Synthesis of metal-organic frameworks with multiple nitrogen groups for selective capturing Ag(I) from wastewater

As a noble metal with extremely high economic benefits, the recovery of silver ions has attracted a particular deal of attention. However, it is a challenge to recover silver ions efficiently and selectively from aqueous solutions. In this research, the novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) adsorbent (Zr-DPHT) is prepared for the highly efficient and selective recovery of silver ions from wastewater. Experimental findings reveal that Zr-DPHT's adsorption of Ag(I) constitutes an endothermic process, with an optimal pH of 5 and exhibits a maximum adsorption capacity of 268.3 mg·g-1. Isotherm studies show that the adsorption of Ag(I) by Zr-DPHT is mainly monolayer chemical adsorption. Kinetic studies indicate that the internal diffusion of Ag(I) in Zr-DPHT may be the rate-limiting step. The mechanism for Ag(I) adsorption on Zr-DPHT involves electrostatic interactions and chelation. In competitive adsorption, Ag(I) has the largest partition coefficient (9.64 mL·mg-1), indicating a strong interaction between Zr-DPHT and Ag(I). It is proven in the adsorption-desorption cycle experiments that Zr-DPHT has good regeneration performance. The research results indicate that Zr-DPHT can serve as a potential adsorbent for efficiently and selectively capturing Ag(I), providing a new direction for MOFs in the recycling field of precious metals.

Diagnostic performance of SPECT in lumbar spondylolysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To evaluate the diagnostic value and clinical applicability of single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) for lumbar spondylolysis using meta-analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Stata 12.0, was used to test the heterogeneity, and the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and other effect sizes were collected to generate the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve for comprehensive evaluation. Meta-regression analysis was used to explore the source of heterogeneity, and subgroup analysis was performed. Funnel plots, Fagan's line diagrams, and likelihood ratio dot plots were drawn to evaluate publication bias and clinical applicability.

RESULTS

Eight studies involving 785 patients were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, odds ratio, and area under the SROC curve of SPECT for the diagnosis of lumbar spondylolysis were 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70 0.93), 0.92 (95% CI: 0.60 0.99), 11.01 (95% CI: 1.61 75.18), 0.17 (95% CI: 0.08 0.35), 0.92 (95% CI: 0.90 0.94). Meta-regression analysis showed that the sources of heterogeneity were region and age. Subgroup analysis showed that the specificity of the child and adolescent subgroup was significantly higher than that of the middle-aged and elderly subgroups. Deek's funnel plots showed no significant publication bias. The pooled effect of the likelihood ratio dot plot for diagnosis is in the upper-right quadrant.

CONCLUSION

As a diagnostic tool for spondylolysis, SPECT has a high degree of specificity, moderate sensitivity, and relatively high diagnostic effectiveness. It can be used as an auxiliary sign in the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar spondylolysis.

[Analysis of suspected occupational diseases cases and subsequent diagnosis follow-up investigation in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2021]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of suspected occupational diseases cases, and to track the subsequent diagnosis of suspected cases in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2021, and to provide theoretical basis for the supervision of suspected occupational diseases. Methods: In April 2022, the data of suspected occupational diseases cases and occupational diseases in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2021 were collected by the Occupational Diseases and Health Risk Factors Information Surveillance System. The distribution and diagnosis of suspected occupational diseases cases were analyzed. We investigated undiagnosed suspected occupational diseases by telephone. Results: From 2020 to 2021, a total of 1872 cases of suspected occupational diseases in 6 categories and 18 species were reported in Hubei Province. The top three suspected occupational diseases were suspected occupational noise deafness (36.75%, 688/1872), suspected coal worker's pneumoconiosis (33.07%, 619/1872) and suspected silicosis (20.99%, 393/1872). The diagnosis rate of suspected occupational diseases was 33.60% (629/1872). The rate of confirmed diagnosis was 63.59% (400/629). The diagnosis rate (26.86%, 456/1698) and rate of confirmed diagnosis (55.48%, 253/456) of suspected occupational diseases detected by occupational health examination were the lowest. The diagnosis rate of suspected occupational diseases detected by comprehensive medical institutions and private medical institutions were lower than disease prevention and control institutions and occupational disease prevention center (P<0.05). The main reasons for not entering the diagnostic procedure included that workers were not informed that they were diagnosed as suspected occupational diseases (31.55%, 124/393), workers were unwilling to apply for occupational disease diagnosis (18.56%, 73/393), and some workers planned to apply for diagnosis but had not yet applied (10.69%, 42/393) . Conclusion: Occupational noise deafness, coal worker's pneumoconiosis and silicosis are the main diseases of suspected occupational diseases in Hubei Province. In order to increase the diagnosis rate and confirmed diagnosis rate of suspected occupational diseases, it is suggested to strengthen management and supervision from the aspects of case management, information warning and worker notification.

A cryogenic ion trap for single molecule vibrational spectroscopy

We report on an ion trapping system for performing a novel form of cryogenic messenger spectroscopy with single molecule sensitivity. The system features a cryogenic radio-frequency ion trap loaded with single analyte molecules via a quadrupole mass filter. We demonstrate the ability to controllably attach inert gas particles to buffer gas cooled, trapped molecular ions. Sympathetic cooling by co-trapped, laser cooled 88Sr+ further reduces the translational temperature of trapped molecules to the millikelvin regime. We verify the presence of cryogenic "tags" via non-destructive optical mass spectrometry and selectively remove these adducts by resonantly driving vibrational transitions in the tagged molecular ions. This enables us to derive the vibrational spectrum of a single analyte molecule from the frequency dependence of the tag detachment rate. We have demonstrated these capabilities by measuring transitions in the C-H stretching region for single cationic fragments of both indole (C8H7N) and 1,3-benzodioxole (C6H4O2CH2). These capabilities are not reliant on a specific molecular level structure and thus constitute a general, non-destructive method for vibrational spectroscopy of individual molecular ions.

Electroacupuncture treatment ameliorates depressive-like behavior and cognitive dysfunction via CB1R dependent mitochondria biogenesis after experimental global cerebral ischemic stroke

Introduction

This study aimed to identify the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on post-stroke depression (PSD) and explore whether cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R)-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis accounts for the treatment effect of EA.

Methods

The PSD mouse model was induced by a consecutive 14-day chronic unpredictable stress operation after 7 days of recovery from the bilateral common carotid artery occlusion surgery. Either EA treatment or sham stimulation was performed for 14 consecutive days from Day 7 after the BCCAO operation. Subjects’ PSD-like behaviors were tested via open field test, sucrose preference test, novelty suppressed feeding test, tail suspension test, and forced swim test, and subjects’ cognitive function was examined using Y-maze and novelty object recognition test. In addition, the levels of CB1R, mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins (nuclear transcription factor 1, NRF1; mitochondrial transcription factor A, TFAM), proteins related to mitochondrial function (Cytochrome C, Cyto C; AIF, COX IV), and mitochondrial DNA were measured. To elucidate the role of CB1R in EA treatment, CB1R antagonists AM251 and CB1R-shRNA were given to mice before EA treatment. Likewise, subjects’ depressive-like behaviors, cognitive function, mitochondrial function, and mitochondrial biogenesis were examined after the PSD procedure.

Results

It has been showed that EA successfully ameliorated depressive-like behaviors, improved cognitive dysfunctions, and upregulated CB1R, NRF1 and TFAM expressions. However, the supplementation of AM251 and CB1R-shRNA blocked the antidepressant-like effects generated by EA, and EA failed to improve cognitive dysfunction, upregulate CB1R protein expression, and increase mitochondrial function and biogenesis.

Conclusion

Altogether, these results indicated that EA ameliorated PSD-like behaviors in mice, improved cognitive dysfunctions after PSD, and promoted mitochondrial biogenesis by activating CB1R, a novel mechanism underlying EA’s antidepressant-like effects in treating PSD.

Effects of (S)-ketamine on depression-like behaviors in a chronic variable stress model: a role of brain lipidome

Introduction: Compelling evidence indicates that a single sub-anesthetic dose of (S)-ketamine elicits rapid and robust antidepressant effects. However, the underlying mechanisms behind the antidepressant effects of (S)-ketamine remain unclear. Methods: Here, using a chronic variable stress (CVS) model in mice, we analyzed changes inthe lipid compositions of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) with a mass spectrometry-based lipidomic approach. Results: Similar to previous research outcomes, the current study also showed that (S)-ketamine reversed depressive-like behaviors in mice produced by CVS procedures. Moreover, CVS induced changes inthe lipid compositions of the hippocampus and PFC, notably in the contents of sphingolipids, glycerolipids, and fatty acyls. With the administration of (S)-ketamine, CVS-induced lipid disturbances were partially normalized, particularly in the hippocampus. Conclusion: Altogether, our results indicated that (S)-ketamine could rescue CVS-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice through region-specific modulation of the brain lipidome, contributing to the understanding of (S)-ketamine's antidepressant effects.

Microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 targets the autophagy signaling pathway to suppress ferroptosis in gastric carcinoma cells

OBJECTIVE

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death; however, the specific mechanisms that regulate ferroptosis have yet to be fully elucidated in gastric carcinoma. In this study, we aimed to investigate how microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 (MGST1) regulates ferroptosis in gastric carcinoma cells.

METHODS

Gastric adenocarcinoma (SGC7901) cells that overexpressed MGST1 or expressed only low levels of MGST1, were treated with specific compounds (erastin, sorafenib, RSL3, MK-2206 and SC79). Then, we detected the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Protein expression levels of the non-classical autophagy and protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) pathways were determined by western blotting and cell viability was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. The expressions of target genes were detected using qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

We evaluated a range of ferroptosis-inducing compounds and found that MGST1 expression was down-regulated during ferroptosis in SGC7901 cells. The ferroptosis inducer RSL3 played a role in classical ferroptotic events while the overexpression of MGST1 impaired these effects. Interestingly, the overexpression of MGST1 resulted in the inactivation of autophagy by repressing the expression of ATG16L1 and the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II. The upregulation of ATG16L1 eliminated the inhibitory action of MGST1 on ferroptosis. Notably, the overexpression of MGST1 induced the activation of the Akt/GSK-3β pathway. An Akt inhibitor antagonized the inhibitory effects of MGST1 on autophagy and ferroptosis.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our findings demonstrate a novel molecular mechanism and signaling pathway for ferroptosis. We also characterized that the overexpression of MGST1 induces gastric carcinoma cell proliferation by activating the Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway.

Alterations in Plasma Lipidomic Profiles in Adult Patients with Schizophrenia and Major Depressive Disorder

Background and Objectives: Lipidomics is a pivotal tool for investigating the pathogenesis of mental disorders. However, studies qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing peripheral lipids in adult patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are limited. Moreover, there are no studies comparing the lipid profiles in these patient populations. Materials and Method: Lipidomic data for plasma samples from sex- and age-matched patients with SCZ or MDD and healthy controls (HC) were obtained and analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results: We observed changes in lipid composition in patients with MDD and SCZ, with more significant alterations in those with SCZ. In addition, a potential diagnostic panel comprising 103 lipid species and another diagnostic panel comprising 111 lipid species could distinguish SCZ from HC (AUC = 0.953) or SCZ from MDD (AUC = 0.920) were identified, respectively. Conclusions: This study provides an increased understanding of dysfunctional lipid composition in the plasma of adult patients with SCZ or MDD, which may lay the foundation for identifying novel clinical diagnostic methods for these disorders.

[Effect of peer education on knowledge, attitude and practices towards schistosomiasis among primary school students in endemic foci of Wuhan City]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of peer education on knowledge, attitude and practices towards schistosomiasis control among primary school students in endemic foci of Wuhan City.

METHODS

Yucai Hankou Primary School in Jiang' an District, Wuhan City was selected in 2021, and all students at grades 4 and 5 were sampled using a cluster sampling method to receive peer education about schistosomiasis. The changes of knowledge, attitude and practices towards schistosomiasis control were compared before and after peer education to evaluate the effect of peer education on knowledge, attitude and practices towards schistosomiasis control.

RESULTS

The overall awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge and the overall proportion of correct attitudes towards schistosomiasis control and correct schistosomiasis-related behaviors increased from 51.50%, 93.70% and 92.99% before peer education to 86.50%, 98.98% and 98.72% after peer education among primary school students, respectively (χ²=149.457, 21.692 and 20.691, all P values < 0.05). The overall awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge and the overall proportion of correct attitudes towards schistosomiasis control and correct schistosomiasis-related behaviors were 49.19%, 92.20% and 92.72% among Grade 4 primary school students and 53.83%, 95.21% and 93.28% among Grade 5 primary school students prior to peer education (χ² = 1.214, 2.034 and 0.096, all P values > 0.05), and increased to 75.93%, 98.09% and 97.59% among Grade 4 primary school students and 97.16%, 99.87% and 99.87% among Grade 5 primary school students after peer education, respectively (χ² = 40.798, 9.572, 7.207, 133.194, 9.678 and 14.926, all P values < 0.05). The overall awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge and the overall proportion of correct attitudes towards schistosomiasis control and correct schistosomiasis-related behaviors were 51.25%, 76.92% and 77.97% among male primary school students and 51.80%, 94.42% and 95.70% among female primary school students prior to peer education, the differences in the overall proportion of correct attitudes towards schistosomiasis control and correct schistosomiasis-related behaviors between male primary school students and female primary school students were significant (χ² = 30.462 and 33.416, both P values < 0.05), and increased to 86.23%, 98.25% and 97.79% among male primary school students and 86.83%, 99.85% and 99.85% among female primary school students after peer education (χ² = 0.081, 3.529 and 3.335, all P values > 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Peer education is effective to improve the knowledge, attitude and practices towards schistosomiasis control among primary school students in endemic foci of Wuhan City, which may be more effective to improve the awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge and proportion of correct schistosomiasis-related behaviors among primary school students at high grades.

[Assessment of MS-Score and HScore in timeliness of diagnosis of macrophage activation syndrome associated with adult-onset Still's disease]

The data of 33 patients with adult-onset still's disease (AOSD)-associated macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) were retrospectively collected from January 2013 to December 2020 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)-2004 criteria, macrophage activation syndrome/juvenile idiopathic arthritis (MS-Score) and hemophagocytic syndrome diagnostic score (HScore) were used to diagnose AOSD-associated MAS, respectively. The time of diagnosis of AOSD-associated MAS by MS-Score was 19.0 (4.5, 31.0) days [M (Q₁,Q₃)] earlier than by HLH-2004 criteria, and 13.5 (0.5, 21.5) days earlier than by HScore (both P<0.05). The difference was not statistically significant between the time of diagnosis of AOSD-associated MAS by Hscore and by HLH-2004 criteria (P>0.05). There was significant difference among the three criteria (P<0.001). MS-Score can be used to diagnose AOSD-associated MAS earlier than HLH-2004 criteria, while the timeliness of HScore is not certain.

[Analysis of hepatic pathological inflammation and fibrosis condition and its influencing factors in 721 patients with chronic hepatitis B with normal ALT]

Objective: To analyze the hepatic pathological inflammation and fibrosis condition in order to explore the relationship with related clinical indicators in patients with chronic hepatitis B patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Methods: 721 cases of chronic hepatitis B with normal ALT who were initially diagnosed in the Department of Infectious Diseases of Henan Provincial People's Hospital from August 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. Liver biopsy was performed in all patients. General data of patients such as gender, age, liver function indexes, blood routine indexes, HBsAg level, HBeAg status, HBV DNA level, spleen thickness and prothrombin time were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis methods were used to determine the influencing factors of inflammation and fibrosis degree with liver biopsy. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the established multi-factor prediction model. Alpha=0.05 was considered as a standard orientation of test. Results: The average age of 721 cases with chronic hepatitis B was 36.1±9.7 years, and the male to female ratio was 1.28/1, with inflammation and fibrosis grade mainly concentrated in G1S1 (349 cases), G1S2 (132 cases), G2S2 (119 cases), and G2S1 (57 cases). Among them, there were 349 (48.4%) cases of G1S1, and 372 (51.6%) cases of G/S≥2. The main manifestations were mild to moderate inflammation and fibrosis, and only 64 (8.88%) cases had severe G/S≥3. HBsAg level (stratified with 4 log10 IU/ml as the boundary) analyzed in 721 cases were correlated with the relevant clinical indicators stratification and liver pathological inflammation and fibrosis, and the difference was statistically significant (inflammation grade, χ²=6.182, P=0.013; Fibrosis grade, χ²=36.534, P=0.001). Univariate analysis of the relevant clinical indicators that may influence the patient's liver pathological G/S ≥2 showed the patient's age, albumin, γ- glutamyltransferase (GGT), platelet, prothrombin time (PT), spleen thickness and HBsAg level were all statistically significant (P<0.05), while multivariate analysis showed that age, GGT, PT, and spleen thickness had statistical differences (P<0.05). The prediction model was established in accordance to multivariate analysis, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.642. Maximization of the sum of sensitivity and specificity as cut-off value of Logit P=0.497, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and Youden's index were 60.6%, 64.5%, and 0.252, respectively. Conclusion: More than half of patients with chronic hepatitis B with normal ALT have significant inflammation and fibrosis and require timely antiviral therapy. Age, GGT, PT and spleen thickness can help comprehensively evaluate the liver inflammation and fibrosis status among patients, but the lack of accurate prediction models suggests that more effective indicators that can help predict the inflammation and fibrosis status of such patients have yet to be discovered. Therefore, liver biopsy should still be actively performed in patients with normal ALT to confirm the diagnosis and timely treatment.

[Effects of sodium iodide symporter co-expression on proliferation and cytotoxic activity of chimeric antigen receptor T cells in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of co-expression of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) reporter gene on the proliferation and cytotoxic activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells in vitro.

METHODS

T cells expressing CD19 CAR (CAR-T cells), NIS reporter gene (NIS-T cells), and both (NIS-CAR-T cells) were prepared by lentiviral infection. The transfection rates of NIS and CAR were determined by flow cytometry, and the cell proliferation rate was assessed using CCK-8 assay at 24, 48 and 72 h of routine cell culture. The T cells were co-cultured with Nalm6 tumor cells at the effector-target ratios of 1∶2, 1∶1, 2∶1 and 4∶1 for 24, 48 and 72 h, and the cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells to the tumor cells was evaluated using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. ELISA was used to detect the release of IFN-γ and TNF-β in the co-culture supernatant, and the function of NIS was detected with iodine uptake test.

RESULTS

The CAR transfection rate was 91.91% in CAR-T cells and 99.41% in NIS-CAR-T cells; the NIS transfection rate was 47.83% in NIS-T cells and 50.24% in NIS- CAR-T cells. No significant difference in the proliferation rate was observed between CAR-T and NIS-CAR-T cells cultured for 24, 48 or 72 h (P> 0.05). In the co-cultures with different effector-target ratios, the tumor cell killing rate was significantly higher in CAR-T group than in NIS-CAR-T group at 24 h (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the two groups at 48 h or 72 h (P>0.05). Higher IFN-γ and TNF-β release levels were detected in both CAR-T and NIS-CAR-T groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). NIS-T cells and NIS-CAR-T cells showed similar capacity of specific iodine uptake (P>0.05), which was significantly higher than that in the control T cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The co-expression of the NIS reporter gene does not affect CAR expression, proliferation or tumor cell-killing ability of CAR-T cells.

Insulin resistance enhances binge ethanol-induced liver injury through promoting oxidative stress and up-regulation CYP2E1

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has caused a serious burden on public and personal health in crowd with ethanol abuse. The effects of insulin resistance (IR) on ALD and the mechanisms underlying these responses are still not well understood. In this study, we investigated the changes of liver injury, inflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and CYP2E1 changes in liver of mice exposed to ethanol with IR or not. We found IR increased the sensitivity of liver injury in mice exposed to ethanol, manifested as the increase serum activities of AST and ALT, the accumulation of triglycerides, the deterioration of liver pathology and increase of inflammatory factors. IR also exacerbated apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in liver of mice exposed to ethanol. The increase of oxidative stress and the decrease of antioxidant defense ability might be responsible for the sensitizing effects of IR on ethanol-induced liver injury, supported by the increase of MDA levels and the decline of GSH/GSSG, the inactivation of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GR through the inhibition of Nrf-2 pathway. The activation of CYP2E1 might be also involved in the sensitizing effects of IR on ethanol induced liver injury in mice. These results demonstrated that IR exhibited a significant pro-oxidative and pro-apoptosis effects to aggravate alcoholic liver injury. Our study helped us to better understand the sensitive role of IR on ALD and suggested that alcohol intake may be more harmful for people with IR.

Practical Indicators for Risk of Airborne Transmission in Shared Indoor Environments and Their Application to COVID-19 Outbreaks

Some infectious diseases, including COVID-19, can undergo airborne transmission. This may happen at close proximity, but as time indoors increases, infections can occur in shared room air despite distancing. We propose two indicators of infection risk for this situation, that is, relative risk parameter (H_r) and risk parameter (H). They combine the key factors that control airborne disease transmission indoors: virus-containing aerosol generation rate, breathing flow rate, masking and its quality, ventilation and aerosol-removal rates, number of occupants, and duration of exposure. COVID-19 outbreaks show a clear trend that is consistent with airborne infection and enable recommendations to minimize transmission risk. Transmission in typical prepandemic indoor spaces is highly sensitive to mitigation efforts. Previous outbreaks of measles, influenza, and tuberculosis were also assessed. Measles outbreaks occur at much lower risk parameter values than COVID-19, while tuberculosis outbreaks are observed at higher risk parameter values. Because both diseases are accepted as airborne, the fact that COVID-19 is less contagious than measles does not rule out airborne transmission. It is important that future outbreak reports include information on masking, ventilation and aerosol-removal rates, number of occupants, and duration of exposure, to investigate airborne transmission.

Practical Indicators for Risk of Airborne Transmission in Shared Indoor Environments and Their Application to COVID-19 Outbreaks

Some infectious diseases, including COVID-19, can undergo airborne transmission. This may happen at close proximity, but as time indoors increases, infections can occur in shared room air despite distancing. We propose two indicators of infection risk for this situation, that is, relative risk parameter (H_r) and risk parameter (H). They combine the key factors that control airborne disease transmission indoors: virus-containing aerosol generation rate, breathing flow rate, masking and its quality, ventilation and aerosol-removal rates, number of occupants, and duration of exposure. COVID-19 outbreaks show a clear trend that is consistent with airborne infection and enable recommendations to minimize transmission risk. Transmission in typical prepandemic indoor spaces is highly sensitive to mitigation efforts. Previous outbreaks of measles, influenza, and tuberculosis were also assessed. Measles outbreaks occur at much lower risk parameter values than COVID-19, while tuberculosis outbreaks are observed at higher risk parameter values. Because both diseases are accepted as airborne, the fact that COVID-19 is less contagious than measles does not rule out airborne transmission. It is important that future outbreak reports include information on masking, ventilation and aerosol-removal rates, number of occupants, and duration of exposure, to investigate airborne transmission.

Astrocytic A1/A2 paradigm participates in glycogen mobilization mediated neuroprotection on reperfusion injury after ischemic stroke

Background

Astrocytic glycogen works as an essential energy reserve for surrounding neurons and is reported to accumulate excessively during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our previous study found that accumulated glycogen mobilization exhibits a neuroprotective effect against I/R damage. In addition, ischemia could transform astrocytes into A1-like (toxic) and A2-like (protective) subtypes. However, the underlying mechanism behind accumulated glycogen mobilization-mediated neuroprotection in cerebral reperfusion injury and its relationship with the astrocytic A1/A2 paradigm is unknown.

Methods

Astrocytic glycogen phosphorylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in glycogen mobilization, was specifically overexpressed and knocked down in mice and in cultured astrocytes. The I/R injury was imitated using a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion model in mice and an oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation model in cultured cells. Alterations in A1-like and A2-like astrocytes and the expression of phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were determined by RNA sequencing, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. Metabolites, including glycogen, NADPH, glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS), were analyzed by biochemical analysis.

Results

Here, we observed that astrocytic glycogen mobilization inhibited A1-like astrocytes and enhanced A2-like astrocytes after reperfusion in an experimental ischemic stroke model in vivo and in vitro. In addition, glycogen mobilization could enhance the production of NADPH and glutathione by the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and reduce ROS levels during reperfusion. NF-κB inhibition and STAT3 activation caused by a decrease in ROS levels were responsible for glycogen mobilization-induced A1-like and A2-like astrocyte transformation after I/R. The astrocytic A1/A2 paradigm is closely correlated with glycogen mobilization-mediated neuroprotection in cerebral reperfusion injury.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that ROS-mediated NF-κB inhibition and STAT3 activation are the key pathways for glycogen mobilization-induced neuroprotection and provide a promising metabolic target for brain reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02284-y.

Frontal-posterior functional imbalance and aberrant function developmental patterns in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. There remain significant gaps in understanding the neural trajectory across development in SZ. A major research focus is to clarify the developmental functional changes of SZ and to identify the specific timing, the specific brain regions, and the underlying mechanisms of brain alterations during SZ development. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) characterizing brain function was collected and analyzed on humans with SZ (hSZ) and healthy controls (HC) cross-sectionally, and methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rats, a neurodevelopmental model of SZ, and vehicle rats longitudinally from adolescence to adulthood. Metabolomic and proteomic profiling in adult MAM rats and vehicle rats was examined and bioanalyzed. Compared to HC or adult vehicle rats, similar ReHo alterations were observed in hSZ and adult MAM rats, characterized by increased frontal (medial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices) and decreased posterior (visual and associated cortices) ReHo. Longitudinal analysis of MAM rats showed aberrant ReHo patterns as decreased posterior ReHo in adolescence and increased frontal and decreased posterior ReHo in adulthood. Accordingly, it was suggested that the visual cortex was a critical locus and adolescence was a sensitive window in SZ development. In addition, metabolic and proteomic alterations in adult MAM rats suggested that central carbon metabolism disturbance and mitochondrial dysfunction were the potential mechanisms underlying the ReHo alterations. This study proposed frontal-posterior functional imbalance and aberrant function developmental patterns in SZ, suggesting that the adolescent visual cortex was a critical locus and a sensitive window in SZ development. These findings from linking data between hSZ and MAM rats may have a significant translational contribution to the development of effective therapies in SZ.

Intra-couple discordance in preconception syphilis screening for both spouses: a national and population-based survey in China, 2013-2018

OBJECTIVE

The antenatal screening strategy remains inadequate for eliminating congenital syphilis. To further eliminate maternal fetal transmission, preconception syphilis screening is considered an option. In this study, we investigated syphilis seropositivity and intra-couple discordance among married couples planning a pregnancy in China to provide essential baseline evidence for preconception syphilis screening.

DESIGN

Population-based survey.

SETTING

National preconception registered data.

POPULATION

Married Chinese couples planning conception within 6 months between 2013 and 2018.

METHODS

Syphilis was screened using rapid plasma reagin (RPR); infection self-reporting and sociodemographic characteristics were collected through questionnaires and medical records, respectively. r 3.2.2 and arcgis 10.2 were used for statistical analyses and geographic mapping.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

RPR seropositivity.

RESULTS

Among 31 955 041 couples, 29 737 172 (93.06%) had complete RPR results for both spouses; of those, 0.62% (186 100) were seropositive, with dramatic intra-couple discordance, with 0.33% positivity in wives, 0.24% positivity in husbands and 0.05% positivity in both spouses. Across time, both seropositivity and intra-couple discordance remained stable. Seropositivity in different regions varied significantly, with provincial rates ranging geographically from Tibet (0.8%) to Hebei (0.2%) (P < 0.05). Economic level was an independent factor for this regional variation, with seropositivity increasing as gross domestic product income decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Intra-couple discordance in seropositivity for syphilis is notable among couples, with a considerable rate of pre-existing syphilis before pregnancy. Thus, screening both spouses during integrated preconception health care is recommended for further eliminating maternal-fetal transmission.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Intra-couple discordance in seropositivity for syphilis is notable among couples, with a considerable rate of pre-existing syphilis before pregnancy. Screening both spouses during integrated preconception health care is recommended to further eliminate maternal-fetal transmission.

The association between the vaginal microenvironment and fecundability: a register-based cohort study among Chinese women

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between the vaginal microenvironment and fecundability among women.

DESIGN

Register-based nationwide cohort study.

SETTING

Chinese National Free Pre-conception Check-up Project from 2015 to 2018.

POPULATION

Our study included a total of 3 388 554 eligible women who were attempting to become pregnant.

METHOD

We assessed the vaginal microenvironment at baseline by considering four indices: vaginal pH, clue cell examination, whiff test and vaginal cleanliness grading. If any of these indicators was abnormal, the vaginal microenvironment was defined as poor. Propensity score matching was used to control for potential confounders and reduce bias. Logistic models were used to estimate the fecundability odds ratios (FORs) after adjustment for covariates.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Achievement of a pregnancy within 1 year.

RESULTS

Of the total study population, 379 718 women (11.2%) had a poor vaginal microenvironment and their pregnancy rate after 1 year was significantly lower than the group with a normal microenvironment (71.8% versus 76.1%, P < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, the women with a poor vaginal microenvironment were associated with a 9% reduction in fecundability compared with the normal microenvironment group (FOR 0.91, 95% CI 0.90-0.92). The adverse effects of a poor vaginal microenvironment were stronger among multipara (FOR 0.89, 95% CI 0.87-0.90) or women with irregular menstruation (FOR 0.86, 95% CI 0.84-0.89).

CONCLUSION

There was a negative association between a poor vaginal microenvironment and the fecundability of women. These findings highlight the significance of assessing the vaginal microenvironment during pre-pregnancy health examinations.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Women with a poor vaginal microenvironment were associated with a reduction in fecundability.

The Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Cognitive Impairment and the Brain Lipidome in a Cuprizone-Induced Mouse Model of Demyelination

The protective effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on myelin integrity have been extensively studied, and growing evidence suggests that rTMS is beneficial in improving cognitive functions and promoting myelin repair. However, the association between cognitive improvement due to rTMS and changes in brain lipids remains elusive. In this study, we used the Y-maze and 3-chamber tests, as well as a mass spectrometry-based lipidomic approach in a CPZ-induced demyelination model in mice to assess the protective effects of rTMS on cuprizone (CPZ)-induced cognitive impairment and evaluate changes in lipid composition in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and striatum. We found that CPZ induced cognitive impairment and remarkable changes in brain lipids, specifically in glycerophospholipids. Moreover, the changes in lipids within the prefrontal cortex were more extensive, compared to those observed in the hippocampus and striatum. Notably, rTMS ameliorated CPZ-induced cognitive impairment and partially normalized CPZ-induced lipid changes. Taken together, our data suggest that rTMS may reverse cognitive behavioral changes caused by CPZ-induced demyelination by modulating the brain lipidome, providing new insights into the therapeutic mechanism of rTMS.

[Analysis of bone mineral density and its influencing factors in 211 patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with long-term entecavir monotherapy]

Objective: To investigate the changes of bone mineral density and its related influencing factors in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with long-term entecavir monotherapy. Methods: 211 cases with chronic hepatitis B treated with entecavir monotherapy in the Department of Infectious Diseases of Henan Provincial People's Hospital from June 2018 to September 2019 were retrospectively collected. Age, gender, body mass index, number of years of medication use, presence or absence of liver cirrhosis and current bone mineral density level (using dual-energy X-ray detection, taking lumbar L1 ~ 4 and left femur as observation region) and other related data were collected. 211 cases general situation was descriptively analyzed by case-control study design. Two independent sample t-tests were used to compare the differences in serum calcium, phosphorus, and renal function levels in patients with different medication durations. Univariate logistic regression was used to screen the influencing factors of bone mineral density level. Significant variables of univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression to obtain the independent influencing factors leading to the decrease of bone mineral density level. The test level was set as α = 0.05. Results: The average age of 211 cases with chronic hepatitis B was (42.36 ± 11.10) years. The average medication time use was (2.52 ± 1.94) years. The body mass index (23.95 ± 3.11), and male-to-female ratio was 2.25/1. The incidence of liver cirrhosis was 35.5%. The incidence of low bone mass in the two observation sites (lumbar spine L1~4 and left femur) was 24.6% and 29.4%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in serum calcium, phosphorus and renal function levels among patients with different entecavir treatment duration (≥3 years and < 3 years) (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis result showed that the influencing factors of BMD were age, the number of years of medication use, gender, liver cirrhosis (L1~4 of the lumbar spine region) and age, the number of years of medication, and gender (left femoral region). The variables that entered the two models after the multivariate analysis were age (L1~4 region of lumbar spine: OR = 2.225, left femur OR = 1.660), gender (L1~4 region of lumbar spine: OR = 3.048, left femur OR = 2.496), number of years of medication use (L1~4 region of lumbar spine: OR = 1.387, left femur OR = 1.276). Conclusion: Age, gender, and the number of years of medication use are independent factors that influence the bone mineral density of patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with long-term entecavir. Low bone mass risk at the two observation sites is 2.225 and 1.66 times the normal level for every 10 years of age increase. Compared with men, the risk of low bone mass at the two observation sites is 3.048 and 2.496 times for women, and for every additional year of medication use, the risk of low bone mass at the two observation sites is 1.387 and 1.276 times the normal level. Female patients with older age and prolonged medication use are at high risk of developing bone mineral density reduction.

[Impacts of incomplete revascularization following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting on perioperative outcomes in octogenarians]

Objective: To assess the impacts of incomplete revascularization following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) on perioperative outcomes in octogenarians. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 242 octogenarian patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) hospitalized in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from June 2008 to July 2016 was performed. These patients were divided into the complete revascularization group (n=181) and the incomplete revascularization group (n=61) depending on whether they underwent complete revascularization. The impacts of incomplete revascularization following OPCABG on perioperative outcomes were summarized and compared between the two groups. Results: Among the 242 patients over 80 years who received OPCABG, there were 198 males (81.8%). Compared to the complete revascularization group, those in the incomplete revascularization group were older [(83.2±1.5) vs (81.5±1.1) years old, P=0.03], with more carotid stenosis (44.3% vs 25.4%, P=0.01), more involved in the diagonal and circumflex branch of coronary artery (49.2% vs 17.1%, P=0.01; 83.6% vs 70.2%, P=0.03), shorter operative time [(4.1±1.7) h vs (4.7±1.2) h, P=0.03), longer preoperative [(7.1±2.3) d vs (5.2±2.0) d, P=0.01] and total hospitalization time [(16.3±6.8) d vs (12.5±4.2) d, P=0.01], however, the differences of the in-hospital mortality and incidence of other perioperative complications were not statistically significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with complete revascularization, incomplete revascularization following OPCABG in CAD patients over 80 years old does not increase the perioperative mortality and the incidence of other complications, and it reduces the operative time. However, it increases the time of preoperative and total hospital stay.

[A survey on therapy strategies for rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese rheumatologists]

To investigate how Chinese rheumatologists treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We performed a survey on the choices of first-line and second-line anti-RA therapies, prescription of methotrexate and glucocorticoids, assessment of disease activity and frequencies of follow-up at the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology meeting 2016 in Shanghai. The majority (85.1%) of rheumatologists preferred methotrexate as first-line treatment. As alternative agents, 71.0% rheumatologists chose leflunomide or sulfasalazine. If methotrexate was not tolerable, only 8.6% rheumatologists would switch to parenteral administration. After failure of responding to methotrexate, 62.0% rheumatologists recommended to change or combine other conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Etanercept was the most popular biological option in 65.2% rheumatologists. Almost all (97.3%) rheumatologists prescribed methotrexate at an initial dose of 7.5 to 15 mg/week and 73.8% rheumatologists at a maximum of 10 to 15 mg/week. There were 49.3% rheumatologists prescribing oral glucocorticoids at first-line therapy. Surprisingly, 42.6% rheumatologists never or rarely assessed disease activity in daily work. For patients having achieved remission, 74.2% rheumatologists would follow up them every 1 to 3 months. This study suggests that most Chinese rheumatologists treat RA patients consistent with international guidelines, while the maximum dose of methotrexate, glucocorticoid as first-line treatment, assessment of disease activity and follow-up frequency are locally modified.

[Surgical selection and metastatic warning of splenic lymph node dissection in advanced gastric cancer radical surgery: a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial]

Objective: To investigate the surgical options for splenic lymph node dissection in patients with advanced gastric cancer undergoing radical total gastrectomy, and to evaluate the sentinel effect of No. 4s lymph node on splenic lymph node metastasis. Methods: A prospective, single-center, randomized and controlled study was carried out (Trial registration, No.NCT02980861). Enrollment criteria: (1) >18 years old and <65 years old; (2) gastric adenocarcinoma locating in the proximal or corpus; (3) preoperative clinical staging as cT2-4aN0-3M0; (4) D2 radical total gastrectomy feasible judged before operation; (5) physical ability score 0 to 1; (6) I to III of ASA classification. Pregnant or lactating women, patients with severe mental illness or previous history of upper abdominal surgery, those suffered from other malignant tumors in the past 5 years, or heart and lung system diseases judged to affect surgery before operation, those receiving preoperative chemotherapy, radiotherapy or targeted therapies, and distant metastases being found during surgery were excluded. According to above criteria, 222 patients at The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2016 to December 2017 were enrolled prospectively and were randomly divided into the laparoscopic splenic hilar lymph node dissection group (laparoscopic group, n=114) and the open splenic hilar lymph node dissection group (open group, n=108). The result of rapid frozen immunohistochemistry of harvested No.4s lymph nodes was used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of sentinel effect on splenic hilar lymph node metastasis. The surgical parameters, postoperative recovery parameters, and complication rates were compared between the two groups. Results: There were 80 males and 34 females in the lapascopic group with a mean age of (56.1±10.2) years, and 69 males and 39 females in the open group with a mean age of (58.4±10.9) years. There were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups (all P>0.05). Total blood loss was less in the laparoscopic group [(96.3±82.4) ml vs. (116.6±101.9) ml, t=1.124, P<0.001], and the amount of bleeding from the splenic hilar lymph nodes dissected was also less than that in the open group [(25.3±17.8) ml vs. (59.5±36.4) ml, t=1.172, P<0.001]. However, the operation time, the time of splenic hilar lymph node, the number of lymph node dissected and number of splenic hilar lymph node dissected were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). As compared to the open group, the laparoscopic group had shorter time to the first flatus [(1.3±1.2) days vs. (1.6±1.5) days, t=1.665, P=0.021], shorter time to fluid diet [(4.6±1.4) days vs. (4.9 ± 1.6) days, t=1.436, P=0.007], shorter time to remove nasogastric tube [(3.9±2.6) days vs. (4.3±2.4) days, t=0.687, P<0.001] and shorter hospital stay [(10.3±6.6) days vs. (12.1±7.2) days, t=0.697, P<0.001]. Complication rate was 14.0% (16/114) and (12.0%) ((1)3/108) in the laparoscopic group and the open group, respectively, without significant difference (χ(2)=6.723, P=0.331). The sensitivity of the No. 4s lymph node for the prediction of splenic hilar lymph node metastasis reached 89.5%, and the specificity reached 99.6%. Conclusions: Laparoscopic technique is safe and feasible in the treatment of splenic hilar lymph node dissection in advanced gastric cancer. The No.4s lymph node examination has good sentinel effect on predicting the metastasis of splenic hilar lymph nodes.

Oxygen embolism after hydrogen peroxide irrigation during hip arthroscopy: a case report

Background

Hydrogen peroxide has been widely used in Orthopaedics including Orthopaedic oncology, trauma and joint surgeries. However, we encountered an oxygen embolism and myoglobinuria after hydrogen peroxide was used to irrigate a septic hip arthroscopically.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old male patient with right hip septic arthritis underwent an arthroscopic hip washout and debridement. During the operation, the surgeon used 100 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide to irrigate the joint cavity. Two minutes after irrigation, there was a transient decrease in oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood pressure, with significant subcutaneous emphysema around the wound. Concentrated urine was drained out 8 h after operation which resolved the following day. Post-operatively, the patient was managed in the intensive care unit for a pulmonary embolism and discharged without further complications.

Conclusion

Medical staff should be aware of the risk of oxygen embolism and be extremely careful when using hydrogen peroxide in patient care. Oxygen embolism following hydrogen peroxide use is rare, however, once encountered, it may bring serious consequences. Therefore, the use of hydrogen peroxide in closed spaces or arthroscopic procedures should be discontinued.

[Establishment of patient derived xenograft model of high-grade mucinous carcinoma peritonei accompanied with signet ring cells and identification of biological characteristics]

Objective: To establish the patient derived xenograft (PDX) model of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), and identify the key characteristics of tumor biology of this model, in order to provide a reliable model for studying the pathological mechanisms and new therapeutic strategies of PMP. Methods: PMP tumor tissue was obtained from surgery and cut into pieces after washing. Then tumor pieces were implanted subcutaneously in BAL B/c-nu mice for 6 stable passages. In the 7th passage, tumor tissue was implanted orthotopically into abdomen. Subcutaneous tumor and orthotopic tumor were then homogenized to make tumor cell suspension, implanted into abdomen of 10 BAL B/c-nu mice through midline laparotomy, 100 μl for each. The key experimental parameters including body weight changes in the observation period, experimental peritoneal cancer index (ePCI) score at the autopsy, histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics, and gene expression profiles by high-throughput whole-genome exon sequencing were detected and recorded. Results: The successful rate of established orthotopic PDX model of human PMP was 100% (10/10). The animals showed smooth body weight increases after tumor inoculation until day 27, then the body weight began to decrease steadily. Widespread tumor dissemination of PMP tumor through the whole abdomen was found by autopsy, including the diaphragm, liver, spleen, stomach, kidney, parietal peritoneum, bowel and mesenterium. Gelatinous ascites was also observed in abdominopelvic cavity. The ePCI score ranged from 5 to 9, with a 8 of median ePCI. Histopathological studies showed peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis accompanied with signet ring cells (PMCA-S), obvious tumor cell atypia and parenchymal invasion.Immunohistochemistry showed the expressions of MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, CEA, CA199, CK20, CDX-2 and Ki-67 were positive, MUC6, CK7 and p53 were negative. Whole-exome sequencing identified that the most significant genetic alteration is the exon10 missense mutation c. 1621A>C of KIT gene, the mutation abundance was 89.7%. Conclusion: PDX model of PMCA-S is successfully established, which displays the characters of high-degree malignancy, high proliferation and strong aggressiveness.

Sex Differences in Intergenerational Transfer Risk of Major Depressive Disorder

Background

The children of depressed parents are more likely to suffer from mental illness, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD). However, most data come from adolescent and young-adult populations, and published studies have reported inconsistent results regarding intergenerational transmission.

Material/Methods

We retrospectively investigated hospitalized depressed patients with positive family history (FHP) from 1 Jan 2008 to 31 Dec 2017 and analyzed the differences in sex distribution in the intergenerational transfer risk of major depressive disorder.

Results

We enrolled 528 patients with maternal or paternal positive FHP from a total of 4856 patients, and divided them into 4 groups: female patients with maternal FHP (FM: 220, 41.7%), female patients with paternal FHP (FP: 116, 22.0%), male patients with maternal FHP (MM: 96, 18.2%), and male patients with paternal FHP (MP: 96, 18.2%). In this study, 12.2% of hospitalized depressed patients had an FHP. The ratio of male: female patients with FHP was 2: 3. The ratio of male: female patients with maternal FHP was almost 1: 2. Analyses showed that the risk of depression in daughters was higher than in sons. Compared with children of depressed fathers, the children of depressed mothers were at higher risk of depression. Daughters and sons share an equal risk of depression with paternal FHP.

Conclusions

The results suggest a clear interaction of sex between patients and their depressed parents. Daughters of depressed mothers had the highest risk of suffering from depression compared with other offspring.

Exposure to sodium salicylate disrupts VGLUT3 expression in cochlear inner hair cells and contributes to tinnitus

To examine whether exposure to sodium salicylate disrupts expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3) and whether the alteration in expression corresponds to increased risk for tinnitus. Rats were treated with saline (control) or sodium salicylate (treated) Rats were examined for tinnitus by monitoring gap-pre-pulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (GPIAS). Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was applied to evaluate hearing function after treatment. Rats were sacrificed after injection to obtain the cochlea, cochlear nucleus (CN), and inferior colliculus (IC) for examination of VGLUT3 expression. No significant differences in hearing thresholds between groups were identified (p>0.05). Tinnitus in sodium salicylate-treated rats was confirmed by GPIAS. VGLUT3 encoded by solute carrier family 17 members 8 (SLC17a8) expression was significantly increased in inner hair cells (IHCs) of the cochlea in treated animals, compared with controls (p<0.01). No significant differences in VGLUT3 expression between groups were found for the cochlear nucleus (CN) or IC (p>0.05). Exposure to sodium salicylate may disrupt SLC17a8 expression in IHCs, leading to alterations that correspond to tinnitus in rats. However, the CN and IC are unaffected by exposure to sodium salicylate, suggesting that enhancement of VGLUT3 expression in IHCs may contribute to the pathogenesis of tinnitus.

Linear polarization grating combining a circular polarization grating with a special cycloidal diffractive quarter waveplate

We introduce and demonstrate a switchable novel linear polarization grating (LPG) consisting of a circular polarization grating (CPG) and a special cycloidal diffractive quarter waveplate (CQWP). The CQWP is developed that marvelously matches the polarization-state of beams passing through the CPG. Such an LPG is so polarization-sensitive that it can split an incident linear polarized beam into two proportionally controllable left- or right-handed circularly polarized lights. We establish rigorous simulation model based on finite element method to investigate near-field polarization-state distribution of CPGs. Furthermore, LPGs are demonstrated and the diffraction properties are obtained with simulation and Jones Matrix analysis. The combination of CPGs and CQWPs is achieved with polymerizable liquid crystal. The experimental results of deflection angle and polarization selectivity of LPGs are consistent with those of simulation.

Bone mass density and bone metabolism marker are associated with progression of carotid and cardiac calcified plaque in Chinese elderly population

Osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases often coexist in the same elderly individuals. Does this suggest some potential correlation between the two diseases? Low bone mass and change of bone biomarker are associated with a higher risk of carotid and cardiac calcification plaques.

INTRODUCTION

Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism marker may contribute to the progression of carotid and cardiac arterial calcifications. The aim of this study was to investigate whether low bone mass and the change of bone biomarker are associated with the prevalence of calcified atherosclerotic plaque in elderly Chinese.

METHODS

We conducted a five-year prospective study. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning. Carotid and cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) was conducted using a 64-multidetector row scanner to assess carotid and cardiac arterial plaque at baseline and during follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 1571 community residents over 60 years of age, 184 (11.7%) subjects developed carotid calcified plaque, 510 (32.5%) subjects developed cardiac calcified plaque and 97 (6.2%) subjects developed co-existence calcified plaques in carotid and cardiac arteries. After adjustment for age and all relevant confounders, Q1, Q2 quartile of BMD, and osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin (OC), and C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) were associated with increased risk of calcified plaques.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that lower BMD and change of bone metabolism biomarker were associated with a higher risk of carotid and cardiac calcified plaque development.

Two-dimensional symmetrical radial sub-aperture coherence and the local precision defect elimination method for high-precision beam steering

Sub-aperture coherence (SAC) is a classical phase control method for high-precision beam steering using liquid crystal optical phased arrays (LCOPA). On this basis, radial sub-aperture coherence (RSAC) and symmetrical radial sub-aperture coherence (SRSAC) were proposed, which guarantee the stability of steering angles when the beam aperture and incident position fluctuate. In this article, the pre-existing one-dimensional SRSAC was firstly extended to a more universal 2D phase generation algorithm. Meanwhile, for the intractable problem of local precision defects caused by the basic two-dimensional variable period grating (2D-VPG) algorithm, we tracked their locations accurately and designed a targeted elimination method carefully. So these remarkable error peaks could be thoroughly removed by using 2D-SRSAC optimized by the local precision defect elimination method. Since then, all the excellent performance of 1D-SRSAC can be perfectly transplanted to 2D, which makes the non-mechanical beam steering technology using LCOPA more mature and competitive in the applications required ultra-high precision.