resistance genes P-gp and MRP1, and to preliminarily explore the mechanism of USP22 affecting colorectal cancer resistance. Methods: USP22 over-expression plasmid was transfected into colorectal cancer cells (RKO, SW480)with low expression of USP22. Cell counting kit (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of USP22 on oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer cells. The cells were treated with oxaliplatin of the same concentration. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins cleaved-caspase3, Bcl-2, and drug resistance proteins MRP1, P-gp in the cells. The cell efflux test was used to detect the effect of up-regulated USP22 on Calcein-AM and rhodamine123. Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expressions of USP22 and P-gp in the oxaliplatin chemotherapy-sensitive group and the drug-resistant group and to analyze the correlation between USP22 and MRP1, P-gp. Results: CCK-8 assay showed that the IC₅₀ values of SW480-USP22 (SW480 cells overexpressing USP22) treated with oxaliplatin for 24 h and 48 h was (4.62±0.05)μmol/L and (2.32±0.04)μmol/L respectively; which was 2.7 times and 3.0 times higher than that in control cells, respectively. After treating with 1.25 μmol/L oxaliplatin for 48 h, USP22 overexpression can inhibit SW480 cells apoptosis. The fluorescence intensity of calcein-AM and rhodamine123 in the SW480-USP22 group were significantly increased when compared with that in the control cells (both P<0.01). The protein expression levels of MRP1 and P-gp in SW480-USP22 cells were significantly increased when compared with that in the control cells(both P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression rates of USP22, MRP1, and P-gp in the oxaliplatin chemotherapy-sensitive group were significantly lower than those in the chemotherapy-resistant group, the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05), and USP22 was positively correlated with the expressions of MRP1 and P-gp in colorectal cancer tissues (r₁=0.377, r₂=0.423, both P<0.05). Conclusions: The up-regulation of USP22 is related to the acquired resistance of colorectal cancer cells to oxaliplatin. USP22 may be involved in the process of platinum-based chemotherapy resistance of colorectal cancer by regulating the expressions of P-gp and MRP1.

[Factors associated with the outcome of maxillary distraction osteogenesis in cleft lip and palate patients]

Since distraction osteogenesis had been used in maxillofacial surgery in the 1990s,it has become an important option for treating maxillary hypoplasia in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients. Numerous domestic and international studies reported that the prognosis of distraction osteogenesis might be affected by various factors, including the design of osteotomy line, type of distractor, advancement of maxillary bone and the age of patients, etc. Therefore, the present article reviewed possible impact factors that affect the effectiveness and outcomes of maxillary distraction osteogenesis of CLP from three aspects: treatment methods, type of patients and adjuvant therapy, which hopefully might benefit the formulation of treatment strategies in clinical work and improve the prognosis of distraction osteogenesis.

First Report of Seedling Stem Rot on Jinxianlian (Anoectochilus roxburghii) Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in China

Anoectochilus roxburghii is an important Chinese herbal medicine plant belonging to Orchidaceae and known as Jinxianlian. This orchid is cultivated and mostly adopted to treat diabetes and hepatitis. About 2 billion artificially cultivated seedlings of Jinxianlian are required each year and approximately $600 million in fresh A. roxburghii seedlings is produced in China. From 2011, sporadic occurrence of stem rot on Jinxianlian have been observed in greenhouses in Jinhua City (N29°05', E119°38'), Zhejiang Province. In 2018, nearly 30% of seedlings of Jinxianlian grown in greenhouse conditions were affected by stem rot in Jinhua City. Symptoms initially occurred in the stem at the soil line causing dark discoloration lesions, rotted tissues, wilting, and eventually leading to the death of the plants. A total of 23 diseased seedlings collected from seven different greenhouses were surface sterilized with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite for 3 min, then rinsed in water. Pieces of tissues disinfected from each sample were plated on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 25°C in the dark for 5 days (Kirk et al. 2008). A total of 19 isolates were recovered. They developed colonies with purple mycelia and beige or orange colors after 7 days of incubation under 25°C on PDA and carnation leaf agar (CLA) media (Kirk et al. 2008; Zhang et al. 2016). Colonies on PDA had an average radial growth rate of 3.1 to 4.0 mm /d at 25°C. Colony surface was pale vinaceous, floccose with abundant aerial mycelium. On CLA, aerial mycelium was sparse with abundant bright orange sporodochia forming on the carnation leaves. Microconidia were hyaline and oval-ellipsoid to cylindrical (3.7 to 9.3 × 1.3 to 2.9 μm) (n=19). Macroconidia were 3 to 5 septate and fusoid-subulate with a pedicellate base (27.4 to 35.6 × 3.2 to 4.2 μm) (n=19). These morphological features were consistent with Fusarium oxysporum (Sun et al. 2008; Lombard et al., 2019). To confirm the identification based on these morphological features, the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and translation elongation factor1 (TEF) were amplified from the DNA of 3 out of 19 isolates chosen at random respectively using the set primer ITS1/ITS4 and EF1/ EF2 (Sun, S., et al. 2018; Lombard et al., 2019). BLAST analysis revealed that the ITS sequences (OK147619, OK147620, OK147621) had 99% identity to that of F. oxysporum isolate JJF2 (GenBank MN626452) and TEF sequence (OK155999, OK156000, OK156001) had 100% identity to that of F. oxysporum isolate gss100 (GenBank MH341210). A multilocus phylogenetic analysis by Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) trees based on ITS and TEF indicated that the pathogen grouped consistently with F. oxysporum. Three out of 19 isolates chosen at random were selected to evaluate pathogenicity. Uninfected healthy A. roxburghii seedlings about 40 day-old planted in sterilized substrates were sprayed with distilled water containing 2 x 106 conidia per ml suspensions as inoculums, and plants sprayed with distilled water alone served as controls. Plants were then incubated at 25°C and 85% relative humidity. Ten plants were inoculated for each isolate. After 10 days, all plants inoculated developed stem rot symptoms, while control plants remained healthy. Cultures of Fusarium spp. were re-isolated only from inoculated plants with the frequency of 100% and re-identified by morphological characteristics as F. oxysporum, fulfilling Koch's postulates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. oxysporum causing stem rot on A. roxburghii seedlings. As F. oxysporum is a devastating pathogenic fungus with a broad host range, measures should be taken in advance to manage stem rot of A. roxburghii.

Modification of Enteromorpha prolifera with dielectric barrier discharge plasma to enhance malachite green adsorption

Dyes, a kind of visible chemical, have severe deleterious effects on human health and ecological environment. In this work, batch biosorption experiments were carried out under various experimental conditions such as pH value and agitation time to optimize the potentiality of Enteromorpha prolifera for the removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solution (70·7%). Then, the algal biomass was treated with a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in helium for 4 and 10 min to enhance MG removal efficiency (84·7 and 96·6%). In addition, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in combination with scanning electron microscopy was employed to monitor the chemical and physical changes of algal cells treated by DBD. This study illustrates that DBD may serve as an effective tool to activate the functional groups on the cell wall surface for dye binding, and it even offers an alternative new technique to improve the adsorption properties of native biosorbents for the removal of toxic dyes from wastewater.

Therapeutic Potential of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Recovering From Murine Pulmonary Emphysema Under Cigarette Smoke Exposure

Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) were shown to have potential for immunoregulation and tissue repair. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of hUC-MSCs on emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The C57BL/6JNarl mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) for 4 months followed by administration of hUC-MSCs at 3 × 10⁶ (low dose), 1 × 10⁷ (medium dose), and 3 × 10⁷ cells/kg body weight (high dose). The hUC-MSCs caused significant decreases in emphysema severity by measuring the mean linear intercept (MLI) and destructive index (DI). A decrease in neutrophils (%) and an increase in lymphocytes (%) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were observed in emphysematous mice after hUC-MSC treatment. Lung levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1)/keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 significantly decreased after hUC-MSC administration. Significant reductions in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, and IL-17A in serum occurred after hUC-MSC administration. Notably, the cell viability of lung fibroblasts improved with hUC-MSCs after being treated with CS extract (CSE). Furthermore, the hUC-MSCs-conditioned medium (hUC-MSCs-CM) restored the contractile force, and increased messenger RNA expressions of elastin and fibronectin by lung fibroblasts. In conclusion, hUC-MSCs reduced inflammatory responses and emphysema severity in CS-induced emphysematous mice.

[Construction and application of home self-sampling processes for cervical human papillomavirus detection]

To construct and develop the home self-sampling processes of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and evaluate its application effect. An integrated HPV self-sampling detection platform is scheduled to include three terminals: a user terminal, a detection terminal and a medical terminal. It covers a wide range of functions of self-sampling kit acquisition of user, sample logistics tracking, inspection services, report query, medical consultation, health management, and follow-up tracking. A total of 8 053 users applied for self-sampling kits and all completed online user information registration from January to November 2020. The average age of users ranged from 17 to 84 with a median age of 42 years old. Registered users of the platform were distributed in Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Hebei, Shanxi, Shanghai, Ningxia, Anhui, Zhejiang, Inner Mongolia, Beijing and Xinjiang. 8 045 users completed self-sampling with a kit return rate of 99.9%. Six users lost the kits during the express delivery, and 2 users had the kits contaminated due to improper application; The amount of exfoliated cells collected from 8 045 cases in the sample kits were all within the endogenous internal standard of the nucleic acid kit, and the qualified rate of kits was 100%. The proportion of test report issued by the detection platform within 3 d accounts for 96.93% (7 799/8 054). Among the 763 positive users, 742 completed 6-month reexamination, with a reexamination rate of 97.25%. Unfortunately, 21 cases were lost to follow-up. Taken together, HPV home-based self-sampling is simple, convenient and efficient in use. It can expand the coverage of cervical cancer screening and may help promote HPV screening.

[Drug-resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum isolated from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (PfMDR1), chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) and Kelch 13 (PfK13) genes in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, so as to provide insights into the development of the malaria control strategy in local areas.

METHODS

A total of 85 peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with Plasmodium falciparum infections in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019, and genomic DNA was extracted. The PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes were amplified using a nested PCR assay. The amplification products were sequenced, and the gene sequences were aligned.

RESULTS

There were no mutations associated with artemisinin resistance in PfK13 gene in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, while drug-resistant mutations were detected in PfMDR1 and PfCRT genes, and the proportions of PfMDR1_N86Y, PfMDR1_Y184F and PfCRT_K76T mutations were 35.29% (30/85), 72.94% (62/85) and 24.71% (21/85), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There are mutations in PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes in P. falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.