[Impact of changes in malignant tumor death spectrum on life expectancy in Tianjin residents from 1999-2019]

Objective: To analyze the effects of changes in the spectrum of deaths from malignant tumors on the life expectancies of residents of different ages, sexes, and regions (urban or rural) in Tianjin from 1999 to 2019. Methods: The Abridged Life Table method and the Arriaga's decomposition method were used to calculate the effects of changes in spectrum of deaths from malignant tumors on the life expectancies of Tianjin residents of different ages, sexes, and regions. Results: During 1999-2019, the life expectancies increased by 4.96 years and 5.69 years for males and females, respectively, in Tianjin. The decreases in the mortalities from malignant neoplasms contributed 0.12 year (3.30%) and 0.03 year (0.77%) for males and females, respectively, to the increase during 1999-2007, and 0.05 year (3.13%) and 0.12 year (6.08%) for males and females, respectively, during 2007-2019. The decreases in the mortality rates of malignant tumors contributed the most to the increase among residents in the 60-69 years group, and the decreases in mortality rates of lung, gastric, esophageal, and liver cancers had relatively larger contribution. Lung cancer had a negative effect on the life expectancies of men and rural residents, but a positive effect on those of women and urban residents. The significant increases in the mortality rates of lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers in the ≥85 years group had a large negative effect on the overall life expectancy. Breast and ovarian cancers contributed negatively to the life expectancy of female residents. Conclusion: The overall increase in the life expectancy in Tianjin from 1999 to 2019 was mainly attributed to the elderly and the decreases in the mortality rates of gastric, esophageal, and liver cancers, among other malignancies, while the increases in the mortality rates of lung, colorectal, gallbladder, pancreatic, and breast cancers were the most significant factors hindering the increase of the life expectancy in Tianjin.

Biocontrol Methods for the Management of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Legumes: A Review

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is an economically damaging fungal pathogen that causes Sclerotinia stem rot in legumes, producing enormous yield losses. This pathogen is difficult to control due to its wide host spectrum and ability to produce sclerotia, which are resistant bodies that can remain active for long periods under harsh environmental conditions. Here, the biocontrol methods for the management of S. sclerotiorum in legumes are reviewed. Bacillus strains, which synthesized lipopeptides and VOCs, showed high efficacies in soybean plants, whereas the highest efficacies for the control of the pathogen in alfalfa and common bean were observed when using Coniothyrium minitans and Streptomyces spp., respectively. The biocontrol efficacies in fields were under 65%, highlighting the lack of strategies to achieve a complete control. Overall, while most studies involved extensive screenings using different biocontrol agent concentrations and application conditions, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the specific antifungal mechanisms, which limits the optimization of the reported methods.

DPSCs regulate epithelial-T cell interactions in oral submucous fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a precancerous lesion characterized by fibrous tissue deposition, the incidence of which correlates positively with the frequency of betel nut chewing. Prolonged betel nut chewing can damage the integrity of the oral mucosal epithelium, leading to chronic inflammation and local immunological derangement. However, currently, the underlying cellular events driving fibrogenesis and dysfunction are incompletely understood, such that OSF has few treatment options with limited therapeutic effectiveness. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have been recognized for their anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis capabilities, making them promising candidates to treat a range of immune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases. However, the application of DPSCs in OSF is inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the pathogenic mechanism of OSF and, based on this, to explore new treatment options.

METHODS

A human cell atlas of oral mucosal tissues was compiled using single-cell RNA sequencing to delve into the underlying mechanisms. Epithelial cells were reclustered to observe the heterogeneity of OSF epithelial cells and their communication with immune cells. The results were validated in vitro, in clinicopathological sections, and in animal models. In vivo, the therapeutic effect and mechanism of DPSCs were characterized by histological staining, immunohistochemical staining, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.

RESULTS

A unique epithelial cell population, Epi1.2, with proinflammatory and profibrotic functions, was predominantly found in OSF. Epi1.2 cells also induced the fibrotic process in fibroblasts by interacting with T cells through receptor-ligand crosstalk between macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)-CD74 and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). Furthermore, we developed OSF animal models and simulated the clinical local injection process in the rat buccal mucosa using DPSCs to assess their therapeutic impact and mechanism. In the OSF rat model, DPSCs demonstrated superior therapeutic effects compared with the positive control (glucocorticoids), including reducing collagen deposition and promoting blood vessel regeneration. DPSCs mediated immune homeostasis primarily by regulating the numbers of KRT19 + MIF + epithelial cells and via epithelial-stromal crosstalk.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the current ambiguity surrounding the cause of OSF and the limited treatment options available, our study reveals that epithelial cells and their crosstalk with T cells play an important role in the mechanism of OSF and suggests the therapeutic promise of DPSCs.

G-site residue S67 is involved in the fungicide-degrading activity of a tau class glutathione S-transferase from Carica papaya

Thiram is a toxic fungicide extensively used for the management of pathogens in fruits. Although it is known that thiram degrades in plant tissues, the key enzymes involved in this process remain unexplored. In this study, we report that a tau class glutathione S-transferase (GST) from Carica papaya can degrade thiram. This enzyme was easily obtained by heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, showed low promiscuity toward other thiuram disulfides, and catalyzed thiram degradation under physiological reaction conditions. Site-directed mutagenesis indicated that G-site residue S67 shows a key influence for the enzymatic activity toward thiram, while mutation of residue S13, which reduced the GSH oxidase activity, did not significantly affect the thiram-degrading activity. The formation of dimethyl dithiocarbamate, which was subsequently converted into carbon disulfide, and dimethyl dithiocarbamoylsulfenic acid as the thiram degradation products suggested that thiram undergoes an alkaline hydrolysis that involves the rupture of the disulfide bond. Application of the GST selective inhibitor 4-chloro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole reduced papaya peel thiram-degrading activity by 95%, indicating that this is the main degradation route of thiram in papaya. GST from Carica papaya also catalyzed the degradation of the fungicides chlorothalonil and thiabendazole, with residue S67 showing again a key influence for the enzymatic activity. These results fill an important knowledge gap in understanding the catalytic promiscuity of plant GSTs and reveal new insights into the fate and degradation products of thiram in fruits.

Mechanism studies for relativistic attosecond electron bunches from laser-illuminated nanotargets

To find a way to control the electron-bunching process and the bunch-emitting directions when an ultraintense, linearly polarized laser pulse interacts with a nanoscale target, we explored the mechanisms for the periodical generation of relativistic attosecond electron bunches. By comparing the simulation results of three different target geometries, the results show that for nanofoil target, limiting the transverse target size to a small value and increasing the longitudinal size to a certain extent is an effective way to improve the total electron quantity in a single bunch. Then the subfemtosecond electronic dynamics when an ultrashort ultraintense laser grazing propagates along a nanofoil target was analyzed through particle-in-cell simulations and semiclassical analyses, which shows the detailed dynamics of the electron acceleration, radiation, and bunching process in the laser field. The analyses also show that the charge separation field produced by the ions plays a key role in the generation of electron bunches, which can be used to control the quantity of the corresponding attosecond radiation bunches by adjusting the length of the nanofoil target.

Evidence for Chiral Wobbler in Nuclei

Three ΔI=1 bands with the πg_{9/2}⊗νg_{9/2} configuration have been identified in _{35}^{74}Br_{39}. Angular distribution, linear polarization, and lifetime measurements were performed to determine the multipolarity, type, mixing ratio, and absolute transition probability of the transitions. By comparing these experimental observations with the corresponding fingerprints and the quantum particle rotor model calculations, the second and third lowest bands are, respectively, suggested as the chiral partner and one-phonon wobbling excitation built on the yrast band. The evidence indicates the first chiral wobbler in nuclei.

Discovery of New Isotopes ^{160}Os and ^{156}W: Revealing Enhanced Stability of the N=82 Shell Closure on the Neutron-Deficient Side

Using the fusion-evaporation reaction ^{106}Cd(^{58}Ni,4n)^{160}Os and the gas-filled recoil separator SHANS, two new isotopes _{76}^{160}Os and _{74}^{156}W have been identified. The α decay of ^{160}Os, measured with an α-particle energy of 7080(26) keV and a half-life of 201_{-37}^{+58}  μs, is assigned to originate from the ground state. The daughter nucleus ^{156}W is a β^{+} emitter with a half-life of 291_{-61}^{+86}  ms. The newly measured α-decay data allow us to derive α-decay reduced widths (δ^{2}) for the N=84 isotones up to osmium (Z=76), which are found to decrease with increasing atomic number above Z=68. The reduction of δ^{2} is interpreted as evidence for the strengthening of the N=82 shell closure toward the proton drip line, supported by the increase of the neutron-shell gaps predicted in theoretical models.

[Haploidentical donor peripheral blood stem cell transplantation using third-party cord blood compared with matched unrelated donor transplantation for patients with hematologic malignancies]

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of cord blood-assisted haploid peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (haplo-cord-PBSCT) versus unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (UD-PBSCT) in the treatment of malignant hematological diseases. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on one hundred and four patients with malignant hematological diseases who underwent haplo-cord-PBSCT and fifty-two patients who underwent UD-PBSCT at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between January 2016 and December 2021. Results: ①The median implantation time for neutrophils in the haplo-cord-PBSCT and UD-PBSCT groups was 13 (9-22) days and 13 (10-24) days, respectively (P=0.834), whereas the median implantation time for platelets was 15 (7-103) days and 14 (8-38) days, respectively (P=0.816). The cumulative implantation rate of neutrophils at 30 days after transplantation in the haplo-cord-PBSCT group and the UD-PBSCT group was 100% (P=0.314), and the cumulative platelet implantation rate at 100 days after transplantation was 95.2% (95% CI 88.3% - 98.1% ) and 100% (P=0.927), respectively. 30 days after transplantation, both groups of patients achieved complete donor chimerism, and no umbilical cord blood stem cells were implanted. ②The cumulative incidence rates of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute GVHD within 100 days after transplantation in the haplo-cord-PBSCT group and the UD-PBSCT group were 29.1% (95% CI 20.1% -38.1% ) and 28.8% (95% CI 17.2% -41.6% (P=0.965), respectively. The cumulative incidence rates of grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ acute GVHD were 7.8% (95% CI 3.6% -14.0% ) and 9.6% (95% CI 3.5% -19.5% ) (P=0.725). The cumulative incidence rates of 2-year chronic GVHD in the haplo-cord-PBSCT group and the UD-PBSCT group were 45.3% (95% CI 36.1% -56.1% ) and 35.1% (95% CI 21.6% -44.1% ), respectively (P=0.237). The cumulative incidence rates of severe chronic GVHD at 2 years after transplantation were 13.6% (95% CI 7.6% -21.3% ) and 12.9% (95% CI 5.1% -24.3% ), respectively (P=0.840). ③The 2-year CIR after transplantation in the haplo-cord-PBSCT group and UD-PBSCT group were 12.8% (95% CI 7.0% -20.5% ) and 10.0% (95% CI 3.6% -20.2% ), respectively (P=0.341), and the NRM were 14.7% (95% CI 8.4% -22.6% ) and 16.2% (95% CI 7.4% -28.0% ), respectively (P=0.681). ④The 2-year OS rates in the haplo-cord-PBSCT and UD-PBSCT groups after transplantation were 82.2% (95% CI 74.8% -90.3% ) and 75.5% (95% CI 64.2% -88.7% ), respectively (P=0.276). The 2-year DFS rates were 69.9% (95% CI 61.2% -79.8% ) and 73.8% (95% CI 62.4% -87.3% ), respectively (P=0.551). The 2-year rates of GVHD-free/recurrence-free survival (GRFS) were 55.3% (95% CI 44.8% -64.8% ) and 64.7% (95% CI 52.8% -79.3% ), respectively (P=0.284) . Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that haplo-cord-PBSCT and UD-PBSCT have comparable efficacy and safety in the treatment of malignant hematological diseases and can be used as an alternative treatment options.

Novel variations in TENT5D lead to teratozoospermia in infertile patients

PURPOSE

Teratozoospermia is the main pathogenic factor of male infertility. However, the genetic etiology of teratozoospermia is largely unknown. This study aims to clarify the relationship between novel variations in TENT5D and teratozoospermia in infertile patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two infertile patients were enrolled. Routine semen analysis of patients and normal controls was conducted with the WHO guidelines. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted to identify pathogenic variants in the two patients. Morphology and ultrastructure analysis of spermatozoa in the two patients was determined by Papanicolaou staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The functional effect of the identified variants was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. The expression of TENT5D in different germ cells was detected by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

Two new hemizygous variations, c.101C > T (p.P34L) and c.125A > T (p.D42V), in TENT5D were detected in two patients with male infertility. Morphology analysis showed abnormalities in spermatozoa morphology in the two patients, including multiple heads, headless, multiple tails, coiled, and/or bent flagella. Ultrastructure analysis showed that most of the spermatozoa exhibited missing or irregularly arranged '9+2' structures. Further functional experiments confirmed the abrogated TENT5D protein expression in patients. In addition, both p.P34L and p.D42V substitutions resulted in a conformational change of the TENT5D protein. We precisely analyzed the subcellular localization of TENT5D in germ cells in humans and mice. And we found that TENT5D was predominantly detected in the head and flagellum of elongating spermatids and epididymal spermatozoa.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed further evidence of a relationship between TENT5D mutation and human male infertility, providing new genetic insight for use in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

[Migratory pulmonary ground glass opacities caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection in a patient on B-cell depletion therapy]

In immunosuppressed individuals, the manifestation of viral pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 infection differs from that in healthy individuals. We reported a unique case of a 58-year-old male patient with B-cell depletion following treatment with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. He presented to the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine with complaints of intermittent fever and cough for three months, aggravated by shortness of breath for one month. He was previously diagnosed with stage IVA follicular lymphoma in April 2022 and underwent chemotherapy with Obinutuzumab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody). His last treatment was on November 3, 2022. On December 20, 2022, after contact with a SARS-CoV-2-infected person, he exhibited symptoms of fever peaking at 39.0 ℃, cough, and sputum production. A positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid result was confirmed from a pharyngeal swab. Nine days later (December 29, 2022), the patient still had a fever. Chest CT showed multiple small pieces of ground glass opacities (GGOs) in both lower lungs. The diagnosis of viral pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed. After five days of treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) and intravenous dexamethasone (5 mg/d), his fever subsided. However, a subsequent chest CT on January 9, 2023 showed partial resorption of multiple GGOs in both lungs, accompanied by novel focal lesions. The patient developed a fever again on January 29, 2023, after which he had recurrent symptoms of fever, cough, and sputum, with intermittent short courses of antibiotics and dexamethasone, which never completely resolved. Multiple chest CTs during this period showed recurrent GGOs and consolidations in both lungs, demonstrating a migratory pattern. The patient was admitted to our hospital on March 7, 2023, with a peripheral blood test suggesting lymphocytopenia, a CD19+B lymphocyte count of zero, and negative IgG and IgM for SARS-CoV-2. A bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis indicated a significantly elevated lymphocyte percentage and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. Given the three-month history of chronic fever and respiratory symptoms, changing bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, and lack of SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity, a diagnosis of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection was considered. Subsequent treatment with Paxlovid for 15 days resulted in the resolution of all symptoms. A follow-up chest CT one month later showed almost complete normalization.

[Clinical and etiological characteristics of infectious vulvovaginitis in children in Zhejiang province from 2009 to 2019]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, common pathogens in children with vulvovaginitis. Methods: This was a retrospective cases study. A total of 3 268 children with vulvovaginitis were enrolled, who visited the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2009 to December 2019. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the age of <7, 7-<10 and 10-18 years. Patients were also divided in to 4 groups according to the season of first visit. The pathogen distribution characteristics of infective vulvovaginitis were compared between the groups. Their clinical data were collected and then analyzed by χ2 test. Results: The were 3 268 girls aged (6.2±2.5) years. There were 1 728 cases (52.9%) aged <7 years, 875 cases (26.8%) aged 7-<10 years, and 665 cases (20.3%) aged 10-18 years. Of these cases, 2 253 cases (68.9%) were bacterial vulvovaginitis, 715 cases (21.9%) were fungal vulvovaginitis and 300 cases (9.2%) were vulvovaginitis infected with other pathogens. Bacterial culture of vaginal secretions was performed in 2 287 cases, and 2 287 strains (70.0%) of pathogens were detected, of which the top 5 pathogens were Streptococcus pyogenes (745 strains, 32.6%), Haemophilus influenzae (717 strains, 31.4%), Escherichia coli (292 strains, 12.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (222 strains, 9.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (67 strains, 2.9%). Regarding different age groups, H.influenzae was the most common in children under 7 years of age (40.3%, 509/1 263), S.pyogenes (41.9%, 356/849) was predominantly in children aged 7 to 10 years, and E.coli was predominant in children aged 10 to 18 years (26.3%, 46/175). Susceptibility results showed that S.pyogenes was susceptible to penicillin G (610/610, 100.0%), ceftriaxone (525/525, 100.0%), and vancomycin (610/610, 100.0%); the resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin were 91.9% (501/545)and 90.7% (495/546), respectively. For H.influenzae, 32.5% (161/496) produced β-elactamase, and all strains were sensitive to meropenem (489/489, 100.0%) and levofloxacin (388/388, 100.0%), while 40.5% (202/499) were resistant to ampicillin. Among E.coli, all strains were sensitive to imipenem(100%, 175/175). The resistance rates of E.coli to levofloxacin and ceftriaxone were 29.1% (43/148) and 35.1% (59/168), respectively. A total of 48 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were isolated with a proportion of 28.3% (45/159) in 3 268 patients. The results of drug susceptibility test showed that all MRSA strains were sensitive to linezolid 100.0% (40/40), vancomycin (45/45, 100.0%), and tigecycline (36/36, 100.0%); the resistance rates of MRSA to penicillin G, erythromycin and clindamycin were 100% (45/45), 95.6% (43/45) and 88.9% (40/45), respectively. All methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains were sensitive to oxacillin (114/114, 100.0%), linezolid (94/94, 100.0%), vancomycin (114/114, 100.0%), and tigecycline (84/84, 100.0%); it's resistance rates to penicillin G, erythromycin and clindamycin were 78.1% (89/114), 59.7% (68/114) and 46.5% (53/114), respectively. The drug resistance rate of MSSA to penicillin G, erythromycin and clindamycin were lower than those of MRSA (χ²=11.71,19.74,23.95, respectively, all P<0.001). Conclusions: The age of consultation for pediatric infectious vulvovaginitis is mainly around 6 years. The most common pathogens are S.pyogenes, H.influenzae and Escherichia coli. Third generation cephalosporins can be used as the first choice of empirical anti-infection drugs. However, the results of drug susceptibility should be considered for targeted treatment.

Antifungal and elicitor activities of p-hydroxybenzoic acid for the control of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus in kiwifruit

Aspergillus flavus not only reduces kiwifruit production but also synthesizes carcinogenic aflatoxins, resulting in a relevant threat to human health. p-Hydroxybenzoic acid (pHBA) is one of the most abundant phenolics in kiwifruit. In this study, pHBA was found to reduce A. flavus mycelial growth by blocking the fungal mitotic exit network (MEN) and cytokinesis and to inhibit the biosynthesis of aflatoxins B1 and B2. The application of pHBA promoted the accumulation of endogenous pHBA and induced oxidative stress in A. flavus-infected kiwifruit, resulting in an increase in H2O2 content and catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Preventive and curative treatments with 5 mM pHBA reduced A. flavus advancement by 46.1% and 68.0%, respectively. Collectively, the antifungal and elicitor properties of pHBA were examined for the first time, revealing new insights into the role of pHBA in the defense response of kiwifruit against A. flavus infection.

p-Aminobenzoic acid inhibits the growth of soybean pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines by altering outer membrane integrity

BACKGROUND

p-Aminobenzoic acid (pABA) is an environmentally friendly bioactive metabolite synthesized by Lysobacter antibioticus. This compound showed an unusual antifungal mode of action based on cytokinesis inhibition. However, the potential antibacterial properties of pABA remain unexplored.

RESULTS

In this study, pABA showed antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. This metabolite inhibited growth (EC50  = 4.02 mM), and reduced swimming motility, extracellular protease activity, and biofilm formation in the soybean pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines (Xag). Although pABA was previously reported to inhibit fungal cell division, no apparent effect was observed on Xag cell division genes. Instead, pABA reduced the expression of various membrane integrity-related genes, such as cirA, czcA, czcB, emrE, and tolC. Consistently, scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that pABA caused major alternations in Xag morphology and blocked the formation of bacterial consortiums. In addition, pABA reduced the content and profile of outer membrane proteins and lipopolysaccharides in Xag, which may explain the observed effects. Preventive and curative applications of 10 mM pABA reduced Xag symptoms in soybean plants by 52.1% and 75.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The antibacterial properties of pABA were studied for the first time, revealing new insights into its potential application for the management of bacterial pathogens. Although pABA was previously reported to show an antifungal mode of action based on cytokinesis inhibition, this compound inhibited Xag growth by altering the outer membrane's integrity. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dipicolinic acid enhances kiwifruit resistance to Botrytis cinerea by promoting phenolics accumulation

BACKGROUND

Kiwifruit is highly susceptible to fungal pathogens, such as Botrytis cinerea, which reduce crop production and quality. In this study, dipicolinic acid (DPA), which is one of the main components of Bacillus spores, was evaluated as a new elicitor to enhance kiwifruit resistance to B. cinerea.

RESULTS

DPA enhances antioxidant capacity and induces the accumulation of phenolics in B. cinerea-infected 'Xuxiang' kiwifruit. The contents of the main antifungal phenolics in kiwifruit, including caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and isoferulic acid, increased after DPA treatment. DPA enhanced H2 O2 levels after 0 and 1 days, which promoted catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, reducing long-term H2 O2 levels. DPA promoted the up-regulation of several kiwifruit defense genes, including CERK1, MPK3, PR1-1, PR1-2, PR5-1 and PR5-2. Furthermore, DPA at 5 mM inhibited B. cinerea symptoms in kiwifruit (95.1% lesion length inhibition) more effectively than the commercial fungicides carbendazim, difenoconazole, prochloraz and thiram.

CONCLUSIONS

The antioxidant properties of DPA and the main antifungal phenolics of kiwifruit were examined for the first time. This study uncovers new insights regarding the potential mechanisms used by Bacillus species to induce disease resistance. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

3D Lumerical simulation of silicon photodiodes with microholes for high-speed short-reach intra-datacenter interconnects

3D simulations are conducted using Lumerical software to study the performance of surface illuminated silicon positive-intrinsic-negative photodiodes with microholes. Drift-diffusion equations are solved including the effects of carrier lifetime due to Shockley-Read-Hall and Auger recombination mechanisms, as well as high field mobility. Lumerical's FDTD tool is used to determine the light absorption in the device. The generation profile is imported to Lumerical's CHARGE tool to determine the transient-limited impulse response. An equivalent circuit of the photodiode with microholes is developed for the simulation of an end-to-end high-speed system. Simulation results show an open eye diagram at 50 Gbps for 20µm×20µm devices.

[Enlightening from optimizing post-authorization safety monitoring system of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in major economies worldwide]

Ongoing global pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has promoted the unprecedented rapid development and large-scale rolling out of different platform-based COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. How to effectively respond to the expected scale increasing adverse events after vaccination campaign of COVID-19 vaccines is a common problem faced by the world. A lot of countries and regions around the world have arranged in advance at different levels, optimizing the original vaccine safety monitoring system from the perspectives of strengthening the foundation and capabilities, promoting internal and external cooperation, upgrading methods, as well as improving transparency and public communication, which has ensured the good and efficient operation of the system and can provide reference for the construction of relevant fields in China.

[Metformin use and risk of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes: A cohort study]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between the use of metformin and the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was designed from the Fangshan family cohort in Beijing. According to metformin use at baseline, 2 625 patients with type 2 diabetes in Fangshan, Beijing were divided into metformin group or non-metformin group and the incidence of ischemic stroke between the different groups during follow-up was estimated and compared by Cox proportional hazard regression model. The participants with metformin were first compared with all the parti-cipants who did not use metformin, and then were further compared with those who did not use hypoglycemic agents and those who used other hypoglycemic agents.

RESULTS

The patients with type 2 diabetes were with an average age of (59.5±8.7) years, and 41.9% of them were male. The median follow-up time was 4.5 years. A total of 84 patients developed ischemic stroke during follow-up, with a crude incidence of 6.4 (95%CI: 5.0-7.7) per 1 000 person-years. Among all the participants, 1 149 (43.8%) took metformin, 1 476 (56.2%) were metformin non-users, including 593 (22.6%) used other hypoglycemic agents, and 883 (33.6%) did not use any hypoglycemic agents. Compared with metformin non-users, the Hazard ratio (HR) for ischemic stroke in metformin users was 0.58 (95%CI: 0.36-0.93; P = 0.024). Compared with other hypoglycemic agents, HR was 0.48 (95%CI: 0.28-0.84; P < 0.01); Compared with the group without hypoglycemic agents, HR was 0.65 (95%CI: 0.37-1.13; P=0.13). The association between metformin and ischemic stroke was statistically significant in the patients ≥ 60 years old compared with all the metformin non-users and those who used other hypoglycemic agents (HR: 0.48, 95%CI: 0.25-0.92; P < 0.05). Metformin use was associated with a lower incidence of ischemic stroke in the patients with good glycemic control (0.32, 95%CI: 0.13-0.77; P < 0.05). In the patients with poor glycemic control, and the association was not statistically significant (HR: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.53-1.79; P>0.05). There was an interaction between glycemic control and metformin use on incidence of ischemic stroke (P_interaction < 0.05). The results of the sensitivity analysis were consistent with the results in the main analysis.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with type 2 diabetic in rural areas of northern China, metformin use was associated with lower incidence of ischemic stroke, especially in patients older than 60 years. There was an interaction between glycemic control and metformin use in the incidence of ischemic stroke.

[Genotype-environment interaction on arterial stiffness: A pedigree-based study]

OBJECTIVE

To utilized the baseline data of the Beijing Fangshan Family Cohort Study, and to estimate whether the association between a healthy lifestyle and arterial stiffness might be modified by genetic effects.

METHODS

Probands and their relatives from 9 rural areas in Fangshan district, Beijing were included in this study. We developed a healthy lifestyle score based on five lifestyle behaviors: smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), dietary pattern, and physical activity. The measurements of arterial stiffness were brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI). A variance component model was used to determine the heritability of arterial stiffness. Genotype-environment interaction effects were performed by the maximum likelihood methods. Subsequently, 45 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the glycolipid metabolism pathway were selected, and generalized estimated equations were used to assess the gene-environment interaction effects between particular genetic loci and healthy lifestyles.

RESULTS

A total of 6 302 study subjects across 3 225 pedigrees were enrolled in this study, with a mean age of 56.9 years and 45.1% male. Heritability of baPWV and ABI was 0.360 (95%CI: 0.302-0.418) and 0.243 (95%CI: 0.175-0.311), respectively. Significant genotype-healthy diet interaction on baPWV and genotype-BMI interaction on ABI were observed. Following the findings of genotype-environment interaction analysis, we further identified two SNPs located in ADAMTS9-AS2 and CDH13 might modify the association between healthy dietary pattern and arterial stiffness, indicating that adherence to a healthy dietary pattern might attenuate the genetic risk on arterial stiffness. Three SNPs in CDKAL1, ATP8B2 and SLC30A8 were shown to interact with BMI, implying that maintaining BMI within a healthy range might decrease the genetic risk of arterial stiffness.

CONCLUSION

The current study discovered that genotype-healthy dietary pattern and genotype-BMI interactions might affect the risk of arterial stiffness. Furthermore, we identified five genetic loci that might modify the relationship between healthy dietary pattern and BMI with arterial stiffness. Our findings suggested that a healthy lifestyle may reduce the genetic risk of arterial stiffness. This study has laid the groundwork for future research exploring mechanisms of arterial stiffness.

[Clinical features and prognostic factors of elderly patients with mantle cell lymphoma]

Objective: To examine the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of elderly patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and the impact of nutrition and underlying diseases on the prognosis of elderly patients with MCL. Methods: retrospectively analyzed 255 elderly patients with MCL from 11 medical centers, including Peking University Third Hospital between January 2000 and February 2021. We analyzed clinical data, such as age, gender, Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index score, and treatment options, and performed univariate and multivariate prognostic analysis. We performed a comprehensive geriatric assessment on elderly MCL patients with medical records that included retraceable underlying disease and albumin levels, and we investigated the impact of basic nutrition and underlying disorders on MCL prognosis in the elderly. Results: There were 255 senior individuals among the 795 MCL patients. Elderly MCL was more common in males (78.4%), with a median age of 69 yr (ages 65-88), and the majority (88.6%) were identified at a late stage. The 3-yr overall survival (OS) rate was 42.0%, with a 21.2% progression-free survival (PFS) rate. The overall response rate (ORR) was 77.3%, with a 33.3% total remission rate. Elderly patients were more likely than younger patients to have persistent underlying illnesses, such as hypertension. Multivariate analysis revealed that variables related with poor PFS included age of ≥80 (P=0.021), Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ (P=0.003), high LDH level (P=0.003), involvement of bone marrow (P=0.014). Age of ≥80 (P=0.001) and a high LDH level (P=0.003) were risk factors for OS. The complete geriatric assessment revealed that renal deficiency was associated with poorer OS (P=0.047) . Conclusions: Elderly MCL patients had greater comorbidities. Age, LDH, renal function, bone marrow involvement, and Ann Arbor stage are all independent risk factors for MCL in the elderly.

[Current status of diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in China: A national multicenter survey research]

Objective: To understand the current status of diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) /small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) among hematologists, oncologists, and lymphoma physicians from hospitals of different levels in China. Methods: This multicenter questionnaire survey was conducted from March 2021 to July 2021 and included 1,000 eligible physicians. A combination of face-to-face interviews and online questionnaire surveys was used. A standardized questionnaire regarding the composition of patients treated for CLL/SLL, disease diagnosis and prognosis evaluation, concomitant diseases, organ function evaluation, treatment selection, and Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor was used. Results: ①The interviewed physicians stated that the proportion of male patients treated for CLL/SLL is higher than that of females, and the age is mainly concentrated in 61-70 years old. ②Most of the interviewed physicians conducted tests, such as bone marrow biopsies and immunohistochemistry, for patient diagnosis, in addition to the blood test. ③Only 13.7% of the interviewed physicians fully grasped the initial treatment indications recommended by the existing guidelines. ④In terms of cognition of high-risk prognostic factors, physicians' knowledge of unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable and 11q- is far inferior to that of TP53 mutation and complex karyotype, which are two high-risk prognostic factors, and only 17.1% of the interviewed physicians fully mastered CLL International Prognostic Index scoring system. ⑤Among the first-line treatment strategy, BTK inhibitors are used for different types of patients, and physicians have formed a certain understanding that BTK inhibitors should be preferentially used in patients with high-risk factors and elderly patients, but the actual use of BTK inhibitors in different types of patients is not high (31.6%-46.0%). ⑥BTK inhibitors at a reduced dose in actual clinical treatment were used by 69.0% of the physicians, and 66.8% of the physicians had interrupted the BTK inhibitor for >12 days in actual clinical treatment. The use of BTK inhibitors is reduced or interrupted mainly because of adverse reactions, such as atrial fibrillation, severe bone marrow suppression, hemorrhage, and pulmonary infection, as well as patients' payment capacity and effective disease progression control. ⑦Some differences were found in the perceptions and behaviors of hematologists and oncologists regarding the prognostic assessment of CLL/SLL, the choice of treatment options, the clinical use of BTK inhibitors, etc. Conclusion: At present, a gap remains between the diagnosis and treatment of CLL/SLL among Chinese physicians compared with the recommendations in the guidelines regarding the diagnostic criteria, treatment indications, prognosis assessment, accompanying disease assessment, treatment strategy selection, and rational BTK inhibitor use, especially the proportion of dose reduction or BTK inhibitor discontinuation due to high adverse events.

[Establishment of diagnostic model for schizophrenia based on neurotrophic factor and other biomarkers]

Objective: To construct a diagnostic model of schizophrenia (SCZ) based on biomarkers such as serum neurotrophic factor. Methods: Patients of schizophrenia (SCZ group) and healthy controls (HC group) who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to December 2019 were prospectively selected. In the SCZ group, the mental symptoms were assessed by the positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS), cognitive function was assessed by the MATRICS consensus cognitive battery (MCCB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), fasting glucose (FGB) and fasting insulin (FINS) levels were detected, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The same methods were used to evaluate cognitive function, measure BDNF, GDNF, FGB and FINS levels, and calculate HOMA-IR in HC group. The indexes with statistically significant differences between the two groups were selected to be included in the model. The diagnostic model was constructed by machine learning and verified by cross-validation method, the receiver operating curve (ROC) was plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results: (1) A total of 142 patients (70 males and 72 females) with schizophrenia were finally included, and aged (25±4) years. Meanwhile, 140 healthy controls (72 males and 68 females) were also enrolled, and aged (26±4) years. In SCZ group, scores in all areas of cognitive function were lower than those in HC group (all P<0.001), the levels of serum BDNF and GDNF [(6.7±1.8) ng/ml and (405±93) pg/ml] were also lower than those in HC group [(12.3±3.2) ng/ml and (574±139) pg/ml] (both P<0.001), but the levels of FINS and HOMA-IR [(8.4±0.8) μU/ml and 1.7±0.3] were higher than those in HC group [(6.7±0.9) μU/ml and 1.4±0.3] (both P<0.001). (2) Correlation analysis showed that the level of serum BDNF had a negative correlation with negative symptom scores and total scores (r=-0.31, P<0.001; r=-0.17, P=0.040), but had a positive correlation with attention/alertness (CPT-IP) T scores, working memory (WSM-Ⅲ) T scores and visual learning (BVMT) T scores in SCZ group (r=0.39, 0.37 and 0.29, all P<0.001). The level of serum GDNF also had a positive correlation with CPT-IP T scores, WSM-Ⅲ T scores and BVMT T scores (r=0.32, P<0.001; r=0.23, P=0.007; r=0.40, P<0.001). The values of HOMA-IR had a positive correlation with social cognition (MSCEIT) T scores in SCZ group (r=0.18, P=0.033). (3) AUC of the early diagnosis model constructed by combining BDNF, GDNF and HOMA-IR was 0.890 (95%CI: 0.832-0.940), the accuracy was 0.89, the sensitivity and specificity was 0.94 and 0.82, respectively. Conclusion: The final diagnostic model based on biomarkers of serum neurotrophic factor has good diagnostic efficiency for SCZ, but large-scale independent sample verification is still needed.

[The role of the high-level public health school in the development of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention]

The Ministry of Education and other four departments jointly issued the Notice on the Construction of high-level schools of public Health, proposing that "it will take ten years to build a number of high-level schools of public health, and form a high-quality education development system to adapt to the construction of modern public health system". At present, the construction of high-level public health schools in various universities in China is in full swing. The high-level School of Public Health and the CDC have played an important role in constructing the national public health system and the human health community. The high-level public health schools are of strategic significance and important value to the development of the CDC. The review presents reflections and insights on the role of high-level public health schools in the development of the CDC and the challenges they might face.

[Attach great importance to the significance of serum anti-müllerian hormone and androgen in the evaluation of polycystic ovary syndrome]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease in women of childbearing age, which seriously affects women's reproductive health. In recent years, more and more studies have found that serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has certain significance in the diagnosis and treatment evaluation of PCOS. In addition, with the improvement of detection methods, more attention has been paid to the significance of female androgens and AMH in the evaluation of PCOS. This article reviews the recent research progress of serum AMH and androgens in the evaluation of PCOS.

Occurrence of aflatoxins in water and decontamination strategies: A review

Aflatoxins are highly carcinogenic metabolites produced by some Aspergillus species and are the most prevalent mycotoxins. Although aflatoxins are commonly synthesized during fungal colonization in preharvest maize, cereals, and nuts, they can be transported by rainfall to surface water and are a common toxin found in wastewater from some food industries. Here, the occurrence of aflatoxins in bodies of water is reviewed for the first time, along with the decontamination methods. Aflatoxins have been detected in surface, wastewater and drinking water, including tap and bottled water. The specific sources of water contamination remain unclear, which is an important gap that must be addressed in future research. Two main kinds of decontamination methods have been reported, including degradation and adsorption. The best degradation rates were observed using gamma and UV irradiations, oxidoreductases and ozone, while the best adsorption abilities were observed with minerals, polyvinyl alcohol, durian peel and activated carbon. Synthetic polymers could be used as membranes in pipes to remove aflatoxins in water flows. Although most decontamination methods were screened using AFB₁, the other commonly found aflatoxins were not used in the screenings. Overall, the occurrence of aflatoxins in water could be a significant emerging public health concern largely ignored by local and international legislation. Numerous advances have been reported for the decontamination of aflatoxins in water; however, there is still a long way to go to put them into practice.

The role of TLR4-mediated MyD88/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling and pIgR intestinal expression in chicks during Salmonella enteritidis infection

To observe the effect of Salmonella enteritidis (SE)-induced inflammation on pIgR expression in jejunum and ileum. Salmonella enteritidis was orally administered to 7-day old Hyline chicks, which were killed after 1d,3d,7d and 14d. The mRNA expression of TLR4,MyD88,TRAF6,NF-κB, and pIgR was detected by real-time RT-PCR, and pIgR protein was detected by Western blotting. The TLR4 signaling pathway was activated, the mRNA expression of the pIgR in jejunum and ileum was increased, and pIgR protein in jejunum and ileum was up-regulated by SE. In SE-treated chicks,the pIgR in jejunum and ileum was up-regulated on mRNA,and protein level,associated with activation of the TRL4-mediated MyD88/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway, which identifies this as a novel pIgR-related pathway to TLR4 activation.

[Progress in research of risk prediction of non-syndromic oral clefts using genetic information]

Non-syndromic oral cleft (NSOC), a common birth defect, remains to be a critical public health problem in China. In the context of adjustment of childbearing policy for two times in China and the increase of pregnancy at older childbearing age, NSOC risk prediction will provide evidence for high-risk population identification and prenatal counseling. Genome-wide association study and second generation sequencing have identified multiple loci associated with NSOC, facilitating the development of genetic risk prediction of NSOC. Despite the marked progress, risk prediction models of NSOC still faces multiple challenges. This paper summarizes the recent progress in research of NSOC risk prediction models based on the results of extensive literature retrieval to provide some insights for the model development regarding research design, variable selection, model-build strategy and evaluation methods.

Application of chitosan nanoparticles in quality and preservation of postharvest fruits and vegetables: A review

Chitosan is an interesting alternative material for packaging development due to its biodegradability. However, its poor mechanical properties and low permeability limit its actual applications. Chitosan nanoparticles (CHNPs) have emerged as a suitable solution to overcome these intrinsic limitations. In this review, all studies regarding the use of CHNPs to extend the shelf life and improve the quality of postharvest products are covered. The characteristics of CHNPs and their combinations with essential oils and metals, along with their effects on postharvest products, are compared and discussed throughout the manuscript. CHNPs enhanced postharvest antioxidant capacity, extended shelf life, increased nutritional quality, and promoted tolerance to chilling stress. Additionally, the CHNPs reduced the incidence of postharvest phytopathogens. In most instances, smaller CHNPs (<150 nm) conferred higher benefits than larger ones (>150 nm). This was likely a result of the greater plant tissue penetrability and surface area of the smaller CHNPs. The CHNPs were either applied after preparing an emulsion or incorporated into a film, with the latter often exhibiting greater antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. CHNPs were used to encapsulate essential oils, which could be released over time and may enhance the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the CHNPs. Even though most applications were performed after harvest, preharvest application had longer lasting effects.

[Consideration on the construction of a special research database for human papillomavirus vaccination in high-risk and special populations]

The application of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in China has accelerated in recent year. Women's and Children's hospitals as well as general hospitals have established HPV vaccination counselling clinic in succession. A large amount of valuable preventive and clinical data have been generated in the evaluation, recommendation, immunization and management of HPV vaccine for high-risk and special populations. This article sorted out the operation process of HPV vaccination counselling clinic, discussed the methods for hospitals to construct a special research database for HPV vaccination in high-risk and special populations under different degrees of informatization. It also provided a reference for the establishment of unified data standards, the formation of available data resources, and the promotion of real world study on HPV vaccination for high-risk and special populations in China.

Heparosan-based self-assembled nanocarrier for zinc(II) phthalocyanine for use in photodynamic cancer therapy

Zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) is a promising photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for melanoma treatment. However, the poor solubility of ZnPc limits its application. To overcome this limitation, heparosan (HP)-based nanoparticles were prepared by anchoring the l-lysine-linked α-linolenic acid branch to the carboxylic acid group to produce amphiphilic conjugates named heparosan with an l-lysine-linked α-linolenic acid branch (HLA). HLA conjugates could self-assemble into spherical nanoparticles in aqueous media and encapsulate ZnPc to form HLA-ZnPc nanoparticles. The cellular uptake of ZnPc could be improved by HLA carriers. These nanoparticles presented excellent photodynamic-mediated toxicity against mouse melanoma cells (B16) by markedly upregulating the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels while showing no cytotoxicity to either B16 or normal cells (L02 and HK-2 cells) in the dark. Furthermore, HLA-ZnPc displayed excellent stability in both powder and Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640 medium, indicating its promise for application in drug delivery and PDT. These results revealed a strategy for HP-based enhancement of ZnPc in PDT efficacy.

Prognostic and clinicopathological value of Twist expression in esophageal cancer: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Twist is a repressor of E-cadherin transcription that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer metastasis. However, the prognostic value of Twist expression in patients with esophageal cancer remains controversial.

AIM

To investigate the prognostic and clinicopathological value of Twist expression in esophageal cancer.

METHODS

Published literature in databases such as EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP databases was searched for eligible articles. Participants with esophageal cancer whose tumor tissues underwent immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of Twist were considered. Our meta-analysis was conducted using Stata version 12.0. The hazard ratio (HR) and relative ratio (RR) with their 95%CI were pooled. Heterogeneity was estimated by I² statistics.

RESULTS

Eleven articles published between 2009 and 2021 fulfilled the selection criteria. The pooled HR for overall survival was 1.88 (95%CI: 1.32-2.69, I² = 68.6%), and the pooled HR for disease-free survival/relapse-free survival/progression-free survival was 1.84 (95%CI: 1.12-3.02, I² = 67.1%), suggesting that high Twist expression is associated with poor prognosis in esophageal cancer patients. In addition, overexpression of Twist was correlated with T stage (T3 + T4 vs T1 + T2, RR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.14-1.67), lymph node metastasis (yes vs no, RR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.11-1.60), distant metastasis (yes vs no, RR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.02-1.35), tumor, node and metastasis (TNM) stage (III + IV vs I + II, RR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.14-1.60), and clinical stage (III + IV vs I + II, RR = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.34-1.87). However, no correlation between Twist expression and age, gender, tumor location, differentiation, or venous invasion was observed.

CONCLUSION

High expression of Twist is associated with poor esophageal cancer prognosis. Moreover, Twist overexpression is correlated with T stage, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, TNM stage, and clinical stage, which indicates that Twist might accelerate esophageal cancer progression and metastasis.

[Family-based association tests for rare variants]

Next-generation sequencing has revolutionized family-based association tests for rare variants. As the lower power of genome wide association study for detecting casual rare variants, methods aggregating effects of multiple variants have been proposed, such as burden tests and variance component tests. This paper summarizes the methods of rare variants association test that can be applied for family data, introduces their principles, characteristics and applicable conditions and discusses the shortcomings and the improvement of the present methods.

Identification of New Fusarium sulawense Strains Causing Soybean Pod Blight in China and Their Control Using Carbendazim, Dipicolinic Acid and Kojic Acid

Soybean plants are highly susceptible to Fusarium species, which significantly reduce soybean production and quality. Several Fusarium species have been reported to synthesize mycotoxins, such as trichothecene, which have been related to major human diseases. In November 2021, soybean pods in Nantong municipality, China, showed black necrotic lesions during the harvest stage. The disease incidence reached 69%. The pathogen was identified as Fusarium sulawense via morphological analysis and sequencing of ITS, EF1-α and RPB2 genes. A PCR assay with primers targeting the trichothecene biosynthesis genes suggested that the three isolates could synthesize trichothecenes. The effectiveness of fungicide carbendazim and natural metabolites dipicolinic acid and kojic acid was screened for the management of F. sulawense on postharvest soybean pods. The highest efficacy was obtained when combining 3.8 mg/mL carbendazim and 0.84 mg/mL dipicolinic acid (curative efficacy: 49.1% lesion length inhibition; preventive efficacy: 82.7% lesion length inhibition), or 1.9 mg/mL carbendazim and 0.71 mg/mL kojic acid (preventive efficacy: 84.9% lesion length inhibition). Collectively, this report will lead to a better understanding of the safety hazards found in soybean products in China and reveals the application of dipicolinic and kojic acids to reduce the use of carbendazim.

Exogenous genistein enhances soybean resistance to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines

BACKGROUND

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines (Xag) is the causal agent of bacterial pustule disease and results in enormous losses in soybean production. Although isoflavones are known to be involved in soybean resistance against pathogen infection, the effects of exogenous isoflavones on soybean plants remain unexplored.

RESULTS

Irrigation of soybean plants with isoflavone genistein inhibited plant growth for short periods, probably by inhibiting the tyrosine (brassinosteroids) kinase pathway, and increased disease resistance against Xag. The number of lesions was reduced by 59%-63% when applying 50 μg ml-1 genistein. The effects on disease resistance were observed for 15 days after treatment. Genistein also enhanced the disease resistance of soybean against the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Exogenous genistein increased antioxidant capacity, decreased H2 O2 level and promoted the accumulation of phenolics in Xag-infected soybean leaves. Exogenous genistein reduced the amounts of endogenous daidzein, genistein and glycitein and increased the concentration of genistin, which was found to show strong antibacterial activity against the pathogen and to reduce the expression of virulence factor yapH, and flagella formation gene flgK. The expression of several soybean defense genes, such as chalcone isomerase, glutathione S-transferase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase 1, was upregulated after genistein treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of exogenous genistein on soybean plants were examined for the first time, revealing new insights into the roles of isoflavones in soybean defense and demonstrating that irrigation with genistein can be a suitable method to induce disease resistance in soybean plants. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Long-term safety and activity of humanized CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells for children and young adults with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of humanized CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor T cells (hCART19s) in treating children and young adults with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R ALL) and to analyze relevant factors affecting its curative effect and prognosis. Methods: We conducted a single-center clinical trial involving 31 children and young adult patients with R/R B-ALL who were treated with humanized CD19-specific CAR-T cells (hCART19s) from May 2016 to September 2021. Results: Results showed that 27 (87.1%) patients achieved complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) one month after CAR-T cell infusion. During treatment, 20 (64.5%) patients developed grade 1-2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) , and 4 (12.9%) developed grade 3 CRS. Additionally, two patients had grade 1 neurological events. During the follow-up with a median time of 19.3 months, the median event-free survival (EFS) was 15.7 months (95% CI 8.7-22.5) , and the median overall survival (OS) was 32.2 months (95% CI 10.6-53.9) . EFS and OS rates were higher in patients who have undergone hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) than in those without [EFS: (75.0 ± 12.5) % vs (21.1 ± 9.4) %, P=0.012; OS: (75.0 ± 12.5) % vs (24.6 ± 10.2) %, P=0.035]. The EFS and OS rates were significantly lower in patients with >3 treatment lines than in those with <3 treatment lines [EFS: 0 vs (49.5±10.4) %, P<0.001; OS: 0 vs (52.0±10.8) %, P<0.001]. To the cutoff date, 12 patients presented with CD19(+) relapse, and 1 had CD19(-) relapse. Conclusion: hCART19s are effective in treating pediatric and young adult R/R ALL patients, with a low incidence of severe adverse events and reversible symptoms. Following HSCT, the number of treatment lines can affect the long-term efficacy and prognosis of pediatric and young adult R/R ALL patients.

Biocontrol Ability of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Group, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. velezensis, B. nakamurai, and B. siamensis, for the Management of Fungal Postharvest Diseases: A Review

The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens group, composed of B. amyloliquefaciens, B. velezensis, B. nakamurai, and B. siamensis, has recently emerged as an interesting source of biocontrol agents for the management of pathogenic fungi. In this review, all the reports regarding the ability of these species to control postharvest fungal diseases have been covered for the first time. B. amyloliquefaciens species showed various antifungal mechanisms, including production of antifungal lipopeptides and volatile organic compounds, competition for nutrients, and induction of disease resistance. Most reports discussed their use for the control of fruit diseases. Several strains were studied in combination with additives, improving their inhibitory efficacies. In addition, a few strains have been commercialized. Overall, studies showed that B. amyloliquefaciens species are a suitable environmentally friendly alternative for the control of postharvest diseases. However, there are still crucial knowledge gaps to improve their efficacy and host range.

[Eosinophilic vacuolated tumor of the kidney: clinicopathological and molecular characteristics]

Objective: To study the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, molecular changes, differential diagnosis and prognosis of eosinophilic vacuolated tumor (EVT) of the kidney. Methods: Four cases were collected retrospectively from 2014 to 2020 at Ningbo Diagnostic Pathology Center. The clinicopathologic features and immunophenotypic profile were studied by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel was used to detect cancer-associated mutation. Follow-up and literature review were also performed. Results: Among the 4 patients studied,2 were males and 2 were females. The age of the patients ranged from 44 to 63 years (the mean age: 51 years).Tumor size ranged from 1.5 to 4.2 cm (mean: 2.3 cm). Microscopically, tumors were well-circumscribed, unencapsulated. Thick-walled vessels and entrapped renal tubules were found within or at the periphery of the tumors. The tumors were predominantly composed of nest pattern, and focal tubular pattern. The tumor cells exhibited abundant, eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm and conspicuous, large nucleoli. Prominent intracytoplasmic vacuoles were seen. These cytoplasmic vacuoles varied in size and frequently coalesced into a large space. Loose fibromatous or hyaline stroma was focally noted. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells in all cases exhibited a CD117+/CK7-phenotype. All cases were positive for CD10 and p504s. MTOR, S6 and cathepsin K were positive in 4 cases. TFE3, CA9, Melan A and HMB45 were negative in all cases. SDHB retained expression. NGS demonstrated MTOR mutations in all cases, and TSC2 mutation in 2 cases. Conclusions: EVT is a rarely oncocytic renal tumor with unique morphology, immunohistochemical phenotype, molecular profile and an indolent behavior. Recognition of the characteristics of this novel but rare entity will allow for better classification of renal tumors.

Occurrence of isoflavones in soybean sprouts and strategies to enhance their content: A review

Sprouting is a common strategy to enhance the nutritional value of seeds. Here, all the reports regarding the occurrence of isoflavones in soybean sprouts have been covered for the first time. Isoflavones were detected with concentrations ranging from 1 × 10-2 to 1 × 101  g/kg in soybean sprouts. Isoflavone concentration depends on the cultivar, germination time, part of the sprout, light, and temperature. Aglycon isoflavones increased during germination, especially in the hypocotyl, while 6″-O-malonyl-7-O-β-glucoside isoflavones decreased in the hypocotyl and increased in the cotyledon and root. Cooking reduced total isoflavone content. Regarding the strategies to enhance isoflavone contents, fermentation with Aspergillus sojae and external irradiation with UV-A or far-infrared were the methods that caused the greatest increases in aglycon, 7-O-β-glucoside, and total isoflavones. However, the largest increases in 6″-O-malonyl-7-O-β-glucoside and 6″-O-acetyl-7-O-β-glucosides isoflavones were detected after treatment with chitohexaose and calcium chloride, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Soybean sprouts are widely consumed and provide essential proteins, antioxidants, and minerals. They are rich in isoflavones, which exhibit numerous health benefits, and have been studied as alternative therapies for a range of hormone-dependent conditions, such as cancer, menopausal symptoms, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Despite numerous reports being published to date regarding the occurrence of isoflavones in soybean sprouts, the publications in this field are highly dispersed, and a review has not yet been published. This review aims to (1) highlight the particular isoflavones that have been detected in soybean sprouts and their concentrations, (2) compared the effects of temperature, light, cooking and soybean cultivar affect the isoflavone levels on the different parts of the sprout, and (3) discuss the efficacy of the methods to enhance isoflavone contents. This review will provide a better understanding of the current state of this field of research by comparing the general trends and the different treatments for soybean sprouts.

[Risk analysis and preventive strategies of implant placement in patients with hypertension]

Recently, among the edentulous patients who undergo dental implants, the proportion of hypertensive patients remains high, which poses a greater challenge for clinicians to operate and to maintain the therapeutic effect. The present review comprehensively summarized clinical researches about the adverse effects on dental implants, outlined molecular mechanisms of the positive effects of various antihypertensive drugs on bone metabolism, and proposed that clinicians should select preventive strategies during preoperative and intraoperative procedures according to the blood pressure of patients with hypertension.

[Early onset Epstein-Barr virus-negative diffuse large B cell lymphoma after bilateral lung transplantation: a case report]

Lymphoma after solid organ transplantation is one of the manifestations of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders(PTLD). Here we reported a 39-year-old male patient presented with intermittent fever, markedly elevated level of peripheral blood lymphocytes and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), rapid decrease in hemoglobin and platelet count ten months after bilateral lung transplantation. After systematic evaluation, the patient excluded infectious diseases. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) revealed diffuse increasing of standard uptake value in bones throughout the body. The bone marrow aspiration, flow cytometric analysis and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with negative Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA (EBER) hybridization in situ. Meanwhile, complicated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was also diagnosed in the patient based on hypertriglyceridemia, abnormally elevated level of serum ferritin and solvable CD25 (sCD25). Treatment regimen included reduction of immunosuppression, anti-CD20 antibody (CD20⁺ B cell inhibitor, rituximab) and etoposide. Repeated PET/CT and bone marrow biopsy showed complete remission of lymphoma after 4 months of therapy.

Antifungal Mechanism and Efficacy of Kojic Acid for the Control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Soybean

Sclerotinia stem rot, which is caused by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a soybean disease that results in enormous economic losses worldwide. The control of S. sclerotiorum is a difficult task due to the pathogen's wide host range and its persistent structures, called sclerotia. In addition, there is lack of soybean cultivars with medium to high levels of resistance to S. sclerotiorum. In this work, kojic acid (KA), a natural bioactive compound commonly used in cosmetic industry, was evaluated for the management of Sclerotinia stem rot. Interestingly, KA showed strong antifungal activity against S. sclerotiorum by inhibiting chitin and melanin syntheses and, subsequently, sclerotia formation. The antifungal activity of KA was not obviously affected by pH, but was reduced in the presence of metal ions. Treatment with KA reduced the content of virulence factor oxalic acid in S. sclerotiorum secretions. Preventive applications of 50 mM KA (7.1 mg/ml) completely inhibited S. sclerotiorum symptoms in soybean; whereas, in curative applications, the combination of KA with prochloraz and carbendazim improved the efficacy of these commercial fungicides. Taken together, the antifungal activity of KA against S. sclerotiorum was studied for the first time, revealing new insights on the potential application of KA for the control of Sclerotinia stem rot in soybean.

[Progress in research of risk factors of iron deficiency and intervention in blood donors]

Long-term repeated regular blood donation may result in the loss and deficiency of iron. Epidemiological studies have indicated that blood donation frequency, demographical characteristics, and genetic factors are associated with iron deficiency. Our review summarizes the progress in research of etiology of iron deficiency in blood donors and intervention measures to provide evidence for the health management of non-remunerated blood donors in China.

[Effect of Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst fluid protein on allergic rhinitis induced by ovalbumin in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst fluid protein (HCFP) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) in mice.

METHODS

Twenty-four BALB/c mice at ages of 8 to 10 weeks, each weighing approximately 20 g, were randomly divided into four groups, including groups A (blank control group), B (blank intervention group), C (AR model group) and D (AR+HCFP intervention group), with 6 mice in each group. On days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, mice in groups A, B, C and D were injected with 200 μL sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS), 200 μL sterile PBS containing 20 μg HCFP, 200 μL sterile PBS containing 50 μg OVA and 5 mg Al(OH)₃ gel, and 200 μL sterile PBS containing 50 μg OVA, 5 mg Al(OH)₃ gel and 20 μg HCFP, respectively. On days 14 to 20, mice in groups A, B, C and D were administered with 40 μL sterile PBS, 40 μL sterile PBS containing 20 μg HCFP, 40 μL sterile PBS containing 2 mg OVA and 40 μL sterile PBS containing 2 mg OVA and 20 μL HCFP by nasal drop, respectively. Mouse behavioral changes were observed and behavioral scores were estimated. The serum levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and OVA-specific IgE antibody (OVA-sIgE) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the pathological changes of mouse nasal mucosa were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.

RESULTS

The mean behavioral score was significantly greater in Group C (6.83 ± 0.50) than in groups A (1.17 ± 0.52) and B (1.33 ± 0.52) (P < 0.05), while a lower mean behavioral score was estimated in Group D (3.50 ± 0.50) than in Group C (P < 0.05). There were significant differences among the groups in terms of serum IFN-γ (F = 4.08, P < 0.05), IL-4 (F = 275.90, P < 0.05), IL-5 (F = 96.82, P < 0.05), IL-10 (F = 77.67, P < 0.05), TGF-β (F = 9.98, P < 0.05) and OVA-sIgE levels (F = 44.69, P < 0.05). The serum IFN-γ level was significantly lower in Group C than in groups A, B and C (P < 0.05), and the serum levels of IL-4, IL-5 and OVA-sIgE were significantly higher in Group C than in groups A, B and C (P < 0.05), while the serum IL-10 and TGF-β levels were significantly greater in Group D than in Group C (P < 0.05). Microscopy showed apparent loss of nasal mucosa cilia, increased number and enlargement of goblet cells, interstitial edema and submucous vascular dilation in Group C, while the pathological changes of nasal mucosa were alleviated in Group D relative to Group C.

CONCLUSIONS

E. granulosus HCFP has a protective activity against OVA-induced allergic rhinitis in mice.

Development of a micro-electrochemical machining nanosecond pulse power supply

Micro-electrochemical machining (micro-ECM) has been widely used for microscale and nanoscale processing of materials. The performance of the nanosecond pulse power supply is directly related to the precision of micro-ECM, which is one of the core technologies for micro-ECM. In this work, a nanosecond pulse power supply, with adjustable pulse frequency, duty cycle, and voltage, was designed with an STM32F103VET6 single-chip microcomputer as the control core and a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor as the chopper switch component. The performance test has shown that the power supply can produce a continuous pulse with the highest frequency of 8 MHz, the shortest pulse width of 50 ns, the maximum peak current of 12 A, and the maximum voltage of 10 V. As compared with the power supply reported in the literature, the present power supply demonstrated the enhanced output current and improved waveform of the nanosecond pulse output, which could result in better machining accuracy and efficiency for micro-ECM.

Preparation and characterization of 2-deacetyl-3-O-sulfo-heparosan and its antitumor effects via the fibroblast growth factor receptor pathway

Heparosan, with a linear chain of disaccharide repeating units of → 4) β-D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) (1 → 4)-α-D-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) (1→, is a potential starting chemical for heparin synthesis. However, the chemoenzymatic synthesis of single-site sulfated heparosan and its antitumor activity have not been studied. In this study, 2-deacetyl-3-O-sulfo-heparosan (DSH) was prepared successively by the N-deacetylation chemical reaction and enzymatic modification of human 3-O-sulfotransferase-1 (3-OST-1). Structural characterization of DSH was shown the success of the sulfation with the sulfation degree of 0.87. High performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) analysis revealed that DSH had only one symmetrical sharp peak with a molecular weight of 9.6334 × 10⁴ Da. Biological function studies showed that DSH could inhibit tumor cell (A549, HepG2 and HCT116) viability and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells. Further in vitro mechanistic studies showed that DSH may induce apoptosis via the JNK signaling pathway, and the upstream signal of this process may be fibroblast growth factor receptors. These results indicated that DSH could be developed as one of a potential chemical for tumor treatment.

Circle RNA circCSPP1 promotes human osteosarcoma cell proliferation and increases glucose metabolism by suppressing miR-200c maturation

INTRODUCTION

MiR-200c plays a central role in glucose metabolism in cancer cells. However, its upstream regulators in this process are unknown. CircRNA CSPP1 (circCSPP1) was predicted to bind to premature miR-200c, an oncogenic miRNA. Therefore, we explored their interaction in osteosarcoma (OS).

METHODS

Differential circCSPP1 and miR-200c expression in OS was analyzed using RT-qPCR. Glucose metabolism was analyzed by glucose uptake assay. Subcellular circCSPP1 location in OS cells was detected using cellular fractionation assay. The direct interaction between circCSPP1 and miR-200c was explored using RNA-RNA pull-down assay. The role of circCSPP1 in miR-200c maturation was investigated by analyzing both mature and premature miR-200c levels in OS cells with circCSPP1 overexpression.

RESULTS

CircCSPP1 and premature miR-200c levels were increased while mature miR-200c level was decreased in OS. CircCSPP1 was detected in both the nuclear and cytoplasm fractions of OS cells. CircCSPP1 directly interacted with premature miR-200c. CircCSPP1 overexpression increased premature miR-200c level, glucose uptake, and cell proliferation, but decreased mature miR-200c level. MiR-200c overexpression suppressed the role of circCSPP1 in OS cells.

CONCLUSIONS

CircCSPP1 promotes OS cell proliferation and increases glucose metabolism by suppressing miR-200c maturation.