Archaeal communities change responding to anthropogenic and natural treatments of freeze-thawed soils

The coverage of accumulated snow plays a significant role in inducing changes in both microbial activity and environmental factors within freeze-thaw soil systems. This study aimed to analyze the impact of snow cover on the dynamics of archeal communities in freeze-thaw soil. Furthermore, it seeks to investigate the role of fertilization in freeze-thaw soil. Four treatments were established based on snow cover and fertilization:No snow and no fertilizer (CK-N), snow cover without fertilizer (X-N), fertilizer without snow cover (T-N), and both fertilizer and snow cover (T-X). The research findings indicated that after snow cover treatment, the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content in freeze-thaw soil exhibit periodic fluctuations. Snow covered effectively altered the community composition of bacteria and archaea in the soil, with a greater impact on archaeal communities than on bacterial communities. Snow covered improves the stability of archaeal communities in freeze-thaw soil. Additionally, the arrival of snow also enhanced the correlation between archaea and environmental factors, with the key archaeal phyla involved being Nanoarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. Further research showed that the application of organic fertilizers also had some impact on freeze-thaw soil, but this impact was smaller compared to snow cover. In summary, the arrival of snow could alter the archaeal community and protect nutrient elements in freeze-thaw soil, reducing their loss, and its effect is more pronounced compared to the application of organic fertilizers.

Comparison of Clinical Efficacy between Arthroscopic and Open Surgery for Ogden Type 1-2 Peroneal Tendon Dislocation

OBJECTIVE

While the incidence of peroneal tendon dislocation (PTD) is relatively low, it is frequently underdiagnosed in clinical practice, and the misdiagnosis or improper treatment of this condition may lead to a decline in patients' quality of life. Currently, the surgical treatment options for PTD mainly include open and arthroscopic surgery. However, in order to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these two surgical approaches, further comparative research is needed. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the early clinical outcomes of arthroscopic and open surgery in the treatment of Ogden type 1-2 PTD.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of 46 patients diagnosed with PTD who underwent surgery at our institution between January 2017 and January 2023. The patients were divided into two groups: the open surgery group, consisting of 26 cases, and the arthroscopic surgery group, consisting of 20 cases. To compare the effectiveness of the surgical approach, we evaluated several parameters, including the integrity of the superior peroneal retinaculum on MRI images, functional scores, pain interference scores, and ankle eversion muscle strength. These assessments are conducted respectively before the surgery, 1 month after the surgery, 3 months after the surgery, and at the final follow-up for each group of patients (at least 6 months post-surgery). Demographics and intergroup comparisons of the two groups of data were analyzed by t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test. Intragroup comparisons of the two groups of data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by post hoc multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

In the intragroup comparisons, both the arthroscopic surgery and the open surgery group demonstrated significant improvement in functional scores, pain interference scores, muscle strength, and MRI findings at the final follow-up postoperatively (p < 0.01). However, the open surgery group exhibited significant improvements in these outcomes at the final follow-up, while the arthroscopic surgery group showed significant improvement at 3 months postoperatively. In intergroup comparisons, the arthroscopic surgery group outperformed the open surgery group in functional scores, pain interference scores, and muscle strength 3 months after the surgery, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic surgery offers advantages in early clinical outcomes, such as pain relief, function, and muscle strength improvement. However, over time, both approaches provide similar results regarding effectiveness.

MACTFusion: Lightweight Cross Transformer for Adaptive Multimodal Medical Image Fusion

Multimodal medical image fusion aims to integrate complementary information from different modalities of medical images. Deep learning methods, especially recent vision Transformers, have effectively improved image fusion performance. However, there are limitations for Transformers in image fusion, such as lacks of local feature extraction and cross-modal feature interaction, resulting in insufficient multimodal feature extraction and integration. In addition, the computational cost of Transformers is higher. To address these challenges, in this work, we develop an adaptive cross-modal fusion strategy for unsupervised multimodal medical image fusion. Specifically, we propose a novel lightweight cross Transformer based on cross multi-axis attention mechanism. It includes cross-window attention and cross-grid attention to mine and integrate both local and global interactions of multimodal features. The cross Transformer is further guided by a spatial adaptation fusion module, which allows the model to focus on the most relevant information. Moreover, we design a special feature extraction module that combines multiple gradient residual dense convolutional and Transformer layers to obtain local features from coarse to fine and capture global features. The proposed strategy significantly boosts the fusion performance while minimizing computational costs. Extensive experiments, including clinical brain tumor image fusion, have shown that our model can achieve clearer texture details and better visual quality than other state-of-the-art fusion methods.

Co-composting sugar-containing waste with chicken manure-A new approach to carbon sequestration

Improving resource use is a pressing research issue because of the huge potential organic waste market. Composting is a recycling technique, treatment to achieve the dual effect of resource recovery and zero waste. Waste composition varies: for example, chicken manure is rich in protein, straw contains wood fibres, fruit and vegetables contain sugar, and food waste contains starch. When considering combining waste streams for composting, it is important to ask if this approach can reduce overall composting costs while achieving a more concentrated result. Chicken manure, in particular, presents a unique challenge. This is due to its high protein content. The lack of precursor sugars for glucosamine condensation in chicken manure results in lower humus content in the final compost than other composting methods. To address this, we conducted experiments to investigate whether adding sugary fruits and vegetables to a chicken manure composting system would improve compost quality. To improve experimental results, we used sucrose and maltose instead of fruit and vegetable waste. Sugars added to chicken manure composting resulted in a significant increase in humic substance (HS) content, with improvements of 9.0% and 17.4%, respectively, compared to the control. Sucrose and maltose have a similar effect on the formation of humic substances. These results demonstrate the feasibility of composting fruit and vegetable waste with chicken manure, providing a theoretical basis for future composting experiments.

The role of neuroglial cells communication in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally, but its treatment options are limited due to therapeutic window and reperfusion injury constraints. Microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes are the major components of the neurovascular unit, and there is substantial evidence suggesting their contributions to maintaining homeostasis in the central nervous system. Neuroglial cells participate in neuronal physiological functions and the repair of damaged neurons through various communication methods, including gap junctions, chemical signaling, and extracellular vesicles, in conjunction with other components of the neurovascular unit. Ischemia-induced microglia and astrocytes polarize into "M1/M2" and "A1/A2" phenotypes and exert neurotoxic or neuroprotective effects by releasing soluble factors, secreting extracellular vesicles, and forming syncytia networks in the acute (<72 h), subacute (>72 h), and chronic phases (>6 weeks). Apoptosis of oligodendrocytes due to ischemic hypoxia leads to white matter injury, causing long-term cognitive dysfunction, and promoting oligodendrogenesis is a crucial direction for achieving functional recovery in ischemic stroke. In this article, we summarize the cellular interactions following cerebral ischemia, analyze the roles of neuroglial cells through gap junctions, chemical signaling, and extracellular vesicles in different stages of ischemic stroke, and further explore strategies for intervening in ischemic stroke.

Biotic pathways of reciprocal responses between antibiotic resistance genes and inorganic nitrogen cycling genes in amoxicillin-stressed compost ecosystems

This study explored the transformation of inorganic nitrogen, the expression levels of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and the regulatory mechanisms of key species on ARGs and inorganic nitrogen cycling genes (INCGs) under different levels of amoxicillin (AMX) stress. High level of AMX inhibited the accumulation of NH4+-N, which increased by 531 % relative to the initial. Moreover, AMX to some extent increased the levels of nirS and nirK, which could potentially result in nitrogen loss and the accumulation of NO2-. Actinobacteria might serve as potential hosts for ARGs during sludge composting. This stress induced a complex response between INCGs and ARGs more complex due to key species. Under high-level AMX pressure, most species associated with ARGs likely derived from nitrogen cycling functional species. To conclude, high levels of AMX stress might lead to nitrogen cycling imbalance and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in composting systems.

Study of High-Transverse-Momentum Higgs Boson Production in Association with a Vector Boson in the qqbb Final State with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the first study of Higgs boson production in association with a vector boson (V=W or Z) in the fully hadronic qqbb final state using data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137  fb^{-1}. The vector bosons and Higgs bosons are each reconstructed as large-radius jets and tagged using jet substructure techniques. Dedicated tagging algorithms exploiting b-tagging properties are used to identify jets consistent with Higgs bosons decaying into bb[over ¯]. Dominant backgrounds from multijet production are determined directly from the data, and a likelihood fit to the jet mass distribution of Higgs boson candidates is used to extract the number of signal events. The VH production cross section is measured inclusively and differentially in several ranges of Higgs boson transverse momentum: 250-450, 450-650, and greater than 650 GeV. The inclusive signal yield relative to the standard model expectation is observed to be μ=1.4_{-0.9}^{+1.0} and the corresponding cross section is 3.1±1.3(stat)_{-1.4}^{+1.8}(syst)  pb.

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.

Measurement of the Centrality Dependence of the Dijet Yield in p+Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

ATLAS measured the centrality dependence of the dijet yield using 165  nb^{-1} of p+Pb data collected at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV in 2016. The event centrality, which reflects the p+Pb impact parameter, is characterized by the total transverse energy registered in the Pb-going side of the forward calorimeter. The central-to-peripheral ratio of the scaled dijet yields, R_{CP}, is evaluated, and the results are presented as a function of variables that reflect the kinematics of the initial hard parton scattering process. The R_{CP} shows a scaling with the Bjorken x of the parton originating from the proton, x_{p}, while no such trend is observed as a function of x_{Pb}. This analysis provides unique input to understanding the role of small proton spatial configurations in p+Pb collisions by covering parton momentum fractions from the valence region down to x_{p}∼10^{-3} and x_{Pb}∼4×10^{-4}.

Search for New Phenomena in Two-Body Invariant Mass Distributions Using Unsupervised Machine Learning for Anomaly Detection at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

Searches for new resonances are performed using an unsupervised anomaly-detection technique. Events with at least one electron or muon are selected from 140  fb^{-1} of pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded by ATLAS at the Large Hadron Collider. The approach involves training an autoencoder on data, and subsequently defining anomalous regions based on the reconstruction loss of the decoder. Studies focus on nine invariant mass spectra that contain pairs of objects consisting of one light jet or b jet and either one lepton (e,μ), photon, or second light jet or b jet in the anomalous regions. No significant deviations from the background hypotheses are observed. Limits on contributions from generic Gaussian signals with various widths of the resonance mass are obtained for nine invariant masses in the anomalous regions.

Potential mechanism of tea for treating osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoporosis (OP), osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are common bone and joint diseases with a high incidence and long duration. Thus, these conditions can affect the lives of middle-aged and elderly people. Tea drinking is a traditional lifestyle in China, and the long-term intake of tea and its active ingredients is beneficial to human health. However, the mechanisms of action of tea and its active ingredients against OP, OA, and RA are not completely elucidated. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic role and related mechanisms of tea and its active ingredients in OP, OA, and RA. Moreover, it expanded the potential mechanisms of tea efficacy based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Results showed that tea has potential anti-COX properties and hormone-like effects. Compared with a single component, different tea components synergize or antagonize each other, thereby resulting in a more evident dual effect. In conclusion, tea has great potential in the medical and healthcare fields. Nevertheless, further research on the composition, proportion, and synergistic mechanism of several tea components should be performed.

ZBTB7B is a permissive regulator of hepatocellular carcinoma initiation by repressing c-Jun expression and function

Hepatocarcinogenesis is a multi-step process. However, the regulators of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation are understudied. Adult liver-specific gene expression was globally downregulated in HCC. We hypothesize that adult liver-specific genes, especially adult liver-enriched transcription factors may exert tumor-suppressive functions in HCC. In this study, we identify ZBTB7B, an adult liver-enriched transcription factor as a permissive regulator of HCC initiation. ZBTB7B is highly expressed in hepatocytes in adult livers, compared to fetal livers. To evaluate the functions of ZBTB7B in hepatocarcinogenesis, we performed hepatocyte-specific ZBTB7B knockout in hydrodynamic oncogene transfer-induced mouse liver cancer models. Hepatocyte-specific knockout of ZBTB7B promotes activated Akt and N-Ras-induced HCC development. Moreover, ZBTB7B deficiency sensitizes hepatocytes to a single oncogene Akt-induced oncogenic transformation and HCC initiation, which is otherwise incompetent in inducing HCC. ZBTB7B deficiency accelerates HCC initiation by down-regulating adult liver-specific gene expression and priming livers to a fetal-like state. The molecular mechanism underlying ZBTB7B functions in hepatocytes was investigated by integrated transcriptomic, phosphoproteomic, and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing analyses. Integrative multi-omics analyses identify c-Jun as the core signaling node in ZBTB7B-deficient liver cancer initiation. c-Jun is a direct target of ZBTB7B essential to accelerated liver cancer initiation in ZBTB7B-deficient livers. Knockdown of c-Jun expression or dominant negative c-Jun expression delays HCC development in ZBTB7B-deficient livers. In addition, ZBTB7B competes with c-Jun for chromatin binding. Ectopic ZBTB7B expression attenuates the tumor-promoting functions of c-Jun. Expression of ZBTB7B signature, composed of 140 genes co-regulated by ZBTB7B and c-Jun, is significantly downregulated in early-stage HCCs compared to adjacent normal tissues, correlates to liver-specific gene expression, and is associated with good prognosis in human HCC. Thus, ZBTB7B functions as a permissive regulator of HCC initiation by directly regulating c-Jun expression and function.

Observation of WZγ Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of WZγ production and a measurement of its cross section using 140.1±1.2  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The WZγ production cross section, with both the W and Z bosons decaying leptonically, pp→WZγ→ℓ^{'}^{±}νℓ^{+}ℓ^{-}γ (ℓ^{(^{'})}=e, μ), is measured in a fiducial phase-space region defined such that the leptons and the photon have high transverse momentum and the photon is isolated. The cross section is found to be 2.01±0.30(stat)±0.16(syst)  fb. The corresponding standard model predicted cross section calculated at next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics and at leading order in the electroweak coupling constant is 1.50±0.06  fb. The observed significance of the WZγ signal is 6.3σ, compared with an expected significance of 5.0σ.

Impact of adenomyosis on pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective consecutive cohort study

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study explored the potential connection between adenomyosis and pregnancy outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A study included data from a total of 1,208 pregnancies. The adenomyosis group included 334 pregnant women with adenomyosis, and women in the control group (n=874) had uncomplicated pregnancies. Data on pregnancy complications and maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

The incidence of gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and placenta previa was higher in the adenomyosis group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Adenomyosis was linked to a higher risk of postpartum hemorrhage (1,000-1,500 ml) but a lower risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (p<0.05). Diagnosis of adenomyosis correlated with increased incidence of low fetal weight (20.3% vs. 21.3%, p<0.05) and a low APGAR score at 1 min (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Adenomyosis correlated with a higher incidence of gestational hypertension, placenta previa, and gestational diabetes. At the same time, adenomyosis correlated with a significantly lower incidence of PROM compared to uncomplicated pregnancy. There was a significant increase in the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage and a higher risk of low fetal weight and lower APGAR score at 1 min in pregnancies with adenomyosis.

Combined Measurement of the Higgs Boson Mass from the H→γγ and H→ZZ^{*}→4ℓ Decay Channels with the ATLAS Detector Using sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV pp Collision Data

A measurement of the mass of the Higgs boson combining the H→ZZ^{*}→4ℓ and H→γγ decay channels is presented. The result is based on 140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector during LHC run 2 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV combined with the run 1 ATLAS mass measurement, performed at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, yielding a Higgs boson mass of 125.11±0.09(stat)±0.06(syst)=125.11±0.11  GeV. This corresponds to a 0.09% precision achieved on this fundamental parameter of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Search for Dark Photons in Rare Z Boson Decays with the ATLAS Detector

A search for events with a dark photon produced in association with a dark Higgs boson via rare decays of the standard model Z boson is presented, using 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV proton-proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The dark boson decays into a pair of dark photons, and at least two of the three dark photons must each decay into a pair of electrons or muons, resulting in at least two same-flavor opposite-charge lepton pairs in the final state. The data are found to be consistent with the background prediction, and upper limits are set on the dark photon's coupling to the dark Higgs boson times the kinetic mixing between the standard model photon and the dark photon, α_{D}ϵ^{2}, in the dark photon mass range of [5, 40] GeV except for the ϒ mass window [8.8, 11.1] GeV. This search explores new parameter space not previously excluded by other experiments.

Validation of maternal recall of number of antenatal care visits attended in rural Southern Nepal: a longitudinal cohort study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the validity of maternal recall of total number of antenatal care (ANC) visits during pregnancy and factors associated with the accuracy of maternal recall.

DESIGN

This was a longitudinal cohort study conducted from December 2018 through November 2020.

SETTING

Five government health posts in the Sarlahi district of Southern Nepal.

PARTICIPANTS

402 pregnant women between ages 15 and 49 who presented for their first ANC visit at the study health posts.

MAIN OUTCOMES

The observed number of ANC visits (gold standard) and the reported number of ANC visits at the postpartum interview (maternal recall).

RESULTS

On average, women in the study who had a live birth attended 4.7 ANC visits. About 65% of them attended four or more ANC visits during pregnancy as recommended by the Nepal government, and 38.3% of maternal report matched the categorical ANC visits as observed by the gold standard. The individual validity was poor to moderate, with the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) being 0.69 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.74) in the 1-3 visits group. Population-level bias (as distinct from individual-level bias) was observed in the 1-3 visits and 4 visits groups, where 1-3 visits were under-reported (inflation factor (IF): 0.69) and 4 ANC visits were highly over-reported (IF: 2.12). The binary indicator ANC4+ (1-3 visits vs 4+ visits) showed better population-level validity (AUC: 0.69; IF: 1.17) compared with the categorical indicators (1-3 visits, 4 visits, 5-6 visits and more than 6 visits). Report accuracy was not associated with maternal characteristics but was related to ANC frequency. Women who attended more ANC visits were less likely to correctly report their total number of visits.

CONCLUSION

Maternal report of number of ANC visits during pregnancy may not be a valid indicator for measuring ANC coverage. Improvements are needed to measure the frequency of ANC visits.

Photoswitchable and long-lived seven-membered cyclic singlet diradicals for the bioorthogonal photoclick reaction

Annularly 1,3-localized singlet diradicals are energetic and homolytic intermediates, but commonly too short-lived for widespread utilization. Herein, we describe a direct observation of a long-lived and seven-membered singlet diradical, oxepine-3,6-dione-2,7-diyl (OXPID), via spectroscopic experiments and also theoretical evidence from computational studies, which is generated via photo-induced ring-expansion of 2,3-diaryl-1,4-naphthoquinone epoxide (DNQO). The photo-generated OXPID reverts to the thermally stable σ-bonded DNQO with t1/2 in the μs level, thus constituting a novel class of T-type molecular photoswitches with high light-energy conversion efficiency (η = 7.8-33%). Meanwhile, the OXPID is equilibrated to a seven-membered cyclic 1,3-dipole as an electronic tautomer that can be captured by ring-strained dipolarophiles with an ultrafast cycloaddition rate (k2CA up to 109 M-1 s-1). The T-type photoswitchable DNQO is then exploited to be a highly selective and recyclable photoclick reagent, enabling spatiotemporal-resolved bioorthogonal ligation on living cell membranes via a tailored DNQO-Cy3 probe.

Effectiveness of flipped classroom in pharmacy education - a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Flipped classroom, blended with online and offline learning, was regarded as an effective learning approach in pharmacy education. This meta-analysis was to comprehensively compare the effectiveness of flipped classroom and traditional lecture-based approaches, attempting to generate a unified and firm conclusion of the effectiveness of flipped classroom in pharmacy education.

METHODS

Data were collected from 7 databases, involving Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed). The studies were included if they included objective evaluation of students' performance between groups of flipped classroom and traditional approaches. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used as the outcomes for data pooling.

RESULTS

A total of 22 studies (28 comparing groups) with 4379 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias was relatively high. Results of the analysis revealed that flipped classroom presented significant advantages over traditional approaches in student performance improvement, with no evidence of publication bias. Through subgroup analysis, it showed better outcomes for flipped classrooms over traditional lectures for the other subgroups, including different performance, degree programs.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence reveals that the flipped classroom approach in pharmacy education yields a statistical improvement in student learning compared with traditional methods. In the future, instructors should introduce more online technology into classroom and construct an interactive learning environment.

Observation of Single-Top-Quark Production in Association with a Photon Using the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of single top quarks produced together with a photon, which directly probes the electroweak coupling of the top quark. The analysis uses 139  fb^{-1} of 13 TeV proton-proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Requiring a photon with transverse momentum larger than 20 GeV and within the detector acceptance, the fiducial cross section is measured to be 688±23(stat) _{-71}^{+75}(syst)  fb, to be compared with the standard model prediction of 515_{-42}^{+36}  fb at next-to-leading order in QCD.

Measurement of Suppression of Large-Radius Jets and Its Dependence on Substructure in Pb+Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This letter presents a measurement of the nuclear modification factor of large-radius jets in sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV Pb+Pb collisions by the ATLAS experiment. The measurement is performed using 1.72  nb^{-1} and 257  pb^{-1} of Pb+Pb and pp data, respectively. The large-radius jets are reconstructed with the anti-k_{t} algorithm using a radius parameter of R=1.0, by reclustering anti-k_{t} R=0.2 jets, and are measured over the transverse momentum (p_{T}) kinematic range of 158 Collapse

Key Words Collapse

MESH Headings Collapse

Grants Collapse

Guideline- Versus Non-Guideline-Based Neoadjuvant Management of Clinical T4 Rectal Cancer

(1) Background: Practice guidelines recommend neoadjuvant treatment for clinical T4 rectal cancer. The primary objective of this retrospective study was to assess whether compliance with guidelines correlates with patient outcomes. Secondarily, we evaluated predictors of adherence to guidelines and mortality. (2) Methods: A total of 397 qualified rectal cancer (RC) patients from 2017 to 2020 at West China Hospital of Sichuan University were included. Patients were divided into two groups depending on adherence to neoadjuvant treatment guidelines. The main endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease special survival (DSS). We analyzed factors associated with guideline adherence and mortality. (3) Results: Compliance with guidelines was only 39.55%. Patients' neoadjuvant therapy treated not according to the guidelines for clinical T4 RC was not associated with an overall survival (95.7% vs. 88.9%) and disease special survival (96.3% vs. 91.1%) benefit. Patients were more likely to get recommended therapy with positive patient compliance. Staging Ⅲ, medium/high differentiation and objective compliance were associated with increased risk of mortality. (4) Conclusions: Guideline adherence for clinical T4 RC in our system is low. Compliance with the relevant guidelines for neoadjuvant therapy seems not to lead to better overall survival for patients with clinical T4 RC.

Measurement of the Sensitivity of Two-Particle Correlations in pp Collisions to the Presence of Hard Scatterings

A key open question in the study of multiparticle production in high-energy pp collisions is the relationship between the "ridge"-i.e., the observed azimuthal correlations between particles in the underlying event that extend over all rapidities-and hard or semihard scattering processes. In particular, it is not known whether jets or their soft fragments are correlated with particles in the underlying event. To address this question, two-particle correlations are measured in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV using data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, with an integrated luminosity of 15.8  pb^{-1}, in two different configurations. In the first case, charged particles associated with jets are excluded from the correlation analysis, while in the second case, correlations are measured between particles within jets and charged particles from the underlying event. Second-order flow coefficients, v_{2}, are presented as a function of event multiplicity and transverse momentum. These measurements show that excluding particles associated with jets does not affect the measured correlations. Moreover, particles associated with jets do not exhibit any significant azimuthal correlations with the underlying event, ruling out hard processes contributing to the ridge.

Observation of an Excess of Dicharmonium Events in the Four-Muon Final State with the ATLAS Detector

A search is made for potential ccc[over ¯]c[over ¯] tetraquarks decaying into a pair of charmonium states in the four muon final state using proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140  fb^{-1} recorded by the ATLAS experiment at LHC. Two decay channels, J/ψ+J/ψ→4μ and J/ψ+ψ(2S)→4μ, are studied. Backgrounds are estimated based on a hybrid approach involving Monte Carlo simulations and data-driven methods. Statistically significant excesses with respect to backgrounds dominated by the single parton scattering are seen in the di-J/ψ channel consistent with a narrow resonance at 6.9 GeV and a broader structure at lower mass. A statistically significant excess is also seen in the J/ψ+ψ(2S) channel. The fitted masses and decay widths of the structures are reported.

Observation of the γγ→ττ Process in Pb+Pb Collisions and Constraints on the τ-Lepton Anomalous Magnetic Moment with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of τ-lepton-pair production in ultraperipheral lead-lead collisions Pb+Pb→Pb(γγ→ττ)Pb and constraints on the τ-lepton anomalous magnetic moment a_{τ}. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.44  nb^{-1} of LHC Pb+Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment in 2018. Selected events contain one muon from a τ-lepton decay, an electron or charged-particle track(s) from the other τ-lepton decay, little additional central-detector activity, and no forward neutrons. The γγ→ττ process is observed in Pb+Pb collisions with a significance exceeding 5 standard deviations and a signal strength of μ_{ττ}=1.03_{-0.05}^{+0.06} assuming the standard model value for a_{τ}. To measure a_{τ}, a template fit to the muon transverse-momentum distribution from τ-lepton candidates is performed, using a dimuon (γγ→μμ) control sample to constrain systematic uncertainties. The observed 95% confidence-level interval for a_{τ} is -0.057 Collapse

Key Words Collapse

MESH Headings Collapse

Grants Collapse

RUNX1 as a Potential Target for Combined Radioimmunotherapy of Lung Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Radioimmunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer has good clinical application prospects. The role and mechanism of RUNX1 in DNA damage repair were explored for its potential role in lung adenocarcinoma radioimmunotherapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

To study the effect of RUNX1 expression level on the expression of DNA damage repair system related factors and radiation sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells. As an important nuclear transcription factor, RUNX1 was explored whether directly regulating the expression of Nrf2, Rad51, BRCA1, and verifying their respective DNA binding sites in the promoter region through relevant databases. To observe the effect of RUNX1 knockout and overexpression on the expression level of PD-L1 in tumor cells at the cell level; The effect of RUNX1 expression level on the sorting and presentation of PD-L1 cells was investigated by the method of nucleocytoplasmic separation. According to literature reports, CMTM6 and ALIX play a key role in the process of PD-L1 cell sorting and presentation, and explore whether RUNX1 plays a role through this factor. The effect of phosphorylation level of different splicing bodies of RUNX1 (RUNX1a/b/c) on the expression level and DNA damage repair system related factors on tumor radiosensitivity were also explored.

RESULTS

According to TCGA database, RUNX1 is highly expressed and phosphorylated in lung adenocarcinoma. Through gene comparison with the database, it was found that RUNX1 binding sites existed in the promoter region of several factors related to this study, including ALIX, Nrf2, BRCA1, RAD51, ATM, H2AX, etc. After being activated by MAPKp38 phosphorylation, RUNX1a can positively regulate Nrf2 signal pathway. The expression of RUNX1 and p-RUNX1 is time-dependent on ionizing radiation. At the same time, it was found that the expression of RUNX1 and p-RUNX1 was dose-dependent on ionizing radiation, and the expression trend of Nrf2 signal pathway related factors was consistent with RUNX1. RUNX1 regulates the expression of PD-L1, BRCA1, ALIX and Nrf2. Bioinformatics analysis and flow cytometry data show that RUNX1 has inhibitory effect on tumor microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

RUNX1 regulates DNA damage repair system and has inhibitory effect on tumor immunity. Inhibiting the expression of RUNX1 in lung adenocarcinoma cells can enhance the effect of radioimmunotherapy.

Effect of Segmental Abutting Esophagus-Sparing Technique to Reduce Severe Esophagitis in Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Concurrent Hypofractionated Thoracic Radiation and Chemotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To evaluate the effect of segmental abutting esophagus-sparing (SAES) radiotherapy to reduce severe (G3+) acute esophagitis from 20% to 5% in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with a clinical target volume (CTV) ≤1 cm close to the esophagus were enrolled in the experimental arm (45 Gy in 3 Gy daily fractions in 3 weeks) of an ongoing phase III randomized clinical trial (NCT02675088), which enrolled patients with histologically confirmed SCLC and clinically staged as LS or I-IIIB (AJCC 7th). This trial was designed to determine whether HYPO TRT (45 Gy in 3 Gy QD, experimental arm) has the same efficacy as CF TRT (60 Gy in 2 Gy QD, controlled arm) in patients with LS-SCLC. The whole esophagus was divided into the involved esophagus and abutting esophagus (AE) to receive different dose limitations according to the distance from the edge of the CTV. The primary endpoint was grade ≥ 3 acute esophagitis.

RESULTS

From 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022, 30 patients were enrolled and completed four cycles of planned chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Our patient population was predominantly male (66.7% men vs. 33.3% women), with a median age of 62 years. A majority of patients presented with Stage N2-3 (90.0%) and T2-4 (76.7%), in which 4 patients had ultracentral-located primary tumors. With the SAES technique, all dosimetric parameters were significantly reduced for the whole esophagus and AE. The maximal and mean dose of the esophagus (47.4±1.9 Gy and 13.5 ± 5.8 Gy, respectively) and AE (42.9±2.3 Gy and 8.6 ± 3.6 Gy, respectively) in the SAES plan were significantly lower than those (esophagus 48.0±1.9 Gy and 14.7± 6.1 Gy, AE 45.1±2.4 Gy and 9.8± 4.2 Gy, respectively) in the non-SAES plan. After the follow-up of more than 7 months (range, 7.0-18.1 months) for all patients, only one patient (3.3%, 95% CI 0.1%-17.2%) experienced grade 3 acute esophagitis and no grade 4-5 acute esophagitis happened (Table 3). For late toxicities, one patient suffered sustained grade 1 late esophagitis and all others had no symptoms of esophagitis. The rate of radiation pneumonitis was very low, with one grade 3 event and no grade 4-5 event. Twelve (40.0%) patients had G3+ hematologic toxic events, including 2 patients with febrile neutropenia. The 1-year OS, LRFS, DMFS and PFS was 96.4%, 88.7%, 78.4% and 64.3%, respectively. No patient developed local recurrence in the abutting esophagus-sparing region.

CONCLUSION

SAES radiotherapy has significant dosimetric advantages compared with standard radiotherapy, which are successfully translated into clinical benefits for patients with LS-SCLC treated with 45 Gy in 3 Gy daily fractions. This may facilitate dose escalation for TRT in LS-SCLC patients.

Assessment of Electronic Health Literacy among Patients in an Urban, Academic Radiation Therapy Department

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affected health outcomes and healthcare access, especially with the abrupt transition to virtual care. Cancer patients in the New York City borough of the Bronx, a potentially marginalized community with high rates of poverty and non-English speakers, may be particularly vulnerable to healthcare disparities, given their advanced age and possible difficulty navigating telemedicine appointments due to decreased electronic health literacy (EHL). We investigated EHL levels using both subjective and objective measures and associated predictors of EHL in patients within an academic, urban radiation oncology department.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We conducted a prospective IRB-approved study of patients aged ≥18 presenting for care in our department. Patients' internet access and established habits were surveyed via Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Subjective EHL, self-reported comfort using the internet for health information, was assessed via the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), which calculates a score by adding participants' answers for 8 questions (each on a 1 to 5-point Likert scale). Subjective EHL was categorized as low (8-23), moderate (24-31), or good (32-40). Objective EHL was determined by the eHealth Literacy Objective Scale (eHeLiOS), which tests responses to 9 common scenarios on gathering and assessing electronic health information via multiple-choice questions. The numbers of correct answers were totaled and categorized into low (1-4), moderate (5-7), or good (8-9) EHL.

RESULTS

Patients were enrolled between December 2020 and December 2022. 56 patients completed the subjective eHEALS assessment, while 49 completed the eHeLiOS objective test. 52% and 27% of patients identified as Black and Hispanic, respectively; 66% were male, and the median age was 67 (range 28-86). 76% reported accessing the internet regularly, of which 92% reported doing so via broadband network. The prevalence of good EHL was 10% using objective and 29% using subjective surveys. Using a proportional odds logistic model, only age was associated with EHL. For every increased year of age, there was an 11% decrease in objective (OR 0.89, p = 0.02) and 5% decrease in subjective (OR 0.95, p = 0.08) EHL odds, respectively. Gender, race/ethnicity, income, insurance, and employment status were not significantly associated with EHL.

CONCLUSION

Few study patients, who represent an older and potentially marginalized population, showed good EHL levels; more perceived good EHL via subjective testing than we observed using our objective measure. These data suggest implementation of an objective EHL assessment would aid in identifying patients who may benefit from learning activities to improve EHL and support to navigate telehealth visits effectively. Further research is needed to optimize telemedicine strategies for older cancer patients with low EHL.

Radiotherapy Access and Treatment in Rwanda: Demographics and Clinical Characteristics of Cervical Cancer Patients

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Nearly all cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), and in Rwanda, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. In 2018, Rwanda Cancer Center (RCC) opened as the first place to offer radiotherapy (RT) for cervical cancer treatment in the country. This study aims to characterize patient demographic and clinical characteristics, access to care, and predictors associated with treatment initiation.

MATERIALS/METHODS

This study was conducted at RCC in Kigali. Between 2019 and 2022, patients who received radiotherapy were included; data were extracted from electronic medical records, including demographics, medical history, cancer information, pre-RT imaging, RT information, and toxicities. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics; chi-square and t-tests were used to test any distribution differences. Time to treatment initiation (TTI, time from biopsy to first RT session) was dichotomized as ≤45 vs. >45 days) and multivariable logistic regression was used to find predictors of TTI.

RESULTS

Of the 620 women who presented with cervical cancer, 428 (69%) were treated with radiotherapy (External Beam Radiotherapy using Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy). The average patient's age was 55.4 years (+/-11.4), and the median distance traveled was 87.7 km (IQR: 37.0-140.0). Nearly 88% used community-based (government) insurance (CBHI, either 0% and 10% copay category); 21.9% were known to be living with HIV. 66.9% of patients presented with stage 3 or 4 disease. Of the patients receiving RT, 357 (83%) received chemotherapy. Predictors of TTI (≤45 days) were travel distance and insurance type. The odds of early TTI (≤45 days) decreased by 27% per 1 log kilometer increase. Patients using CBHI insurance had 54% lesser odds of early TTI than others.

CONCLUSION

RCC has built a capacity to provide advanced radiation treatment to cancer patients in Rwanda and surrounding LMIC countries. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, RCC has treated nearly 500 patients already. This study is the first to document these patient characteristics; results suggest that longer travel distance and public insurance are major factors for longer treatment initiation. Strategies to identify barriers to screening for early cancer detection and expediting treatment initiation are ongoing.

Fabrication of dual physically cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol/agar hydrogels with mechanical stability and antibacterial activity for wound healing

Bacterial infection is one of the most critical obstacles in wound healing, and severe bacterial infections can lead to inflammatory conditions and delay the healing process. Herein, a novel hydrogel based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), agar, and silk-AgNPs was prepared using a straightforward one-pot physical cross-linking method. The in situ synthesis of AgNPs in hydrogels exploited the reducibility of tyrosine (Tyr tyrosine) in silk fibroin, which endowed the hydrogels with outstanding antibacterial qualities. In addition, the strong hydrogen bond cross-linked networks of agar and the crystallites formed by PVA as the physical cross-linked double network of the hydrogel gave it excellent mechanical stability. The PVA/agar/SF-AgNPs (PASA) hydrogels exhibited excellent water absorption, porosity, and significant antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Furthermore, in vivo experimental results confirmed that the PASA hydrogel significantly promoted wound repair and skin tissue reconstruction by reducing inflammation and promoting collagen deposition. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the PASA hydrogel enhanced CD31 expression to promote angiogenesis while decreasing CD68 expression to reduce inflammation. Overall, the novel PASA hydrogel showed great potential for bacterial infection wound management.

Strong Constraints on Jet Quenching in Centrality-Dependent p+Pb Collisions at 5.02 TeV from ATLAS

Jet quenching is the process of color-charged partons losing energy via interactions with quark-gluon plasma droplets created in heavy-ion collisions. The collective expansion of such droplets is well described by viscous hydrodynamics. Similar evidence of collectivity is consistently observed in smaller collision systems, including pp and p+Pb collisions. In contrast, while jet quenching is observed in Pb+Pb collisions, no evidence has been found in these small systems to date, raising fundamental questions about the nature of the system created in these collisions. The ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider has measured the yield of charged hadrons correlated with reconstructed jets in 0.36  nb^{-1} of p+Pb and 3.6  pb^{-1} of pp collisions at 5.02 TeV. The yields of charged hadrons with p_{T}^{ch}>0.5  GeV near and opposite in azimuth to jets with p_{T}^{jet}>30 or 60 GeV, and the ratios of these yields between p+Pb and pp collisions, I_{pPb}, are reported. The collision centrality of p+Pb events is categorized by the energy deposited by forward neutrons from the struck nucleus. The I_{pPb} values are consistent with unity within a few percent for hadrons with p_{T}^{ch}>4  GeV at all centralities. These data provide new, strong constraints that preclude almost any parton energy loss in central p+Pb collisions.

Search for Heavy Neutral Leptons in Decays of W Bosons Using a Dilepton Displaced Vertex in sqrt[s]=13 TeV pp Collisions with the ATLAS Detector

A search for a long-lived, heavy neutral lepton (N) in 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV pp collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is reported. The N is produced via W→Nμ or W→Ne and decays into two charged leptons and a neutrino, forming a displaced vertex. The N mass is used to discriminate between signal and background. No signal is observed, and limits are set on the squared mixing parameters of the N with the left-handed neutrino states for the N mass range 3  GeV Collapse

Key Words Collapse

MESH Headings Collapse

Grants Collapse

Test of CP Invariance in Higgs Boson Vector-Boson-Fusion Production Using the H→γγ Channel with the ATLAS Detector

A test of CP invariance in Higgs boson production via vector-boson fusion has been performed in the H→γγ channel using 139  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The optimal observable method is used to probe the CP structure of interactions between the Higgs boson and electroweak gauge bosons, as described by an effective field theory. No sign of CP violation is observed in the data. Constraints are set on the parameters describing the strength of the CP-odd component in the coupling between the Higgs boson and the electroweak gauge bosons in two effective field theory bases: d[over ˜] in the HISZ basis and c_{HW[over ˜]} in the Warsaw basis. The results presented are the most stringent constraints on CP violation in the coupling between Higgs and weak bosons. The 95% C.L. constraint on d[over ˜] is derived for the first time and the 95% C.L. constraint on c_{HW[over ˜]} has been improved by a factor of 5 compared to the previous measurement.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding From a Transverse Colon Dieulafoy Lesion

Dieulafoy lesions are an extremely rare disease that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding and colon bleeding. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding caused by a transverse colonic Dieulafoy lesion is extremely rare. This study describes the case of a 68-year-old woman who took oral rivaroxaban for atrial fibrillation and presented with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding associated with a rare transverse colonic Dieulafoy lesion. Hemostasis was successfully achieved by thermal coagulation and the application of endoscopic hemoclips. Lastly, we reviewed previous literature on the diagnosis and treatment of colonic Dieulafoy disease.

LygA retention on the surface of Listeria monocytogenes via its interaction with wall teichoic acid modulates bacterial homeostasis and virulence

Wall teichoic acid (WTA) is the abundant cell wall-associated glycopolymer in Gram-positive bacteria, playing crucial roles in surface proteins retention, bacterial homeostasis, and virulence. Hypervirulent serovar (SV) 4h Listeria monocytogenes is a newly designated serotype with only galactosylated (Gal) type II WTA. Although the surface association of some proteins relies on the WTA glycosylation, the nature and function of the noncovalent interactions between cell wall-associated proteins and WTA are less known. In this study, we found Gal-WTA plays a key role in modulating the novel glycine-tryptophan (GW) domain-containing autolysin protein LygA through direct interactions. An SV 4h strain deficient in WTA galactosylation (XYSNΔgalT) showed a dramatic reduction of LygA on the cell surface, significantly decreasing the autolytic activity, impairing the bacterial colonization in colon and brain. Notably, we demonstrated LygA binds to Gal-WTA with high affinity through the GW domain and that the extent of binding increases with the number of GW domains. Moreover, we confirmed the direct Gal-dependent binding of the GW protein Auto from the type I WTA strain, which has no interaction with l-rhamnosylated WTA, indicating that the complexity of both WTA and GW proteins can affect the coordination patterns. Altogether, our findings suggest that both the glycosylation patterns of WTA and a fixed numbers of GW domains are closely associated with the retention of LygA on the cell surface, which facilitates L. monocytogenes infection by promoting bacteria colonization in intestine and brain.

[Prevalence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in snails in Fujian Province from 2017 to 2021]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in market-sold and field-captured snails in Fujian Province, so as to provide the scientific basis for the formulation of the angiostrongyliasis control measures.

METHODS

In each month from May to October during the period from 2017 through 2021, Pomacea snails were collected from two field fixed surveillance sites and Bellamya aeruginosa collected from one agricultural product market in Fuzhou City, while Pomacea and B. aeruginosa snails were collected from two agricultural product markets and four restaurants in Xiamen City. At least 50 Pomacea snails and 500 g B. aeruginosa were sampled each time. A. cantonensis infection was detected in Pomacea snails using lung microscopy, and in B. aeruginosa using a tissue homogenate method.

RESULTS

A total of 9 531 Pomacea snails were detected for A. cantonensis infection in two cities of Fuzhou and Xiamen, and the overall prevalence of A. cantonensis infection was 4.40%, with the highest prevalence in 2017 (6.82%, 116/1 701) and the lowest prevalence in 2019 (3.46%, 83/2 400). The prevalence of A. cantonensis infection was significantly higher in Pomacea snails sampled from Fuzhou City (11.23%, 326/2 903) than from Xiamen City (1.40%, 93/6 628) (χ² = 461.48, P < 0.01). A. cantonensis larvae were detected in larval Pomacea snails in two cities of Fuzhou and Xiamen each month. The prevalence of A. cantonensis infection in Pomacea snails appeared an overall tendency towards a rise with month in Fuzhou City, with the highest prevalence in October (15.24%), and there was a significant difference among month (χ² = 14.56, P < 0.05), while the prevalence of A. cantonensis infection in Pomacea snails was low in Pomacea snails sampled from Xiamen City each month, with the highest prevalence in June (2.64%), and there was a significant difference among month (χ² = 23.17, P < 0.05). A total of 18 966 B. aeruginosa snails were detected for A. cantonensis infection in two cities of Fuzhou and Xiamen, and the overall prevalence of A. cantonensis infection was 0.01%.

CONCLUSIONS

A. cantonensis infection was identified in Pomacea and B. aeruginosa snails in Fujian Province from 2017 to 2021, and there is a potential risk of human A. cantonensis infection.

Fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion for congenital diaphragmatic hernia: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

It is debated whether fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) is beneficial to fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and whether FETO has different effects in moderate and severe CDH. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis including the latest evidence to assess the overall effects of FETO on clinical outcomes of CDH.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database and Wanfang Database to retrieve eligible studies published before 8 September 2022. No language or study design restrictions were applied. Studies were included if CDH fetuses underwent FETO surgery and were compared with a cohort that underwent expectant management, with at least one outcome reported. The primary outcomes were mortality at 1, 6 and 12 months after birth, rates of pulmonary hypertension, use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and prematurity. Meta-analysis was conducted to obtain pooled odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences. The quality of included studies and pooled evidence was also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 1187 CDH fetuses from 20 studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. FETO significantly reduced 1-month (OR, 0.56 (95% CI, 0.34-0.93); P = 0.02, number needed to treat (NNT) = 7.67) and 6-month (OR, 0.34 (95% CI, 0.18-0.65); P = 0.0009, NNT = 5.26) CDH mortality (moderate/low quality of evidence). Subgroup analysis suggested that the effects of FETO on the rates of pulmonary hypertension and ECMO usage were significant in severe CDH (low/moderate quality of evidence) but not in moderate CDH (low/very low quality of evidence). FETO was also associated with an increased risk of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes before 37 weeks' gestation (OR, 4.94 (95% CI, 2.25-10.88); P < 0.0001, number needed to harm (NNH) = 3.13) and preterm birth before 37 weeks (OR, 5.24 (95% CI, 3.33-8.23); P < 0.00001, NNH = 2.79) (high/moderate quality of evidence). However, FETO was not associated with severe complications, such as preterm birth before 32 weeks, placental abruption or chorioamnionitis (very low/low quality of evidence).

CONCLUSIONS

FETO is associated with a reduction in mortality, rate of pulmonary hypertension and ECMO usage in severe CDH, while it reduces only the risk of mortality in moderate CDH. Although FETO increases the risk of late prematurity, it does not result in extreme prematurity. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The percentage of cognitive impairment in patients with major depressive disorder over the course of the depression: A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairments (CI) are prevalent and persistent in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). There is a lack of longitudinal studies exploring the changes of the percentage of CI among MDD patients before and after a long-term antidepressant treatment and the risk factors that predict the residual CI.

METHODS

A neurocognitive battery was performed to assess four domains of cognitive function, including executive function, processing speed, attention, and memory. CI was set as cognitive performance scoring 1.5 SDs lower than the mean scores of healthy controls (HCs). Logistic regression models were conducted to examine the risk factors for the after-treatment residual CI.

RESULTS

Over 50 % of patients showed at least one kind of CI. After the antidepressant treatment, the overall cognitive performance among remitted MDD patients was identical to HCs, however, there were still 24 % of the remitted MDD patients had at least one type of CI, especially in executive function and attention. Additionally, the percentage of CI among non-remitted MDD patients was still significantly different from HCs. Our regression analysis further identified that except for the non-remission of MDD, CI at baseline could also predict the residual CI in MDD patients.

LIMITATIONS

A relatively high drop-out rate at follow-ups.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive impairment in executive function and attention is persistent even in remitted patients with MDD, and baseline cognitive performance can predict the post-treatment cognitive performance. Our findings emphasize the integral role of early cognitive intervention in MDD treatment.

Recovery of gland function after endoscopy-assisted removal of impacted hilo-parenchymal stones in the Wharton's duct

The aim of this study was to evaluate the gland function of patients following endoscopy-assisted removal of impacted hilo-parenchymal stones in the Wharton's duct. The study cohort comprised 115 patients who had undergone successful endoscopy-assisted lithotomy for hilo-parenchymal stones (mean diameter 7.7 mm). Gland function was evaluated at a mean 12 months after surgery using ultrasonography, sialography, and/or sialometry. Postoperative ultrasonography of 51 affected glands revealed a regular gland size in 58.8%, normal parenchyma density in 51.0%, and ductal ectasia in 80.4%. Postoperative sialograms of 109 affected glands were scored as type I (approximately normal) in 13 cases, type II (saccular ectasia of the hilo-parenchymal duct with/without stenosis, and no contrast retention) in 64, type III (saccular ectasia of the hilo-parenchymal duct with/without stenosis, and mild contrast retention) in 23, and type IV (poor shape of the main duct with evident contrast retention) in nine cases. The existence of ductal ectasia corresponded well to larger stone cases (P = 0.002). In the postoperative sialometry of 35 patients with unilateral stones, differences between the two sides were insignificant (P > 0.05). For patients with hilo-parenchymal submandibular gland stones, endoscopy-assisted surgery and extended postoperative follow-up help preserve the gland with good function.

Modified 1,4-butanediol organosolv pretreatment on hardwoodandsoftwood for efficient coproduction of fermentable sugars and lignin antioxidants

In this work, 1,4-butanediol (BDO) organosolv pretreatment was modified with different additives for efficient coproduction of fermentable sugars and lignin antioxidants from hardwood poplar and softwood masson pine. It was found additives more greatly improved pretreatment efficacy of softwood than hardwood. 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA) addition introduced hydrophilic acid groups to lignin structure, while 2-naphthol-7-sulphonate (NS) addition promoted lignin removal, both improving cellulose accessibility for enzymatic hydrolysis. Consequently, BDO pretreatment with 90 mM acid and 2-naphthol-7-sulphonate addition achieved near complete cellulose hydrolysis (97.98%) and maximized sugar yield of 88.23% from masson pine at 2% cellulose and 20 FPU/g enzyme loading. More importantly, the recovered lignin possessed great antioxidant activity (RSI = 2.48), due to increased phenolic OH groups, reduced aliphatic OH groups and molecular weight. Results indicated the modified BDO pretreatment could significantly improve enzymatic saccharification of highly-recalcitrant softwood, while enabling coproduction of high-performance lignin antioxidants for full biomass utilization.

Deep learning radiomics-based preoperative prediction of recurrence in chronic rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterized by poor prognosis and propensity for recurrence even after surgery. Identification of those CRS patients with high risk of relapse preoperatively will contribute to personalized treatment recommendations. In this paper, we proposed a multi-task deep learning network for sinus segmentation and CRS recurrence prediction simultaneously to develop and validate a deep learning radiomics-based nomogram for preoperatively predicting recurrence in CRS patients who needed surgical treatment. 265 paranasal sinuses computed tomography (CT) images of CRS from two independent medical centers were analyzed to build and test models. The sinus segmentation model achieved good segmentation results. Furthermore, the nomogram combining a deep learning signature and clinical factors also showed excellent recurrence prediction ability for CRS. Our study not only facilitates a technique for sinus segmentation but also provides a noninvasive method for preoperatively predicting recurrence in patients with CRS.

Multi-functional carboxymethyl chitosan/sericin protein/halloysite composite sponge with efficient antibacterial and hemostatic properties for accelerating wound healing

The development of wound dressings with hemostatic and antibacterial properties has attracted great attention. In this study, we prepared a multi-functional natural substance sponge (CMC/Ser-Ag/HNT) composed of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), sericin-silver nanoparticle (Ser-Ag), and halloysite (HNT). CMC/Ser-Ag/HNT sponge was demonstrated to bear desired hygroscopicity, porosity, compressive strength and compressive stability, cytocompatibility, and hemocompatibility. The mechanical properties (compressive strength of 100 kPa) and hemostatic capacity (hemostasis time of 15 ± 3 s in the liver injury model and 12 ± 3 s in the caudal injury model) were enhanced by introducing HNT into the CMC sponge. Ser-Ag was synthesized in situ via the redox nature of tyrosine residues in sericin in a "one-step, green" way to enhance the antibacterial activity of the hybrid sponge against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In addition, the rat full-thickness skin defect model experiments demonstrated that the CMC/Ser-Ag/HNT4 sponge significantly promoted epithelialization and collagen formation. Immunofluorescence staining assays revealed that the composite sponge reduced inflammation by downregulating the expression of IL-6 and enhanced angiogenesis by upregulating VEGF expression. All the findings demonstrated the great potential of CMC/Ser-Ag/HNT sponge as versatile clinical wound dressing, especially for hemorrhagic and infected wounds.

CCDC3 Gene Regulates the Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cells

We studied the effect of CCDC3 on the viability of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The levels of CCDC3 mRNA and the corresponding protein in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, T-47D, and HCC1937 cell lines were measured by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Since MDA-MB-231 cells had higher expression of mRNA CCDC3 and CCDC3 protein, we used this cell line for transfection with small interfering RNA by lentivirus. Cell Counting Kit-8 and clone formation assay were used to detect the effects of CCDC3 knockdown on cell viability; flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of CCDC3 knockdown on cell apoptosis and cell cycle. In MDA-MB-231 cell line, the CCDC3 protein level was significantly down-regulated after CCDC3 knockdown in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). The cell viability and the number of clones in the CCDC3 knockdown group were significantly reduced (p<0.05), while the apoptosis rate significantly increased (p<0.05). Thus, after CCDC3 knockdown, cell viability is weakened in MDA-MB-231 cells, and cell apoptosis rate is increased. Therefore, CCDC3 gene is promising as a new candidate target for BC treatment.

Comparative study of acid- and alkali-catalyzed 1,4-butanediol pretreatment for co-production of fermentable sugars and value-added lignin compounds

BACKGROUND

Organosolv pretreatment is one of the most efficient methods for delignification and boosting biomass saccharification. As compared to typical ethanol organosolv pretreatments, 1,4-butanediol (BDO) organosolv pretreatment is a high-boiling-point solvent pretreatment, which can generate low pressure in the reactor during high temperature cooking that improves the operation safety. Although several studies showed that organosolv pretreatment can lead to effective delignification and enhancement in glucan hydrolysis, there has been no studies on acid- and alkali-catalyzed BDO pretreatment, as well as their comparison on promoting biomass saccharification and lignin utilization.

RESULTS

It was shown that BDO organosolv pretreatment was more effective in removing lignin from poplar as compared with typical ethanol organosolv pretreatment under the same pretreatment conditions. HCl-BDO pretreatment with 40 mM acid loading led to 82.04% of original lignin removed from biomass, as compared to the lignin removal of 59.66% in HCl-Ethanol pretreatment. Besides, acid-catalyzed BDO pretreatment was more effective in improving the enzymatic digestibility of poplar than alkali-catalyzed BDO pretreatment. As a result, HCl-BDO with acid loading of 40 mM provided a good enzymatic digestibility of cellulose (91.16%) and the maximum sugar yield of 79.41% from original woody biomass. The linear correlations between physicochemical structure (e.g., fiber swelling, cellulose crystallinity, crystallite size, surface lignin coverage and cellulose accessibility) changes of BDO pretreated poplar and enzymatic hydrolysis were plotted to figure out the main factors that influenced biomass saccharification. Moreover, acid-catalyzed BDO pretreatment mainly brought about the phenolic hydroxyl (PhOH) groups formation in lignin structure, while alkali-catalyzed BDO pretreatment mostly led to the lower molecular weight of lignin.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicated that the acid-catalyzed BDO organosolv pretreatment could significantly improve enzymatic digestibility of the highly recalcitrant woody biomass. The great enzymatic hydrolysis of glucan resulted from increased cellulose accessibility, which mostly associated with the higher degree of delignification and hemicellulose solubilization, as well as the more increase in fiber swelling. Besides, lignin was recovered from the organic solvent, which could be used as natural antioxidants. The formation of phenolic hydroxyl groups in lignin structure and the lower molecular weight of lignin contributed to its greater radical scavenging capacity.

Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Rural Governance Demonstration Villages in China

Rural governance plays a significant role in constructing national governance systems and promoting rural development. An accurate understanding of the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of rural governance demonstration villages is conducive to giving full play to their leading, demonstration and radiating roles and further promoting the modernization of rural governance systems and governance capacity. Therefore, this study uses Moran's I analysis, local correlation analysis, kernel density analysis and a geographic concentration index to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of rural governance demonstration villages. Moreover, this study proposes a conceptual framework to construct the cognition of rural governance and uses Geodetector and vector data buffer analysis methods to explore the internal influence mechanism of their spatial distribution. The results show the following: (1) The spatial distribution of rural governance demonstration villages in China is unbalanced. The distribution difference between the two sides of the "Hu line" is significant. The peak appears at 30° N and 118° E. (2) The rural governance demonstration villages in China are clustered, which forms a high-density core area, a sub-high density belt, two sub-high-density centers and several single core concentration areas. Additionally, the hot spots of rural governance demonstration villages in China are mostly located on the eastern coast, tending to cluster in places with superior natural conditions, convenient transportation, and excellent economic development. (3) Based on the distribution characteristics of Chinese rural governance demonstration villages, this study proposes a "one core, three axes and multiple centers" spatial structure to optimize the distribution of rural governance demonstration villages. (4) A rural governance framework system consists of a governance subject subsystem and influencing factor subsystem. The results of Geodetector show that under the mutual leading role of the three governance subjects, the distribution of rural governance demonstration villages in China is the result of multiple factors. Among them, nature is the basic factor, economy is the key factor, politics is the dominant factor, and demographic is the important factor. The interaction network formed by general public budget expenditure and total power of agricultural machinery affects the spatial distribution pattern of the rural governance demonstration villages in China.

Photoswitchable Oxidopyrylium Ylide for Photoclick Reaction with High Spatiotemporal Precision: A Dynamic Switching Strategy to Compensate for Molecular Diffusion

We describe a novel type of photoclick reaction between 2,3-diaryl indenone epoxide (DIO) and ring-strained dipolarophiles, in which DIO serves as a P-type photoswitch to produce mesoionic oxidopyrylium ylide (PY) to initiate an ultra-fast [5+2] cycloaddition (k_2hν =1.9×10⁵  M^-1  s^-1 ). The photoisomerization between DIO and PY can be tightly controlled by either 365 or 520 nm photo-stimulation, which allows reversion or regeneration of the reactive PY dipole on demand. Thus, this reversible photoactivation was exploited to increase the chemoselectivity of the [5+2] cycloaddition in complex environments via temporal dual-λ stimulation sequences and to recycle the DIO reagent for batch-wise protein conjugation. A dynamic photoswitching strategy is also proposed to compensate for molecular diffusion of PY in aqueous solution, enhancing the spatial resolution of lithographic surface decoration and bioorthogonal labeling on living cells via a spatiotemporal dual-λ photo-modulation.