Reducing the risk of tooth injury in anterior maxillary interdental osteotomy for cleft lip and palate patients using a surgical navigation technique

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical feasibility of preventing tooth injury from anterior maxillary interdental osteotomy by using a surgical navigation technique. A retrospective review was conducted on cleft lip and palate patients treated with anterior maxillary osteotomy followed by distraction osteogenesis between August 2019 and May 2022. Patients operated on through image guidance were enrolled in the navigation group, while those who were operated on freehand were enrolled in the freehand group. Tooth injuries were identified on postoperative images. Linear and angular deviations of the osteotomy line were measured. Twelve patients were enrolled in the study, seven in the navigation group and five in the freehand group. Altogether, 24 osteotomy lines and 53 adjacent teeth were evaluated. The dental injury rate was 3% in the navigation group and 27% in the freehand group (P = 0.016). The average linear deviations (mean ± standard deviation) were 0.67 ± 0.30 mm and 2.05 ± 1.33 mm, respectively (P < 0.001), while the average angular deviations were 1.67 ± 0.68° and 11.41 ± 7.46°, respectively (P < 0.001). The results suggest that navigation was able to reduce the tooth injury risk compared with freehand interdental osteotomies in crowded dental arches.

Toxic effects of nanoplastics and microcystin-LR coexposure on the liver-gut axis of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Plastic products and nutrients are widely used in aquaculture facilities, resulting in copresence of nanoplastics (NPs) released from plastics and microcystins (MCs) from toxic cyanobacteria. The potential effects of NPs-MCs coexposure on aquatic products require investigation. This study investigated the toxic effects of polystyrene (PS) NPs and MC-LR on the gut-liver axis of silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, a representative commercial fish, and explored the effects of the coexposure on intestinal microorganism structure and liver metabolic function using traditional toxicology and multi-omics association analysis. The results showed that the PS-NPs and MC-LR coexposure significantly shortened villi length, and the higher the concentration of PS-NPs, the more obvious the villi shortening. The coexposure of high concentrations of PS-NPs and MC-LR increased the hepatocyte space in fish, and caused obvious loss of gill filaments. The diversity and richness of the fish gut microbes significantly increased after the PS-NPs exposure, and this trend was amplified in the copresence of MC-LR. In the coexposure, MC-LR contributed more to the alteration of fish liver metabolism, which affected the enrichment pathway in glycerophospholipid metabolism and folic acid biosynthesis, and there was a correlation between the differential glycerophospholipid metabolites and affected bacteria. These results suggested that the toxic mechanism of PS-NPs and MC-LR coexposure may be pathological changes of the liver, gut, and gill tissues, intestinal microbiota disturbance, and glycerophospholipid metabolism imbalance. The findings not only improve the understanding of environmental risks of NPs combined with other pollutants, but also provide potential microbiota and glycerophospholipid biomarkers in silver carp.

Artificial Space Weathering to Mimic Solar Wind Enhances the Toxicity of Lunar Dust Simulants in Human Lung Cells

During NASA's Apollo missions, inhalation of dust particles from lunar regolith was identified as a potential occupational hazard for astronauts. These fine particles adhered tightly to spacesuits and were unavoidably brought into the living areas of the spacecraft. Apollo astronauts reported that exposure to the dust caused intense respiratory and ocular irritation. This problem is a potential challenge for the Artemis Program, which aims to return humans to the Moon for extended stays in this decade. Since lunar dust is "weathered" by space radiation, solar wind, and the incessant bombardment of micrometeorites, we investigated whether treatment of lunar regolith simulants to mimic space weathering enhanced their toxicity. Two such simulants were employed in this research, Lunar Mare Simulant-1 (LMS-1), and Lunar Highlands Simulant-1 (LHS-1), which were added to cultures of human lung epithelial cells (A549) to simulate lung exposure to the dusts. In addition to pulverization, previously shown to increase dust toxicity sharply, the simulants were exposed to hydrogen gas at high temperature as a proxy for solar wind exposure. This treatment further increased the toxicity of both simulants, as measured by the disruption of mitochondrial function, and damage to DNA both in mitochondria and in the nucleus. By testing the effects of supplementing the cells with an antioxidant (N-acetylcysteine), we showed that a substantial component of this toxicity arises from free radicals. It remains to be determined to what extent the radicals arise from the dust itself, as opposed to their active generation by inflammatory processes in the treated cells.

Investigating the Impact of Varied Dietary Protein Levels on Litopenaeus vannamei: An Exploration of the Intestinal Microbiota and Transcriptome Responses

This study explored the effects of dietary protein levels on Litopenaeus vannamei with its intestinal microbiota and transcriptome responses. Previous studies on the effects of dietary protein levels on L. vannamei have focused on growth performance, antioxidant indices, and digestive enzyme activity, but few studies have been conducted at the microbiological and molecular levels. In this study, five isolipid experimental diets with protein levels of 32% (P32), 36% (P36), 40% (P40), 44% (P44), and 48% (P48) were used in an L. vannamei (0.63 ± 0.02 g) feeding trial for 56 days. At the end of the feeding trial, the growth performance, immunity, intestinal health, and transcriptional responses of L. vannamei were determined. This study demonstrated that higher protein levels (P44) led to superior weight gain and growth rates for L. vannamei, with lower feed conversion ratios (FCR) observed in the P48 and P44 groups compared to the P32 and P36 groups (p ≤ 0.05). The P44 and P48 groups also showed a notably higher protein efficiency ratio (PER) compared to others (p ≤ 0.05), and there was no significant difference between them. Upon Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection, the P48 group exhibited a significantly lower survival rate (SR) within 48 h, while during 72 h of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection, the P44 group had a notably higher survival rate than the P32 group (p ≤ 0.05). Digestive enzyme activity and antioxidant levels in L. vannamei initially increased and then decreased as protein levels increased, usually peaking in the P40 or P44 groups. Lower dietary protein levels significantly reduced the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and increased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines of L. vannamei. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were up-regulated and then down-regulated as dietary protein levels increased. Furthermore, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that several immune and metabolic pathways, including metabolic pathways, glutathione metabolism, cytochrome P450, and lysosome and pancreatic secretion, were significantly enriched. In summary, the optimal feed protein level for L. vannamei shrimp was 40-44%. Inappropriate feed protein levels reduced antioxidant levels and digestive enzyme activity and promoted pathogen settlement, deceasing factors in various metabolic pathways that respond to microorganisms through transcriptional regulation. This could lead to stunted growth in L. vannamei and compromise their immune function.

The economic burden of coronary heart disease in mainland China

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the current economic burden of coronary heart disease (CHD) in mainland China and provide a reference for the formulation of policies to reduce the economic burden of CHD.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic literature review was conducted of empirical studies on the economic burden of CHD over the past 20 years.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database and the WANFANG database were comprehensively searched for relevant articles published between 1 January 2000 and 22 December 2021. Content analysis was used to extract the data, and Stata 17.0 software was used for analysis. The median values were used to describe trends.

RESULTS

A total of 35 studies were included in this review. The annual median per-capita hospitalisation expense and the average expense per hospitalisation were $3544.40 ($891.64-$18,371.46) and $5407.34 ($1139.93-$8277.55), respectively. The median ratio on medical consumables expenses, drug expenses, medical examination expenses and treatment expenses were 41.59% (12.40%-63.73%), 26.90% (7.30%-60.00%), 9.45% (1.65%-33.40%) and 10.10% (2.36%-66.00%), respectively. The median per-capita hospitalisation expense in the eastern, central and western regions were $9374.45 ($2056.13-$18,371.46), $4751.5 ($2951.95-$8768.93) and $3251.25 ($891.64-$13,986.38), respectively. The median average expense per hospitalisation in the eastern and central regions were $6177.15 ($1679.15-$8277.55) and $1285.49 ($1239.93-$2197.36), respectively. The median average length of stay in the eastern, central and western regions were 9.3 days, 15.2 days and 16.1 days, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The economic burden of CHD is more severe in mainland China than in developed countries, especially in terms of the direct economic burden. In terms of the types of direct medical expenses, a proportion of medical examination expenses, treatment expenses and drug expenses were lowest in the eastern region, but medical consumables expenses were the highest in this region. This study provides guidance for the formulation of policies to reduce the economic burden of CHD in mainland China.

A Multiomics Analysis of the Close Connection between Intratumoral Microbiota and Immune Cell Infiltration in Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The colorectal intratumoral microbiome and its association with the expression of the tumor genome and immune cell infiltration remain poorly characterized. Our study aims to investigate the relationship between intratumoral microbiota with tumor immune infiltration, patient prognosis, and potential downstream signaling pathways.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We collected biopsy samples of tumor tissue and paracancerous tissue from 92 patients with colorectal cancer, and acquired microbiota profiling in these samples using 16s rRNA sequencing. Meanwhile, the immune markers including CD8, FOXP3, CD163, PD-1 and PD-L1 were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify the immune infiltration in tumors. Furthermore, we used The Cancer Genome Atlas and The Cancer Microbiome Atlas databases to conduct multiomics analysis on tumor flora and patient survival, tumor gene expression profile and potential downstream pathways.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in α-diversity (p = 0.00051) and β-diversity (p = 0.004) between tumor and paracancerous tissues. The β-diversity of intratumoral bacterial differed by colorectal cancer tumor stage (early vs. late stage, p = 0.049) and location (left vs. right colon, p = 0.04). Stage-related flora cluster (Porphyromonas, Lachnoclostridium, Bacteroides, Aggregatibacter, and Hungatella) were identified and found to be associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients (HR = 1.79, p = 0.015). By IHC staining, we found that expression of PD-1 and FOXP3 was significantly reduced at low abundance of stage-related bacterial cluster (p<0.05). Among of them, Hungatella was negatively associated with CD8+T cell infiltration (p<0.05) in tumor. Besides, tumor-location related flora cluster (Bacteroides and Blautia) were identified and found to be associated with good prognosis in colorectal cancer patients (HR = 0.52, p = 0.011). Expression of CD163 was decreased at high abundance of location-related bacterial cluster (p<0.05). Among of them, Blautia was negatively correlated with tumor-associated macrophage infiltration(p<0.05). Furthermore, we found that the stage-related flora cluster was positively connected with the pathway of bile acid metabolism, whereas the location-dependent cluster was negatively correlated with this pathway.

CONCLUSION

We found specific intratumoral bacterial clusters that were related to tumor stage and location, and the clusters were strongly associated with tumor immune infiltration and patient prognosis. Our findings may provide new viewpoint for future research between intratumoral microbiota, metabolism pathway and tumor microenvironment.

Perturbation of Gut Microbiota Modulated the Abscopal Effects of Immunoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The abscopal effect-the regression of malignancies outside the irradiation zone-can be increased by combining radiotherapy (RT) with immunotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the gut microbiota affected the abscopal effect following immunoradiotherapy (iRT) in rectal cancer.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Bilateral MC38 subcutaneous tumors (primary and abscopal tumor) were established in C57/B6 mice with or without oral antibiotic treatment (preadministration of vancomycin, streptomycin, and ampicillin 14 days before therapy). Mice with or without antibiotic therapy were then randomized into eight groups to receive one of four treatments: (1) RT to the primary tumor + anti-PD-1 therapy (iRT), (2) RT to the primary tumor (RT), (3) anti-PD-1 therapy (anti-PD-1), and (4) no treatment. Flow cytometry was used to determine the composition and function of immune cells in the primary and abscopal tumors as well as in the spleen. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to assess the gut microbiome alteration following antibiotic intervention. Multiple bioinformatics were then explored to investigate the impact of specific flora that related to abscopal antitumor effect.

RESULTS

We found that radiation on primary tumors exhibited cytotoxic effect in nonirradiated (abscopal) tumors (p=0.0057, RT vs. untreated group; p=0.0037, iRT vs. anti-PD-1 group). In contrast, abscopal tumors were resistant to the anticancer effects of RT when antibiotics were given (p=0.5374, RT + antibiotics vs. untreated group + antibiotics; p=0.42, iRT + antibiotics vs. anti-PD-1 + antibiotics group). Comparing the RT+antibiotics group to the RT group, we discovered that the number of CD8+CD44+ T cells decreased significantly in both abscopal tumors (p<0.001) and spleens (p=0.0061). In anti-PD-1-treated groups, antibiotics significantly reduced the number of CD8+GranzymeB+ T cells in primary tumors (p=0.0061) and CD4+CD25+ T cells in spleens (p<0.001). In iRT-treated groups, the antibiotic reduced the fraction of CD4+INF-γ+ cells in abscopal tumors (p=0.0134), and increased the number of CD4+PD-1+ T cells in spleens (p<0.001). Moreover, we found that both α- and β-diversity decreased significantly in the gut microbiota after antibiotic treatment (p=0.0079 and p<0.001, respectively). The abundance of g_Alistipes, g_Lactobacillus, g_Lachnospiraceae and g__Lactobacillus fell dramatically in the presence of antibiotics. In addition, functional analyses of Picrust2 and KEGG revealed that antibiotic therapy had the most profound impact on the D-Alanine metabolism pathway (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

We found that the alteration of the gut microbiome by antibiotics significantly affects the local and systemic antitumoral effect of iRT, our results may provide new insight on how gut modification converts the local anticancer effects of RT into a systemic response that targets metastatic tumors.

PARP Inhibitor Plus Radiotherapy Reshapes IDH1 Mutation Tumor Immune Suppression Microenvironment Potentiating the Efficiency of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutations confer gain-of-function activity by converting α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) to the oncometabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG). IDH mutant tumors have fewer tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and reduced PD-L1 expression compared with their wild type (WT) counterparts. In addition, 2-HG can directly inhibit the killing and proliferative functions of CD8+ T lymphocytes, and suggesting that 2-HG promotes an immunosuppressive TME. Several studies have shown that 2-HG can inhibit homologous recombination (HR) and weaken the DNA damage response (DDR), making them more sensitive to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and radiotherapy (RT). At the same time, RT and PARP inhibition (PARPi) have been considered to be a new direction to stimulate antitumor immunity. Therefore, our study intends to use RT + PARPi to reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment caused by IDH1 mutations, thereby promoting the therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We compared the immune responses of clinical tissue samples and TCGA data from either IDH1mut or IDH1WT low-grade gliomas. We then established IDH1mut-overexpressing MC38 and GL261 cell lines to determine the antitumor effect of RT + PARPi. Apoptosis and immunogenic death markers were detected by flow cytometry, western blot (WB) and ELISA in these cell lines. Tumor growth and mouse survival curves were observed in both an MC38 subcutaneous and GL261 orthotopic tumor model. Changes in the composition of the immune microenvironment were assessed using flow cytometry. The mechanisms underpinning these compositional shifts were then further interrogated using various techniques, including WB, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, CRISPR/Cas9, and CD8+ T cell migration experiments.

RESULTS

We observed that CD8+ T cell infiltration and expression of the chemokines CXCL10 and CCL5 of CD8+ T cells in IDH1mut tumors were significantly downregulated by immunohistochemistry and TCGA analysis. Gene enrichment analysis using the TCGA database found that IDH1 mutations downregulated interferon (IFN)-related signaling pathways. RT + PARPi induces more DNA damage and actives the CGAS-STING pathway compared with monotherapy, leading to more expression of IFN-β, CXCL10 and CCL5 at mRNA and protein level. In the MC38 subcutaneous tumor model, we found that RT + PARPi increased the infiltration of CD8+ T cells while enhancing the killing function of CD8+ T cells. We observed these same effects in the GL261 orthoma model, as well as increased proliferation function of CD8+ T cells. In addition, RT + PARPi increased the expression of PD-L1 and enhanced the therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

RT + PARPi reshapes the IDH1mut tumor immune suppression microenvironment, thereby potentiating the antitumor effect and efficiency of immune checkpoint inhibitor.

[Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases after malaria elimination in Yixing City of Jiangsu Province]

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases after malaria elimination in Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide reference for malaria prevention and control in grassroots healthcare institutions.

METHODS

All data pertaining to malaria cases reported in Yixing City from 2016 to 2022 were retrieved from Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System, and the data pertaining to vector monitoring and human malaria parasite infections from 2016 to 2022 were collected for a descriptive statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 14 imported malaria cases were reported in Yixing City from 2016 to 2022, including 12 cases with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, one case with P. vivax malaria and one case with P. ovale malaria, and all cases acquired infections in Africa and then returned to Yixing City. Malaria cases were reported across 2016 to 2022 except in 2020 and 2021. Malaria cases were predominantly reported during the period between December and February of the next year, and workers were the predominant occupation. The institutions where malaria was initially diagnosed included county-level general hospitals, county-level disease prevention and control institutions and grassroots healthcare centers, and there were 10 cases with definitive diagnosis of malaria on the day of initial diagnosis, with a 64.29% (9/14) correct rate of initial diagnosis. There were 5 cases diagnosed with severe malaria, and the standardized response rate was 100.00% following the "1-3-7" surveillance and response strategy. Of all malaria vectors, only Anopheles sinensis was monitored in Yixing City from 2016 to 2022, and all humans were tested negative for blood smears exceptimportedmalariacases.

CONCLUSIONS

The correct rate of initial malaria diagnosis was not high in healthcare institutions in Yixing City from 2016 to 2022, and there are still multiple challenges for prevention of re-establishment of imported malaria.

An objective, quantitative, dynamic assessment of facial movement symmetry changes after orthognathic surgery

The aim of this study was to generate a quantitative dynamic assessment of facial movement symmetry changes after orthognathic surgery. Twenty-five patients diagnosed with skeletal class III malocclusion with facial asymmetry who underwent bimaxillary surgery were recruited. The patients were asked to perform a maximum smile that was recorded using a three-dimensional facial motion capture system preoperatively (T0), 6 months postoperatively (T1), and 12 months postoperatively (T2). Eleven facial landmarks were selected to analyse the cumulative distance and average speed during smiling. The absolute differences for the paired landmarks between the sides were analysed to reflect the symmetry changes. The results showed that the asymmetry index of the cheilions at T2 was significantly lower than that at T0 (P = 0.004), as was the index of the mid-lateral lower lips (P = 0.006). The mean difference in cheilions was 2.13 ± 1.41 mm at T0, 1.33 ± 1.09 mm at T1, and 1.00 ± 0.98 mm at T2. The facial total mobility at T1 was significantly lower than that at T0 (P < 0.001), while the total mobility at T2 was significantly higher than that at T1 (P = 0.012). The orthognathic surgical correction of facial asymmetry was able to improve the associated asymmetry of facial movements.

Radiomics analysis using MR imaging of subchondral bone for identification of knee osteoarthritis

Background

To develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics predictive model for the identification of knee osteoarthritis (OA), based on the tibial and femoral subchondral bone, and compare with the trabecular structural parameter-based model.

Methods

Eighty-eight consecutive knees were scanned with 3T MRI and scored using MRI osteoarthritis Knee Scores (MOAKS), in which 56 knees were diagnosed to have OA. The modality of sagittal three-dimensional balanced fast-field echo sequence (3D BFFE) was used to image the subchondral bone. Four trabecular structural parameters (bone volume fraction [BV/TV], trabecular thickness [Tb.Th], trabecular separation [Tb.Sp], and trabecular number) and 93 radiomics features were extracted from four regions of the lateral and medial aspects of the femur condyle and tibial plateau. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used for feature selection. Machine learning-based support vector machine models were constructed to identify knee OA. The performance of the models was assessed by area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC). The correlation between radiomics features and trabecular structural parameters was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results

Our radiomics-based classification model achieved the AUC score of 0.961 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.912–1.000) when distinguishing between normal and knee OA, which was higher than that of the trabecular parameter-based model (AUC, 0.873; 95% CI, 0.788–0.957). The first-order, texture, and Laplacian of Gaussian-based radiomics features correlated positively with Tb.Th and BV/TV, but negatively with Tb.Sp (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results suggested that our MRI-based radiomics models can be used as biomarkers for the classification of OA and are superior to the conventional structural parameter-based model.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-022-03314-y.

P12.09.B Extracellular vesicle derived-miR-146a increases melanoma brain metastasis progression via Notch signalling pathway dysregulation

Background

Melanoma has the highest tropism of any cancer to metastasize to the brain, and 40% of late-stage patients develop brain metastasis. Invasion, survival, and progression of tumors is dependent on the support of the surrounding microenvironment; therefore, modulation of neighboring cells is a key factor in metastasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important in cell-to-cell signalling, shuttling proteins, RNA and DNA to alter the surroundings into a favorable tumor microenvironment. Our aims were to investigate the role of melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) derived EVs in MBM development to find possible contributing mechanisms to cancer progression for eventual therapeutic targeting.

Material and Methods

MBM-EVs isolated via sequential ultracentrifugation were injected into mice as a pre-treatment prior to intracardial injection of MBM cells. EVs were co-cultured with normal human astrocytes (NHA) to investigate phenotypic changes. MiRNA sequencing was performed on EVs collected from MBM cells and compared to NHA and melanocytes to determine a candidate miRNA for targeting. In situ hybridization was utilized to evaluate the level of miRNA in clinical patient MBM samples. Functional in vivo validation was performed by injecting miRNA knockout MBM cells into mice. Sequencing of NHA in the presence or absence of target miRNA mimic was used to determine downstream targets.

Results

Mice primed with EVs had a significant increase in MBM tumor burden, compared to non-primed mice. Co-culture with MBM-EVs resulted in NHA activation in vitro, with increased proliferation, invasion, cytokine production, and upregulation of GFAP. MiR-146a was highly upregulated in MBM EVs, and miR-146a mimics activated NHA. Patient samples had a significant increase in miR-146a expression, compared to healthy brain controls. MiR-146a knockdown in MBM mice models reduced MBM burden and prolonged animal survival. Sequencing of NHA determined NUMB, an inhibitor of the Notch signalling pathway, as a target of miR-146a. Numb and other downstream Notch proteins expression was significantly altered in NHA in the presence of both MBM-EVs and miR-146a.

Conclusion

In conclusion, EVs are important regulators of MBM and establish tumor-supporting reactive astrocytes by delivery of miR-146a. MiR-146a alters Notch signalling in astrocytes via inhibition of the tumor suppressor gene NUMB. Elevated miR-146a levels in patients suggests a potential clinical intervention is possible via miR-146a targeting.

Effects of UV/Fe(II)/sulfite pre-treatment on NOM-enhanced Ca2+ scaling during nanofiltration treatment: Fouling mitigation, mechanisms, and correlation analysis of membrane resistance

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of a pre-treatment involving sulfite (S(IV)) synergistically activated by ultraviolet (UV)/Fe(II) on natural organic matter (NOM)-enhanced Ca²⁺ scaling during nanofiltration treatment. Based on the variations in the physicochemical properties and correlation analyses of irreversible resistance, the intrinsic fouling mechanisms were revealed from two aspects: bulk crystallization (interaction between NOM and inorganic ions) and surface crystallization (morphology of surface crystallization and a change in the Ca²⁺ concentration in the scaling layer). Furthermore, the degradation contribution rates of different free radicals during the UV/Fe(II)/S(IV) (UFS) treatment process were evaluated. During the reactions in the UFS, three free radicals (SO·-4, OH^·- and e- aq) were generated, and in-situ Fe(III) was formed in-situ. The carboxyl groups of the NOM were attacked by the free radicals, resulting in decreased of carboxyl concentration and density. In addition, the bond between Ca²⁺ and NOM weakened, and hydrophobic (HPO) substances were mineralized. However, the Fe(III) formed in-situ was active and electropositive, competing with Ca²⁺ for the complexation active sites on the NOM. The synergy effect of bulk crystallization and surface crystallization led to a significant decrease in the particle size of feed solution. The crystal size and roughness of membrane surface also decreased, which was conducive to reducing the membrane irreversible resistance. Correlation analysis revealed that the HPO ratio, carboxyl density and particle size (> 100 nm) ratio were effective characterization parameters for predicting irreversible resistance. This study not only provides guidance for alleviating membrane fouling caused by NOM-enhanced Ca²⁺ scaling during the nanofiltration process, but also presents the rationality of irreversible resistance during nanofiltration process and various indicators with strong linear correlation.

POS1029 EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH RISANKIZUMAB ON MINIMAL DISEASE ACTIVITY (MDA) AND DISEASE ACTIVITY IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS (DAPSA): AN ANALYSIS OF THE KEEPsAKE-1 AND -2 TRIALS

Background

Risankizumab (RZB) is a monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits interleukin 23.

Objectives

To evaluate the achievement of Minimal Disease Activity (MDA), its components, and achievement of Disease Activity in PsA Low Disease Activity and Remission (DAPSA LDA+REM, [DAPSA score ≤14]) in patients receiving RZB or placebo (PBO) in the KEEPsAKE 1 and 2 clinical trials.

Methods

KEEPsAKE-1 and -2, double-blind, phase 3 trials, evaluated the efficacy of RZB versus PBO for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive subcutaneous RZB 150 mg or PBO at weeks 0, 4, and 16. The open label extension began at Week 24 with all patients receiving RZB 150 mg every 12 weeks thereafter. Achievement of MDA, its components, and achievement of DAPSA LDA+REM are reported using non-responder imputation.

Results

MDA achievement at Week 52 in KEEPsAKE-1 was 37.9% for patients originally randomized to RZB and 27.4% for patients originally randomized to PBO. In KEEPsAKE-2, MDA achievement was 27.2% and 33.8% for patients originally randomized to RZB and PBO, respectively. Achievement of MDA and its components are presented in Figure 1. In KEEPsAKE-1, at Week 52 59.2% of patients originally randomized to RZB and 51.4% of patients originally randomized to PBO achieved DAPSA LDA+REM. At Week 52 in KEEPsAKE-2, DAPSA LDA+REM was achieved by 44.6% of patients originally randomized to RZB and 46.6% of patients originally randomized to PBO (Figure 1).

Conclusion

Patients treated with RZB demonstrate achievement of MDA, its components, and DAPSA LDA+REM at Weeks 24 and 52.

Acknowledgements

AbbVie Inc, participated in the study design; study research; collection, analysis and interpretation of data; and writing, reviewing, and approving of this abstract for submission. AbbVie funded the research for this study and provided writing support for this abstract. Medical writing assistance was provided by Trisha Rettig, Ph.D. of AbbVie

Disclosure of Interests

Joseph F. Merola Consultant of: Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbvie, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Janssen, UCB, Sanofi, Regeneron, Sun Pharma, Biogen, Pfizer and Leo Pharma, Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Compugen, Cabaletta, Evelo, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Arthur Kavanaugh Consultant of: AbbVie Inc., Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, BMS, Celgene, Centocor-Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie Inc., Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, BMS, Celgene, Centocor-Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Peter Nash Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, BMS, Rocje, Sanofi, Gilead/Galapagos, MSD, Samsung, Celgene, Amgen, Boehringer, Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, BMS, Rocje, Sanofi, Gilead/Galapagos, MSD, Samsung, Celgene, Amgen, Boehringer, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, BMS, Rocje, Sanofi, Gilead/Galapagos, MSD, Samsung, Celgene, Amgen, Boehringer, Zhenyi Xue Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Vassilis Stakias Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Ann Eldred Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Sandra Ciecinski Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Kevin Douglas Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Laura Coates Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Medac, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Galapagos, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis and Pfizer

POS1032 RISANKIZUMAB FOR ACTIVE PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: INTEGRATED SUBGROUP ANALYSIS FROM 2 DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, PHASE 3 STUDIES (KEEPsAKE 1 AND KEEPsAKE 2)

Background

Risankizumab (RZB), a monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits interleukin 23, is being investigated as a treatment for adults with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Objectives

We report the proportion of patients with active PsA treated with RZB vs placebo who achieved ≥20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) by baseline demographics and by concomitant or prior medication use subgroups.

Methods

KEEPsAKE 1 (NCT03675308) and KEEPsAKE 2 (NCT03671148) are ongoing, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 studies. Patients with active PsA with an inadequate response or intolerance to conventional synthetic disease-modifying, anti-rheumatic drug (csDMARD; KEEPsAKE 1 and 2) and/or biologic therapy (KEEPsAKE 2) received RZB 150 mg or placebo (1:1). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving ≥20% improvement in ACR criteria (ACR20) at week 24.

Results

In KEEPsAKE 1 (RZB, n=483; placebo, n=481) and KEEPsAKE 2 (RZB, n=224; placebo, n=219), baseline demographics and characteristics were generally balanced between treatment groups. In this integrated analysis, a greater proportion of patients receiving RZB vs placebo achieved ACR20 at week 24, regardless of age (<65 years, ≥65 years, ≥65 to <75 years, ≥75 years), sex, body mass index (<25 kg/m2, ≥25 to <30 kg/m2, ≥30 kg/m2), race (White, non-White), PsA duration (≤5 years, >5 to ≤10 years, >10 years), baseline hs-CRP (<3 mg/L, ≥3 mg/L), concomitant csDMARD at baseline (any csDMARD, any methotrexate, none), or prior biologics use (yes, no). The proportion of RZB-treated patients who achieved ACR20 was generally similar across most assessed demographic or prior treatment subgroups. No new safety concerns were observed with RZB.

Conclusion

RZB demonstrates efficacy vs placebo for active PsA as shown by greater proportions of patients achieving ACR20 at week 24, regardless of baseline demographics, concomitant csDMARD use at baseline, or prior biologic use.

Acknowledgements

AbbVie Inc. participated in the study design; study research; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; funded the research for this study. Medical writing assistance, funded by AbbVie, was provided by Alicia Salinero, PhD, of JB Ashtin.

Disclosure of Interests

Joseph F. Merola Consultant of: Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AbbVie, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Janssen, UCB, Sanofi, Regeneron, Sun Pharma, Biogen, Pfizer and Leo Pharma, Kristina Callis-Duffin Consultant of: Amgen/Celgene, AbbVie, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CorEvitas, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, and Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Amgen/Celgene, AbbVie, Boehringer-Ingelheim, CorEvitas, Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Byron Padilla Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Zhenyi Xue Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Huzefa Photowala Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Blair Kaplan Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers, Celgene, Janssen, Leo, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers, Celgene, Janssen, Leo, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB

[Establishment of artificial neural network model for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ gastric cancer]

Objective: To establish a neural network model for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with stage II-III gastric cancer. Methods: Case inclusion criteria: (1) gastric adenocarcinoma diagnosed by pathology as stage II-III (the 8th edition of AJCC staging); (2) no distant metastasis of liver, lung and abdominal cavity in preoperative chest film, abdominal ultrasound and upper abdominal CT; (3) undergoing R0 resection. Case exclusion criteria: (1) receiving preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy; (2) incomplete clinical data; (3) gastric stump cancer.Clinicopathological data of 1231 patients with stage II-III gastric cancer who underwent radical surgery at the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2010 to August 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 1035 patients with lymph node metastasis were confirmed after operation, and 196 patients had no lymph node metastasis. According to the postoperative pathologic staging. 416 patients (33.8%) were stage Ⅱ and 815 patients (66.2%) were stage III. Patients were randomly divided into training group (861/1231, 69.9%) and validation group (370/1231, 30.1%) to establish an artificial neural network model (N+-ANN) for the prediction of lymph node metastasis. Firstly, the Logistic univariate analysis method was used to retrospectively analyze the case samples of the training group, screen the variables affecting lymph node metastasis, determine the variable items of the input point of the artificial neural network, and then the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) to train N+-ANN. The input layer of N+-ANN was composed of the variables screened by Logistic univariate analysis. Artificial intelligence analyzed the status of lymph node metastasis according to the input data and compared it with the real value. The accuracy of the model was evaluated by drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and obtaining the area under the curve (AUC). The ability of N+-ANN was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values, and AUC values. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline data between the training group and validation group (all P>0.05). Univariate analysis of the training group showed that preoperative platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), preoperative systemic immune inflammation index (SII), tumor size, clinical N (cN) stage were closely related to postoperative lymph node metastasis. The N+-ANN was constructed based on the above variables as the input layer variables. In the training group, the accuracy of N+-ANN for predicting postoperative lymph node metastasis was 88.4% (761/861), the sensitivity was 98.9% (717/725), the specificity was 32.4% (44/136), the positive predictive value was 88.6% (717/809), the negative predictive value was 84.6% (44/52), and the AUC value was 0.748 (95%CI: 0.717-0.776). In the validation group, N+-ANN had a prediction accuracy of 88.4% (327/370) with a sensitivity of 99.7% (309/310), specificity of 30.0% (18/60), positive predictive value of 88.0% (309/351), negative predictive value of 94.7% (18/19), and an AUC of 0.717 (95%CI:0.668-0.763). According to the individualized lymph node metastasis probability output by N+-ANN, the cut-off values of 0-50%, >50%-75%, >75%-90% and >90%-100% were applied and patients were divided into N0 group, N1 group, N2 group and N3 group. The overall prediction accuracy of N+-ANN for pN staging in the training group and the validation group was 53.7% and 54.1% respectively, while the overall prediction accuracy of cN staging for pN staging in the training group and the validation group was 30.1% and 33.2% respectively, indicating that N+-ANN had a better prediction than cN stage. Conclusions: The N+-ANN constructed in this study can accurately predict postoperative lymph node metastasis in patients with stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ gastric cancer. The N+-ANN based on individualized lymph node metastasis probability has better accurate prediction for pN staging as compared to cN staging.

Using radiomic features of lumbar spine CT images to differentiate osteoporosis from normal bone density

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop a predictive model to detect osteoporosis using radiomic features from lumbar spine computed tomography (CT) images.

METHODS

A total of 133 patients were included in this retrospective study, 41 men and 92 women, with a mean age of 65.45 ± 9.82 years (range: 31-94 years); 53 had normal bone mineral density, 32 osteopenia, and 48 osteoporosis. For each patient, the L1-L4 vertebrae on the CT images were automatically segmented using SenseCare and defined as regions of interest (ROIs). In total, 1,197 radiomic features were extracted from these ROIs using PyRadiomics. The most significant features were selected using logistic regression and Pearson correlation coefficient matrices. Using these features, we constructed three linear classification models based on the random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithms, respectively. The training and test sets were repeatedly selected using fivefold cross-validation. The model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) and confusion matrix.

RESULTS

The classification model based on RF had the highest performance, with an AUC of 0.994 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.979-1.00) for differentiating normal BMD and osteoporosis, 0.866 (95% CI: 0.779-0.954) for osteopenia versus osteoporosis, and 0.940 (95% CI: 0.891-0.989) for normal BMD versus osteopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

The excellent performance of this radiomic model indicates that lumbar spine CT images can effectively be used to identify osteoporosis and as a tool for opportunistic osteoporosis screening.

Effects of oregano essential oil as an antibiotic growth promoter alternative on growth performance, antioxidant status, and intestinal health of broilers

This experiment was conducted to assess the comparative effects of dietary antibiotics and oregano essential oil (OEO) addition on growth performance, antioxidant status and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 384 one-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 16 broilers each. The 4 treatments were: an antibiotic-free control diet (control), control + 20 mg/kg colistin sulfate and 20 mg/kg virginiamycin (antibiotics), control + 200 mg/kg natural oregano essential oil (NOEO), and control + 200 mg/kg synthetic oregano essential oil (SOEO). The experiment lasted for 42 d. Results showed that birds fed with OEO had greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed with control diet during d 1 to 21. Besides, birds fed with NOEO had the greatest (P < 0.05) ADG in the four groups during d 22 to 42. The serum oxidative stress parameters showed that OEO improved (P < 0.05) the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) of birds on day 21 and the activity of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of birds on d 42. Relative to control, NOEO increased (P < 0.05) the activity of T-AOC in jejunum and decreased (P < 0.05) the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and jejunum. Moreover, OEO supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of sIgA in duodenum and jejunum, Lactobacillus and total anaerobes in cecum, as well as activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase and amylase in duodenum, but restrained (P < 0.05) the amount of Escherichia coli. The NOEO supplementation increased (P < 0.05) total anaerobes of broilers on d 42 and the villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) of ileum. These results suggest that OEO improved antioxidant status and intestinal health of broilers which contributed to the growth performance improvement of broilers. Dietary OEO supplementation can be a promising alternative to antibiotic growth promoters for improving poultry production.

AB0343 THE CHARACTERISTICS OF T CELLS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS WITH ANXIETY BASED ON MACHINE LEARNING

Background:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, the immune system of patients to be disordered, especially in T cell subsets1. They were prone to mental diseases, anxiety particularly, which lead to suicide2. The recent study had reported that CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood played the key role in like anxiety behavior of mice3. Although there showed that the level of serum TNF-α in SLE patients with anxiety was higher than without anxiety4, finding the important special mediators especially in T cell subsets was still necessary for the prevention of anxiety in SLE patients.

Objectives:

In total, 108 SLE patients, which met the diagnostic criteria of the American Society of rheumatology (v1997), were enrolled in this study from Affilliated Hospital of Nantong University, China. Exclusion criteria included other autoimmune diseases and active infection (including hepatitis B or C virus, Epstein-Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus or Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection).

Methods:

We surveyed the abundance of 74 immune cell subpopulations from 108 SLE patients using flow cytometry, and investigated their differences between patients with and without anxiety (24 versus 84). Moreover, machine learning including Lasso regression, Random forest (RF) and Sparsity partial least squares discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA) was employed to build models and futher selected important features for the classification of SLE patients with anxiety.

Results:

SLE patients with anxiety showed higher body mass index (BMI) and lower quality of life. In their peripheral blood, the proportion of internal cell subsets composition of Th cell and Treg cells changed. By machine learning, we finally found that BMI and PD1-CD28- Treg played important rules to developing lupus anxiety.

Conclusion:

In this study, machine learning was applied to build models to select the most important T cell subset in SLE patients with anxiety. These findings suggested that BMI and imbalance of PD1-CD28- Treg containing effector memory Treg cells and effector Treg cells mostly played important roles in the development of SLE anxiety.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0787 BERBERINE MODULATE LUPUS SYNDROME VIA THE REGULATION OF GUT MICROBIOTA IN MRL/LPR MICE

Background:

Intestinal flora disorder and immune abnormalities have been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients1,2. Berberine (BBR) showed significant effects in regulating the intestinal flora, repairing gut barriers and regulating immune cells3,4. While few reports mentioned the abnormal gut microbiota and metabolites in Chinese SLE patients.

Objectives:

Our investigation tried to illustrate the relationship between gut microbiota, intestinal metabolites and disease activity in Chinese SLE patients. And the effect of BBR to intestinal dysbacteriosis, multiple organ damages and over-activated immune system in MRL/Lpr mice.

Methods:

16S high-throughput (16S rRNA) sequence, qRT-PCR and gas chromatography technology were used to determine the gut microbiota and metabolites in 104 SLE patients from Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, China. BBR was orally treated to the MRL/Lpr mice in low, medium and high doses. After 6 weeks treatment, mice were sacrificed. Serum, faeces and organs were collected for further studies.

Results:

Chinese SLE patients showed higher abundance of Bacteroidetes and lower abundance of Firmcutes. The results of qRT-PCR showed high Firmcutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio of SLE patients. The F/B ratio was negative correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDA) score. Almost all the tested short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) found statistically significant results in SLE and LN (lupus nephritis) patients, especially the propanoic acid and butyric. BBR altered the relative abundance of Bacteroides and Verrucomicrobia and the butyric acid content in colon of MRL/Lpr mice. The increase of tight junction protein also indicated the gut barrier was repaired by BBR. Treg and Tfr cells in spleen and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) were increased. These results revealed a positive therapeutic effect of berberine on SLE from gut microbiota to immune status.

Conclusion:

Our study highlights current status of intestinal dysbacteriosis in Chinese patients with SLE and differences in intestinal metabolites among patients with different disease states. The regulation of intestinal flora and the repairment of gut barrier by intestinal metabolites in BBR treated mice seemed to be the factor that directed the immune responses and disease outcomes. The ultimate goal of our study was to determine the beneficial effects of regulating the gut microbiota on the treatment of SLE. The application of berberine is a relatively safe and convenient way. In the coming investigations, we plan to focus on the study of berberine and its metabolites on intestinal function and systemic immunity.

References:

[1]Guo, M. et al. Alteration in gut microbiota is associated with dysregulation of cytokines and glucocorticoid therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus. Gut microbes11, 1758-1773, doi:10.1080/19490976.2020.1768644 (2020).

[2]Mu, Q. et al. Control of lupus nephritis by changes of gut microbiota. Microbiome5, 73, doi:10.1186/s40168-017-0300-8 (2017).

[3]Habtemariam, S. Berberine pharmacology and the gut microbiota: A hidden therapeutic link. Pharmacological research155, 104722, doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104722 (2020).

[4]Cui, H. et al. Berberine Regulates Treg/Th17 Balance to Treat Ulcerative Colitis Through Modulating the Gut Microbiota in the Colon. Frontiers in pharmacology9, 571, doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00571 (2018).

Figure 1.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0761 INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECT AND MECHANISM OF ABNORMALLY ACTIVATED CD8+ T CELLS FROM BONE MARROW ON HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Background:

SLE is an autoimmune disease characterized by the abnormal function of lymphocytes. The impairment of hematopoietic function of bone marrow participates in its pathogenesis, in which T cells play an important role. However, study on bone marrow T cells in SLE patients is very limited.

Objectives:

This study aims to characterize the phenotype and molecular characteristics of abnormally activated CD8+T cells in bone marrow of SLE patients and explore the mechanism of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reduction caused by the abnormally activated CD8+T cells in bone marrow of patients with SLE.

Methods:

A total of 8 SLE patients and 5 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited in our study. Among them, 3 SLE patients and 4 donors were collected bone marrow and peripheral blood samples for Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and functional studies. BM and peripheral T cell subsets were measured by flow cytometry. Plasma cytokines and secreted immunoglobulins were detected by Luminex. Disease activity of SLE patients was measured using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). All analyses were performed using R language and Flowjo 9.

Results:

In the present study, SLE patients had increased CD8+T%αβT cells and decreased CD4+T%αβT cells in bone marrow of SLE, compared to healthy controls. A large number of CD38+HLADR+CD8+T cells existed in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of SLE patients. Those patients also showed reduced number of HSCs, and with a downward trend of the numbers of peripheral red blood cells, white blood cells, neutrophils, hemoglobin, and platelets. By scRNA-seq, the CD38+HLADR+CD8+T cells contained high levels of GZMK, GZMA, PRF1, IFNG, and TNF in the bone marrow of SLE patients. the CD38+HLADR+CD8+T cells exhibited significant relationship with HSCs, white blood cells, neutrophils, and platelets.

Conclusion:

These findings demonstrated that the abnormally activated CD8+T cells in bone marrow can reduce the number of HSCs by the expression of killer molecules, which contributes to the impairment of hematopoietic function and the development of SLE. This project focuses on the specific bone marrow T cell subset in SLE. The completement of this project provides information for exploring the mechanism of hematopoiesis involvement.

References:

[1]Anderson E, Shah B, Davidson A, Furie R. Lessons learned from bone marrow failure in systemic lupus erythematosus: Case reports and review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2018;48(1):90-104.

[2]Sun LY, Zhou KX, Feng XB, Zhang HY, Ding XQ, Jin O, Lu LW, Lau CS, Hou YY, Fan LM. Abnormal surface markers expression on bone marrow CD34+cells and correlation with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Rheumatol. 2007;26(12):2073-2079.

Acknowledgements:

We want to thank Lu Meng, Teng Li, Wei Zhou, and Jiaxin Guo for their assistance with this study.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

A novel stacked generalization of models for improved TB detection in chest radiographs

Chest x-ray (CXR) analysis is a common part of the protocol for confirming active pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB). However, many TB endemic regions are severely resource constrained in radiological services impairing timely detection and treatment. Computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) tools can supplement decision-making while simultaneously addressing the gap in expert radiological interpretation during mobile field screening. These tools use hand-engineered and/or convolutional neural networks (CNN) computed image features. CNN, a class of deep learning (DL) models, has gained research prominence in visual recognition. It has been shown that Ensemble learning has an inherent advantage of constructing non-linear decision making functions and improve visual recognition. We create a stacking of classifiers with hand-engineered and CNN features toward improving TB detection in CXRs. The results obtained are highly promising and superior to the state-of-the-art.

[Clinical useness of multimodal techniques in microsurgical resection of cerebral arteriovenous malformation]

Objective: To explore the clinical useness of intraoperative functional neuronavigation and fluorescent indocyanine green(ICG) angiography as well as electrophysiological evaluation during microsurgical resection of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Methods: A series of 42 consecutive cases with AVM underwent microsurgery by intraoperative functional neuronavigation at Department of Neurosurgery of People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2009 to February 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 42 patients, 29 were males and 13 were females aging from 4 to 62 years (mean age 32.6 years). Preoperative assessment included functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging to identify the relationship between lesions and eloquent areas. The results of images were integrated into three-dimensional datasets to achieve intraoperative microscopic-based functional neuronavigation during AVM resection. Operations involved in motor areas and corticospinal tract were performed under continuous electrophysiological monitoring. ICG angiography was performed at pre-dissection, post-clipping of the feeders, and post-resection of the nidus. FLOW 800 software presented a color map and ICG intensity-time curve to demostrate the vascular architecture. Postoperative digital subtraction angiography was re-examined routinely to evaluate the extent of resection. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with the modified Rankin Scale. Results: All patients underwent surgery under intraoperative navigation. Of the 42 patients, total resection was achieved in 36 cases (85.7%, 36/42) including 14 cases of AVM in eloquent areas. A total of 40 ICG angiographies were successfully performed among 11 patients. Average number of ICG injections per operation was 3.6 (ranging from 3 to 6). Feeders were visualized in 10 patients and drainers were visualized in 9 cases. The post-surgical follow-up period varied from 3 months to 70 months (mean 22.5 months). 83.8% of the patients returned to normal work and life during the followed-up period. Conclusion: Combining intraoperative neuronavigation and electrophysiological monitoring, as well as fluorescent ICG angiography contribute to microsurgical resection of cerebral AVM effectively in selecting suitable patients, further avoiding neurologic compromise as well.

Failed cooperative, but not competitive, interaction between large-scale brain networks impairs working memory in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

A large-scale network named the default mode network (DMN) dynamically cooperates and competes with an external attention system (EAS) to facilitate various cognitive functioning that is prominently impaired in schizophrenia. However, it is unclear whether the cognitive deficit in schizophrenia is related to the disrupted competition and/or cooperation between these two networks.

METHOD

A total of 35 schizophrenia patients and 30 healthy controls were scanned using gradient-echo echo-planar imaging during n-back working memory (WM) processing. Brain activities of the DMN and EAS were measured using general linear modelling of the functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Dynamic interaction between the DMN and EAS was decomposed into two directions using Granger causality analysis.

RESULTS

We observed a significant failure of DMN suppression in patients with schizophrenia, which was significantly related to WM/attentional deficit. Granger causality modelling showed that in healthy controls, while the EAS inhibitorily influenced the DMN, the DMN exerted an 'excitatory' or cooperative influence back on the EAS, especially in those with lower WM accuracy. In schizophrenia, this 'excitatory' DMN→EAS influence within the reciprocal EAS-DMN loop was significantly reduced, especially in patients with WM/attentional deficit.

CONCLUSIONS

The dynamic interaction between the DMN and EAS is likely to be comprised of both competitive and cooperative influences. In healthy controls, both the 'inhibitory' EAS→DMN interaction and 'excitatory' DMN→EAS interaction are correlated with WM performance. In schizophrenia, reduced 'cooperative' influence from the DMN to dorsal nodes of the EAS occurs in the context of non-suppression of the DMN and may form a possible pathophysiological substrate of WM deficit and attention disorder.

Angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma under multislice spiral CT plain scan and enhanced scan

This study explores the value of 64-layer spinal computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through performing dynamic contrast-enhanced scans. The study includes analysis of enhancement presentation of HCC in dynamic contrast-enhanced scan performed by multislice spinal CT (MSCT), comparison of detection rate and positive predictive value of neoplastic foci in subdivided arterial phases and portal venous phases, optimization of optimal scanning scheme for diagnosing HCC and discussion of the value of quantitative indexes such as T-D curve, maximum enhancement rate and clearance rate in diagnosing and identifying HCC. A total of 61 lesions were detected in 40 patients with HCC who were selected from the First People’s Hospital, Jining, Shandong, China. Density difference was observed with statistical significance between the solid part of tumor and normal liver in different periods after CT scan and enhanced scan (H = 45.208, P less than 0.01), and difference in the late arterial phase was the most obvious; enhanced peak value mostly appeared in the late arterial phase. In terms of lesion detection rate, the difference of HCC detection rate was statistically significant in early, middle and late arterial phase and early and late portal vein phases (χ² = 32.910, P = 0.001) and the rate was the highest in the late arterial phase (78.689%). Lesions were divided into 3 cm or less group (small HCC) and over 3 cm group based on the maximum parameter. Detection rate of the late arterial phase was the highest, 85% (3 cm or less) and 75.61% (over 3 cm), respectively. When lesions with high density in arterial phase and/or low density in portal venous phase were considered as positive, and moreover, those confirmed clinically or pathologically were as true positive, we found positive predictive value of the over 3 cm group reached 100% in all phases, but that of 3 cm or less group was the highest (100%) in early and late portal venous phases. Among four scanning schemes involving early, middle and late arterial phases, detection rate of the early and late arterial phases and three arterial phases were consistent, reaching the highest value (3 cm or less group: 90%; the 3 cm over group: 78.049%). This study confirmed that the late arterial phase was the best time to detect abundant blood supplied HCC. The scanning scheme involving double arterial phases (early and late), late portal venous phase and stable phase which can help improve detection rate and correct diagnosis rate of HCC, was thought to be the most effective. Using dynamic enhanced CT examination in the diagnosis of HCC is meaningful both in qualitative and quantitative diagnosis. T-D curve, in particular, can intuitively and objectively reflect enhanced characteristics of HCC, and can be used to make a preliminary diagnosis of some atypical liver cancers.

Expression of recombinant BMP-7 gene increased ossification activity in the rabbit bone mesenchymal stem cells

OBJECTIVE

The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which were distributed in the bone marrow stroma, become ideal progenitor cells in bone tissue engineering because of their convenient isolation, small injury when obtained, and strong osteogenic capacity. The osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, which is indicated by the increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the enhanced accumulation of collagen, could be induced by a strong osteogenic capacity biological factor termed bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7). Although the chemically synthesized BMP-7 was widely applied to study the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, transferring and expressing BMP-7 gene in target cells is more desirable, especially for gene therapy, given the advantages and convenience on the stable expression of BMP-7. The aim of this study was to determine whether recombinant BMP-7-expressing MSCs would induce bone formation in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BMP-7 gene was cloned from human placental tissue to construct a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid carrying BMP-7 gene by conjugating with eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1. MSCs were isolated from rabbit bone marrow and cultured in vitro. Then they were divided into 3 groups: pcDNA3.1-BMP-7-transfected, pcDNA3.1-transfected, and untransfected. Human healthy fresh placental tissue was provided by the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. Written informed consent was obtained from the women. One healthy male New Zealand rabbit was provided by the Laboratory Animal Center, Harbin Medical University.

RESULTS

A significant increase of ALP activity was detected in the supernatant of pcDNA3.1-BMP-7 transfected MSCs, and the enhanced collagen accumulation, which was inferred by the increased hydroxyproline content and RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONS

These results implied that BMP-7 gene was expressed in MSCs sufficiently and was involved in inducing differentiation of MSCs into osteoblast.

Observation of e(+)e(-)→π(0)π(0)hc and a neutral charmoniumlike structure Zc(4020)(0)

Using data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=4.23, 4.26, and 4.36 GeV, we observe e(+)e(-)→π(0)π(0)hc for the first time. The Born cross sections are measured and found to be about half of those of e(+)e(-)→π(+)π(-)hc within less than 2σ. In the π(0)hc mass spectrum, a structure at 4.02  GeV/c(2) is found. It is most likely to be the neutral isospin partner of the Zc(4020)(±) observed in the process of e(+)e(-)→π(+)π(-)hc being found. A fit to the π(0)hc invariant mass spectrum, with the width of the Zc(4020)(0) fixed to that of its charged isospin partner and possible interferences with non-Zc(4020)(0) amplitudes neglected, gives a mass of (4023.9±2.2±3.8)  MeV/c(2) for the Zc(4020)(0), where the first error is statistical and the second systematic.

Observation of η'→π+ π π+ π- and η'→π+π- π0 π0

Using a sample of 1.3 × 10(9)  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, we report the first observation of η(')→π(+)π(-)π(+)π(-) and η(')→π(+)π(-)π(0)π(0). The measured branching fractions are B(η(')→π(+)π(-)π(+)π(-)) = [8.53 ± 0.69(stat.) ± 0.64(syst.)]×10(-5) and B(η(')→π(+)π(-)π(0) π(0)) = [1.82 ± 0.35(stat.) ± 0.18(syst.)] × 10(-4), which are consistent with theoretical predictions based on a combination of chiral perturbation theory and vector-meson dominance.

Expressing osteogenic growth peptide in the rabbit bone mesenchymal stem cells increased alkaline phosphatase activity and enhanced the collagen accumulation

OBJECTIVES

The multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were distributed in the bone marrow stroma, and could generate all of the different skeletal cell lineages. The osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, which is indicated by the increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the enhanced accumulation of collagen, could be induced by a tetradecapeptide termed osteogenic growth peptide (OGP). It has been hypothesized that the OGP induces the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs probably through regulating the fibroblast growth factor signaling pathways. Although the chemically synthesized OGP was widely applied to study the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, transferring and expressing OGP gene in target cells is more desirable, especially for gene therapy, given the advantages and convenience on the stable expression of OGP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we attempt to test the effect of OGP gene transfection; we constructed a eukaryotic expression vector, pcDNA3.1-OGP, which contained the OGP-coding DNA fragment. Subsequently, the vector was transfected into the rabbit MSCs.

RESULTS

A significant increase of ALP activity was detected in the supernatant of pcDNA3.1-OGP transfected MSCs, and the enhanced collagen accumulation, which was inferred by the increased hydroxyproline content and RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONS

These results implied that transfecting the OGP-expressing vectors into MSCs might induce the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.