Deep-learning assisted zwitterionic magnetic immunochromatographic assays for multiplex diagnosis of biomarkers

Magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) display long-term stability and an enhanced capability for multiplex biomarker detection, surpassing conventional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and fluorescence-based ICTs. In this study, we innovatively developed zwitterionic silica-coated MNPs (MNP@Si-Zwit/COOH) with outstanding antifouling capabilities and effectively utilised them for the simultaneous identification of the nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza A/B. The carboxyl-functionalised MNPs with 10% zwitterionic ligands (MNP@Si-Zwit 10/COOH) exhibited a wide linear dynamic detection range and the most pronounced signal-to-noise ratio when used as probes in the ICT. The relative limit of detection (LOD) values were achieved in 12 min by using a magnetic assay reader (MAR), with values of 0.0062 ng/mL for SARS-CoV-2 and 0.0051 and 0.0147 ng/mL, respectively, for the N protein of influenza A and influenza B. By integrating computer vision and deep learning to enhance the image processing of immunoassay results for multiplex detection, a classification accuracy in the range of 0.9672-0.9936 was achieved for evaluating the three proteins at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 ng/mL. The proposed MNP-based ICT for the multiplex diagnosis of biomarkers holds substantial promise for applications in both medical institutions and self-administered diagnostic settings.

Menopausal age and cardiovascular disease risk in American women: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant contributor to the deaths of females, and premature menopause adds to the risk of CVD in females. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the age of menopause and CVD incidence in American females using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

METHOD

We analyzed data from 6347 females to investigate the association between menopausal age and the risk of CVD using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The study found that a later menopausal age reduces the risk of developing CVD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.63 - 0.88, p < 0.001). Moreover, females with early-onset CVD had an increased risk of premature menopause before the age of 40 years (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.60 - 3.72, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Menopausal age is associated with the risk of developing CVD in American females. Specifically, if menopause occurs earlier, there is an increased risk of CVD. Additionally, early-onset CVD significantly raises the risk of premature menopause, which in turn has important implications for female reproductive health.

The Potential of Co-Evolution and Interactions of Gut Bacteria-Phages in Bamboo-Eating Pandas: Insights from Dietary Preference-Based Metagenomic Analysis

Bacteria and phages are two of the most abundant biological entities in the gut microbiome, and diet and host phylogeny are two of the most critical factors influencing the gut microbiome. A stable gut bacterial community plays a pivotal role in the host's physiological development and immune health. A phage is a virus that directly infects bacteria, and phages' close associations and interactions with bacteria are essential for maintaining the stability of the gut bacterial community and the entire microbial ecosystem. Here, we utilized 99 published metagenomic datasets from 38 mammalian species to investigate the relationship (diversity and composition) and potential interactions between gut bacterial and phage communities and the impact of diet and phylogeny on these communities. Our results highlight the co-evolutionary potential of bacterial-phage interactions within the mammalian gut. We observed a higher alpha diversity in gut bacteria than in phages and identified positive correlations between bacterial and phage compositions. Furthermore, our study revealed the significant influence of diet and phylogeny on mammalian gut bacterial and phage communities. We discovered that the impact of dietary factors on these communities was more pronounced than that of phylogenetic factors at the order level. In contrast, phylogenetic characteristics had a more substantial influence at the family level. The similar omnivorous dietary preference and closer phylogenetic relationship (family Ursidae) may contribute to the similarity of gut bacterial and phage communities between captive giant panda populations (GPCD and GPYA) and omnivorous animals (OC; including Sun bear, brown bear, and Asian black bear). This study employed co-occurrence microbial network analysis to reveal the potential interaction patterns between bacteria and phages. Compared to other mammalian groups (carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores), the gut bacterial and phage communities of bamboo-eating species (giant pandas and red pandas) exhibited a higher level of interaction. Additionally, keystone species and modular analysis showed the potential role of phages in driving and maintaining the interaction patterns between bacteria and phages in captive giant pandas. In sum, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between the gut microbiota and phages in mammals is of great significance, which is of great value in promoting healthy and sustainable mammals and may provide valuable insights into the conservation of wildlife populations, especially endangered animal species.

An ingestible near-infrared fluorescence capsule endoscopy for specific gastrointestinal diagnoses

Early diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases is important to effectively prevent carcinogenesis. Capsule endoscopy (CE) can address the pain caused by wired endoscopy in GI diagnosis. However, existing CE approaches have difficulty effectively diagnosing lesions that do not exhibit obvious morphological changes. In addition, the current CE cannot achieve wireless energy supply and attitude control at the same time. Here, we successfully developed a novel near-infrared fluorescence capsule endoscopy (NIFCE) that can stimulate and capture near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence images to specifically identify subtle mucosal microlesions and submucosal lesions while capturing conventional white light (WL) images to detect lesions with significant morphological changes. Furthermore, we constructed the first synergetic system that simultaneously enables multi-attitude control in NIFCE and supplies long-term power, thus addressing the issue of excessive power consumption caused by the NIFCE emitting near-infrared light (NIRL). We performed in vivo experiments to verify that the NIFCE can specifically "light up" tumors while sparing normal tissues by synergizing with probes actively aggregated in tumors, thus realizing specific detection and penetration. The prototype NIFCE system represents a significant step forward in the field of CE and shows great potential in efficiently achieving early targeted diagnosis of various GI diseases.

Establishment of a pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics model of Schisandra lignans against hippocampal neurotransmitters in AD rats based on microdi-alysis liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Objective: Our previous studies substantiated that the biological activity of Schisandra chinensis lignans during the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was mediated by neurotransmitter levels, and 15 of its active components were identified. However, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationship of Schisandra chinensis lignans has been less studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Schisandra chinensis lignans in the treatment of AD, and to establish a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model. Methods and Results: Herein, we established a microdialysis-ultra performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry (MD-LC-TQ-MS) technique that could simultaneously and continuously collect and quantitatively analyze the active compounds and neurotransmitters related to the therapeutic effects of Schisandra chinensis in awake AD rats. Eight lignans were detected in the hippocampus, and a PK-PD model was established. The fitted curves highlighted a temporal lag between the maximum drug concentration and the peak drug effect. Following treatment, the levels of four neurotransmitters tended to converge with those observed in the sham operation group. Conclusion: By establishing a comprehensive concentration-time-effect relationship for Schisandra chinensis lignans in AD treatment, our study provides novel insights into the in vivo effects of these lignans in AD rats.

Newcastle disease virus infection remodels plasma phospholipid metabolism in chickens

Newcastle disease is a global problem that causes huge economic losses and threatens the health and welfare of poultry. Despite the knowledge gained on the metabolic impact of NDV on cells, the extent to which infection modifies the plasma metabolic network in chickens remains unknown. Herein, we performed targeted metabolomic and lipidomic to create a plasma metabolic network map during NDV infection. Meanwhile, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to explore the heterogeneity of lung tissue cells in response to NDV infection in vivo. The results showed that NDV remodeled the plasma phospholipid metabolism network. NDV preferentially targets infected blood endothelial cells, antigen-presenting cells, fibroblasts, and neutrophils in lung tissue. Importantly, NDV may directly regulate ribosome protein transcription to facilitate efficient viral protein translation. In conclusion, NDV infection remodels the plasma phospholipid metabolism network in chickens. This work provides valuable insights to further understand the pathogenesis of NDV.

High-expression of FABP4 in Tubules is a Risk Factor for Poor Prognosis in DKD Patients

BACKGROUND

Lipid metabolism imbalance is involved in the mechanism of renal tubular injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) has been reported to participate in cellular lipid toxicity. However, the expression of FABP4 in renal tissues of DKD and its correlation with clinical/ pathological parameters and prognosis have not been studied.

METHOD

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 108 hospitalized Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with renal injury, including 70 with DKD and 38 with NDKD (non-DKD). Clinical features, pathological findings, and follow-up parameters were collected. Serum and urine FABP4 were detected by ELISA. An immunohistochemistry stain was used to determine FABP4 in renal tubulointerstitium. A double immunofluorescence stain was employed to assess FABP4- and CD68-positive macrophages. Correlation analysis, logistic regression models, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and Kaplan-Meier survival curve were performed for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

DKD patients had increased expression of FABP4 and ectopic fat deposition in tubules. As shown by correlation analyses, FABP4 expression in renal tubules was positively correlated with UNAG (r=0.589, p=0.044) and ESRD (r=0.740, p=0.004). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that UNAG level was correlated with FABP4 expression level above median value (odds ratio:1.154, 95% confidence interval:1.009-1.321, p=0.037). High-expression of FABP4 in renal tubules of DKD was at an increased risk of ESRD. Increased FABP4 expression in inflammatory cells was also associated with ESRD in DKD.

CONCLUSION

High-expression of FABP4 is involved in the pathogenesis of renal tubular lipid injury and is a risk factor for poor prognosis in DKD patients.

[Clinical effect of modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in repairing skin and soft tissue defects after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of the modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in repairing the skin and soft tissue defect after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study. From June 2019 to July 2022, five male patients with low rectal cancer who were conformed to the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Basic Surgery of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, with ages ranging from 65 to 70 years and the sizes of the perianal skin ulcers ranging from 5 cm×4 cm to 11 cm×9 cm, and all of them underwent abdominoperineal resection. The secondary skin and soft tissue defects in the perineum with an area of 8 cm×6 cm-14 cm×12 cm (with the depth of pelvic floor dead space being 10-15 cm) were repaired intraoperatively with transplantation of modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps with the skin area being 9 cm×7 cm-16 cm×12 cm, the volume of the muscle being 18 cm×10 cm×5 cm-20 cm×12 cm×5 cm, and the vessel pedicle being 18-20 cm in length. During the operation, most of the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle was retained, the flap was transferred to the recipient area through the abdominal cavity, the remaining anterior sheaths of the rectus abdominis muscle on both sides of the donor area were repeatedly folded and sutured, the free edge of the transverse fascia of the abdomen was sutured with the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle, and the donor area skin was directly sutured. After the operation, the survival of the transplanted myocutaneous flap was observed. The occurrence of complications in the perineal recipient area was recorded within 2 weeks after the operation. The recovery of the perineal recipient area and the abdominal donor area was observed during follow-up, and the occurrence of complications in the donor area of the abdomen as well as the recurrence of tumors and metastasis were recorded. Results: All transplanted myocutaneous flaps in 5 patients survived after surgery. One patient had dehiscence of the incision in the perineal recipient area 2 days after surgery, which healed after 7 d with intermittent dressing changes and routine vacuum sealing drainage treatment. In the other 4 patients, no complications such as incisional rupture, incisional infection, or fat liquefaction occurred in the perineal recipient area within 2 weeks after surgery. Follow-up for 6-12 months after discharge showed that the skin of the perineal recipient area had good color, texture, and elasticity, and was not bloated in appearance; linear scars were left in the perineal recipient area and the abdominal donor area without obvious scar hyperplasia or hyperpigmentation; no complications such as incisional rupture, incisional infection, intestinal adhesion, intestinal obstruction, or weakening of the abdominal wall strength occurred in the abdominal donor area, and the abdominal appearance was good with no localized bulge or formation of abdominal hernia; there was no local recurrence of tumor or metastasis in any patient. Conclusions: The surgical approach of using the modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap to repair the skin and soft tissue defects after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer is relatively simple in operation, can achieve good postoperative appearances of the donor and recipient areas with few complications, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Changes in spectrum of biopsy-proven kidney diseases within decade: an analysis based on 10 199 cases from South China

PURPOSE

To assess the regional epidemiological trends of kidney diseases over time in the South China using renal biopsy-proven cases.

METHODS

This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at the Institute of Nephrology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, and encompasses all patients diagnosed with kidney disease via biopsy from 2012 to 2021.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 10 199 native kidneys, with a male-to-female ratio of 0.91:1 and an average age of 38.74 (±14.53) years. Primary glomerular nephropathy, systemic glomerular nephropathy (SGN), tubulointerstitial disease, and hereditary renal diseases accounted for 66.92 (6825)%, 24.49 (2498)%, 8.06 (822)%, and 0.53 (54)%, respectively. The leading pathologies of primary glomerular nephropathy remained the IgA nephropathy. The frequencies of IgA nephropathy and membranous nephropathy increased significantly, whereas the frequencies of minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis decreased (P < .001) between 2017 and 2021 than in the years 2012 and 2016. An earlier onset of membranous nephropathy was observed in the age group of 45-59 years compared to previous studies. The leading pathologies of SGN were found to be lupus nephritis (758 cases, 30.45%) and hypertension nephropathy (527 cases, 21.17%). The frequencies of hypertension nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy increased between 2017 and 2021 compared to 2012 and 2016 (P < .001), gradually becoming the leading pathological types of SGN. In elderly patients diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, the frequencies of amyloidosis significantly increased (P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Our study may provide insights for kidney disease prevention and public health strategies. What is already known on this topic The pathological spectrum of kidney diseases has undergone significant transformations in the past decade, driven by the escalating incidence of chronic diseases. Although there are studies exploring the renal biopsy findings from various regions in China which present both similarities and differences in epidemiology, few large-scale reports from the South China in recent decades were published. What this study adds Our findings reveal the following key observations: (i) increased proportion of middle-aged patients leading to the increasing average age at the time of biopsy；(ii) the frequencies of IgA nephropathy and membranous nephropathy (MN) increased significantly, whereas the frequencies of minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis decreased (P < .001) between 2017 and 2021 than in the years 2012 and 2016; (iii) earlier onset of MN in the age group of 45-59 years old was found in our study; and (iv) a higher frequency of hypertension nephropathy and DN presented over time, and frequency of amyloidosis increased in elderly patients diagnosed with NS. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy This single-center yet a large-scale study of the kidney disease spectrum in South China may provide a reference point for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of chronic kidney disease.

The comprehensive mechanism underlying Schisandra polysaccharide in AD-like symptoms of Aβ25-35-induced rats based on hippocampal metabolomics and serum lipidomics techniques

As is well documented, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease. Meanwhile, Schisandra polysaccharide (SCP) has been reported to exert a protective effect on the nervous system and can regulate metabolic disorders in AD-like symptoms of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) 25-35-induced rats. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms and metabolic markers for the diagnosis of AD are yet to be determined. This study aimed to explore the neuroprotective effect and potential mechanism of action of SCP in AD-like symptoms of Aβ25-35-induced rats by combining pharmacodynamics, metabolomics, and lipidomics. The pharmacodynamic results revealed that SCP significantly improved the spatial learning and long-term memory function and the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region, alleviated inflammatory damage and oxidative stress, inhibited the activation of microglia and astrocytes, and increased the proportion of mature neurons of AD-like symptoms of Aβ25-35-induced rats. The results of hippocampal metabolomics and serum lipidomics showed 46 and 48 potential biomarkers were identified for the SCP treatment of AD, respectively. The involved pathways principally comprised lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism. This study elucidates the neuroprotective effect of SCP in AD and its mechanism from the perspective of metabolomics and lipidomics and provides a theoretical basis for the therapeutic effect of SCP in AD.

Prenatal exome sequencing analysis in fetuses with central nervous system anomalies

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the utility of prenatal exome sequencing (pES) in fetuses with central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of fetuses identified to have CNS abnormality on prenatal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging. All fetuses were first analyzed by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Fetuses with a confirmed aneuploidy or causal pathogenic copy-number variant (CNV) on CMA did not undergo pES analysis and were excluded, while those with a negative CMA result were offered pES testing.

RESULTS

Of the 167 pregnancies included in the study, 42 (25.1%) were identified to have a pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant. The diagnostic rate was significantly higher in fetuses with a non-isolated CNS abnormality than in those with a single CNS abnormality (35.7% (20/56) vs 14.5% (8/55); P = 0.010). Moreover, when a fetus had three or more CNS abnormalities, the positive diagnostic rate increased to 42.9%. A total of 25/42 (59.5%) cases had de-novo mutations, while, in the remaining cases, mutations were inherited and carried a significant risk of recurrence. Families whose fetus carried a P/LP mutation were more likely to choose advanced pregnancy termination than those with a variant of uncertain significance, secondary/incidental finding or negative pES result (83.3% (25/30) vs 41.3% (38/92); P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

pES improved the identification of genetic disorders in fetuses with CNS anomalies without a chromosomal abnormality or CNV identified on CMA, regardless of the number of CNS anomalies and presence of extracranial abnormality. We also demonstrated that pES findings can significantly impact parental decision-making. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

α1,3-fucosylation of MEST promotes invasion potential of cytotrophoblast cells by activating translation initiation

Embryo implantation into the uterus is the gateway for successful pregnancy. Proper migration and invasion of embryonic trophoblast cells are the key for embryo implantation, and dysfunction causes pregnancy failure. Protein glycosylation plays crucial roles in reproduction. However, it remains unclear whether the glycosylation of trophoblasts is involved in trophoblast migration and invasion processes during embryo implantation failure. By Lectin array, we discovered the decreased α1,3-fucosylation, especially difucosylated Lewis Y (LeY) glycan, in the villus tissues of miscarriage patients when compared with normal pregnancy women. Downregulating LeY biosynthesis by silencing the key enzyme fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) inhibited migration and invasion ability of trophoblast cells. Using proteomics and translatomics, the specific LeY scaffolding glycoprotein of mesoderm-specific transcript (MEST) with glycosylation site at Asn163 was identified, and its expression enhanced migration and invasion ability of trophoblast cells. The results also provided novel evidence showing that decreased LeY modification on MEST hampered the binding of MEST with translation factor eIF4E2, and inhibited implantation-related gene translation initiation, which caused pregnancy failure. The α1,3-fucosylation of MEST by FUT4 may serve as a new biomarker for evaluating the functional state of pregnancy, and a target for infertility treatment.

The putatively high-altitude adaptation of macaque monkeys: Evidence from the fecal metabolome and gut microbiome

Animals living in high-altitude environments, such as the Tibetan Plateau, must face harsh environmental conditions (e.g., hypoxia, cold, and strong UV radiation). These animals' physiological adaptations (e.g., increased red cell production and turnover rate) might also be associated with the gut microbial response. Bilirubin is a component of red blood cell turnover or destruction and is excreted into the intestine and reduced to urobilinoids and/or urobilinogen by gut bacteria. Here, we found that the feces of macaques living in high-altitude regions look significantly browner (with a high concentration of stercobilin, a component from urobilinoids) than those living in low-altitude regions. We also found that gut microbes involved in urobilinogen reduction (e.g., beta-glucuronidase) were enriched in the high-altitude mammal population compared to the low-altitude population. Moreover, the spatial-temporal change in gut microbial function was more profound in the low-altitude macaques than in the high-altitude population, which might be attributed to profound changes in food resources in the low-altitude regions. Therefore, we conclude that a high-altitude environment's stress influences living animals and their symbiotic microbiota.

HPV Infection Causes Dependence on Alternative DNA Damage Response Pathways Providing Cancer Specific Targets for Radiosensitization

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Cancer-specific radiosensitization is an attractive approach to improving the efficacy of radiotherapy. However, drugs targeting ubiquitous DNA damage response pathways are not cancer specific and can increase radiation related side effects. Thus, there is an unmet need for tumor specific molecular targets. This approach requires an identification of DNA damage signaling pathways that are unique to cancer cells. We hypothesized that by expressing its genome in the host cells HPV infection can rewire DNA damage signaling making HPV-positive tumor cells dependent on alternative pathways to survive radiation, which can be exploited for radiosensitization of HPV-induced cancers.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We have performed a CRISPR/Cas9 screen in HPV-positive SiHa cells that either express HPV16 proteins E6 and E7 or contain a selective knock-out of E6 or E7. We used next-generation sequencing to determine the abundance of gRNA in cells that were mock-treated or irradiated. We identified genes that were required for survival of radiation specifically in the context of E6 or E7 expression. Results of the screen were validated by generating knock-outs of the discovered genes using CRISPR/Cas9. By applying an array of molecular tools to analyze cell survival, cell cycle progression and mitotic progression we assessed the role of these genes in radiation response in HPV-positive cancer cells.

RESULTS

We have identified genes that are required for survival of radiation-induced DNA damage in the context of either E6 or E7 expression. We demonstrate that targeting these genes results in hypersensitization of cervical cancer cells to radiation specifically in the presence of E6 or E7. We show that the gene product required for survival in E6-expressing cells is critical for mitotic progression after radiation exposure serving as a member of a protein complex stabilizing the attachment of mitotic spindle to centromeres.

CONCLUSION

We have uncovered specific genes that are critical for DNA damage response and cell survival after radiation exposure in HPV-positive cells. Our findings suggest that expression of the HPV proteins E6 and E7 rewires DNA damage signaling causing dependence on alternative response pathways. We propose that these pathways can be targeted for a tumor-specific radiosensitization of HPV-induced cancers.

Developing an efficient MGCR microneedle nanovaccine patch for eliciting Th 1 cellular response against the SARS-CoV-2 infection

Rationale: Novel vaccine R&D is essential to interrupt the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics in the future. Subunit vaccines have received tremendous attention for their low cost and safety. To improve the immunogenicity of subunit vaccines, we developed a novel vaccine adjuvant system. Methods: Here we rationally designed a CpG 1018 and graphene oxide-based bi-adjuvant system to deliver the Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and obtained the graphene oxide-based complex adjuvant nanovaccine (GCR). Furthermore, we developed a microneedle patch vaccine (MGCR) based on the GCR vaccine. Results: GCR nanovaccine displayed superb antigen loading and encapsulation efficiency. Two dosages of vaccination of GCR nanovaccine could elicit adequate RBD-specific binding antibody response with 2.14-fold higher IgG titer than Alum adjuvant vaccine. The peptide pools assay demonstrated the robust RBD-specific Type 1 Cellular response induced by the GCR nanovaccine in CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, we prepared an MGCR microneedle patch, which generated a similar RBD-specific binding antibody response to the GCR vaccine, sustained a high antibody level above 16 weeks, and significantly elevated the Tcm proportion in mouse spleen. The MGCR microneedle patch vaccine also could be stably stored at room temperature for several months and administrated without medical staff, which maximizes the vaccine distribution efficiency. Conclusion: The vaccine system could significantly improve the vaccine distribution rate in low-income areas and offer a potential vaccination approach to fight against the SARS-Cov-2 infection and other pandemics occurred in the future.

Simultaneously mapping loci related to two plant architecture traits by phenotypic recombination BSA/BSR in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

KEY MESSAGE

We developed a new method phenotypic recombination BSA/BSR (PR-BSA/BSR), which could simultaneously identify the candidate genomic regions associated with two traits in a segregating population. Bulked segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) has been widely used for identifying the genomic regions affecting a certain trait. In this study, we developed a modified BSA/bulked segregant RNA-sequencing (BSR-seq) method, which we named phenotypic recombination BSA/BSR (PR-BSA/BSR), to simultaneously identify candidate genomic regions associated with two traits in a segregating population. Lateral branch angle (LBA) and flower-branch pattern (FBP) are two important traits associated with the peanut plant architecture because they affect the planting density and light use efficiency. We generated an F₆ population (with two segregating traits) derived from a cross between the inbred lines Pingdu9616 (erect and sequential; ES-type) and Florunner (spreading and alternating; SA-type). The selection of bulks with extreme phenotypes was a key step in this study. Specifically, 30 individuals with recombinant phenotypes [i.e., spreading and sequential (SS-type) and erect and alternating (EA-type)] were selected to generate two bulks. The transcriptomes of individuals were sequenced and then the loci related to LBA and FBP were simultaneously detected via a ΔSNP-index strategy, which involved the direction of positive and negative peaks in the ∆SNP-index plot. The LBA-related locus was mapped to a 6.82 Mb region (101,743,223-108,564,267 bp) on chromosome 15, whereas the FBP-related locus was mapped to a 2.16 Mb region (117,682,534-119,846,824 bp) on chromosome 12. Furthermore, the marker-based classical QTL mapping method was used to analyze the PF-F₆ population, which confirmed our PR-BSA/BSR results. Therefore, the PR-BSA/BSR method produces accurate and reliable data.

[Embedded 3D printing of porous silicon orbital implants and its surface modification]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare customized porous silicone orbital implants using embedded 3D printing and assess the effect of surface modification on the properties of the implants.

METHODS

The transparency, fluidity and rheological properties of the supporting media were tested to determine the optimal printing parameters of silicone. The morphological changes of silicone after modification were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of silicone surface were evaluated by measuring the water contact angle. The compression modulus of porous silicone was measured using compression test. Porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAOECs) were co-cultured with porous silicone scaffolds for 1, 3 and 5 days to test the biocompatibility of silicone. The local inflammatory response to subcutaneous porous silicone implants was evaluated in rats.

RESULTS

The optimal printing parameters of silicone orbital implants were determined as the following: supporting medium 4% (mass ratio), printing pressure 1.0 bar and printing speed 6 mm/s. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the silicone surface was successfully modified with polydopamine and collagen, which significantly improved hydrophilicity of the silicone surface (P < 0.05) without causing significant changes in the compression modulus (P > 0.05). The modified porous silicone scaffold had no obvious cytotoxicity and obviously promoted adhesion and proliferation of PAOECs (P < 0.05). In rats bearing the subcutaneous implants, no obvious inflammation was observed in the local tissue.

CONCLUSION

Poprous silicone orbital implants with uniform pores can be prepared using embedded 3D printing technology, and surface modification obviously improves hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of the silicone implants for potential clinical application.

Pathogenicity, tissue tropism and potential vertical transmission of SARSr-CoV-2 in Malayan pangolins

Malayan pangolin SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus (SARSr-CoV-2) is closely related to SARS-CoV-2. However, little is known about its pathogenicity in pangolins. Using CT scans we show that SARSr-CoV-2 positive Malayan pangolins are characterized by bilateral ground-glass opacities in lungs in a similar manner to COVID-19 patients. Histological examination and blood gas tests are indicative of dyspnea. SARSr-CoV-2 infected multiple organs in pangolins, with the lungs the major target, and histological expression data revealed that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were co-expressed with viral RNA. Transcriptome analysis indicated that virus-positive pangolins were likely to have inadequate interferon responses, with relative greater cytokine and chemokine activity in the lung and spleen. Notably, both viral RNA and viral proteins were detected in three pangolin fetuses, providing initial evidence for vertical virus transmission. In sum, our study outlines the biological framework of SARSr-CoV-2 in pangolins, revealing striking similarities to COVID-19 in humans.

Virus diversity, wildlife-domestic animal circulation and potential zoonotic viruses of small mammals, pangolins and zoo animals

Wildlife is reservoir of emerging viruses. Here we identified 27 families of mammalian viruses from 1981 wild animals and 194 zoo animals collected from south China between 2015 and 2022, isolated and characterized the pathogenicity of eight viruses. Bats harbor high diversity of coronaviruses, picornaviruses and astroviruses, and a potentially novel genus of Bornaviridae. In addition to the reported SARSr-CoV-2 and HKU4-CoV-like viruses, picornavirus and respiroviruses also likely circulate between bats and pangolins. Pikas harbor a new clade of Embecovirus and a new genus of arenaviruses. Further, the potential cross-species transmission of RNA viruses (paramyxovirus and astrovirus) and DNA viruses (pseudorabies virus, porcine circovirus 2, porcine circovirus 3 and parvovirus) between wildlife and domestic animals was identified, complicating wildlife protection and the prevention and control of these diseases in domestic animals. This study provides a nuanced view of the frequency of host-jumping events, as well as assessments of zoonotic risk.

[Repair methods of complex facial defect wounds involving paranasal sinuses and their clinical effectiveness]

Objective: To explore the repair methods of complex facial defect wounds involving paranasal sinuses and their clinical effectiveness. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 2020 to May 2022, 5 patients admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and 4 patients admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Chenzhou First People's Hospital with complex facial defect wounds involving paranasal sinuses met the inclusion criteria, including 6 males and 3 females, aged 35-69 years, including 4 patients with titanium mesh exposure combined with paranasal sinuses injury and 5 patients with tumor involving paranasal sinuses. After an adequate assessment of the damage by a multiple discipline team, titanium mesh removal, paranasal sinus debridement, and paranasal sinus mucosa removal were performed in patients with exposed titanium mesh, and radical tumor resection was performed in patients with tumors, with postoperative skin and soft tissue defects areas of 5.0 cm×2.5 cm to 18.0 cm×7.0 cm, anterior paranasal sinus wall defects/absence areas of 3 cm×2 cm to 6 cm×4 cm, and sinus cavity depths of 1 to 4 cm. Depending on the perforator course of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, the anterolateral femoral chimeric flap or anterolateral femoral myocutaneous flap (with flap area of 9 cm×4 cm to 19 cm×8 cm, muscle size of 5 cm×3 cm×3 cm to 11 cm×6 cm×3 cm) was transplanted to repair the defect, and the donor site wound was sutured directly. The type of tissue flap transplanted, the blood vessel of the recipient area, and the vascular anastomosis way during the operation, the recovery of the donor and recipient areas and the occurrence of complications after operation were observed. The appearance and blood supply of the recipient area and the recurrence of ulcers and tumors were followed up. Results: The anterolateral femoral myocutaneous flap transplantation was performed in 6 patients, and the anterolateral femoral chimeric flap transplantation was performed in 3 patients. The blood vessels in recipient areas were facial arteries and veins in 3 cases and superficial temporal arteries and veins in 6 cases. The superficial temporal arteries and veins were bridged with blood vessels in tissue flaps by flow-through way in 2 patients, and end-to-end anastomosis of blood vessels in donor and recipient areas was performed in 7 patients. After operation, all the tissue flaps survived, and the facial defect wounds were well repaired without cerebrospinal fluid leakage or paranasal sinus secretion leakage, no intracranial infection occurred, and the wounds in donor areas were healed well. Follow-up of 6-35 months after operation showed that all the patients had good blood supply in the recipient area, and the shape was acceptable; 4 patients with exposed titanium mesh had no recurrence of ulceration, and 5 patients with tumor had no local tumor recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions: Based on an adequate assessment of the extent of paranasal sinuses involved in the facial wound and the nature of the defect, good clinical effects can be achieved by using the anterolateral femoral muscle flap or the anterolateral femoral chimeric flap transplantation to repair complex facial defect wounds with open paranasal sinuses.

[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.

Beyond bacteria: Reconstructing microorganism connections and deciphering the predicted mutualisms in mammalian gut metagenomes

Numerous gut microbial studies have focused on bacteria. However, archaea, viruses, fungi, protists, and nematodes are also regular residents of the gut ecosystem. Little is known about the composition and potential interactions among these six kingdoms in the same samples. Here, we unraveled the complex connection among them using approximately 123 gut metagenomes from 42 mammalian species (including carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores). We observed high variation in bacterial and fungal families and relatively low variation in archaea, viruses, protists, and nematodes. We found that some fungi in the mammalian intestine might come from environmental sources (e.g., soil and dietary plants), and some might be native to the intestine (e.g., the occurrence of Neocallimastigomycetes). The Methanobacteriaceae and Plasmodiidae families (archaea and protozoa, respectively) were predominant in these metagenomes, whereas Onchocercidae and Trichuridae were the two most common nematodes, and Siphoviridae and Myoviridae the two most common virus families in these mammalian gut metagenomes. Interestingly, most of the pairwise co-occurrence patterns were significantly positive among these six kingdoms, and significantly negative networks mainly occurred between fungi and prokaryotes (both bacteria and archaea). Our study revealed some inconvenient characteristics in the mammalian gut microorganism ecosystem: (1) the community formed by members of the analyzed kingdoms reflects the life history of the host and the potential threat posed by pathogenic protists and nematodes in mammals; and (2) the networks suggest the existence of predicted mutualism among members of these six kingdoms and of the predicted competition, mainly among fungi and other kingdoms.

Alpha-kinase1 promotes tubular injury and interstitial inflammation in diabetic nephropathy by canonical pyroptosis pathway

BACKGROUND

Alpha-kinase 1 (ALPK1) is a master regulator in inflammation and has been proved to promote renal fibrosis by promoting the production of IL-1β in diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice. Pyroptosis is involved in high glucose (HG)-induced tubular cells injury, characterized by activation of Gasdermin D (GSDMD) and the release of IL-1β and IL-18, resulting in inflammatory injury in DN. It is reasonable to assume that ALPK1 is involved in pyroptosis-related tubular injury in DN. However, the mechanism remains poorly defined.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed to detect the expression of pyroptosis- and fibrosis-related proteins in renal sections of DN patients and DN mice. DN models were induced through injection of streptozotocin combined with a high-fat diet. Protein levels of ALPK1, NF-κB, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18 and α-SMA were detected by Western blot. HK-2 cells treated with high-glucose (HG) served as an in vitro model. ALPK1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into HK-2 cells to down-regulate ALPK1. The pyroptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry. The concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 were evaluated by ELISA kits. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe translocation of NF-κB and GSDMD.

RESULTS

The heat map of differentially expressed genes showed that ALPK1, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were upregulated in the DN group. The expression levels of ALPK1, Caspase-1, GSDMD and CD68 were increased in renal biopsy tissues of DN patients by IHC. ALPK1expression and CD68⁺ macrophages were positively correlated with tubular injury in DN patients. Western blot analysis showed increased expressions of ALPK1, phospho-NF-κB P65, GSDMD-NT, and IL-1β in renal tissues of DN mice and HK-2 cells, accompanied with increased renal fibrosis-related proteins (FN, α-SMA) and macrophages infiltration in interstitial areas. Inhibition of ALPK1 attenuated HG-induced upregulation expressions of NF-κB, pyroptosis-related proteins Caspase-1, GSDMD-NT, IL-1β, IL-18, α-SMA, and pyroptosis level in HK-2 cells. Also, the intensity and nuclear translocation of NF-κB and membranous translocation of GSDMD were ameliorated in HG-treated HK-2 cells after treatment with ALPK1 siRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that ALPK1/NF-κB pathway initiated canonical caspase-1-GSDMD pyroptosis pathway, resulting in tubular injury and interstitial inflammation of DN.

The putative maintaining mechanism of gut bacterial ecosystem in giant pandas and its potential application in conservation

Animals living in captivity and the wild show differences in the internal structure of their gut microbiomes. Here, we performed a meta-analysis of the microbial data of about 494 fecal samples obtained from giant pandas (captive and wild giant pandas). Our results show that the modular structures and topological features of the captive giant panda gut microbiome differ from those of the wild populations. The co-occurrence network of wild giant pandas also contained more nodes and edges, indicating a higher complexity and stability compared to that of captive giant pandas. Keystone species analysis revealed the differences between geographically different wild populations, indicating the potential effect of geography on the internal modular structure. When combining all the giant panda samples for module analysis, we found that the abundant taxa (e.g., belonged to Flavobacterium, Herbaspirillum, and Escherichia-Shigella) usually acted as module hubs to stabilize the modular structure, while the rare taxa usually acted as connectors of different modules. We conclude that abundant and rare taxa play different roles in the gut bacterial ecosystem. The conservation of some key bacterial species is essential for promoting the development of the gut microbiome in pandas. The living environment of the giant pandas can influence the internal structure, topological features, and strength of interrelationships in the gut microbiome. This study provides new insights into the conservation and management of giant panda populations.

Electrochemical Biosensor Based on l-Arginine and rGO-AuNSs Deposited on the Electrode Combined with DNA Probes for Ultrasensitive Detection of the Gastric Cancer-Related PIK3CA Gene of ctDNA

Gene biomarkers of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in liquid biopsies have been explored for use in the precise diagnosis of tumors. There is a great clinical need to realize the ultrasensitive detection of gene biomarkers in ctDNA. Here we reported that an ultrasensitive label-free biosensor was developed for the detection of the gastric cancer-related PIK3CA gene of ctDNA in peripheral blood. The polymeric l-arginine and graphene oxide-wrapped gold nanostars (rGO-AuNSs) were prepared and deposited on the glass electrode. The capturing DNA probes for the PIK3CA gene were prepared and successfully immobilized on the rGO-AuNS-modified electrode surface via π-π interaction among the rGO-AuNS composites and DNA probes. The resultant electrochemical sensor was effectively applied to detect the PIK3CA gene of ctDNA via the hybridization between the capturing DNA probe and ctDNA, the result of which showed that the biosensor exhibited desirable sensitivity, stability, and a wider dynamic response in a ctDNA concentration range from 1.0 × 10^-20 to 1.0 × 10^-10 M (R² = 0.997). Moreover, the low limit of detection of 1.0 × 10^-20 M (S/N = 3) indicates the biosensor owns satisfactory detection sensitivity. Fourteen PIK3CA genes and two PIK3CA gene mutations were detected in 60 clinical ctDNA samples of gastric cancer patients by using the developed biosensor. In conclusion, this ultrasensitive label-free electrochemical biosensor possesses a significant application prospect in the detection of the PIK3CA gene in ctDNA and in early screening for gastric cancer in the near future.

Influence of dissolution on the uptake of bimetallic nanoparticles Au@Ag-NPs in soil organism Eisenia fetida

A key aspect in the safety testing of metal nanoparticles (NPs) is the measurement of their dissolution and of the true particle uptake in organisms. Here, based on the tendency of Ag-NP to dissolve and Au-NP to be inert in the environment, we exposed the earthworm Eisenia fetida to Au core-Ag shell NPs (Au@Ag-NPs, Ag-NPs with a Au core) and to both single and combined exposures of non-coated Au-NPs, Ag-NPs, Ag⁺ and Au⁺ ions in natural soil. Our hypothesis was that the Ag shell would partially or completely dissolve from the Au@Ag-NPs and that the Au core would thereby behave as a tracer of particulate uptake. Au and Ag concentrations were quantified in all the soils, in soil extract and in organisms by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The earthworm exposed to Au@Ag-NPs, and to all the combinations of Ag and Au, were analyzed by single particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (spICP-TOFMS) to allow the quantification of the metals that were truly part of a bimetallic particle. Results showed that only 5% of the total metal amounts in the earthworm were in the bimetallic particulate form and that the Ag shell increased in thickness, suggesting that biotransformation processes took place at the surface of the NPs. Additionally, the co-exposure to both metal ions led to a different uptake pattern compared to the single metal exposures. The study unequivocally confirmed that dissolution is the primary mechanism driving the uptake of (dissolving) metal NPs in earthworms. Therefore, the assessment of the uptake of metal nanoparticles is conservatively covered by the assessment of the uptake of their ionic counterpart.

Oxalate crystal-related acute renal injury caused by orlistat: A case report

We reported a case of oxalate crystal-related acute kidney injury caused by orlistat. The patient was admitted for nephrotic syndrome and acute kidney injury. The pathomorphological assessment of renal biopsy showed intratubular oxalate crystals. The patient reported that she had taken orlistat regularly to loss weight for more than a year. This patient had a habit of drinking vegetable soup and strong herbal tea daily. Orlistat, an intestinal lipase inhibitor, may cause secondary hyperoxaluria, that is, intestinal hyperoxaluria. Dietary habits could be a common precipitating factor for orlistat-relevant hyperoxaluria. It was comprehensively considered to be oxalate crystal-related acute renal injury, and the patient's renal function recovered gradually after drug withdrawal. Clinicians should pay attention to screening drug-related acute kidney injury including orlistat when observing patients with unexplained acute kidney injury, and renal biopsy should be performed if necessary. It is also important to warn people who take the orlistat for weight loss about the side effects of this drug so as to adjust the eating habits.

Two-Photon Nanoprobe for NIR-II Imaging of Tumour and Biosafety Evaluation

How to develop near-infrared second window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) fluorescent nanoprobes with a uniform size, strong fluorescence signal and good biosafety owns great clinical requirement. Herein we reported that a two photon fluorescent nanoprobe was developed via encapsulating NIR-II-fluorescent molecules into DSPE-PEG, which was effectively endocytosized by cancer cells, and achieved strong NIR-II fluorescence imaging in cancer cells and cancer cell-beard mice models. Prepared NIR-II-fluorescent nanoprobe exhibited rapid metabolism and excellent biocompatibility. In conclusion, the prepared two photon nanoprobe owns good biosafety, and clinical translational prospect in NIR-II fluorescent imaging of tumour in vivo in near future.

Establishment of prediction models for COVID-19 patients in different age groups based on Random Forest algorithm

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly become a global pandemic. Age is an independent factor in death from the disease, and predictive models to stratify patients according to their mortality risk are needed.

AIM

To compare the laboratory parameters of the younger (≤70) and the elderly (>70) groups, and develop death prediction models for the two groups according to age stratification.

DESIGN

A retrospective, single-center observational study.

METHODS

This study included 437 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China, 2020. Epidemiological information, laboratory data and outcomes were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between elderly patients and younger patients. First, recursive feature elimination (RFE) was used to select the optimal subset. Then, two random forest (RF) algorithms models were built to predict the prognoses of COVID-19 patients and identify the optimal diagnostic predictors for patients' clinical prognoses.

RESULTS

Comparisons of the laboratory data of the two age groups revealed many different laboratory indicators. RFE was used to select the optimal subset for analysis, from which 11 variables were screened out for the two groups. The RF algorithm were built to predict the prognoses of COVID-19 patients based on the best subset, and the area under ROC curve (AUC) of the two groups is 0.874 (95% CI: 0.833-0.915) and 0.842 (95% CI: 0.765-0.920).

CONCLUSION

Two prediction models for COVID-19 were developed in the patients with COVID-19 based on random forest algorithm, which provides a simple tool for the early prediction of COVID-19 mortality.

Lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3 can influence STX3-induced abnormal autophagy by sponging hsa-miR-1292-3p in intestinal aGVHD

OBJECTIVE

Intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a serious complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Abnormal autophagy levels in intestinal aGVHD have been confirmed in many studies. LncRNAs exert coregulatory functions and participate in a variety of intracellular regulatory processes. In this study, we investigated how lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3 regulates dysregulated STX3-related autophagy in aGVHD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, we established a mouse model of aGVHD by transplanting a mononuclear cell suspension from Balb/c donor mice treated with 60Co X-rays into CB6F1 recipient mice. STX3-related indicators were analyzed by Western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry which confirmed that STX3 plays an important role in dysregulating autophagy in intestinal aGVHD. TNF-αinduced Caco-2 cells, which is an in vitro model of intestinal barrier dysfunction, were established to verify the effect of STX3. The direct interaction between the partners of lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3-mediated hsa-miR-1292-3p and STX3 axis was evaluated by the Dual-Luciferase activity assay. We performed PCR, WB, and immunofluorescence in Caco-2 cells to determine whether the abnormal autophagy levels were influenced by lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3.

RESULTS

The results showed that lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3 could significantly suppress the number of autophagic vacuoles, the LC3-II/I ratio, and beclin1 levels by increasing STX3 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Lnc-AC145676.2.1-6-3 may play an important role in intestinal aGVHD by targeting STX3.

Cloning, genome structure and expression analysis of MHC class I gene in Korean quail

1. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a highly polymorphic region of the genome essential to immune responses and animal health. However, avian MHC genetic structure is different from that of mammals. In this study, the structure and expression of Korean quail MHC class I gene was analysed.2. The quail MHC gene consisted of eight exons and seven introns. The open reading frame of the cDNA was 353 amino acids, and the molecular weight was about 38.91 kDa. Exons 1 and 2 coded for leading peptides and alpha 1 regions, respectively. Exons 3 and 4 encoded alpha 2 and alpha 3 regions. Exons 5 to 8 coded for connecting peptides and transmembrane regions/cytoplasmic regions (TM/CY). The Korean quail MHC class I amino acid sequence shared 87% to 99% homology with Japanese quail and 71% to 75% with chicken. The amino acid shared 40% and 43% homology with humans and mice, respectively.3. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that MHC-I was highly expressed in immune tissues such as the bursa of Fabricius. Moreover, the constructed evolutionary tree was consistent with accepted evolutionary pathways.4. MHC-I is closely related to the host's immune system, and these findings may help to better understand the role of Korean quail MHC-I in the immune system.

Host Bias in Diet-Source Microbiome Transmission in Wild Cohabitating Herbivores: New Knowledge for the Evolution of Herbivory and Plant Defense

It is commonly understood that dietary nutrition will influence the composition and function of the animal gut microbiome. However, the transmission of organisms from the diet-source microbiome to the animal gut microbiome in the natural environment remains poorly understood, and elucidating this process may help in understanding the evolution of herbivores and plant defenses. Here, we investigated diet-source microbiome transmission across a range of herbivores (insects and mammals) living in both captive and wild environments. We discovered a host bias among cohabitating herbivores (leaf-eating insects and deer), where a significant portion of the herbivorous insect gut microbiome may originate from the diet, while in deer, only a tiny fraction of the gut microbiome is of dietary origin. We speculated that the putative difference in the oxygenation level in the host digestion systems would lead to these host biases in plant-source (diet) microbiome transmission due to the oxygenation living condition of the dietary plant's symbiotic microbiome. IMPORTANCE We discovered a host bias among cohabitating herbivores (leaf-eating insects and deer), where a significant portion of the herbivorous insect gut microbiome may originate from the diet, while in deer, only a tiny fraction of the gut microbiome is of dietary origin. We speculated that the putative difference in the oxygenation level in the host digestion systems would lead to these host biases in plant-source (diet) microbiome transmission due to the oxygenation living condition of the dietary plant's symbiotic microbiome. This study shed new light on the coevolution of herbivory and plant defense.

High urinary excretion rate of glucose attenuates serum uric acid level in type 2 diabetes with normal renal function

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

The relationship between urinary excretion rate of glucose (UEGL) and uric acid (UA) metabolism in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear to date. This study aimed to investigate the relationships of UEGL with serum UA (SUA), urinary excretion rate of uric acid (UEUA), and renal clearance of uric acid (CLUA) in adults with T2D. We hypothesised that high UEGL increases UA excretion, which in turn leads to lower SUA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 635 inpatients with T2D recruited between 2018 and 2019. The relationships of UEGL with UEUA, CLUA, and hyperuricaemia were assessed using analysis of covariance and multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients in the higher quartile of UEGL tended to have lower SUA levels than those in the lower quartile. In contrast, patients in the higher quartile of UEGL tended to have higher CLUA (p for trend < 0.0001), and a similar trend was observed for UEUA. In adjusted multivariable linear regression model, UEGL was negatively correlated with SUA (β = - 0.023, 95% CI - 0.034 to - 0.013, p < 0.0001). However, positive correlations of UEGL with UEUA (β = 0.046, 95% CI 0.018-0.074, p = 0.001) and CLUA (β = 0.063, 95% CI 0.042-0.085, p < 0.0001) were found. Furthermore, consistent significant inverse associations were observed between quartiles of UEGL and hyperuricaemia in the adjusted multivariate logistic regression model.

CONCLUSIONS

A high UEGL level was positively correlated with UEUA and CLUA. Moreover, it was inversely associated with SUA level, and a consistently increased UEGL level reduced the risk of hyperuricaemia in patients with T2D.

[Repair methods and clinical effects of full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers]

Objective: To explore the repair methods and clinical effects of full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers. Methods: A retrospective non-randomized controlled trial was conducted on the 98 patients with full-thickness finger burns deep to tendon or even bone who met the inclusion criteria and were hospitalized in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2010 to December 2019. Among the 98 patients, there were 81 males and 17 females, aged from 1 to 72 years, with 160 fingers involved. The wound area of each of affected fingers ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 12.0 cm×3.5 cm, and the maximum wound area after merging the affected fingers was 12.0 cm×10.0 cm. For adult hands with multiple full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in multiple fingers or children with full-thickness finger burns deep to tendon or even bone, pedicled abdominal flaps were selected. For adults with single or two fingers with full-thickness burns deep to tendon or even bone, the pedicled internal hand flaps and free tissue flaps were selected. The free tissue flap repair requires good vascular conditions in the recipient area with arteries and veins available for anastomosis. For thumb nail burns deep to tendon or even bone or partial absence of the thumb after burns, the thumbs were reconstructed with the first toenail flap or dorsal foot flap with the second toe. In this study, 45 pedicled abdominal flaps were used to repair the wounds in 91 fingers, 37 pedicled internal hand flaps were used to repair the wounds in 37 fingers, 26 free tissue flaps were used to repair the wounds in 28 fingers, 3 first toenail flaps were used to reconstruct 3 patients' thumb nails and to repair hand wounds, and 1 dorsal foot flap with the second toe was used to reconstruct 1 patient's thumb and to repair hand and wrist wounds. The tissue flap area was from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 20.0 cm×10.0 cm. The wound in the donor site was repaired by direct suture or full-thickness skin grafting from the medial upper arm of the affected limb or split-thickness skin grafting from the outer thigh. The postoperative survival of the tissue flap, postoperative complications, and appearance and function of the flap donor site were observed. For the patients who were followed up, their finger functions were evaluated at the last follow-up using the trial criteria for replantation function evaluation of the amputated finger issued by the Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association, and the satisfaction of the patients was investigated using the Efficacy Satisfaction Scale. Data were statistically analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis H test and Nemenyi test. Results: Of the 112 tissue flaps, 104 tissue flaps survived completely and had good blood circulation; 1 pedicled thumb dorsal ulnar reverse island flap, 1 pedicled finger artery cutaneous branch reverse island flap, and 1 free grafted anterolateral thigh perforator flap were slightly necrotic at the end, which were repaired with outer thigh split-thickness skin graft after dressing change and granulation tissue growth; 2 free grafted tarsal external artery flaps and 1 pedicled thumb dorsal ulnar reverse island flap suffered from postoperative venous return obstruction, which survived after partial suture removal and heparin saline cleansing of the wound; 1 pedicled modified dorsal metacarpal artery retrograde island flap and 1 free grafted peroneal artery perforator flap were necrotic, which were repaired by a pedicled abdominal flap and a lateral upper arm flap free transplantation respectively in stage Ⅱ. After transplantation, the tissue flaps had good shape, soft texture, and good elasticity, without bloating. There was no functional disorder in the flap donor site, and only slight scar remained. A total of 117 fingers of the 72 patients received 3-24 months of outpatient or telephone follow-up. At the last follow-up, the excellent and good rates of function evaluation of fingers repaired with pedicled abdominal flap, pedicled internal hand flap, and free tissue flap were respectively 77.3% (51/66), 96.3% (26/27), and 95.8% (23/24). The function of fingers repaired with free tissue flap and pedicled internal hand flap was significantly better than that with pedicled abdominal flap (P<0.01). The satisfaction of patients with fingers repaired by free tissue flaps was significantly higher than that by pedicled abdominal flap (P<0.05). Conclusions: According to the specific situation of full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers, the pedicled abdominal flap is used to repair the multiple full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in multiple fingers of adult or the full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers of children, the pedicled internal hand flap or free tissue flap is used to repair the full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in single or two fingers of adult patients, and the first toenail flap or the dorsal foot flap with the second toe is used to reconstruct the thumbs with full-thickness burn deep to tendon or even bone, with high postoperative tissue flap survival rate and few complications. The functional recovery of the affected finger is better after repair with free tissue flap and pedicled internal hand flap, and the patients' satisfaction is the highest after free tissue flap repair.

POS0817 A NOVEL MODEL TO ASSESS DISEASE ACTIVITY IN TAKAYASU ARTERITIS BASED ON 18F-FDG-PET/CT: A CHINESE COHORT STUDY

Background:

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a condition characterized by major large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), and is most commonly found in young women (age <40 years) of East Asia countries. 18F-FDG-PET/CT has been widely used in the diagnosis and follow-up of cancers to gather functional information based on metabolic activity. In the present study, we evaluated the value of different parameters in 18F-FDG-PET/CT for assessing active TA disease, and we establish a simple, quantifiable, and effective disease activity evaluation model based on 18F-FDG-PET/CT. A comparison in the ability to identify active disease was performed between the established Kerr score and the new 18F-FDG-PET/CT was also performed.

Objectives:

To investigate the utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) in assessing disease activity in TA.

Methods:

Ninety-one patients with TA, were recruited from a Chinese cohort from October 2017 to January 2019. Clinical data, acute-phase reactants (APRs), and 18F-FDG-PET/CT findings were simultaneously recorded. The Physician Global Assessment was used as the gold standard to assess TA disease activity. The value of using 18F-FDG-PET/CT to identify active disease was evaluated, using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as a reference. Disease activity assessment models were constructed and concordance index (C-index), net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination index (IDI) were evaluated to compare the benefits of the new modes with ESR and Kerr score.

Results:

In total, 64 (70.3%) cases showed active disease. Higher levels of ESR and CRP, and lower interleukin (IL)-2R levels, were observed in active cases. 18F-FDG-PET/CT parameters, including SUVmean, SUVratio1, SUVratio2, sum of SUVmean, and sum of SUVmax, were significantly higher in active disease groups. The C index threshold of ESR to indicate active disease was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69-0.88). The new activity assessment model combining ESR, sum of SUVmean, and IL-2R showed significant improvement in C index over the ESR method (0.96 vs. 0.78, P < 0.01; NRI 1.63, P < 0.01; and IDI 0.48, P < 0.01). The new model also demonstrated modest superiority to Kerr score assessment (0.96 vs. 0.87, P = 0.03; NRI 1.19, P < 0.01; and IDI 0.33 P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

A novel 18F-FDG-PET/CT-based method that involves combining the sum of SUVmean with ESR score and IL-2R levels demonstrated superiority in identifying active TA compared to conventional methods.

References:

[1]Kerr GS, Hallahan CW, Giordano J, Leavitt RY, Fauci AS, Rottem M, et al. Takayasu arteritis. Ann Intern Med 1994;120:919-29.

[2]Hoffman GS, Ahmed AE. Surrogate markers of disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis. A preliminary report from The International Network for the Study of the Systemic Vasculitides (INSSYS). Int J Cardiol 1998;66 Suppl 1:S191-4; discussion S195.

[3]Misra R, Danda D, Rajappa SM, Ghosh A, Gupta R, Mahendranath KM, et al. Development and initial validation of the Indian Takayasu Clinical Activity Score (ITAS2010). Rheumatology (Oxford) 2013;52:1795-801.

[4]Bardi M, Diamantopoulos AP. EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging in large vessel vasculitis in clinical practice summary. Radiol Med 2019;124:965-972.

[5]Spick C, Herrmann K, Czernin J. 18F-FDG PET/CT and PET/MRI Perform Equally Well in Cancer: Evidence from Studies on More Than 2,300 Patients. J Nucl Med 2016;57:420-30.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Liposome-paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of liposome-paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-nine consecutive patients treated with liposome-paclitaxel based concurrent chemoradiotherapy between January 2015 and December 2019 at Cancer hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang cancer hospital) were enrolled in this study. The overall response, toxicities, progression-free survival and overall survival were analyzed with SPSS software.

RESULTS

A total of 302 cycles of weekly chemotherapy were delivered, with a median 4 courses. After concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), the efficacy was classified as CR in 4 cases (5.1%), PR in 22 cases (28.2%) and SD in 51 cases (65.4%). The median PFS and OS time were 18.2 months and 23.4 months. The 3-year PFS and OS rates were 45.1% and 43.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Liposome-paclitaxel and carboplatin concurrent with radiotherapy is a safe and effective modality for locally advanced ESCC. Further clinical investigation are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of this regimen.

Therapeutic effect of qinghuanling on negative symptoms and cognitive function of schizophrenia

Introduction

Therapeutic effect of Qinghuanling on negative symptoms and cognitive function of schizophrenia

Objectives

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Qinghuanling on cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, and to provide basis for clinical medication.

Methods

24 male patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into study group and control group. The study group was given quetiapine fumarate combined with Qinghuanling, and the control group was given quetiapine fumarate. The positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS) and adverse event response scale (TESS) were evaluated regularly.

Results

The PANSS score of the study group was significantly lower than the control group from 6th week (64.10 ± 7.64 vs 72.31 ± 11.16; 51.60 ± 7.40 vs 63.23 ± 7.08, P < 0.05). Among them, the score of negative factor in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the end of 6 and 8 weeks (2.16 ± 0.40 vs 2.75 ± 0.38; 1.65 ± 0.42 vs 2.38 ± 0.43, P < 0.01); the score of cognitive factor in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the end of the 8th week (1.87 ± 0.20 vs 2.12 ± 0.27, P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, PANSS score and symptom cluster factor score of the two groups were significantly decreased from the 2nd weekend to the 8th weekend (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The combined use of Qinghuanling can significantly improve the therapeutic effect of schizophrenia, especially for the symptom cluster score of negative factors and cognitive factors, with high safety.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Research progress of metabonomics of blood endogenous small molecules in depression

Introduction

Depression (MDD) is a serious mental illness, which greatly affects the quality of life of patients. Nowadays, the clinical diagnosis of MDD lacks sufficient objective basis, and the effect of drug treatment is unsatisfactory. Therefore, biomarkers are very important for the risk prediction, classification, diagnosis and prognosis of MDD.

Objectives

Research progress of metabonomics of blood endogenous small molecules in depression

Methods

Metabonomics is a newly developed discipline after genomics and proteomics, and is an important part of system biology. Metabonomics provides a new approach to explore the etiology, mechanism, prognosis and screening potential biomarkers of MDD. Blood contains almost all the small molecule metabolites in the body. The changes of metabolites in blood can represent the changes of metabolites in other body fluids. Moreover, this sample is easy to obtain and has less trauma, so it is the most common biological sample in clinical detection.

Results

At present, there are many studies on the metabonomics of endogenous small molecules in MDD blood, which provides the possibility for further screening of MDD related biomarkers.

Conclusions

In this paper, the research progress of related biomarkers in MDD blood is reviewed.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Peptide transporter-related protein 2 plays an important role in glutathione transport of Streptococcus thermophilus

Streptococcus thermophilus is widely used as a starter culture in the fermentation of yogurt. Glutathione (GSH; γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine), as a tripeptide, has an important physiological role for Strep. thermophilus. However, the scope of the GSH transport proteins is still unexplored in this species. In the present study, 5 peptide transporter-related proteins (Ptrp) of Strep. thermophilus strain ST-1 were selected and then inactivated by gene insertion, respectively. Through detection and comparison of intracellular GSH content of mutant strain and wild strain, we identified 2 proteins, named Ptrp-2 and Ptrp-4, that might be related to GSH transport. Reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR was performed to verify the gene expressions of these 2 possible GSH transport-related proteins, and it was finally determined that Ptrp-2 plays an important role in GSH transport of Strep. thermophilus. Milk fermentation experiments were further conducted to test the effect of Ptrp-2 on the characteristics of yogurt. The results showed that the fermented milk hardly curds using the mutant strain, indicating that Ptrp-2 is important for Strep. thermophilus as a yogurt starter.

High-resolution MRI of the vessel wall helps to distinguish moyamoya disease from atherosclerotic moyamoya syndrome

AIM

To evaluate the value of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the vessel wall (VWI) for differentiating moyamoya disease (MMD) from atherosclerotic moyamoya syndrome (AS-MMS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients with MMD or AS-MMS were assessed retrospectively by two independent raters regarding and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) stage grading score; collateral development in the lateral fissure and basal ganglia on MRA; and pattern of the thickening of the arterial wall; presence, degree, and pattern of enhancement; presence and distribution of deep tiny flow voids (DTFVs) and collateral development in the lateral fissure and basal ganglia on VWI. After univariate analysis between the two groups, logistic regression models based on imaging findings of MRA or VWI were implemented respectively, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare the discriminatory power of the two imaging methods for diagnosis of MMD. Interrater agreement was analysed using an unweighted Cohen's κ or interclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

MMD manifested as more concentric thickening, more homogeneous enhancement, higher presence of DTFV, smaller outer-wall boundary area of stenosis or occlusion, and smaller remodelling index on VWI. After Bonferroni-Holm correction for multiple comparisons, for AS-MMS, collaterals in both the lateral fissure and basal ganglia were not usually present on either MRA or VWI. The diagnostic performance of the multivariate logistic regression model based on VWI with an accuracy of 87.1% for classification was higher than MRA. Interrater agreement was moderate or substantial for all the imaging findings.

CONCLUSIONS

VWI might be a useful and feasible method for differentiating MMD from AS-MMS and a prospective tool for guiding first-line treatment.

Physiological effects of transport duration on stress biomarkers and meat quality of medium-growing Yellow broiler chickens

Pre-slaughter transport exerts negative effects on broilers' welfare, meat yield, and meat quality, but little is known about the effect of transport on medium-growing broiler chickens. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of different durations of transport (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3h) on stress biomarkers and meat quality of medium-growing Yellow-feathered broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty Chinese Yellow-feathered broilers aged 75days (marketing age), of 2.02kg average BW, were allotted into five groups; each group contained six replicates (six birds/replicate (crate)). Each crate with dimensions 74×55×27cm (length × width × height) was loaded with six birds, that is, 30kg live BW/m² crate. The tested transport durations increased BW loss (linear, P<0.01), plasma concentrations of ACTH (linear, P<0.10), cortisol and corticosterone (quadratic, P<0.05), and activity of glutathione peroxidase (linear, P<0.05), whereas plasma glucose was not affected. In breast muscle, contents of glycogen, lactic acid, malondialdehyde, and reduced glutathione were not affected (P>0.05), but total antioxidant capacity decreased (linear, P<0.01). The drip loss of breast muscle increased (linear, P<0.01), whereas shear force, pH at 24h postmortem, and breast meat color lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) scores were not affected. In conclusion, the tested transport durations (from 0.5 to 3h) increased BW loss and some plasma stress biomarkers in 75-day-old Yellow-feathered broiler chickens, but the effect on meat quality attributes was minor.

Effect of Liposome-Encapsulated Zoledronic Acid on Microenvironment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma May Depend on the Ratio Between M1 and M2 Polarized Macrophages

We studied the effect of zoledronic acid encapsulated into liposomes (L-ZOL) on tumorassociated macrophages in the stroma of hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft. Liposomes were prepared from 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-snglycero-3-phospho-sn-1-glycerol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[carboxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] using thin film method and loaded with zoledronic acid. It was shown that L-ZOL promoted apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells, eliminate much more protumoral M2 macrophages than antitumoral M1 macrophages in the tumor xenograft, and did not significantly reduce the size of xenograft in 6 days. Thus, the effect of treatment depends on the ratio between antitumoral M1 and protumoral M2 polarized macrophages in the tumor.

[Establishment and test results of an artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model based on convolutional neural network]

Objective: To establish an artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model based on convolutional neural network, and to test its effectiveness. Methods: In this evaluation study on diagnostic test, 484 wound photos of 221 burn patients in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (hereinafter referred to as the author's unit) from January 2010 to December 2019 taken within 48 hours after injury which met the inclusion criteria were collected and numbered randomly. The target wounds were delineated by image viewing software, and the burn depth was judged by 3 attending doctors with more than 5-year professional experience in Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the author's unit. After marking the superficial partial-thickness burn, deep partial-thickness burn, or full-thickness burn in different colors, the burn wounds were cut according to 224×224 pixels to obtain 5 637 complete wound images. The image data generator was used to expand images of each burn depth to 10 000 images, after which, images of each burn depth were divided into training set, verification set, and test set according to the ratio of 7.0∶1.5∶1.5. Under Keras 2.2.4 Python 2.8.0 version, the residual network ResNet-50 of convolutional neural network was used to establish the artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model. The training set was input for training, and the verification set was used to adjust and optimize the model. The judging accuracy rate of various burn depths by the established model was tested by the test set, and precision, recall, and F1_score were calculated. The test results were visualized to generate two-dimensional tSNE cloud chart through the dimensionality reduction tool tSNE, and the distribution of various burn depths was observed. According to the sensitivity and specificity of the model for the recognition of 3 kinds of burn depths, the corresponding receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn, and the area under the ROC curve was calculated. Results: (1) After the testing of the test set, the precisions of the artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model for the recognition of superficial partial-thickness burn, deep partial-thickness burn, or full-thickness burn were 84% (1 095/1 301), 81% (1 215/1 499) and 82% (1 395/1 700) respectively, the recall were 73% (1 095/1 500), 81% (1 215/1 500) and 93% (1 395/1 500) respectively, and the F1_scores were 0.78, 0.81, and 0.87 respectively. (2) tSNE cloud chart showed that there was small overlapping among different burn depths in the test results for the test set of artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model, among which the overlapping between superficial partial-thickness burn and deep partial-thickness burn and that between deep partial-thickness burn and full-thickness burn were relatively more, while the overlapping between superficial partial-thickness burn and full-thickness burn was relatively less. (3) The area under the ROC curve for 3 kinds of burn depths recognized by the artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model was ≥0.94. Conclusions: The artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model established by ResNet-50 network can rather accurately identify the burn depth in the early wound photos of burn patients, especially superficial partial-thickness burn and full-thickness burn. It is expected to be used clinically to assist the diagnosis of burn depth and improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Association of iodine-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours with urinary iodine excretion in pregnant women with mild iodine deficiency

BACKGROUND

Subsequent to the implementation of the universal salt iodisation policy, China has all but eliminated the iodine deficiency disorders. However, pregnant women are still experiencing mild iodine deficiency. The present study explored factors that could relate to mild iodine deficiency in pregnant women.

METHODS

In total, 2400 pregnant women were enrolled using a multistage, stratified, random sampling method in Shanghai. Data were collected via a standardised questionnaire. The urine samples and household cooking salt samples were collected for the detection of urinary iodine and salt iodine concentrations.

RESULTS

The median urinary iodine concentration (MUIC) was 148.0 μg L^-1 for all participants, and 155.0 μg L^-1 , 151.0 μg L^-1 and 139.6 μg L^-1 in the first, second and third trimesters. The MUIC in the third trimester was significantly lower than that of the first trimester (P < 0.05). The usage rates of iodised salt and qualified-iodised salt were 71.5% and 59.4%, respectively. Iodine-related knowledge score composition ratio was significantly different between the high and low UIC groups (P < 0.05). Participants' MUIC increased significantly with the increases in iodine-related knowledge score (P < 0.001). The third trimester was a significant risk factor for high UIC, whereas high iodine-related knowledge score, actively learning dietary knowledge and having a habit of consuming iodine-rich food were significant protective factors for high UIC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Iodine level is adequate among pregnant women in Shanghai during the first and the second trimesters, although it is is insufficient in the third trimester. Good iodine-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours are important for pregnant women with respect to maintaining adequate urinary iodine.

Temporal trends in cause-specific readmissions and their risk factors in heart failure patients in Sweden

Background

It remains unclear whether readmissions of patients with heart failure (HF) have decreased over time in an era of improved therapy and management of HF. This study aimed to determine the temporal short- and long-term trends of cause-specific rehospitalization and their risk factors in a Swedish context.

Methods

HF patients in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry (SwedeHF) were investigated. Maximum follow-up time was 1 year. Outcomes included the first occurrence of all-cause, cardiovascular (CV) and HF rehospitalizations. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to determine the impact of increasing years on risk for rehospitalization and its known risk factors.

Results

Totally, 25,644 index-hospitalized HF patients SwedeHF from 2004 to 2011 were enrolled in the study. For 8 years, the incidence risk of 1-year all-cause rehospitalization remained unchanged, whereas the incidence risk of CV (P=0.038) or HF (P=0.0038) rehospitalization decreased. After adjustment for age and sex, a 3% decrease per every second year was observed for 1-year CV and HF rehospitalizations (P&lt;0.05). However, time to the first occurring all-cause, CV and HF rehospitalization did not change significantly from 2004–2011 (P-values 0.13–0.87). When two study periods (2004–2005 vs. 2010–2011) were compared, the risk factor profile for rehospitalization was found to change.

Conclusions

Throughout the 8-year study period, CV- and HF-related rehospitalizations decreased, whereas all-cause rehospitalization remained unchanged, indicating a parallel increase in non-CV rehospitalization in the HF patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The SwedeHF was funded by the Swedish Society of Cardiology and the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation.

Downregulation of lncRNA SNHG7 inhibits proliferation and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through repressing ROCK1

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have revealed the important role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the progression of tumorigenesis. This study aimed to identify the biological function of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 (SNHG7) in the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

LncRNA SNHG7 expressions in NPC cell lines and 50 paired NPC tissue samples were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Transwell assay, wound healing assay and proliferation assay were conducted to evaluate the in vitro function of SNHG7 in NPC cells. Xenograft model was established for determining the in vivo effect of SNHG7 on tumor formation and metastasis of NPC. The underlying mechanism of SNHG7 in mediating the progression of NPC was explored by RT-qPCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

SNHG7 expression was remarkably downregulated in NPC tissues compared with that in adjacent normal samples. Knockdown of SNHG7 attenuated proliferation, invasion and migration of NPC cells. Moreover, tumor size and the number of metastatic nodules were reduced in mice administrated with NPC cells transfected with sh-SNHG7. Knockdown of SNHG7 downregulated ROCK1 at mRNA and protein level. Besides, the expression of ROCK1 in tumor tissues was positively correlated to SNHG7 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Knockdown of SNHG7 inhibits migration, invasion and proliferation of NPC cells through downregulating ROCK1, which may offer a new therapeutic intervention for NPC patients.

Progesterone promotes embryo adhesion by upregulating c-Fos/c-Jun transcription factor-mediated poFUT1 expression†

The proliferation and adhesion abilities of placental trophoblasts are critical for embryo implantation and successful pregnancy. Protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (poFUT1) and the transcription factor c-Fos/c-Jun have been found to promote trophoblastic cell invade into the endometrium. Progesterone is critical to the regulation of embryonic implantation. However, the exact role of poFUT1 in embryo proliferation and adhesion to the endometrium, and the relationship between progesterone, c-Fos/c-Jun, and poFUT1 has not been studied in detail. In the current study, we found that the serum levels of poFUT1 and progesterone significantly was decreased in miscarriage patients compared with those in normal pregnancy women, and there is a positive correlation between the changes in progesterone and poFUT1. Employing a human embryo trophoblastic cell line (JAR), we showed that progesterone facilitated the activation of c-Fos/c-Jun. Using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we confirmed that the specific transcription factor c-Fos/c-Jun regulated the poFUT1 promoter, which could enhance poFUT1 transcriptional activity, thus further increasing trophoblast cell proliferation and adhesion potential. Taking these findings together, progesterone upregulates poFUT1 expression via the specific transcription factor c-Fos/c-Jun, and then increase trophoblast cell proliferation and adhesion potential. poFUT1 and progesterone may be used together as potential markers of miscarriage, and they may be diagnostic and therapeutic targets for miscarriage.