Evaluation of QSAR models for predicting mutagenicity: outcome of the Second Ames/QSAR international challenge project

Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models are powerful in silico tools for predicting the mutagenicity of unstable compounds, impurities and metabolites that are difficult to examine using the Ames test. Ideally, Ames/QSAR models for regulatory use should demonstrate high sensitivity, low false-negative rate and wide coverage of chemical space. To promote superior model development, the Division of Genetics and Mutagenesis, National Institute of Health Sciences, Japan (DGM/NIHS), conducted the Second Ames/QSAR International Challenge Project (2020-2022) as a successor to the First Project (2014-2017), with 21 teams from 11 countries participating. The DGM/NIHS provided a curated training dataset of approximately 12,000 chemicals and a trial dataset of approximately 1,600 chemicals, and each participating team predicted the Ames mutagenicity of each trial chemical using various Ames/QSAR models. The DGM/NIHS then provided the Ames test results for trial chemicals to assist in model improvement. Although overall model performance on the Second Project was not superior to that on the First, models from the eight teams participating in both projects achieved higher sensitivity than models from teams participating in only the Second Project. Thus, these evaluations have facilitated the development of QSAR models.

Embedding TiO2microspheres into the active layer as light scatterers in the perovskite photodetector to boost light harvesting

TiO₂microspheres with particle size of 200-400 nm are embedded in the p-i-n perovskite photodetectors, which are used as light scatterers. This approach was implemented to change the light transfer path in the perovskite layer, which makes the device a higher photon capture ability in a specific incident wavelength range. Compared with pristine device, the photocurrent and responsivity of the device based on such structure are obviously enhanced in the range of 560-610 nm and 730-790 nm. The photocurrent under 590 nm incident light wavelength illumination (light intensity P = 31.42 μW·cm^-2) increases from 1.45 μA to 1.71 μA, with an increase of 17.93%, and the responsivity reaches 0.305 A·W^-1. In addition, the introduction of TiO₂has no additional negative impact on the carrier extraction and the dark current. And the response time of the device did not deteriorate. Finally, the role of TiO₂as light scatterers is further verified by embedding microspheres into mixed-halide perovskite devices.&#xD.

Defect recombination suppression and carrier extraction improvement for efficient CsPbBr3/SnO2heterojunction photodetectors

Perovskite materials with excellent optical and electronic properties have huge potential in the research field of photodetectors. Constructing heterojunctions and promoting carrier transportation are significant for the development of perovskite-based optoelectronics devices with high performances. Herein, we demonstrated a CsPbBr₃/SnO₂heterojunction photodetector and improved the device performances through post-annealing treatment of SnO₂film. The results indicated that the electrical properties of SnO₂films will make an important impact on carrier extraction, especially for type-II heterojunction. As the electrons transfer layer in CsPbBr₃/SnO₂type-II heterojunction, defects related to oxygen vacancy should be the key factor to affect carrier concentration, induce carriers' limitation and recombination rate. Under proper annealing temperature for SnO₂layer, the recombination rate can decrease to 1.37 × 10²¹cm³s and the spectral responsivity will be highly increased. This work can enhance the understanding on the photoresponse of perovskite photodetectors, and will be helpful for the further optimization and design of optoelectronic devices based on the perovskite heterojunction.

Performance Enhancement of Perovskite Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes via Management of Hole Injection

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is widely used in optoelectronic devices due to its excellent hole current conductivity and suitable work function. However, imbalanced carrier injection in the PEDOT:PSS layer impedes obtaining high-performance perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs). In this work, a novel poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-(4,40-(N-(p-butylphenyl))diphenylamine)] (TFB) is applied as the hole transport layers (HTLs) to facilitate the hole injection with cascade-like energy alignment between PEDOT:PSS and methylammonium lead tribromide (MAPbBr₃) film. Our results indicate that the introduced TFB layer did not affect the surface morphology or lead to any additional surface defects of the perovskite film. Consequently, the optimal PeLEDs with TFB HTLs show a maximum current efficiency and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 21.26 cd A^-1 and 6.68%, respectively. Such EQE is 2.5 times higher than that of the control devices without TFB layers. This work provides a facile and robust route to optimize the device structure and improve the performance of PeLEDs.

Turing patterns with high-resolution formed without chemical reaction in thin-film solution of organic semiconductors

Regular patterns can form spontaneously in chemical reaction-diffusion systems under non-equilibrium conditions as proposed by Alan Turing. Here, we found that regular patterns can be generated in uphill-diffusion solution systems without a chemical reaction process through both in-situ and ex-situ observations. Organic semiconductor solution is confined between two parallel plates with controlled micron/submicron-meter distance to minimize convection of the liquid and avoid spinodal precipitation at equilibrium. The solvent evaporation concentrates the solution gradually into an oversaturated non-equilibrium condition, under which a phase-transition occurs and ordered concentration-waves are generated. By proper tuning of the experimental parameter, multiple regular patterns with micro/nano-meter scaled features (line, square-grid, zig-zag, and fence-like patterns etc.) were observed. We explain the observed phenomenon as Turing-pattern generation resulted from uphill-diffusion and solution oversaturation. The generated patterns in the solutions can be condensed onto substrates to form structured micro/nanomaterials. We have fabricated organic semiconductor devices with such patterned materials to demonstrate the potential applications. Our observation may serve as a milestone in the progress towards a fundamental understanding of pattern formation in nature, like in biosystem, and pave a new avenue in developing self-assembling techniques of micro/nano structured materials.

Revealing the Hidden Mechanism of Enhanced Responsivity of Doped p-i-n Perovskite Photodiodes via Coupled Opto-Electronic Model

Organic-inorganic halide perovskites have demonstrated preeminent optoelectronic performance in recent years due to their unique material properties, and have shown great potential in the field of photodetectors. In this study, a coupled opto-electronic model is constructed to reveal the hidden mechanism of enhancing the performance of perovskite photodetectors that are suitable for both inverted and regular structure doped p-i-n perovskite photodiodes. Upon illumination, the generation rate of photogenerated carriers is calculated followed by carrier density distribution, which serves as a coupled joint to further analyze the recombination rate, electric field strength, and current density of carriers under different doping types and densities. Moreover, experiments were carried out in which the doping types and densities of the active layer were regulated by changing the precursor ratios. With optimal doping conditions, the inverted and regular perovskite photodiodes achieved an external quantum efficiency of 74.83% and 73.36%, and a responsivity of 0.417 and 0.404 A/W, respectively. The constructed coupled opto-electronic model reveals the hidden mechanism and along with the doping strategy, this study provides important guidance for further analysis and improvement of perovskite-based photodiodes.

[Clinical outcomes of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach assisted with submental mini-incision for early thyroid papillary carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) assisted with submental mini-incision in early thyroid papillary carcinoma. Methods: A total of 63 patients with early papillary thyroid carcinoma (cT1N0M0) were included who underwent TOETVA from December 2019 to May 2021 in Department of Thyroid Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University. There were 4 males and 59 females, aged from 17 to 46 years old. Of those 36 patients received traditional TOETVA as control and 27 patients accepted modified TOETVA assisted with submental mini-incision. The clinical outcomes of patients in two groups were compared. Chi-square test and t test were used in statistical analyses. Results: Compared to control group, modified TOETVA group had the less mean operation time [(146.63±38.62) minutes vs. (167.78±36.71) minutes, t=-2.21, P=0.031], the shorter time required for returning to normal diet after operation [(2.11±0.89) days vs. (2.72±1.16) days, t=-2.28, P=0.026], and the lower probability of mandibular numbness (0 vs. 16.67%, χ²=4.97, P=0.026). There was no significant difference between two groups in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, number of central lymph nodes dissection, and postoperative complications such as gas embolism, postoperative bleeding, postoperative infection, skin burns, subcutaneous effusion and so on(all P>0.05). After 6 months of operation, the thyroid ultrasound of the patients in two groups showed no recurrence, and the patients were satisfied with their surgical incision appearances. Conclusion: Both the modified and traditional TOETVA show similar efficacies for treatments of early thyroid papillary carcinoma, but the modified TOETVA can reduce the operation time and improve the quality of life.

Review for Rare-Earth-Modified Perovskite Materials and Optoelectronic Applications

In recent years, rare-earth metals with triply oxidized state, lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺), have been demonstrated as dopants, which can efficiently improve the optical and electronic properties of metal halide perovskite materials. On the one hand, doping Ln³⁺ ions can convert near-infrared/ultraviolet light into visible light through the process of up-/down-conversion and then the absorption efficiency of solar spectrum by perovskite solar cells can be significantly increased, leading to high device power conversion efficiency. On the other hand, multi-color light emissions and white light emissions originated from perovskite nanocrystals can be realized via inserting Ln³⁺ ions into the perovskite crystal lattice, which functioned as quantum cutting. In addition, doping or co-doping Ln³⁺ ions in perovskite films or devices can effectively facilitate perovskite film growth, tailor the energy band alignment and passivate the defect states, resulting in improved charge carrier transport efficiency or reduced nonradiative recombination. Finally, Ln³⁺ ions have also been used in the fields of photodetectors and luminescent solar concentrators. These indicate the huge potential of rare-earth metals in improving the perovskite optoelectronic device performances.

Efficient All-Polymer Solar Cells with Sequentially Processed Active Layers

In this work, we apply the sequential processing (SqP) method to address the relatively low electron mobility in recent all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) based on the polymerized small-molecule acceptor (PSMA). Compared to the blend-casting (BC) method, all-PSCs composed of PM6/PY-IT via the SqP method show boosted electron mobility and a more balanced charge carrier transport, which increases the FF of the SqP device and compensates for the short-circuit current loss, rendering comparable overall performance with the BC device. Through film-depth-dependent light absorption spectroscopy, we analyze the sub-layer absorption and exciton generation rate in the vertical direction of the device, and discuss the effect of the increased electron mobility on device performance, accordingly.

Particle trapped at the isotropic-nematic liquid crystal interface: Elastocapillary phenomena and drag forces

We present numerical simulations of a particle trapped at the isotropic-nematic liquid crystal (Iso-N) interface. We use our recent model, based on a phase-field approach [see Qiu et al., Phys. Rev. E 103, 022706 (2021)10.1103/PhysRevE.103.022706], to couple the capillary forces acting on the interface with the elastic stresses in the nematic phase along with topological defects. A range of floating configurations are first investigated as a function of the contact angle and various anchoring conditions at the fluid interface. The results show that the response of the system is driven by the existence of an anchoring conflict at the contact line. Substantial particle displacements and/or interfacial deformations may occur in this case even for moderate anchoring strengths. These findings highlight the coupling between elastic and capillary forces. In a second part, we compute drag forces exerted on a particle that moves along the Iso-N interface for several contact angles and a moderate Ericksen number. Because of the coupling between the velocity and order parameter fields, topological defects are swept downstream of the particle by the flow and sometimes escape from the particle or merge with the interface. We also find linear force-velocity laws, with drag forces at the Iso-N interface being slightly greater than their isotropic counterparts due to director distortions. We discuss these results in light of past studies on the behavior of particles being dragged in the bulk of a liquid crystal matrix.

Analyzing and modulating energy transfer in ternary-emissive system of quantum dot light-emitting diodes towards efficient emission

The mechanisms for energy transfer including Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and radiative energy transfer in ternary-emissive system consists of blended-quantum dots (QDs, red-QDs blended with blue-QDs) emissive layer (EML) and blue-emissive hole-transport material that contained in quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) are complicated. As the energy transfer could exhibit either positive or negative impact on QD's photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL), it is important to analyze and modulate energy transfer in such ternary-emissive system to obtain high-efficiency QLEDs. In this work, we have demonstrated that proper B-QDs doping has a positive impact on R-QDs' PL and EL, where these improvements were attributed to the B-QDs' spacing effect on R-QDs which weakens homogeneous FRET among R-QDs and near 100% efficient heterogeneous FRET from B-QDs to R-QDs. With optimization based on the analysis of energy transfer, the PL quantum yield of blended-QDs (with R:B blending ratio of 90:10, in quality) film has been enhanced by 35% compared with that of unblended R-QDs film. Moreover, thanks to the spacing effect and high-efficiency FRET from B-QDs to R-QDs, the external quantum efficiency of QLEDs that integrate optimized blended-QDs (R:B=90:10) EML reaches 22.1%, which is 15% higher than that of the control sample (19.2%) with unblended R-QDs EML. This work provides a systematically analytical method to study the energy transfer in ternary-emissive system, and gives a valid reference for the analysis and development of the emerging QLEDs that with blended-QDs EML.

Clinical progress and advanced research of red blood cells based drug delivery system

Red blood cells (RBCs) are biocompatible carriers that can be employed to deliver different bioactive substances. In the past few decades, many strategies have been developed to encapsulate or attach drugs to RBCs. Osmotic-based encapsulation methods have been industrialized recently, and some encapsulated RBC formulations have reached the clinical stage for treating tumors and neurological diseases. Inspired by the intrinsic properties of intact RBCs, some advanced delivery strategies have also been proposed. These delivery systems combine RBCs with other novel systems to further exploit and expand the application of RBCs. This review summarizes the clinical progress of drugs encapsulated into intact RBCs, focusing on the loading and clinical trials. It also introduces the latest advanced research based on developing prospects and limitations of intact RBCs drug delivery system (DDS), hoping to provide a reference for related research fields and further application potential of intact RBCs based drug delivery system.

Particle rotation speeds up capillary interactions

We use dynamic numerical simulations to investigate the role of particle rotation in pairwise capillary interactions of particles trapped at a fluid interface. The fluid interface is modeled with a phase-field method which is coupled to the Navier-Stokes equations to solve for the flow dynamics. Numerical solutions are found using a finite element scheme in a bounded two-dimensional geometry. The interfacial deformations are caused by the buoyant weight of the particles, which are allowed to both translate and rotate due to the capillary and viscous forces and torques at play. The results show that the capillary attraction is faster between freely rotating particles than if particle rotation is inhibited, and the higher the viscosity mismatch, the greater the effect. To explain this result, we analyze the drag force exerted on the particles and find that the translational drag force on a rotating particle is always less than its non-rotating counterpart due to attenuated velocity gradients in the vicinity of the particle. We also find that the influence of interfacial deformations on particle rotation is minute.

Fabrication of patterned solid surfaces with highly controllable wettability

Precisely controlling the wettability of a solid surface is vital for a wide range of applications such as control of liquid droplet motion, water collection and the directional transport of fluids. However, fabricating a large-area solid surface with highly controllable wettability in a low-cost way is still challenging. Here we present a cost-effective method to fabricate patterned solid surfaces with highly controllable wettability by combining chemical etching technique, chemical vapor deposition technique and laser direct writing technique. We experimentally demonstrated that the contact angle of water droplets on the patterned surfaces of a porous nanofilm fabricated using the presented fabrication method can be adjusted from 94.4° to 168.2° by changing the duty ratio of the periodic pattern on the patterned surfaces. Furthermore, we experimentally demonstrated that the contact angle of water droplets on the patterned surfaces is almost independent of the shape of the unit cell of the patterns. In addition, we propose an effective surface model to accurately calculate the contact angle of water droplets on patterned solid surfaces. Using the effective surface model, the wettability of a patterned solid surface can be precisely controlled by designing the duty ratio of its periodic patterns.

Precisely controlling the wettability of a solid surface is vital for a wide range of applications such as control of liquid droplet motion, water collection and the directional transport of fluids.

MicroRNA-424-5p inhibits the development of non-small cell LCa by binding to ITGB1

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of microRNA-424-5p on the proliferation and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, and to investigate its influence on the expression of ITGB1 and potential regulatory mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the level of microRNA-424-5p in 44 paired NSCLC tissues and adjacent tissues. The relation between microRNA-424-5p expression and NSCLC clinical indicators was analyzed. Subsequently, microRNA-424-5p mimics and inhibitors were transfected into NSCLC cells to construct microRNA-424-5p overexpression or knockdown models, respectively. QRT-PCR was used to further verify the transfection efficiency. A series of experiments, including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and flow cytometry were used to analyze the effect of microRNA-424-5p on the biological function of NSCLC A549 and H358 cells. Finally, the potential association between microRNA-424-5p and its downstream gene ITGB1 was explored through luciferase reporter gene assay and cell recovery experiment.

RESULTS

QRT-PCR results showed that microRNA-424-5p level was significantly lower in NSCLC tissues than that of adjacent normal tissues. Compared with patients with high expression of microRNA-424-5p, the pathological stage of those with low expression of microRNA-424-5p was significantly higher. In vitro experiments showed that microRNA-424-5p overexpression remarkably decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis, which were further validated in microRNA-424-5p inhibitor group. Subsequently, ITGB1 expression was found significantly up-regulated in NSCLC cell lines and tissues. Meanwhile, ITGB1 expression was negatively correlated with microRNA-424-5p level. In addition, a recovery experiment indicated that overexpression of ITGB1 could counteract the effect of microRNA-424-5p mimics on the proliferation and apoptosis of NSCLC cells. All these findings revealed that microRNA-424-5p and ITGB1 affected the malignant progression of NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONS

MicroRNA-424-5p was closely correlated with the pathological stage and poor prognosis of NSCLC, thereby inhibiting the occurrence and development of NSCLC.

Small RNA sequencing reveals miRNAs important for hypoxic adaptation in the Tibetan chicken

1. The Tibetan chicken, which is an indigenous breed living on the Tibetan Plateau, exhibits hypoxic adaptations to its high-altitude environment. However, the molecular mechanism behind this hypoxic adaptation is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate differentially expressed miRNAs involved in hypoxic adaptation through high-throughput RNA sequencing. 2. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to verify the differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes in chicken embryonic heart tissues and fibroblasts. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to confirm the relationship between miRNAs and target genes. 3. The study identified 37 differentially expressed miRNAs in Tibetan chicken embryonic heart tissues, including 20 up- and 17 down-regulated miRNAs, compared to those found in lowland chickens. Differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in biological processes, such as cell cycle arrest, toll-like receptor signalling pathways, and I-kappa B kinase/NF-kappa B signalling. The data showed that gga-miR-34 c-5p was significantly upregulated in Tibetan chicken tissues and hypoxic fibroblasts, while EHHADH, a target gene of gga-miR-34 c-5p, was downregulated. Moreover, gga-miR-34 c-5p dramatically decreased the luciferase activity of the wild EHHADH, whereas no effect on the mutational EHHADH was found. 4. This study identified miRNA expression profiles in the Tibetan chicken and suggested that miR-34 c-5p acts as a novel miRNA associated with hypoxic adaptation. This facilitates the understanding of molecular mechanisms that underlie long-term exposure to hypoxia.

FRI0259 THE CLINICAL VALUE OF GDF-15 IN ASSESSING MYOCARDIAL INVOLVEMENT OF IDIOPATHIC INFLAMMATORY MYOPATHY

Background:

Cardiac involvement is a serious complication of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). Early diagnosis and intervention can improve prognosis. At present, myocardial biopsy is the gold standard for its diagnosis, but it is not commonly used because of its invasiveness. Biomarkers can be invoked as a non-invasive and convenient choice. The traditional markers of myocardial injury, as troponin and creatine kinase are lack specificity in inflammatory myopathy, so the novel biomarkers are getting attention.GDF-15 can predict the risk of cardiovascular disease and the prognosis of coronary atherosclerosis, heart failure and other diseases.

Objectives:

This article was intended to investigate the diagnostic value of GDF-15 for myocardial involvement in inflammatory myopathy.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 54 patients with inflammatory myopathy from May 2018 to October 2019.Of these,30 patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination due to increased myocardial markers, excluding 1 case of severe lung infection. 33 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),16 normal patients were used as the control group.The concentration of GDF-15 in the serum of all groups of patients was measured by ELISA.

Results:

1. There were significantly differences in GDF-15 levels in patients with inflammatory myopathy, systemic lupus erythematosus and normal subjects (H =39.870, P <0.001).2. 29 patients with cardiac magnetic resonance on the basis of the delayed enhancement (LGE) and ECV results were divided into two groups in which 19 patients with myocardial injury group and 10 patients without myocardial injury. The best cut-off value was calculated by ROC curve,and comparing GDF-15 and CKMB with the optimum cut-off values in predicting cardiac involvement in IIM.GDF-15 levels were statistically significant between the myocardial injury group (1765.868±1068.549 pg/ml) and the group without myocardial injury(689.967±458.12 pg/ml)(p =0.0011).At the same time, the creatine kinase isoenzyme (CKMB)(158.583±119.389 U/L vs 57.96±52.673 U/L, p =0.005) was statistically different between the two groups.3.GDF-15≥1005.3650pg/ml (AUC =0.853,95% CI 0.694-1.000) predicted myocardial involvement in inflammatory diseases with a sensitivity of 0.765 and specificity of 0.900.The AUC of the ROC curve for the joint detection of GDF-15 and CKMB was 0.888,95% CI0.757-1.000,with the predicted probability cut-off value in 0.3895, the sensitivity 0.941 and the specificity 0.800.The combined detection of the two increased the sensitivity of myocardial damage detection in IIM patients. 5. After adjusted for age, renal function, the risk of myocardial injury in IIM patients increased by an average of 0.3% per unit of GDF-15(OR =1.003,95% CI 1.000–1.005).

Conclusion:

GDF-15 can predict myocardial injury in patients with inflammatory myopathy which have high specificity.The prediction sensitivity can be improved by combining with the traditional myocardial enzyme CKMB.More further studies are needed to confirm the specific mechanism of GDF-15 for myocardial involvement to assess the prognosis of such patients and guide further treatment.

References:

[1]Sultan SM, Ioannou Y, Moss K, Isenberg DA. Outcome in patients with idiopathic inflflammatory myositis: morbidity and mortality. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2002;41:22–6.

[2]Lundberg IE, de Visser M, Werth VP. Classification of myositis. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2018 May;14(5):269-278.

[3]Zhang L, Wang GC, Ma L, Zu N (2012) Cardiac involvement in adult polymyositis or dermatomyositis: a systematic review. Clin Cardiol 35(11):686–691.

[4]Chen F,Peng Y,Chen M. Diagnostic approach to cardiac involvement in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.A strategy combining cardiac troponin I but not T assay with other methods[J].Int Heart J,2018;59:256-262

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Osteoporosis drugs for prevention of clinical fracture in white postmenopausal women: a network meta-analysis of survival data

By Bayesian random effects network meta-analysis stratified by prevalent vertebral fracture (PVF), we conclude that different effective drugs should be used to prevent fragility fractures according to postmenopausal women with or without PVF and that there are two drugs (i.e., parathyroid hormone (1-84) and abaloparatide) less tolerated than placebo.

INTRODUCTION

No studies have compared various osteoporosis drugs in postmenopausal women (PMW) either with or without prevalent vertebral fracture (PVF). We aimed to compare them in the two different subgroups.

METHODS

We searched different databases to select relevant studies. We performed Bayesian random effects network meta-analysis to synthesize hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for clinical fracture stratified by PVF and to synthesize risk ratio (RR) for tolerability and vertebral fracture.

RESULTS

We included 33 trials involving 79,144 PMW. In the PVF ≥ 50% subgroup, teriparatide (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.28-0.57), romosozumab (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.75), risedronate (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50-0.79), zoledronate (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.96), and alendronate (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.47-0.97) reduced clinical fracture risk. In the other subgroup, abaloparatide (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.33-0.92), romosozumab (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.95), and denosumab (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50-0.85) reduced clinical fracture risk. Five drugs reduced vertebral fracture risk in the PVF ≥ 50% subgroup whereas seven did in the other subgroup. All drugs did not increase withdrawal risk except for parathyroid hormone (1-84) (PTH) (RR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-2.6) and abaloparatide (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.3).

CONCLUSION

Different effective drugs should be used to prevent fragility fractures according to PMW with or without PVF, and romosozumab is the only one which can reduce clinical and vertebral fractures in both of the two populations. PTH and abaloparatide are less tolerated than placebo whereas the eight other drugs assessed in the study have the same tolerability as placebo.

Drag force on a particle straddling a fluid interface: Influence of interfacial deformations

We numerically investigate the influence of interfacial deformations on the drag force exerted on a particle straddling a fluid interface. We perform finite element simulations of the two-phase flow system in a bounded two-dimensional geometry. The fluid interface is modeled with a phase-field method which is coupled to the Navier-Stokes equations to solve for the flow dynamics. The interfacial deformations are caused by the buoyant weight of the particle, which results in curved menisci. We compute drag coefficients as a function of the three-phase contact angle, the viscosity ratio of the two fluids, and the particle density. Our results show that, for some parameter values, large drag forces are not necessarily correlated with large interfacial distortions and that a lower drag may actually be achieved with non-flat interfaces rather than with unperturbed ones.

Mesenchymal Sufu Regulates Development of Mandibular Molars via Shh Signaling

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in dental epithelium regulates tooth morphogenesis by epithelial-mesenchymal signaling transduction. However, the action of Shh signaling regulation in this process is not well understood. Here we find that mesenchymal Suppressor of Fused (Sufu), a major negative regulator of Shh signaling, plays an important role in modulating the tooth germ morphogenesis during the bud-to-cap stage transition. Deletion of Sufu in dental mesenchyme by Dermo1-Cre mice leads to delayed development of mandibular molar into cap stage with defect of primary enamel knot (EK) formation. We show the disruption of cell proliferation and programmed cell death in dental epithelium and mesenchyme in Sufu mutants. Epithelial-specific adhesion molecule E-cadherin is evidently reduced in the bilateral basal cells of tooth germ at E14.5. The cells in the presumptive EK, predominantly expressing P-cadherin, appear stratified but fail to condense. Moreover, the transcripts of primary EK marker genes, including Shh, Fgf4, and p21, are significantly decreased compared to controls. In contrast, we find that deficiency of Sufu results in elevation of Shh signaling in mesenchyme, indicated by the significant upregulation of Gli1 and Ptch1. Meanwhile, the expression of Bmp4 and Fgf3, the critical factors of mesenchymal-epithelial induction, is significantly inhibited in dental mesenchyme. Furthermore, the expression of Runx2 experiences a transient decrease at the bud stage. Taken together, these data suggest that mesenchymal Sufu is necessary for tuning the Shh signaling, which may act as an upstream modulator of Bmp4 and Fgf3 to coordinate the interplay between the dental mesenchyme and epithelium of tooth germ.

[Retrospective study of diagnosis and treatment of renal oncocytoma]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the experience of diagnosis and surgical treatment of renal oncocytoma, and to evaluate the surgical results based on follow-up results, in order to find the best strategy.

METHODS

In the study, 21 cases with renal oncocytoma from December 2003 to April 2016 in Peking University Third Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 4 males, and 17 females, with 10 cases on the right side and 11 cases on the left side. Their age was between 15 to 80 years (average: 58 years). Ultrasound or CT examination after admission was conducted. Ultrasound examination showed solid nodules. CT manifestations were solid masses with enhancement, and the tumor size was between 1.5 cm to 6.5 cm (average: 3.3 cm). Of the 21 cases, 9 were located in the middle of kidney, 7 were located in the upper pole, and 5 were located in the lower pole. After preoperative examination, according to the size and location of the tumor, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy or laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed, respectively.

RESULTS

All the operations were successful, in which 17 cases underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (including 3 cases which were converted to open surgery), and 4 cases underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. The operation time ranged from 75 to 274 min (mean: 144 min), and the blood loss ranged from 10 to 1 000 mL (mean: 115 mL). The postoperative hospital stay time ranged from 6 to 13 d (average: 8.2 d). The pathological results were all renal oncocytoma. In the study, 17 cases were followed up while 4 cases were lost to follow-up. The follow-up time ranged from 12 to 175 months (mean: 44 months). One case died in 20 months after operation with unknown reason, and there were no recurrence or metastasis in the other 16 cases.

CONCLUSION

Renal oncocytoma is a benign tumor with good prognosis. Enhanced CT is an effective diagnostic method in assistant examination, but it is difficult to differentiate clear cell carcinoma only from the naked eye. It is worthwhile to measure CT value at different stages of the tumor by picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), and to compare with CT value of adjacent kidney tissue may improve the diagnostic efficiency of CT. Laparoscopic surgery is an effective treatment for renal oncocytoma. We recommend laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for the patients with renal oncocytoma as the best choice if conditions permit.

Wnt Production in Dental Epithelium Is Crucial for Tooth Differentiation

The Wnt ligands display varied spatiotemporal expression in the epithelium and mesenchyme in the developing tooth. Thus far, the actions of these differentially expressed Wnt ligands on tooth development are not clear. Shh expression specifies the odontogenic epithelium during initiation and is consistently restricted to the dental epithelium during tooth development. In this study, we inactivate Wntless ( Wls), the key regulator for Wnt trafficking, by Shh-Cre to investigate how the Wnt ligands produced in the dental epithelium lineage act on tooth development. We find that conditional knockout of Wls by Shh-Cre leads to defective ameloblast and odontoblast differentiation. Wls^Shh-Cre teeth display reduced canonical Wnt signaling activity in the inner enamel epithelium and the underlying mesenchyme at the early bell stage, as exhibited by target gene expression and BAT-gal staining. The expression of Wnt5a and Wnt10b is not changed in Wls^Shh-Cre teeth. By contrast, Wnt10a expression is significantly increased in response to epithelial Wls deficiency. In addition, the expression of Hedgehog signaling pathway components Shh, Gli1, and Patched1 was greatly decreased in Wls^Shh-Cre teeth. Epithelial Wls loss of function in Shh lineage also leads to aberrant cell proliferation in dental epithelium and mesenchyme at embryonic day 16.5; however, the cell apoptosis is unaffected. Moreover, we find that Decorin and Col1a1, the key markers for odontoblast differentiation that are downregulated in Wls^Shh-Cre teeth, act as direct downstream targets of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. Additionally, Decorin and Col1a1 expression can be increased by lithium chloride (LiCl) treatment in the in vitro tooth explants. Taken together, our results suggest that the spatial expression of Wnt ligands within the dental epithelial lineage regulates the differentiation of tooth structures in later stages.

Developing more participatory and accountable institutions for health: identifying health system research priorities for the Sustainable Development Goal-era

Health policy and systems research (HPSR) is vital to guiding global institutions, funders, policymakers, activists and implementers in developing and enacting strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We undertook a multi-stage participatory process to identify priority research questions relevant to improving accountability within health systems. We conducted interviews (n = 54) and focus group discussions (n = 2) with policymakers from international and national bodies (ministries of health, other government agencies and technical support institutions) across the WHO regions. Respondents were asked to reflect on challenges and current policy discussions related to health systems accountability, and to identify their pressing research needs. We also conducted an overview of reviews (n = 34) to determine the current status of knowledge on health systems accountability and to identify any gaps. We extracted research questions from the policymaker interviews and focus groups (70 questions) and from the overview of reviews (112 questions), and synthesized these into 36 overarching questions. Using the online platform Co-Digital, we invited researchers from around the world to refine and then rank the questions according to research importance. The questions that emerged amongst the top priorities focused on political factors that mediate the adoption or effectiveness of accountability initiatives, processes and incentives that facilitate the acceptability of accountability mechanisms among frontline healthcare providers, and the national governance reforms and contexts that enhance provider accountability. The process revealed different underlying conceptions of social accountability and how best to promote it, with some researchers and policymakers focusing on specific interventions and others embracing a more systems-oriented approach to understanding accountability, the multiple forms that it can take, how these interact with each other and the importance of power and underlying social relations. The findings from this exercise identify HPSR funding priorities and future areas for evidence production and policy engagement.

[Single-center study of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with Mayo 0-2 level inferior vena cava thrombectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic treatment for renal carcinoma with Mayo 0-2 level venous thrombosis.

METHODS

From January 2015 to February 2018, 58 renal carcinoma cases with venous thrombus underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy in Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, of which, 51 cases were male, and 7 female, aged 29-82 years. According to the Mayo grade classification, 20 cases were level 0, 20 cases were level 1, and 18 cases were level 2, with left side being 22 cases, and right side 36 cases. The patients except for those complicated with hemorrhagic diseases, cardiac and pulmonary insufficiency, or those who could not tolerate anesthesia and surgical contraindications, underwent the operation after comprehensive examinations.

RESULTS

The 58 cases of renal tumor with venous tumor emboli were successfully completed with the surgeries, including 50 cases of totally laparoscopic surgery, 8 cases of laparoscopy surgery from convert to open (among the patients who were converted to open surgery, 7 were complicated with grade 2 tumor thrombus and 1 with grade 1 tumor thrombus). The main reasons for converting to open surgery were huge tumors (the largest of which was about 16 cm in diameter), severe adhesion and difficulty of separation. For different patients, different surgical methods and procedures were adopted according to the tumor direction and the different grade of tumor thrombus. Radical nephrectomy combined with vena cava tumor thrombus removal was performed in 55 cases and segmental resection of vena cava in 3 cases. The operation time was 132-557 min, and blood loss was 20-3 000 mL. Post-operative pathological types: 51 cases were clear cell carcinoma, 5 cases were type 2 of papillary carcinoma, 1 case was squamous cell carcinoma, and 1 case was chromophobe cell tumor. In the study, 47 cases were followed up for 1-36 months, and 4 cases died (the survival time was 5-15 months, with an average of 10.2 months).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy is a reasonable choice for renal tumor with Mayo 0-2 level venous thrombosis. For different tumor directions and different grades of tumor thrombus, an appropriate operation plan can give the maxim benefit to the patients with skillful surgeons.

[Clinicopathological analysis of patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinicopathological features,treatment and prognosis of patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) and PRCC-complicated with tumor thrombus.

METHODS

Single center retrospective analysis of 75 patients with PRCC treated from January 2012 to October 2017 was performed. There were 55 males and 20 females at an age range of 24-82 years. Sixteen PRCC patients were complicated with tumor thrombus. All the patients were with a surgery and had clear pathological diagnosis and detailed follow-up data. The clinicopathological features, prognosis and influencing factors of the patients with PRCC and PRCC complicated with tumor thrombus were analyzed and summarized.

RESULTS

The average age of the 75 patients was(56.05±11.59)years,the average body mass index (BMI) was (26±3) kg/m², and the average tumor maximum diameter was (5.17±3.85) cm. There were significant differences between tumor maximum diameter larger than 7 cm and less than 7 cm (69.6% vs. 94.4%, P<0.001), lymph node metastasis and no lymph node metastasis (<38% vs. 98%, P<0.001), adrenal metastasis and no adrenal metastasis (0% vs. 95.3%, P<0.001), pulmonary metastasis and no pulmonary metastasis (0% vs.90.7%, P<0.001), complicated with and without tumor thrombus (<66.4% vs. 93.5%, P<0.001) on the effect of 3-year survival rate of the PRCC patients. In this study, there were 16 patients with type 2 PRCC complicated with tumor thrombus. There were significant differences in concomitant symptoms (62.5% vs. 22.0%, P=0.005), maximum tumor diameter (68.8% vs.13.3%, P<0.001), adrenal metastasis (18.8% vs. 0.02%, P=0.029), pulmonary metastasis (18.8% vs. 0%, P=0.008), nuclear grade (P<0.001) and pathological type (100% vs. 44.1%, P<0.001) between the PRCC patients with and without tumor thrombus.

CONCLUSION

There were significant differences in tumor diameter,lymph node metastasis,adrenal metastasis, pulmonary metastasis,pathological type, nuclear grade and tumor thrombus in the effect of the 3-year survival rate of PRCC patients. PRCC patients with tumor thrombus were more commonly suffered from type 2 PRCC, for whom the tumor diameter was larger,the nuclear grade was higher,and the distance metastasis happened more easily.

[Retrospective study of young bladder urothelial carcinoma from a single center within 16 years]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical and pathological features, treatment and prognosis for bladder urothelial carcinoma in relative young patients under 40 years.

METHODS

A retrospective study involved a total of 43 consecutive patients of bladder urothelial carcinoma, which were under 40 years old from January 2001 to December 2016.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of bladder urothelial carcinoma in the patients under 40 years was 2.2%, and 35 males and 8 females were included. The average age was 33 years (ranging from 23 to 40 years). At initial visit, 62.8% of the patients presented with painless gross hematuria, 9 patients were discovered by routine examination, and 7 patients experienced lower urinary tract symptoms. Solitary tumor occurred in 34 cases whereas multiple carcinomas had been discovered in 9 cases，and all the 9 multiple cases were from 31-40-year-old subgroups. All the patients received proper surgical intervention according to their own clinical stages. Post-operative pathological results showed 29 low-grade urothelial carcinoma and 14 high-grade cases which included 31 Ta cases, with 7 cases of T1, 1 case of T3, and 3 cases of T4 and one case of T1 plus Tis. The total follow-up was from 5 to 165 months, 3 cases were lost. The overall recurrence rate was 12.5% (5 cases from 40). One patient developed distal metastasis, one died of metastasis after 13 months, and the other three received secondary trans-urethral resection of bladder tumors. The average recurrence time was 39 months (ranging from 3 to 105 months). The progression rate was 5% among all the followed-up patients (2 cases from 40). The recurrence rate in multiple lesions group (33%, 3/9) was significantly higher than that (5.9%, 2/34) in solitary lesion group (P=0.000 3).

CONCLUSION

The incidence rate of bladder urothelial carcinoma in young patients under 40 years becomes increasingly higher over years. The major initial presentation is painless gross hematuria among these young patients, but lower urinary tract symptoms should also be noticed for young patients to rule out tumor. Postoperative tumor recurrence might be associated with multiple lesions, which is not related to the tumor size or pathological features.

Current progress in black phosphorus materials and their applications in electrochemical energy storage

Recently, a new two-dimensional material, single- or few-layered black phosphorus (BP), has attracted considerable attention for applications in electronics, optoelectronics, and batteries due to its unique properties, including large specific surface area, anisotropy, and tunable and direct band gaps. In particular, contributions to electrochemical energy storage devices, such as lithium and sodium ion batteries and supercapacitors, have emerged. However, critical issues remain to be explored before scaled-up commercial production of BP, such as preparation, stability, and performance. Herein, we present the first review of recent progress in BP-based electrochemical energy storage device. The preparation and electrochemical properties of black phosphorus, recent advances, potential challenges, and relevant perspectives in electrochemical energy storage, and the potential of BP are discussed in this work.

[Ureteroscope can assist risk stratification in upper tract urothelial carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the efficiency of ureteroscope and biopsy in the diagnosis of tumor grade, muscle-invasiveness and multifocality in suspected upper tract urinary carcinoma (UTUC) patients in order to find out whether it can be used in the risk stratification of UTUC patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 76 UTUC patients who underwent preoperative ureteroscope and/or biopsy and received radical nephroureterectomy in Peking University Third Hospital during January 2014 to December 2016 was undertaken.

RESULTS

In this study, 76 patients were included. There were 31 males (40.8%), and 45 females (59.2%). The median age was 64.5 years (31-88), and 51 patients had the symptom of hematuresis. The tumor was located in renal pelvis in 39 patients, and in ureter in 37 patients. Post-operative pathology confirmed that all the 76 patients included in this study suffered from UTUC, of whom 21 (21.6%) were of low-grade, 51 (67.1%) were of high-grade, 4 (5.3%) were undetermined, and 47 (61.9%) patients were muscle-invasive, and 27 (35.5%) were not, and 2 (2.6%) were undetermined. Among the 50 patients, in whom the grade of the tumor could be diagnosed by biopsy, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for low-grade tumor was 88.2%, 69.7%, 76.0%, 60.0% and 92.0%, respectively. Among the 27 patients, in whom the muscle-invasiveness could be diagnosed by biopsy, 5 patients were diagnosed with muscle-invasiveness, all confirmed by pathology after surgery and 22 patients were diagnosed with none muscle-invasiveness, turned out to be 50% muscle-invasive and 50% none-muscle invasive after surgery. The accuracy was 59.3%. The accuracy of ureteroscopic biopsy to diagnosis multifocality was 61.0%. On univariate analysis, biopsy grade was associated with postoperative pathology (P=0.001), while gender, age, side, body mass index (BMI), hematuresis, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hydronephrosis, tumor size, location, multifocality and sessile were not associated with postoperative pathology grade. Biopsy grade (P=0.02), preoperative eGFR<90 mL/(min×1.73 m²)(P=0.025) and tumor located in pelvis (P=0.049) were associated with muscle invasiveness. Gender, age, side, BMI, hematuresis, hydronephrosis, tumor size, multifocality and sessile were not significantly associated with muscle invasiveness.

CONCLUSION

Ureteroscope and biopsy can assist risk stratification in upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients.

Plasma pharmacokinetics of quinocetone in ducks after oral and intravenous administration

Quinocetone (QCT), an antimicrobial growth promoter, is widely used in food-producing animals. However, information about pharmacokinetics (PK) of QCT in ducks still remains unavailable up to now. In this study, QCT and its major metabolites (1-desoxyquinocetone, di-desoxyquinocetone and 3-methyl-quinoxaline-2-carboxylic) in ducks were studied using a simple and sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS assay. Twenty ducks were divided into two groups. (n = 10/group). One group received QCT by oral administration at dose of 40 mg/kg while another group received QCT intravenously at 10 mg/kg. Plasma samples were collected at various time points from 0 to 96 hr. QCT and its major metabolites in duck plasma samples were extracted by 1 ml acetonitrile and detected by UHPLC-MS/MS, with the gradient mobile phase that consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B). A noncompartment analysis was used to calculate the PK parameters. The results showed that following oral dosing, the peak plasma concentration (C_max ) of QCT was 32.14 ng/ml and the area under the curve (AUCINF_obs) was 233.63 (h ng)/ ml. Following intravenous dosing, the C_max , AUCINF_obs and Vss_obs were 96.70 ng/ml, 152.34 (h ng)/ ml and 807.00 L/kg, respectively. These data indicated that the QCT was less absorbed in vivo following oral administration, with low bioavailability (38.43%). QCT and its major metabolites such as 1-desoxyquinocetone and 3-methyl-quinoxaline-2-carboxylic were detected at individual time points in individual ducks, while the di-desoxyquinocetone was not detected in all time points in all ducks. This study enriches basic scientific data about pharmacokinetics of QCT in ducks after oral and intravenous administration and will be beneficial for clinical application in ducks.

CYP4A in tumor-associated macrophages promotes pre-metastatic niche formation and metastasis

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an essential role in metastasis. However, what enables TAMs to have a superior capacity to establish pre-metastatic microenvironment in distant organs is unclear. Here we have begun to uncover the effects of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4A in TAMs on lung pre-metastatic niche formation and metastasis. CYP4A⁺ TAM infiltration was positively associated with metastasis, pre-metastatic niche formation and poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. The pharmacological inhibition of CYP4A reduced lung pre-metastatic niche formation (evidenced by a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 positive (VEGFR1⁺) myeloid cell recruitment and pro-metastatic protein expression) and metastatic burden, accompanied with TAM polarization away from the M2 phenotype in spontaneous metastasis models of 4T1 breast cancer and B16F10 melanoma. Co-implantation of 4T1 cells with CYP4A10^high macrophages promoted lung pre-metastatic niche formation and metastasis. Depletion of TAMs disrupted lung pre-metastatic niches and thereby prevented metastasis. Treatment with the CM from CYP4A10^high M2 macrophages (M2) increased pre-metastatic niche formation and metastatic burden in the lungs, whereas CYP4A inhibition attenuated these effects. In vitro TAM polarization away from the M2 phenotype induced by CYP4A inhibition decreased VEGFR1⁺ myeloid cell migration and fibronectin expression, accompanied with downregulation of STAT3 signaling. Conversely, overexpression of CYP4A or exogenous addition of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid promoted M2 polarization and cytokine production of macrophages and thereby enhanced migration of VEGFR1⁺ myeloid cells, which were reversed by siRNA or pharmacological inhibition of STAT3. Importantly, a combined blocking M2 macrophage-derived factors TGF-β, VEGF and SDF-1 abolished VEGFR1⁺ myeloid cell migration and fibroblast activation induced by CYP4A. In summary, CYP4A in TAMs is crucial for lung pre-metastatic niche formation and metastasis, and may serve as a potential therapeutic target in human cancer.