[Treatment strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma with diameter smaller than 1 cm: immediate surgery vs active surveillance]

The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer is increasing rapidly worldwide, with subcentimeter papillary thyroid carcinoma (SPTC) with a diameter of less than 1 cm accounting for more than 50%. Active surveillance (AS) as an alternative to immediate surgery for low-risk SPTC was launched in Japan in the 1990s and has been implemented in several countries, including Japan and the United States. However, the indications and safety of performing AS for low-risk SPTC remain controversial. In this article, the author summarizes the existing literature and explores its limitations of AS implementation, the effectiveness of surgical treatment, and the different attitudes of countries on AS, aiming to provide some references for the treatment options of low-risk SPTC.

"Very early" intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (≤ 2.0 cm): MRI manifestation and prognostic potential

AIMS

To explore the MRI characteristics and clinical outcome of the "very early" intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) ≤2.0cm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Totally 213 pathologically confirmed iCCAs (44 ≤ 2.0cm and 169 of 2.0-5.0cm) from two institutes were included. Forty-four matching non-iCCA malignancies ≤2.0cm were also enrolled. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was estimated and compared between iCCAs ≤2.0cm and 2.0-5.0cm. MRI features were analyzed and compared between iCCAs ≤2.0cm and 2.0-5.0cm, as well as between iCCAs ≤2.0cm and non-iCCAs ≤2.0cm. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify independent imaging features for discrimination. An MRI-based diagnostic model for iCCA ≤2.0cm was constructed by incorporating the independent imaging features.

RESULTS

ICCAs ≤2.0cm had a significantly longer RFS than those of 2.0-5.0cm (log rank P=0.014). Imaging features of homogeneous signal (odds ratio (OR) = 6.677, P<0.001) and lack of vessel invasion (OR=7.56, P<0.001) were more frequently displayed in iCCAs ≤2.0cm compared to iCCAs of 2.0-5.0cm independently. In the small lesions ≤2.0cm, imaging features of progressive or persistent enhancement pattern (OR=27.78, P=0.002) and rim diffusion restriction (OR=5.70, P=0.027) were independent imaging features suggestive of iCCA over non-iCCA malignancy; their combination yielded an area under the curve value of 0.824, with a sensitivity of 97.73%.

CONCLUSION

The "very early" iCCA ≤2.0cm was associated with a favorable outcome after surgery, it displayed different and relatively atypical imaging manifestations compared with those of 2.0-5.0cm. Furthermore, in the small lesions ≤ 2.0cm, MRI can be served as a useful non-invasive diagnostic tool for iCCA in clinical screening with high sensitivity.

Whole-genome sequencing analysis in fetal structural anomalies: novel phenotype-genotype discoveries

OBJECTIVES

The identification of structural variants and single-nucleotide variants is essential in finding molecular etiologies of monogenic genetic disorders. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is becoming more widespread in genetic disease diagnosis. However, data on its clinical utility remain limited in prenatal practice. We aimed to expand our understanding of implementing WGS in the genetic diagnosis of fetal structural anomalies.

METHODS

We employed trio WGS with a minimum coverage of 40× on the MGI DNBSEQ-T7 platform in a cohort of 17 fetuses presenting with aberrations detected by ultrasound, but uninformative findings of standard chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and exome sequencing (ES).

RESULTS

Causative genetic variants were identified in two families, with an increased diagnostic yield of 11.8% (2/17). Both were exon-level copy-number variants of small size (3.03 kb and 5.16 kb) and beyond the detection thresholds of CMA and ES. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, we have described the first prenatal instance of the association of FGF8 with holoprosencephaly and facial deformities.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis demonstrates the clinical value of WGS in the diagnosis of the underlying etiology of fetuses with structural abnormalities, when routine genetic tests have failed to provide a diagnosis. Additionally, the novel variants and new fetal manifestations have expanded the mutational and phenotypic spectrums of BBS9 and FGF8. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

A fine-scale Arabidopsis chromatin landscape reveals chromatin conformation-associated transcriptional dynamics

Plants, as sessile organisms, deploy transcriptional dynamics for adapting to extreme growth conditions such as cold stress. Emerging evidence suggests that chromatin architecture contributes to transcriptional regulation. However, the relationship between chromatin architectural dynamics and transcriptional reprogramming in response to cold stress remains unclear. Here, we apply a chemical-crosslinking assisted proximity capture (CAP-C) method to elucidate the fine-scale chromatin landscape, revealing chromatin interactions within gene bodies closely associated with RNA polymerase II (Pol II) densities across initiation, pausing, and termination sites. We observe dynamic changes in chromatin interactions alongside Pol II activity alterations during cold stress, suggesting local chromatin dynamics may regulate Pol II activity. Notably, cold stress does not affect large-scale chromatin conformations. We further identify a comprehensive promoter-promoter interaction (PPI) network across the genome, potentially facilitating co-regulation of gene expression in response to cold stress. Our study deepens the understanding of chromatin conformation-associated gene regulation in plant response to cold.

The interplay of Cxcl10+/Mmp14+ monocytes and Ccl3+ neutrophils proactively mediates silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis

As a fatal occupational disease with limited therapeutic options, molecular mechanisms underpinning silicosis are still undefined. Herein, single-cell RNA sequencing of the lung tissue of silicosis mice identified two monocyte subsets, which were characterized by Cxcl10 and Mmp14 and enriched in fibrotic mouse lungs. Both Cxcl10+ and Mmp14+ monocyte subsets exhibited activation of inflammatory marker genes and positive regulation of cytokine production. Another fibrosis-unique neutrophil population characterized by Ccl3 appeared to be related to the pro-fibrotic process, specifically the "inflammatory response". Meanwhile, the proportion of monocytes and neutrophils was significantly higher in the serum of silicosis patients and slices of lung tissue from patients with silicosis further validated the over-expression of Cxcl10 and Mmp14 in monocytes, also Ccl3 in neutrophils, respectively. Mechanically, receptor-ligand interaction analysis identified the crosstalk of Cxcl10+/Mmp14+ monocytes with Ccl3+ neutrophils promoting fibrogenesis via coupling of HBEGF-CD44 and CSF1-CSF1R. In vivo, administration of clodronate liposomes, Cxcl10 or Mmp14 siRNA-loaded liposomes, Ccl3 receptor antagonist BX471, CD44 or CSF1R neutralizing antibodies significantly alleviated silica-induced lung fibrosis. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the newly defined Cxcl10+/Mmp14+ monocytes and Ccl3+ neutrophils participate in the silicosis process and highlight anti-receptor-ligand pair treatment as a potentially effective therapeutic strategy in managing silicosis.

circPVT1 promotes silica-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition by modulating the miR-497-5p/TCF3 axis

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a vital pathological feature of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. However, whether circRNA is involved in the process remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of circPVT1 in the silica-induced EMT and the underlying mechanisms. We found that an elevated expression of circPVT1 promoted EMT and enhanced the migratory capacity of silica-treated epithelial cells. The isolation of cytoplasmic and nuclear separation assay showed that circPVT1 was predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm. RNA immunoprecipitation assay and RNA pull-down experiment indicated that cytoplasmic-localized circPVT1 was capable of binding to miR-497-5p. Furthermore, we found that miR-497-5p attenuated the silica-induced EMT process by targeting transcription factor 3 (TCF3), an E-cadherin transcriptional repressor, in the silica-treated epithelial cells. Collectively, these results reveal a novel role of the circPVT1/miR-497-5p/TCF3 axis in the silica-induced EMT process in lung epithelial cells. Once validated, this finding may provide a potential theoretical basis for the development of interventions and treatments for pulmonary fibrosis.

Antibody level comparison after porcine epidemic diarrhea vaccination via different immunization routes

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a disease extremely harmful to pig health. Intramuscular and Houhai acupoint injections are the main immunization routes to prevent and control PED. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of these two routes in pregnant sows based on serum IgG, IgA, and neutralizing antibody levels. PED virus (PEDV) immunoprophylaxis with live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines was administered. The vaccinations for the intramuscular injections elevated IgG and neutralizing antibody levels more than Houhai acupoint injections at most timepoints after immunization. However, the anti-PEDV IgA antibodies induced by vaccination with the two immunization routes did not differ significantly. In conclusion, intramuscular injections are better than Houhai acupoint injections for PEDV vaccination of pregnant sows.

Potential for the development of Taraxacum mongolicum aqueous extract as a phytogenic feed additive for poultry

Introduction

Taraxacum mongolicum (TM) is a kind of medicinal and edible homologous plant which is included in the catalogue of feed raw materials in China. It is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides and other active substances, and shows many benefits to livestock, poultry and aquatic products. The study aimed to assess the potential of TM aqueous extract (TMAE) as a substitute for poultry AGPs.

Methods

A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acker broilers were randomly assigned to four groups and fed a basal diet (Con) supplemented with 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg TMAE (Low, Medium, and High groups). The growth performance of the broilers was measured on day 21 and day 42. At the end of the trial, the researchers measured slaughter performance and collected serum, liver, spleen, ileum, and intestinal contents to investigate the effects of TMAE on serum biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, immune function, organ coefficient, intestinal morphology, flora composition, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

Results

The results showed that broilers treated with TMAE had a significantly higher average daily gain from 22 to 42 days old compared to the Con group. Various doses of TMAE resulted in different levels of improvement in serum chemistry. High doses increased serum alkaline phosphatase and decreased creatinine. TMAE also increased the antioxidant capacity of serum, liver, and ileum in broilers. Additionally, middle and high doses of TMAE enhanced the innate immune function of the liver (IL-10) and ileum (Occludin) in broilers. Compared to the control group, the TMAE treatment group exhibited an increase in the ratio of villi length to villi crypt in the duodenum. TMAE increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Alistipes and Lactobacillus, while reducing the accumulation of harmful bacteria, such as Colidextracter and Sellimonas. The cecum's SCFAs content increased with a medium dose of TMAE. Supplementing broiler diets with TMAE at varying doses enhanced growth performance and overall health. The most significant benefits were observed at a dose of 1000 mg/kg, including improved serum biochemical parameters, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity of the liver and ileum, immune function of the liver and ileum, and increased SCFAs content. Lactobacillus aviarius, norank_f_norank_o__Clostridia_UCG-014, and Flavonifractor are potentially dominant members of the intestinal microflora.

Conclusion

In conclusion, TMAE is a promising poultry feed additive and 1000 mg/kg is an effective reference dose.

Influence of intracranial hemorrhage on clinical outcome in acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion undergoing endovascular treatment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The effect of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) on the outcome of patients with large-vessel occlusion undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) has mainly focused on the anterior circulation. Knowledge of the relationship between ICH and outcomes in patients with acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBAO) receiving EVT is limited. We aimed to assess whether ICH is a prognostic marker for acute VBAO following EVT.

METHODS

Patients who underwent EVT for acute VBAO in the acute posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PERSIST) registry were included. All patients were classified as having no or any-ICH. Any-ICH was subdivided into asymptomatic and symptomatic ICH. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between ICH and functional outcomes in patients with acute VBAO after receiving EVT.

RESULTS

Five hundred and forty-seven patients, including 107 patients with ICH (19.6%): 38 (7.0%) and 69 (12.6%) with symptomatic and asymptomatic ICH, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, any-ICH was independently associated with reduced chance of favorable outcome (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.21-0.72, P=0.003), functional independence (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.16-0.52, P<0.001), and excellent outcome (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15-0.75, P=0.008), and increased mortality risk (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.30-3.51, P=0.003). Symptomatic ICH had a similar association. Moreover, asymptomatic ICH was a negative predictor of functional independence (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.17-0.88, P=0.024).

CONCLUSION

Any- and symptomatic ICH were strongly associated with worse clinical outcomes and increased mortality in patients with acute VBAO who underwent EVT. Asymptomatic ICH was an inverse predictor of functional independence.

[The clinical value of heat shock protein 90α in predicting the prognosis of interventional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between plasma heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α) levels and treatment response after four weeks and long-term prognosis after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The clinical data of HCC patients who underwent TACE in the Department of Interventional Radiology, Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from August 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the relationship between plasma HSP90α level and clinicopathological features before TACE treatment. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of TACE treatment response. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of progression-free survival (PFS) after TACE treatment. Results: The expression level of plasma HSP90α in 96 patients before TACE treatment was (99.70 ± 66.61) ng/ml. Compared with the low HSP90α group (n=66), the high HSP90α group (n=30) had larger tumors, higher alpha-fetoprotein enrichment, more positive vascular invasions, and more advanced Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages (all P<0.05). After four weeks of TACE treatment, 41 patients in the response group and 55 patients in the non-response group were evaluated. The difference of HSP90α expression levels between the response group and the non-response group before and after TACE treatment was (-32.20±22.79) ng/ml and (7.20±51.94) ng/ml, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Child-Pugh classification (OR=0.186, P=0.046), vascular invasion (OR=0.132, P=0.025), and the percentage reduction of plasma HSP90α after TACE treatment (percentage reduction 25%-50%: OR=5.061, P=0.013; percentage reduction >50%: OR= 86.831, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for the response to TACE treatment in HCC. The median PFS of the 96 patients was 8.7 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that BCLC stage (stage B: HR=2.804, P=0.008; stage C: HR=4.628, P<0.001) and the percentage reduction of plasma HSP90α after TACE treatment (percentage reduction 25%-50%: HR=0.569, P=0.051; percentage reduction >50%: HR=0.198, P<0.001) were independent influence factors for the PFS in these HCC patients after TACE treatment. Conclusion: Plasma HSP90α may represent a novel biomarker for predicting efficacy of TACE and PFS of patients with HCC.

Schiff base and coordinate bonds cross-linked chitosan-based eutectogels with ultrafast self-healing, self-adhesive, and anti-freezing capabilities for motion detection

Ion conductors offer great potential for diverse electric applications. However, most of the ion conductors were fabricated from non - degradable petroleum-based polymers with non or low biodegradability, which inevitably leads to resource depletion and waste accumulation. Fabricating ion conductors based on renewable, and sustainable materials is highly desirable and valuable. Herein, a series of eutectogels were designed through dual-dynamic-bond cross-linking among ferric iron (Fe3+), protocatechualdehyde (PA), and chitosan (CS) in 1 - allyl-3 - methylimidazole chloride ionic liquid/urea (AmimCl/urea) eutectic-based ionic liquid. Due to the presence of AmimCl/urea eutectic-based ionic liquid, the obtained CS - PA@Fe eutectogels showed excellent ionic conductivity, superior anti-freezing properties that could maintain flexibility and high electrical properties at -20 °C. Dual-dynamic-bond cross-linking of catechol-Fe coordinate and dynamic Schiff base bonds equip CS - PA@Fe eutectogels with excellent injectable, and self-healing abilities. Additionally, due to the presence of phenolic hydroxyl groups of PA, the obtained CS - PA@Fe eutectogels present good adhesiveness. Based on the CS - PA@Fe eutectogels, multifunctional flexible strain sensors with high sensitivity, stability, as well as rapid response speed at wide operating temperature ranges were successfully fabricated. Thus, this study offers a promising strategy for fabricating naturally occurring biopolymers based eutectogels, which show great potential as high-performance flexible strain sensors for next-generation wearable electronic devices.

MRI-Guided High-Dose-Rate Gynecologic Brachytherapy Using an MR-Linac as an MR Simulator: A Single Institutional Experience

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to commission the use of a magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MR-linac; Unity) for imaging of gynecologic high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. This included optimizing imaging protocols and workflow development.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

T1-weighted and T2-weighted HDR imaging protocols were optimized on the Unity for HDR gynecologic imaging and treatment planning. Phantom measurements using these protocols were performed to determine geometric distortion and to assess reconstruction accuracy of the applicator compared with the ground truth computed tomography image. A treatment plan was created within the treatment planning system that was then delivered to a phantom. New workflows were developed which were tested with a full dry run with a healthy volunteer including patient transfer, anesthesia considerations, and data transfer. Validation of the workflow was completed on 1 patient who received imaging on both the Unity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and on a dedicated 3 Tesla MRI simulator.

RESULTS

Imaging analysis results were favorable with MR-linac images with a maximum distortion of 0.96 mm and a 1.36-mm over a 350-mm diameter spherical volume on the T1- and T2-weighted images, respectively, and the maximum effect of the applicator was 0.36 ppm of the main magnetic field. Reconstruction uncertainties of the Venezia applicator's tandem and 2 lunar-ovoids on the MR-linac images were within the 2-mm tolerance of the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements Report 89. Treatment planning and delivery was performed on the MR-HDR quality assurance phantom without issue. Dry run and healthy volunteer imaging showed adequate performance of both vital monitoring and HDR equipment. For the patient for which both the Unity MRI and 3 Tesla images were acquired, 95.78% and 95.80% of the high risk clinical target volume received 100% of the dose, respectively. Both plans were considered clinically acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

Unity MR-linac images were successfully used in gynecologic HDR brachytherapy treatment planning, and a usable workflow was established.

Risk Factors for Locoregional Recurrence and Distant Metastasis in 143 Patients with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the External Auditory Canal

AIMS

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) grows slowly and is characterised by potential recurrence and metastasis to distant organs. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for locoregional recurrence (LRR) and distant metastasis in patients with ACC of the external auditory canal (EAC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Demographic, pathological, therapeutic and survival data of 143 patients with EAC ACC were reviewed in this study. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were carried out to determine the risk factors for LRR and distant metastasis. Factors associated with overall survival after LRR and distant metastasis were also analysed.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 49 months, 31 of 143 patients were observed with LRR and 34 developed distant metastasis. Bone invasion and histological subtype were independent risk factors for locoregional recurrence-free survival. T stage and LRR were independent risk factors for distant metastasis-free survival. Salvage surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for LRR resulted in better survival, whereas extrapulmonary metastasis and LRR were associated with a higher risk of poor survival after distant metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Patients with distant metastases, especially those with LRR, are at significant risk of poor prognosis. Our findings emphasise the importance of long-term regular follow-up and recommend surgical intervention with radiotherapy for recurrent EAC ACC.

Two-Stage Treatment Protocol of Fungal Periprosthetic Hip and Knee Joint Infections: the Clinical Experience from a Single Center Experience

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the clinical results and safety of fungal periprosthetic joint Infections (fPJIs) using two-stage treatment protocol.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

8 patients with fPJIs (3 hips and 5 knees) using two-stage revision were reviewed retrospectively and followed up at least 2 years. The preoperative demographic data, two-stage treatment protocol, results of microbiology and histologic workup and postoperative follow-up results (reimplantation success rate and infection free time) were recorded.

RESULTS

7 patients got successful reimplantation, with a 75% reimplantation success rate. Two patients got knee arthrodesis eventually. All patients were infection free with a median follow-up of 4.0 ± 2.0 years (range, 2-7 years). Of them, Candida species were found in 7 patients, while non-Candida specimen was only isolated in 1 patient with Aspergillus. Only 2 patients had coexisting bacterial infection (Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Proteus mirabilis respectively). The average interval between the initial surgery and diagnosis of fPJIs was 21.50±34.79 months (range, 4-104 months). The mean time of spacer implantation was 7.75±2.77 months (range, 6-14 months). None serious complication or above knee amputation was found.

DISCUSSION

fPJIs are very rare and considerable challenge after total hip or knee arthroplasty. The goal of therapy is to eradicate local infection and maintain function. Candida species were the most common pathogen. The duration between spacer placement and staged reimplantation was highly variable, and generally dependent upon the results of joint aspirates and infl ammatory markers. The current study shows that the two-stage treatment protocol is recommended for fungal periprosthetic hip and knee joint infections.

CONCLUSIONS

The two-stage treatment protocol is recommended for fungal periprosthetic hip and knee joint infections. The safety and effi cacy of biantibiotical impregnated (antifungal + antibiotics) cement spacer is confi rmed. Further evidence-based work is needed to determine the optimal drug dose and reimplantation time.

KEY WORDS

two-stage treatment protocol, fungal periprosthetic infections, hip spacer, knee spacer.

CircZNF609 regulates pulmonary fibrosis via miR-145-5p/KLF4 axis and its translation function

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary fibrosis is a growing clinical problem that develops as a result of abnormal wound healing, leading to breathlessness, pulmonary dysfunction and ultimately death. However, therapeutic options for pulmonary fibrosis are limited because the underlying pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Circular RNAs, as key regulators in various diseases, remain poorly understood in pulmonary fibrosis induced by silica.

METHODS

We performed studies with fibroblast cell lines and silica-induced mouse pulmonary fibrosis models. The expression of circZNF609, miR-145-5p, and KLF4 was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays and m6A RNA immunoprecipitation assays (MeRIP), Western blotting, immunofluorescence assays, and CCK8 were performed to investigate the role of the circZNF609/miR-145-5p/KLF4 axis and circZNF609-encoded peptides in fibroblast activation.

RESULTS

Our data showed that circZNF609 was downregulated in activated fibroblasts and silica-induced fibrotic mouse lung tissues. Overexpression of circZNF609 could inhibit fibroblast activation induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Mechanically, we revealed that circZNF609 regulates pulmonary fibrosis via miR-145-5p/KLF4 axis and circZNF609-encoded peptides. Furthermore, circZNF609 was highly methylated and its expression was controlled by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Lastly, in vivo studies revealed that overexpression of circZNF609 attenuates silica-induced lung fibrosis in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that circZNF609 is a critical regulator of fibroblast activation and silica-induced lung fibrosis. The circZNF609 and its derived peptides may represent novel promising targets for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

[Clinical analysis of sirolimus as an alternative GVHD prophylaxis for patients with kidney injury undergoing allo-HSCT]

Objective: To explore the feasibility of sirolimus as an alternative graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis in patients with kidney injury after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: Retrospective case series study. Medical records of 11 patients in Peking University People's Hospital from 1 August 2008 to 31 October 2022, who received sirolimus instead of cyclosporine to prevent GVHD, due to renal insufficiency after allo-HSCT, were analyzed retrospectively. Incidence of GVHD, infection, and transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA), as well as renal function, were evaluated. Results: Among the 11 patients who received sirolimus, 6 were treated with haploidentical donor HSCT, and 5 were treated using matched sibling donor HSCT. The median (range) time of sirolimus administration was 30 (7-167) days after allo-HSCT, and the median (range) sirolimus course duration was 52 (9-120) days. During sirolimus treatment, 1 case did not undergo combined treatment with other prophylactic drugs, 3 cases received combined mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and 1 case underwent combined CD25 monoclonal antibody treatment, while 6 cases had combined therapy with both MMF and CD25 monoclonal antibody. Of the 11 patients, 2 developed Grade Ⅲ acute GVHD, 1 developed severe pneumonia and died, and 1 developed TA-TMA, while nine patients had normal or improved renal function. Median (range) follow-up time was 130 (54-819) days. Non-relapse mortality was observed in 1 patient. Relapse mortality was also observed in 1 patient. Conclusion: Sirolimus-based alternative GVHD prophylaxis is a potentially viable option for patients undergoing allo-HSCT who cannot tolerate cyclosporine, but its efficacy and safety require further optimization and verification in prospective studies.

[Efficacy of adjuvant programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody immunotherapy in Chinese patients with resected stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ melanoma]

Objective: To explore the efficacy of adjuvant programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody immunotherapy in Chinese patients with resected stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ melanoma. Methods: A total of 296 patients who underwent radical surgery for stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ cutaneous orlimb melanoma at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Shanghai Electric Power Hospital between 2017 and 2021 and received adjuvant PD-1 monoclonal antibody immunotherapy, low-dose interferon (IFN), or observational follow-up were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group (164 cases) and the IFN or observation group (IFN/OBS group, 132 cases) based on postoperative adjuvant treatment methods. Patients' disease recurrence and survival were observed. Results: Among the 296 patients, 77 had cutaneous melanoma and 219 had limb melanoma; 110 were stage Ⅱ and 186 were stage Ⅲ. Among stage Ⅱ patients, the median recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group (46 cases) did not reach, while the median RFS in the IFN/OBS group (64 cases) was 36 months. The 1-year RFS rates were 85.3% and 92.1% and the 2-year RFS rates were 71.9% and 63.7% in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group and the IFN/OBS group, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.394). Among stage Ⅲ patients, the median RFS rates in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group (118 cases) and the IFN/OBS group (68 cases) were 23 and 13 months, respectively. The 1-year RFS rates were 70.0% and 51.8% and the 2-year RFS rates were 51.8% and 35.1%in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group and the IFN/OBS group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P=0.010). Stratified analysis showed that the advantage of PD-1 monoclonal antibody adjuvant therapy in improving RFS persisted in the subgroups of primary ulceration (HR=0.558, 95% CI: 0.348-0.893), lymph node macroscopic metastasis (HR=0.486, 95% CI: 0.285-0.828), stage ⅢC (HR=0.389, 95% CI: 0.24-0.63), and the subgroup without BRAF/c-Kit/NRAS gene mutations (HR=0.347, 95% CI: 0.171-0.706). In terms of recurrence patterns, in stage Ⅱ patients, the recurrence and metastasis rate was 15.2% (7/46) in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group, significantly lower than the IFN/OBS group [43.8% (28/64), P=0.002]. In stage Ⅲ melanoma patients, the recurrence and metastasis rate was 42.4% (50/118) in the PD-1 monoclonal antibody group, also lower than the IFN/OBS group [63.2% (43/68), P=0.006]. Conclusions: In real-world settings, compared with patients receiving low-dose IFN adjuvant therapy or observational follow-up, PD-1 monoclonal antibody immunotherapy can reduce the recurrence and metastasis rate of cutaneous and limb melanoma, and prolong the postoperative RFS of stage Ⅲ cutaneous and limb melanoma patients. Patients with a heavier tumor burden benefit more from immunotherapy.

Retrospective analysis of medical emergencies in an oral emergency department

BACKGROUND

To retrospectively analyze the rescue of medical emergencies and critical patients in the oral emergency department in a hospital during the past 14 years; analyze the general condition of patients, their diagnosis, etiological factors, and outcomes of the disease, so as to improve the ability of oral medical staff to deal with emergencies; and optimize the emergency procedures and resource allocation in such departments.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data and related information of critical patient emergency rescue from the Emergency Department of the Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University from January 2006 to December 2019, were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 53 critical patients were rescued in the oral emergency department in the past 14 years, which is an average of four cases per year, with an incidence rate of 0.00506%. The main type of emergency included hemorrhagic shock and active hemorrhage, with the highest incidence being in the age group of 19-40 years old. Among these cases, 67.92% (36/53) developed emergency and critical diseases before visiting the oral emergency department and 41.51% (22/53) had systemic diseases. After rescue, a total of 48 patients (90.57%) had stable vital signs and 5 (9.43%) died.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral doctors and other medical staff should be able to rapidly identify medical emergencies in oral emergency departments and commence emergency treatment. The department should be equipped with relevant first-aid drugs and devices, and medical staff should be regularly trained in practical first-aid skills. Patients with oral and maxillofacial trauma, massive hemorrhage and systemic diseases should be evaluated and treated according to their conditions and systemic organ function to prevent and reduce medical emergencies.

Q-switched vortex waveguide laser generation based on LNOI thin films with implanted Ag nanoparticles

Lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) thin films have gained significant attention in integrated photonics due to their exceptional crystal properties and wide range of applications. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to realize a Q-switched vortex waveguide laser by incorporating integrated lithium niobate thin films with embedded silver nanoparticles (Ag:LNOI) as a saturable absorber. The saturable absorption characteristics of Ag:LNOI are investigated using a home-made Z-scan system. Additionally, we integrate Ag:LNOI as a saturable absorber into a Nd:YAG "ear-like" cladding waveguide platform, which is prepared via femtosecond laser direct writing. By combining this setup with helical phase plates for phase modulation in the resonator, we successfully achieve a passive Q-switched vortex laser with a high repetition rate and narrow pulse duration in the near-infrared region. This work demonstrates the potential applications of LNOI thin films towards on-chip integration of vortex waveguide laser sources.

Quantitative image features of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for predicting glypican-3 expression of small hepatocellular carcinoma ≤3 cm

AIM

To explore the value of quantitative image features of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting Gglypican-3 (GPC3) expression of single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤3 cm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and forty-nine patients with histopathologically confirmed HCC were included retrospectively. Quantitative image features and clinicopathological parameters were analysed. The significant predictors for GPC3 expression were identified using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Nomograms were constructed from the prediction model and the progression-free survival (PFS) rate was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The tumour-to-liver signal intensity (SI) ratio on the hepatobiliary phase (HBP; odds ratio [OR] = 0.004; p=0.001), serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) > 20 ng/ml (OR=6.175; p<0.001), and non-smooth tumour margin (OR=4.866; p=0.002) were independent significant factors for GPC3 expression. When the three factors were combined, the diagnostic specificity was 97.7% (42/43). The nomogram based on the predictive model performed satisfactorily (C-index: 0.852). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that patients with GPC3-positive HCCs have lower PFS rates than patients with GPC3-negative HCCs (Log-rank test, p=0.006).

CONCLUSION

The tumour-to-liver SI ratio on the HBP combined with serum AFP >20 ng/ml and non-smooth tumour margin are potential predictive factors for GPC3 expression of small HCC ≤3cm. GPC3 expression is correlated with a poor prognosis in HCC patients.

Kernel-based learning framework for discovering the governing equations of stochastic jump-diffusion processes directly from data

Discovering the underlying mathematical-physical equations of complex systems directly from observational data has been a challenging inversion problem. We propose a data-driven framework for identifying dynamical information in stochastic diffusion or stochastic jump-diffusion systems. The probability density function is utilized to relate the Kramers-Moyal expansion to the governing equations, and the kernel density estimation method, improved by the Fourier transform idea, is used to extract the Kramers-Moyal coefficients from the time series of the state variables of the system. These coefficients provide the data expression of the governing equations of the system. Then a data-driven sparse identification algorithm is used to reconstruct the underlying dynamic equations. The proposed framework does not rely on prior assumptions, and all results are obtained directly from the data. In addition, we demonstrate its validity and accuracy using illustrative one- and two-dimensional examples.

Self-strengthening and conductive cellulose composite hydrogel for high sensitivity strain sensor and flexible triboelectric nanogenerator

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) as promising energy harvesting devices have gained increasing attention. However, the fabrication of TENG simultaneously meets the requirements of green start feedstock, flexible, stretchable, and environmentally friendly remains challenging. Herein, the hydroxyethyl cellulose macromonomer (HECM) simultaneously bearing acrylate and hydroxyl groups was first synthesized and used as a crosslinker to prepare the chemically and physically dual-crosslinked cellulose composite hydrogel for an electrode material of stretchable TENG. Meanwhile, the in-situ polymerization of pyrrole endowed the hydrogel with satisfactory conductivity of 0.40 S/m. More impressively, the synergies of the cellulose rigid skeleton and the construction of the dual-crosslinking network significantly improved the mechanical toughness, and the hydrogel exhibited excellent self-strengthening through cyclic compression mechanical training, the self-strengthening efficiency reached 124.7 % after 10 compression cycles. Given these features, the hydrogel was used as wearable strain sensors with extremely high sensitivity (GF = 3.95) for real-time monitoring human motions. Additionally, the hydrogel showed practical applications in stretchable H-TENG for converting mechanical energy into electric energy to light LEDs and power a digital watch, and in self-powered wearable sensors to distinguish human motions and English letters. This work provided a promising strategy for fabricating sustainable, eco-friendly energy harvesting and self-powered electronic devices.

IL33-mediated NPM1 promotes fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition via ERK/AP-1 signaling in silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Silicosis is a global occupational pulmonary disease due to the accumulation of silica dust in the lung. Lacking effective clinical drugs makes the treatment of this disease quite challenging in clinics largely because the pathogenic mechanisms remain obscure. Interleukin 33 (IL33), a pleiotropic cytokine, could promote wound healing and tissue repair via the receptor ST2. However, the mechanisms governing the involvement of IL33 in silicosis progression remain to be further explored. Here, we demonstrated that the IL33 levels in the lung sections were significantly overexpressed after bleomycin and silica treatment. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, knockdown, and reverse experiments were performed in lung fibroblasts to prove gene interaction following exogenous IL33 treatment or cocultured with silica-treated lung epithelial cells. Mechanistically, we illustrated that silica-stimulated lung epithelial cells secreted IL33 and further promoted the activation, proliferation, and migration of pulmonary fibroblasts by activating the ERK/AP-1/NPM1 signaling pathway in vitro. And more, treatment with NPM1 siRNA-loaded liposomes markedly protected mice from silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. In conclusion, the involvement of NPM1 in the progression of silicosis is regulated by the IL33/ERK/AP-1 signaling axis, which is the potential therapeutic target candidate in developing novel antifibrotic strategies for pulmonary fibrosis.

Measurements of jet multiplicity and jet transverse momentum in multijet events in proton-proton collisions at s=13TeV

Multijet events at large transverse momentum (p T ) are measured at s = 13 Te V using data recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.3 fb - 1 . The multiplicity of jets with p T > 50 Ge V that are produced in association with a high-p T dijet system is measured in various ranges of the p T of the jet with the highest transverse momentum and as a function of the azimuthal angle difference Δ ϕ 1 , 2 between the two highest p T jets in the dijet system. The differential production cross sections are measured as a function of the transverse momenta of the four highest p T jets. The measurements are compared with leading and next-to-leading order matrix element calculations supplemented with simulations of parton shower, hadronization, and multiparton interactions. In addition, the measurements are compared with next-to-leading order matrix element calculations combined with transverse-momentum dependent parton densities and transverse-momentum dependent parton shower.

Azimuthal correlations in Z +jets events in proton-proton collisions at s=13TeV

The production of Z bosons associated with jets is measured in pp collisions at s = 13 Te V with data recorded with the CMS experiment at the LHC corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.3fb - 1 . The multiplicity of jets with transverse momentum p T > 30 Ge V is measured for different regions of the Z boson's p T ( Z ) , from lower than 10Ge V to higher than 100Ge V . The azimuthal correlation Δ ϕ between the Z boson and the leading jet, as well as the correlations between the two leading jets are measured in three regions of p T ( Z ) . The measurements are compared with several predictions at leading and next-to-leading orders, interfaced with parton showers. Predictions based on transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions and corresponding parton showers give a good description of the measurement in the regions where multiple parton interactions and higher jet multiplicities are not important. The effects of multiple parton interactions are shown to be important to correctly describe the measured spectra in the low p T ( Z ) regions.

Azimuthal Correlations within Exclusive Dijets with Large Momentum Transfer in Photon-Lead Collisions

The structure of nucleons is multidimensional and depends on the transverse momenta, spatial geometry, and polarization of the constituent partons. Such a structure can be studied using high-energy photons produced in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions. The first measurement of the azimuthal angular correlations of exclusively produced events with two jets in photon-lead interactions at large momentum transfer is presented, a process that is considered to be sensitive to the underlying nuclear gluon polarization. This study uses a data sample of ultraperipheral lead-lead collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.38  nb^{-1}, collected with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The measured second harmonic of the correlation between the sum and difference of the two jet transverse momentum vectors is found to be positive, and rising, as the dijet transverse momentum increases. A well-tuned model that has been successful at describing a wide range of proton scattering data from the HERA experiments fails to describe the observed correlations, suggesting the presence of gluon polarization effects.

[Clinical features and risk factors for secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in elderly patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter retrospective cohort study]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the incidence of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) in elderly patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to analyze and summarize its clinical features and risk factors for early identification of high-risk groups.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted. From January to May 2020, No. 960 Hospital of People's Liberation Army, the Second Hospital Affiliated to Cheeloo College of Medicine of Shandong Province, the First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shandong Province, the Public Health Clinical Center Affiliated to Shandong University, and Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine received 248 patients over 60 years old who were diagnosed with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection during their assistance to Hubei or support for diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Shandong Province. The clinical data of patients were collected. According to the hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis diagnosis scoring (HScore) criteria, the patients were divided into sHLH group (HScore > 169) and non-sHLH group (HScore < 98). The demographic data, clinical features, laboratory results, the proportion of organ failure and 60-day mortality of patients were collected and compared between the two groups. The risk factors of sHLH and 60-day death were evaluated through binary multivariate Logistic regression analysis in elderly patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to analyze the diagnostic value of indicators only or combined for sHLH.

RESULTS

Among 248 elderly patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, 82 patients with incomplete data and untraceable clinical outcomes, and 35 patients with HScore of 98-169 were excluded. Finally, 131 patients were enrolled in the final follow-up and statistics, including 25 patients in the sHLH group and 106 patients in the non-sHLH group. Compared with the non-sHLH group, plasma albumin (ALB), hemoglobin (Hb), lymphocyte count (LYM), platelet count (PLT), fibrinogen (Fib) and prealbumin (PAB) in the sHLH group were significantly reduced, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), serum creatinine (SCr), C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, ferritin (Fer), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), procalcitonin (PCT), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), triglycerides (TG), interleukin-6 (IL-6), total bilirubin (TBil) were significantly higher. The fever and fatigue in the sHLH group were more severe than those in the non-sHLH group, and the patients in the sHLH group had higher rates of shock, acute kidney injury, liver dysfunction, and cardiac injury than the non-sHLH group. The 60-day mortality of patient in the sHLH group was significantly higher than that in the non-sHLH group [84.0% (21/25) vs. 40.6% (43/106), P < 0.01]. Binary multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that high Fer [odds ratio (OR) = 0.997, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.996-0.998], D-dimer (OR = 0.960, 95%CI was 0.944-0.977), LDH (OR = 0.998, 95%CI was 0.997-0.999) and TG (OR = 0.706, 95%CI was 0.579-0.860) were independent risk factors for sHLH in elderly patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection (all P < 0.01), while elevated Fer (OR = 1.001, 95%CI was 1.001-1.002), LDH (OR = 1.004, 95%CI was 1.002-1.005) and D-dimer (OR = 1.036, 95%CI was 1.018-1.055) were independent risk factors for 60-day death of patients (all P < 0.01). The death risk of the sHLH patients was 7.692 times higher than that of the non-sHLH patients (OR = 7.692, 95%CI was 2.466-23.987, P = 0.000). ROC curve analysis showed that a three-composite-index composed of LDH, D-dimer and TG had good diagnostic value for sHLH in elderly patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection [area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.920, 95%CI was 0.866-0.973, P = 0.000].

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection complicated by sHLH tend to be critically ill and have refractory status and worse prognosis. High Fer, LDH, D-dimer and TG are independent risk factors for sHLH, and are highly suggestive of poor outcome. The comprehensive index composed of LDH, D-dimer and TG has good diagnostic value, and can be used as an early screening tool for sHLH in elderly patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

[An improved 4-vessel intermittent occlusion method for establishing rat models of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the classical 4-vessel occlusion (4VO) model established by Pulsinelli and Brierley.

METHODS

Thirty-two male SD rats were randomized into sham operation group, I4VO-Con10 group, I4VO-Int10 group and I4VO-Int15 group. The sham surgery group underwent exposure of the bilateral vertebral arteries and carotid arteries without occlusion to block blood flow. The I4VO-Con10 group experienced continuous ischemia by occluding the bilateral vertebral arteries and carotid arteries for 10 minutes followed by reperfusion for 24 hours. The I4VO-Int10 and I4VO-Int15 groups were subjected to intermittent ischemia. The I4VO- Int10 group underwent 5 minutes of ischemia, followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion and another 5 minutes of ischemia, and then reperfusion for 24 hours. The I4VO-Int15 group experienced 5 minutes of ischemia followed by two cycles of 5 minutes of reperfusion and 5 minutes of ischemia, and then reperfusion for 24 hours. The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was monitored with laser Doppler scanning, and survival of the rats was observed. HE staining was used to observe hippocampal pathologies to determine the optimal method for modeling. Another 48 rats were randomized into 6 groups, including a sham operation group and 5 model groups established using the optimal method. The 5 I4VO model groups were further divided based on the reperfusion time points (1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days) into I4VO-D1, I4VO-D3, I4VO-D7, I4VO- D14, and I4VO- D28 groups. Body weight changes and survival of the rats were recorded. HE staining was used to observe morphological changes in the hippocampal, retinal and optic tract tissues. The Y-maze test and light/dark box test were used to evaluate cognitive and visual functions of the rats in I4VO-D28 group.

RESULTS

Occlusion for 5 min for 3 times at the interval of 5 min was the optimal method for 4VO modeling. In the latter 48 rats, the body weight was significantly lower than that of the sham-operated rats at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after modeling without significant difference in survival rate among the groups. The rats with intermittent vessel occlusion exhibited progressive deterioration of hippocampal neuronal injury and neuronal loss. Cognitive impairment was observed in the rats in I4VO-D28 group, but no obvious ischemic injury of the retina or the optic tract was detected.

CONCLUSION

The improved 4VO model can successfully mimic the main pathological processes of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury without causing visual impairment in rats.

Measurement of the mass dependence of the transverse momentum of lepton pairs in Drell-Yan production in proton-proton collisions at s=13TeV

The double differential cross sections of the Drell-Yan lepton pair (ℓ + ℓ - , dielectron or dimuon) production are measured as functions of the invariant mass m ℓ ℓ , transverse momentum p T ( ℓ ℓ ) , and φ η ∗ . The φ η ∗ observable, derived from angular measurements of the leptons and highly correlated with p T ( ℓ ℓ ) , is used to probe the low-p T ( ℓ ℓ ) region in a complementary way. Dilepton masses up to 1Te V are investigated. Additionally, a measurement is performed requiring at least one jet in the final state. To benefit from partial cancellation of the systematic uncertainty, the ratios of the differential cross sections for various m ℓ ℓ ranges to those in the Z mass peak interval are presented. The collected data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 36.3fb - 1 of proton-proton collisions recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13Te V . Measurements are compared with predictions based on perturbative quantum chromodynamics, including soft-gluon resummation.

CMS pythia 8 colour reconnection tunes based on underlying-event data

New sets of parameter tunes for two of the colour reconnection models, quantum chromodynamics-inspired and gluon-move, implemented in the pythia  8 event generator, are obtained based on the default CMS pythia  8 underlying-event tune, CP5. Measurements sensitive to the underlying event performed by the CMS experiment at centre-of-mass energies s = 7 and 13Te V , and by the CDF experiment at 1.96Te V are used to constrain the parameters of colour reconnection models and multiple-parton interactions simultaneously. The new colour reconnection tunes are compared with various measurements at 1.96, 7, 8, and 13Te V including measurements of the underlying-event, strange-particle multiplicities, jet substructure observables, jet shapes, and colour flow in top quark pair (t t ¯ ) events. The new tunes are also used to estimate the uncertainty related to colour reconnection modelling in the top quark mass measurement using the decay products of t t ¯ events in the semileptonic channel at 13Te V .

Search for light Higgs bosons from supersymmetric cascade decays in pp collisions at s=13TeV

A search is reported for pairs of light Higgs bosons (H 1 ) produced in supersymmetric cascade decays in final states with small missing transverse momentum. A data set of LHC pp collisions collected with the CMS detector at s = 13 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138fb - 1 is used. The search targets events where both H 1 bosons decay into pairs that are reconstructed as large-radius jets using substructure techniques. No evidence is found for an excess of events beyond the background expectations of the standard model (SM). Results from the search are interpreted in the next-to-minimal supersymmetric extension of the SM, where a "singlino" of small mass leads to squark and gluino cascade decays that can predominantly end in a highly Lorentz-boosted singlet-like H 1 and a singlino-like neutralino of small transverse momentum. Upper limits are set on the product of the squark or gluino pair production cross section and the square of the branching fraction of the H 1 in a benchmark model containing almost mass-degenerate gluinos and light-flavour squarks. Under the assumption of an SM-like branching fraction, H 1 bosons with masses in the range 40-120GeV arising from the decays of squarks or gluinos with a mass of 1200-2500GeV are excluded at 95% confidence level.

[Clinical analysis of patients with oral and maxillofacial infections in oral emergency]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the composition, incidence and clinical characteristics of oral and maxillofacial infections in oral emergency.

METHODS

A retrospective study on patients with oral and maxillofacial infections who visited the Department of Oral Emergency in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from January 2017 to December 2019 was conducted. General characteristics, such as disease composition, gender, age distribution and position of involved teeth were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 8 277 patients with oral and maxillofacial infections were finally collected, including 4 378 male patients (52.9%) and 3 899 female patients (47.1%), with gender ratio of 1.12:1. The common diseases were periodontal abscess (3 826 cases, 46.2%), alveolar abscess (3 537 cases, 42.7%), maxillofacial space infection (740 cases, 9.0%), sialadenitis (108 cases, 1.3%), furuncle & carbuncle (56 cases, 0.7%) and osteomyelitis (10 cases, 0.1%). Male patients were more easily affected by periodontal abscess, space infection and furuncle & carbuncle than female patients with the gender ratios 1.24:1, 1.26:1, 2.50:1 individually, while the incidence of alveolar abscess, sialadenitis, furuncle & carbuncle had no significant gender difference. Different diseases were prone to occur at different ages. The peak ages of alveolar abscess were 5-9 and 27-67 years, while the peak age of periodontal abscess was 30-64 years. Space infection tended to occur between 21-67 years. There were 7 363 patients with oral abscess (3 826 patients with periodontal abscess and 3 537 patients with alveolar abscess), accounting for 88.9% of all the patients with oral and maxillofacial infections, involving 7 999 teeth, including 717 deciduous teeth and 7 282 permanent teeth. Periodontal abscess usually occurred in permanent teeth, especially the molar teeth. Alveolar abscess may occur in both primary teeth and permanent teeth. In primary teeth, the most vulnerable sites were primary molar teeth and maxillary central incisors while in permanent teeth the most vulnerable sites were first molar teeth.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the incidence of oral and maxillofacial infection was conducive to the correct diagnosis and effective treatment of clinical diseases, as well as targeted education for patients of different ages and genders to prevent the occurrence of diseases.

Newly proposed survival staging system for poorly differentiated thyroid cancer: a SEER-based study

OBJECTIVE

Despite the recent release of the 8th edition TNM staging system, the risk stratification for poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) remains controversial.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

SEER database and the First Hospital of China Medical University (FHCMU) database.

METHODS

Between 2004 and 2015, 1201 PDTC patients from the SEER database were enrolled to propose a new staging system. 38 PDTC patients were included from the FHCMU.

RESULTS

A retrospective analysis of 1201 PDTC cases was performed, and a new staging classification was developed as follows: stage I: age < 55 and T1/any N/M0 (n = 127, 10.57%); stage II: age < 55 and T2-4/any N/M0 or age ≥ 55 and T1-2/any N/M0 (n = 523, 43.55%); stage III: age < 55 and any T/N0/M1 or age ≥ 55 and any T3/any N/M0 (n = 239, 19.90%); stage IV: age < 55 and any T/N1/M1 or age ≥ 55 and T4/any N/M0, and T/any N/M1 (n = 312, 25.98%). The 10-year disease-specific survival rates of patients in the new stages I, II, III, and IV were 97.9%, 77.9%, 35.3%, and 12.1%, respectively. The proportion of variation explained (PVE) for disease-specific survival of the proposed system was higher than that of the 8th AJCC TNM staging (30.61% vs. 27.15%). The accuracy of the staging system was verified in 38 PDTC patients from the FHCMU.

CONCLUSION

The proposed staging system provided a more accurate risk stratification for PDTC patients. The new staging model may facilitate the design of personalized treatment strategies for PDTC patients.

B-Cell-Derived TGF-β1 Inhibits Osteogenesis and Contributes to Bone Loss in Periodontitis

B cells play a vital role in the elimination of periodontal pathogens, the regulation of the immune response, and the induction of tissue destruction. However, the role of B cells in the dysfunction of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation to osteoblasts in periodontitis (PD) has been poorly studied. Here we show that the frequency of CD45^-CD105⁺CD73⁺ MSCs in inflamed periodontal tissues is significantly decreased in patients with PD compared with that of healthy controls. CD19⁺ B cells dominate the infiltrated immune cells in periodontal tissues of patients with PD. Besides, B-cell depletion therapy reduces the alveolar bone loss in a ligature-induced murine PD model. B cells from PD mice express a high level of TGF-β1 and inhibit osteoblast differentiation by upregulating p-Smad2/3 expression and downregulating Runx2 expression. The inhibitory effect of PD B cells on osteoblast differentiation is reduced by TGF-β1 neutralization or Smad2/3 inhibitor. Importantly, B-cell-specific knockout of TGF-β1 in PD mice significantly increases the number of CD45^-CD105⁺Sca1⁺ MSCs, ALP-positive osteoblast activity, and alveolar bone volume but decreases TRAP-positive osteoclast activity compared with that from control littermates. Lastly, CD19⁺CD27⁺CD38^- memory B cells dominate the B-cell infiltrates in periodontal tissues from both patients with PD and patients with PD after initial periodontal therapy. Memory B cells in periodontal tissues of patients with PD express a high level of TGF-β1 and inhibit MSC differentiation to osteoblasts. Thus, TGF-β1 produced by B cells may contribute to alveolar bone loss in periodontitis, in part, by suppressing osteoblast activity.

[Analysis of disease burden of occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2020]

Objective: Through comparative analysis of the disease burden of occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2020, the main influencing factors are screened, and scientific basis is provided for rational allocation of limited health resources, precise management and policy implementation. Methods: In August 2021, survey and collect information on surviving occupational pneumoconiosis patients and dead occupational pneumoconiosis patients diagnosed in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2020, and analyze and calculate indicators such as morbidity, mortality, and disability adjusted of life years (DALY). Analyzing the influencing factors of disease burden usirrg multiple linear regression. Results: From 2010 to 2020, the average annual incidence of occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province was 0.9992/100000, the average annual mortality was 0.897/100000, the cumulative case fatality rate was 25.75%, and the cumulative DALY was 28932.96 person-years. The first stage of occupational pneumoconiosis was the highest among DALY loss (19920.14 person-years), and the DALY loss was positively correlated with the stage of occupational pneumoconiosis. Among occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province, silicosis (13753.66 person-years) and coal worker's pneumoconiosis (13414.73 person-years) caused the highest disease burden, followed by cement pneumoconiosis and asbestos lung. Period, length of service, type of disease, and region are all influencing factors of DALY loss (P<0.05). Conclusion: From 2010 to 2020, the DALY losses caused by occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province showed a fluctuating decrease, with the composition of DALY mainly changing from the loss of life years due to premature death to the loss of years due to injury and disability.

[Dexmedetomidine can not reduce the incidence of acute and chronic kidney disease after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: a propensity score matching-based analysis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on renal function after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical data of 282 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), who underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in the Department of Urology, Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from November, 2020 and June, 2022.According to whether DEX was used during the operation, the patients were divided into DEX group and control group, and after propensity score matching, 99 patients were finally enrolled in each group.The incidence of acute kidney injuries were compared between the two groups.Serum creatinine (sCr) data within 3 months to 1 year after the operation were available in 51 patients, including 26 in DEX group and 25 in the control group, and the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching and adjustment for significant covariates, there were no significant differences in postoperative levels of sCr, cystatin C (CysC), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), hemoglobin (Hb), or C-reactive protein (CRP), extubation time, incidence of AKI, or length of hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05).The intraoperative urine volume was significantly higher in DEX group than in the control group (P < 0.05).A significant correlation between AKI and CKD was noted in the patients (P < 0.05).The incidence of CKD did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

DEX can not reduce the incidence of AKI or CKD after LRN.

[Malaria control knowledge and behaviors and their influencing factors among residents in Banlao Township, Cangyuan County, Yunnan Province]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the awareness of malaria-related knowledge, the use of mosquito nets and their influencing factors among residents in Banlao Township, Cangyuan County, Yunnan Province.

METHODS

In August 2020, 19 settlement sites in Banlao Township, Cangyuan County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province were selected as study areas, and permanent residents at ages of 10 years and older were enrolled for a questionnaire survey, including residents' demographics, family economic status, malaria control knowledge and use of mosquito nets. In addition, the factors affecting the use of mosquito nets in the night prior to the survey were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 320 questionnaires were allocated, and all were recovered (a 100% recovery rate). There were 316 valid questionnaires, with an effective recovery rate of 98.75%. The 316 respondents included 152 men and 164 women and 250 Chinese respondents and 66 foreign respondents. The awareness of clinical syndromes of malaria was significantly higher among Chinese residents (71.60%) than among foreign residents (50.00%) (χ² = 11.03, P < 0.01), and the proportions of Chinese and foreign residents sleeping under mosquito nets were 46.00% and 69.70% on the night prior to the survey, respectively (χ² = 11.73, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified ethnicity group and type of residence as factors affecting the use of mosquito nets in the night prior to the survey.

CONCLUSIONS

The awareness of malaria control knowledge, the coverage and the use of mosquito nets were low among residents in Banlao Township, Cangyuan County, Yunnan Province. Targeted health education is recommended to improve the awareness of malaria control knowledge and self-protection ability. In addition, improving the allocation of long-lasting mosquito nets and health education pertaining to their uses and increasing the proportion of using mosquito nets correctly is needed to prevent re-establishment of imported malaria.

A158 FINDINGS FROM A MULTIDISCIPLINARY DATABASE FOR PATIENTS WITH BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS AND EARLY ESOPHAGEAL ADENOCARCINOMA

Background

Previously, Barrett’s esophagus (BE) with high grade dysplasia (HGD) or neoplasia was treated with esophagectomy; however, recent guidelines support the use of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for T1a esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and potentially T1b EAC. Long term data for outcomes from EMR are lacking and these treatments are often provided with minimal collaboration between gastroenterologists and thoracic surgeons.

Purpose

Our primary aim was to describe the findings from our multidisciplinary database of patients with Barrett’s esophagus and EAC undergoing endoscopic treatment. Secondary aims were to compare the overall survival and recurrence-free survival of patients undergoing endoscopic resection to those undergoing esophagectomy.

Method

For the endoscopic resection cohort, a combined retrospective and prospective database was created containing demographic, clinical, and oncologic variables for patients undergoing endoscopic resection for early stage EAC from 2009 to 2021. For the esophagectomy cohort, a pre-existing retrospective database including patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer from 2012 to 2018 at a single institution was used. A multivariate cox proportional hazards model was developed for recurrence-free survival and overall survival using a hypothesis driven approach. A kaplan-meier (KM) curve with associated log-rank test was created to evaluate recurrence-free survival and overall survival stratified by treatment modality.

Result(s)

A total of 108 patients were included in the analysis (73 EMR, 35 esophagectomy). Baseline characteristics including age, sex, and co-morbidities were similar among the two groups. KM curves stratified by treatment modality are provided in Figure 1. Esophagectomy was associated with greater DFS on univariate log-rank test (p = 0.0127), but no difference in OS (p = 0.9306). There was no significant difference between esophagectomy and endoscopic resection in the cox-model for OS (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.45-2.32, p = 0.914). Endoscopic resection was associated with increased hazards of disease recurrence in the cox model for DFS (HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.1-6.0, p = 0.032). In the logistic regression model, high grade disease (OR 5.43, 95% CI 1.1 – 26.1, p = 0.035) and submucosal involvement (OR 7.8, 1.9-31.4, p = 0.004) were identified as significant predictors of positive margin necessitating esophagectomy after initial endoscopic resection. All patients who experienced a positive margin after endoscopic therapy were evaluated by a thoracic surgeon and proceeded to esophagectomy.

Conclusion(s)

In this largely retrospective analysis, our multidisciplinary approach was shown to be highly efficacious in the treatment of BE with EAC. Through optimizing collaboration between thoracic surgeons and gastroenterologists, patients receive the best therapeutic approach for their unique condition, taking into account oncologic factors and clinical comorbidities.

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Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

TBMaLT, a flexible toolkit for combining tight-binding and machine learning

Tight-binding approaches, especially the Density Functional Tight-Binding (DFTB) and the extended tight-binding schemes, allow for efficient quantum mechanical simulations of large systems and long-time scales. They are derived from ab initio density functional theory using pragmatic approximations and some empirical terms, ensuring a fine balance between speed and accuracy. Their accuracy can be improved by tuning the empirical parameters using machine learning techniques, especially when information about the local environment of the atoms is incorporated. As the significant quantum mechanical contributions are still provided by the tight-binding models, and only short-ranged corrections are fitted, the learning procedure is typically shorter and more transferable as it were with predicting the quantum mechanical properties directly with machine learning without an underlying physically motivated model. As a further advantage, derived quantum mechanical quantities can be calculated based on the tight-binding model without the need for additional learning. We have developed the open-source framework-Tight-Binding Machine Learning Toolkit-which allows the easy implementation of such combined approaches. The toolkit currently contains layers for the DFTB method and an interface to the GFN1-xTB Hamiltonian, but due to its modular structure and its well-defined interfaces, additional atom-based schemes can be implemented easily. We are discussing the general structure of the framework, some essential implementation details, and several proof-of-concept applications demonstrating the perspectives of the combined methods and the functionality of the toolkit.

UHRF1-mediated ferroptosis promotes pulmonary fibrosis via epigenetic repression of GPX4 and FSP1 genes

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF), as an end-stage clinical phenotype of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), is frequently initiated after alveolar injury, in which ferroptosis has been identified as a critical event aggravating the pathophysiological progression of this disease. Here in, a comprehensive analysis of two mouse models of pulmonary fibrosis developed in our lab demonstrated that lung damage-induced ferroptosis of alveolar epithelial Type2 cells (AEC2) significantly accumulates during the development of pulmonary fibrosis while ferroptosis suppressor genes GPX4 and FSP1 are dramatically inactivated. Mechanistically, upregulation of de novo methylation regulator Uhrf1 sensitively elevates CpG site methylation levels in promoters of both GPX4 and FSP1 genes and induces the epigenetic repression of both genes, subsequently leading to ferroptosis in chemically interfered AEC2 cells. Meanwhile, specific inhibition of UHRF1 highly arrests the ferroptosis formation and blocks the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in both of our research models. This study first, to our knowledge, identified the involvement of Uhrf1 in mediating the ferroptosis of chemically injured AEC2s via de novo promoter-specific methylation of both GPX4 and FSP1 genes, which consequently accelerates the process of pulmonary fibrosis. The above findings also strongly suggested Uhrf1 as a novel potential target in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

[Advances in the arthroscopic methods in managing temporomandibular joint disorders]

Temporomandibular joint disorders are common diseases characterized by joint clicking, limited mouth opening and pain, which have a huge impact on the patients' daily life. Conservative methods include medicine, physiotherapy and occlusal application. With the advancement of medical technology, the arthroscopy is becoming popular for its minimally invasion and high efficiency. This review focuses on the common arthroscopic methods, and provides an outlook of the arthroscopic surgery.

[Risk assessment of Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula powder]

Objective: To assess the risk of foodborne diseases caused by Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula powder from retail to feeding and provide formulate suggestions for safe feeding of infants at home. Methods: This study used the special monitoring and risk monitoring data of infant formula powder in Heilongjiang Province and combined data at home and abroad. The @RISK software was used to evaluate the disease risk caused by Cronobacter sakazakii in the process of infant formula powder from retail to feeding. Results: According to the results of this quantitative risk assessment, the risk of foodborne diseases caused by Cronobacter sakazakii at the current consumption pattern in Heilongjiang Province was 5.158×10^-5 persons/million (40.0 ℃ and 50.0 ℃), 1.072×10^-7 persons/million (60.0 ℃), 5.544×10^-14 persons/million (70.0 ℃). When the feeding time of infant formula powder was adjusted to 0-2 h and 2-3 h respectively, the above prediction results did not change. When it was adjusted to 3-4 h, the risk increased. If it was adjusted to 4-24 h, the number of Cronobacter sakazakii increased by 14-24 orders of magnitude at room temperature. If the initial pollution concentration (after flushing) was adjusted to 1 MPN/ml, the average disease risk per meal was 805.7 persons/million (40.0 ℃ and 50.0 ℃), 1.7 persons/million (60.0 ℃) and 9.1 × 10^-7 persons/million (70.0 ℃). The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the water temperature (70.0 ℃), initial pollution concentration, room storage time and temperature were important factors of risk. Conclusion: Controlling the contamination level of Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula powder, controlling the feeding time within 3 h, storing in refrigerator and mixing with water with temperature not lower than 70.0 ℃ are effective measures to prevent infants from eating infant formula powder infected by Cronobacter sakazakii.

Measurements of the associated production of a W boson and a charm quark in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 TeV

Measurements of the associated production of a W boson and a charm ( c ) quark in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV are reported. The analysis uses a data sample corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb - 1 collected by the CMS detector at the LHC. The W bosons are identified through their leptonic decays to an electron or a muon, and a neutrino. Charm quark jets are selected using distinctive signatures of charm hadron decays. The product of the cross section and branching fraction σ ( pp → W + c + X ) B ( W → ℓ ν ) , where ℓ = e or μ , and the cross section ratio σ ( pp → W + + c ¯ + X ) / σ ( pp → W - + c + X ) are measured in a fiducial volume and differentially as functions of the pseudorapidity and of the transverse momentum of the lepton from the W boson decay. The results are compared with theoretical predictions. The impact of these measurements on the determination of the strange quark distribution is assessed.

Corticosteroid treatment in severe patients with SARS-CoV-2 and chronic HBV co-infection: a retrospective multicenter study

Background

The impact of corticosteroids on patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)/chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection is currently unknown. We aimed to investigate the association of corticosteroids on these patients.

Methods

This retrospective multicenter study screened 5447 confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized between Jan 1, 2020 to Apr 18, 2020 in seven centers in China, where the prevalence of chronic HBV infection is moderate to high. Severe patients who had chronic HBV and acute SARS-cov-2 infection were potentially eligible. The diagnosis of chronic HBV infection was based on positive testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or HBV DNA during hospitalization and a medical history of chronic HBV infection. Severe patients (meeting one of following criteria: respiratory rate > 30 breaths/min; severe respiratory distress; or SpO2 ≤ 93% on room air; or oxygen index < 300 mmHg) with COVID-19/HBV co-infection were identified. The bias of confounding variables on corticosteroids effects was minimized using multivariable logistic regression model and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) based on propensity score.

Results

The prevalence of HBV co-infection in COVID-19 patients was 4.1%. There were 105 patients with severe COVID-19/HBV co-infections (median age 62 years, 57.1% male). Fifty-five patients received corticosteroid treatment and 50 patients did not. In the multivariable analysis, corticosteroid therapy (OR, 6.32, 95% CI 1.17–34.24, P = 0.033) was identified as an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality. With IPTW analysis, corticosteroid treatment was associated with delayed SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA clearance (OR, 2.95, 95% CI 1.63–5.32, P < 0.001), increased risk of 28-day and in-hospital mortality (OR, 4.90, 95% CI 1.68–14.28, P = 0.004; OR, 5.64, 95% CI 1.95–16.30, P = 0.001, respectively), and acute liver injury (OR, 4.50, 95% CI 2.57–7.85, P < 0.001). Methylprednisolone dose per day and cumulative dose in non-survivors were significantly higher than in survivors.

Conclusions

In patients with severe COVID-19/HBV co-infection, corticosteroid treatment may be associated with increased risk of 28-day and in-hospital mortality.

Liposomal UHRF1 siRNA shows lung fibrosis treatment potential through regulation of fibroblast activation

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive interstitial lung disease associated with the decay of pulmonary function, which leads to a fatal outcome. As an essential epigenetic regulator of DNA methylation, the involvement of ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domains 1 (UHRF1) in fibroblast activation remains largely undefined in pulmonary fibrosis. In the present study, we found that TGF-β1-mediated upregulation of UHRF1 repressed beclin 1 via methylated induction of its promoter, which finally resulted in fibroblast activation and lung fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, knockdown of UHRF1 significantly arrested fibroblast proliferation and reactivated beclin 1 in lung fibroblasts. Thus, intravenous administration of UHRF1 siRNA-loaded liposomes significantly protected mice against experimental pulmonary fibrosis. Accordingly, our data suggest that UHRF1 might be a novel potential therapeutic target in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.

Targeted delivery of ZNF416 siRNA-loaded liposomes attenuates experimental pulmonary fibrosis

Background

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition caused by activated fibroblasts. Increasing evidence shows that matrix stiffness is essential in promoting fibroblast activation and profibrotic changes. Here, we investigated the expression and function of matrix stiffness-regulated ZNF416 in pulmonary fibrotic lung fibroblasts.

Methods

1 kappa (soft), 60 kappa (stiff) gel-coated coverslips, or transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-cultured lung fibroblasts and the gain- or loss- of the ZNF416 function assays were performed in vitro. We also established two experimental pulmonary fibrosis mouse models by a single intratracheal instillation with 50 mg/kg silica or 6 mg/kg bleomycin (BLM). ZNF416 siRNA-loaded liposomes and TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor SB431542 were administrated in vivo.

Results

Our study identified that ZNF416 could regulate fibroblast differentiation, proliferation, and contraction by promoting the nuclear accumulation of p-Smad2/3. Besides, ZNF416 siRNA-loaded liposome delivery by tail-vein could passively target the fibrotic area in the lung, and co-administration of ZNF416 siRNA-loaded liposomes and SB431542 significantly protects mice against silica or BLM-induced lung injury and fibrosis.

Conclusion

In this study, our results indicate that mechanosensitive ZNF416 is a potential molecular target for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Strategies aimed at silencing ZNF416 could be a promising approach to fight against pulmonary fibrosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03740-w.

Caveolin-1 and Its Functional Peptide CSP7 Affect Silica-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis by Regulating Fibroblast Glutaminolysis

Exposure to silica is a cause of pulmonary fibrosis disease termed silicosis, which leads to respiratory failure and ultimately death. However, what drives fibrosis is not fully elucidated and therapeutic options remain limited. Our previous RNA-sequencing analysis showed that the expression of caveolin-1 (CAV1) was downregulated in silica-inhaled mouse lung tissues. Here, we not only verified that CAV1 was decreased in silica-induced fibrotic mouse lung tissues in both messenger RNA and protein levels, but also found that CSP7, a functional peptide of CAV1, could attenuate pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. Further in vitro experiments revealed that CAV1 reduced the expression of Yes-associated protein 1(YAP1) and affected its nuclear translocation in fibroblasts. In addition, Glutaminase 1 (GLS1), a key regulator of glutaminolysis, was identified to be a downstream effector of YAP1. CAV1 could suppress the activity of YAP1 to decrease the transcription of GLS1, thereby inhibiting fibroblast activation. Taken together, our results demonstrated that CAV1 and its functional peptide CSP7 may be potential molecules or drugs for the prevention and intervention of silicosis.