3D-Bioprinted Hepar-on-a-Chip Implanted in Graphene-Based Plasmonic Sensors

Precise three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting designs enable the fabrication of unique structures for 3D-cell culture models. There is still an absence of real-time detection tools to effectively track in situ 3D-cell performance, hindering a comprehensive understanding of disease progression and drug efficacy assessment. While numerous bioinks have been developed, few are equipped with internal sensors capable of accurate detection. This study addresses these challenges by constructing a 3D-bioprinted hepar-on-a-chip embedded with graphene quantum dot-capped gold nanoparticle-based plasmonic sensors, featuring strong surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement, biostability, and signal consistency. Such an integrated hepar-on-a-chip demonstrates excellent capability in the secretion of liver function-related proteins and the expression of drug metabolism and transport-related genes. Furthermore, the on-site detection of cell-secreted biomarker glutathione transferase α (GST-α) was successfully achieved using the plasmonic probe, with a dynamic linear detection range of 20-500 ng/mL, showcasing high anti-interference and specificity for GST-α. Ultimately, this integrated hepar-on-a-chip system offers a high-quality platform for monitoring liver injury.

Contrasting response of comammox Nitrospira, ammonia oxidising bacteria, and archaea to soil pH and nitrogen inputs

This study aimed to investigate the effect of soil pH change, and nitrogen amendment on ammonia oxidiser abundance and comammox Nitrospira community composition. The experimental design used soil mesocosms placed in a temperature-controlled incubator for 90 days. A Templeton silt loam was used as its physiochemical properties are typical of the region's dairy farms. The results showed that comammox Nitrospira clade B preferred the natural (pH 6.1-6.2) soil pH with no applied nitrogen. Furthermore, synthetic urine (N700) decreased the abundance of comammox Nitrospira clade B. This may have been because the large amounts of available ammonia in the N700 treatments inhibited the growth of comammox Nitrospira. These results suggest that while comammox Nitrospira clade B are present in New Zealand dairy farm soils, but their role in nitrification in the very high nitrogen environment under a urine patch in grazed pastures may be limited. Further research is needed to confirm this. In contrast to comammox, the AOB community (dominated by Nitrosospira) responded positively to the application of synthetic urine. The response was greatest in the high pH soil (7.1), followed by the natural and then the low pH (4.9) soils. This may be due to the difference in ammonia availability. At high pH, the ammonia/ammonium equilibrium favours ammonia production. Calculated ammonia availability in the N700 treatments accurately predicted the AOB amoA gene abundance. Interestingly, the AOA community abundance (which was predominantly made up of Thaumarchaeota group I.1b clade E) seemed to prefer the natural and high pH soils over the low pH. This may be due to the specific lineage of AOA present. AOA did not respond to the application of nitrogen.

Performance and kinetics of rotating drum biofilter aerobic simultaneous purifying SO2 and NOx

The rotating drum biofilter (RDB) was investigated as a biological process for purifying SO2 and NOx. After 25 days of film hanging, the inlet concentration was less than 2800 mg·m-3, and the NOx inlet concentration was less than 800 mg·m-3, with greater than 90% desulphurisation and denitration efficiency. Bacteroidetes and Chloroflexi were the dominant bacteria in desulphurisation, while Proteobacteria were the dominant bacteria in denitrification. The sulphur and nitrogen in RDB were balanced when the SO2 inlet concentration was 1200 mg·m-3 and the NOx inlet concentration was 1000 mg·m-3. The best results were obtained SO2-S removal load was 28.12 mg·L-1·h-1 and NOx-N removal load was 9.78 mg·L-1·h-1. when SO2 concentration was 1200 mg·m-3, NOx concentration was 800 mg·m-3, and empty bed retention time (EBRT) was 75.36 s. The liquid phase dominated the SO2 purification process, and the experimental data fit better with the liquid phase mass transfer model. NOx purification was governed by the biological and liquid phases, with the modified biological-liquid phase mass transfer model fitting the experimental data better.

Interaction between handgrip strength and vitamin D deficiency on all-cause mortality in community-dwelling older adults: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Muscle strength decline and vitamin D deficiency are coexisting conditions associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. This prospective study aimed to investigate the multiplicative and additive interactions between handgrip strength (HS) and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] on all-cause mortality in Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a population-based cohort study.

METHODS

2635 older adults (85.15 ± 12.01 years) were recruited from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2012-2018). Low HS was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 updated consensus (<28 kg for men and <18 kg for women). Serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L were defined as vitamin D deficiency. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association of HS and 25(OH)D with all-cause mortality. Socio-demographics, health status, and clinical characteristics were included as covariates.

RESULTS

1715 (65.09 %) and 1885 (71.54 %) participants had low HS and vitamin D deficiency, respectively. During a median follow-up of 3.52 years, 1107 older people died. After multivariable adjustment, both HS and 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with all-cause mortality risk (Ps < 0.001). The hazard ratios (HRs) of low HS and vitamin D deficiency for all-cause mortality were 1.73 (95 % CI: 1.41-2.13) and 1.61 (95 % CI: 1.32-1.93), respectively. Although significant multiplicative interactions were not found, the association between low HS and all-cause mortality was attenuated in the higher 25(OH)D subgroup than in the lower 25(OH)D subgroup (stratified by 50 nmol/L). The multiple-adjusted HR of mortality for combined low HS and vitamin D deficiency was 2.18 (95 % CI: 1.73-2.56), which was higher than that for these two conditions alone. Significant additive interactions between low HS and vitamin D deficiency on mortality were observed (relative excess risk due to interaction: 0.71, 95 % CI: 0.37-1.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Low HS and low 25(OH)D levels synergistically increased the risk of all-cause mortality. Our results added new insights to the priority of early detection for older adults with comorbid muscle strength decline and vitamin D deficiency.

Clinically Oriented CBCT Periapical Lesion Evaluation via 3D CNN Algorithm

Apical periodontitis (AP) is one of the most prevalent disorders in dentistry. However, it can be underdiagnosed in asymptomatic patients. In addition, the perioperative evaluation of 3-dimensional (3D) lesion volume is of great clinical relevance, but the required slice-by-slice manual delineation method is time- and labor-intensive. Here, for quickly and accurately detecting and segmenting periapical lesions (PALs) associated with AP on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, we proposed and geographically validated a novel 3D deep convolutional neural network algorithm, named PAL-Net. On the internal 5-fold cross-validation set, our PAL-Net achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.98. The algorithm also improved the diagnostic performance of dentists with varying levels of experience, as evidenced by their enhanced average AUC values (junior dentists: 0.89-0.94; senior dentists: 0.91-0.93), and significantly reduced the diagnostic time (junior dentists: 69.3 min faster; senior dentists: 32.4 min faster). Moreover, our PAL-Net achieved an average Dice similarity coefficient over 0.87 (0.85-0.88), which is superior or comparable to that of other existing state-of-the-art PAL segmentation algorithms. Furthermore, we validated the generalizability of the PAL-Net system using multiple external data sets from Central, East, and North China, showing that our PAL-Net has strong robustness. Our PAL-Net can help improve the diagnostic performance and speed of dentists working from CBCT images, provide clinically relevant volume information to dentists, and can potentially be applied in dental clinics, especially without expert-level dentists or radiologists.

Effect of chronic and humped input of polystyrene microplastics on rice growth

The impact of microplastics (MPs) pollution on farmland is influenced by the type of rainfall and the hydrography of the site. However, it is not clear how the arrival of MPs to farmland through different input modes will affect plant growth. Here, we simulated the effects of polystyrene (PS) MPs chronic input (50 mg/L), humped input (0, 0, 0, 100, 250, 100, 0, 0, 0 mg/L) and without PS MPs input (control) on rice growth through hydroponic experiment. The results showed that the input mode of MPs had a significant effect on the growth of rice. Compared with the control, the chronic input reduced the fresh weight of rice roots, stems and leaves by 61 %, 60 % and 64 %, respectively. Humped input only had a significant effect on the fresh weight of rice roots and stems, which were reduced by 24 % and 17 %, respectively. Both PS MPs input modes significantly reduced the chlorophyll content of plants. However, the chronic input of PS MPs also stimulated the antioxidant system of rice, improved peroxidase (POD) activity, and changed the nutrient content in plant tissues. Overall, chronic input of PS MPs had a greater impact on rice growth. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the input modes of MPs when assessing their effects on plant growth. This study is the first to investigate the effects of different input modes of MPs on plant growth, providing new insights into the pathways through which MPs affect plants.

Q-TWiST analysis of survival benefits with brigatinib versus crizotinib in patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer based on results of the ALTA-1L trial

OBJECTIVES

The ALTA-1L phase 3 open-label trial demonstrated increased progression-free survival (PFS) with brigatinib versus crizotinib in patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK-positive) locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) previously untreated with ALK-targeted therapy. This post-hoc analysis of data from the ALTA-1L trial used the quality-adjusted (QA) time without symptoms of disease or toxicity (Q-TWiST) methodology to compare the QA survival benefit of brigatinib versus crizotinib in this patient population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Q-TWiST analysis was performed using final (January 29, 2021) individual patient-level blinded independent review committee (BIRC)- and investigator-assessed survival data for brigatinib (n = 137) and crizotinib (n = 138) in adult patients (N = 275) with ALK-positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC previously untreated with ALK-targeted therapy. Q-TWiST was compared between the two treatments. Subgroup analyses were performed in patients stratified by various clinicopathological characteristics, including presence or absence of brain metastases at baseline.

RESULTS

Brigatinib was associated with significantly longer time without symptoms of disease or toxicity (P < 0.001) than crizotinib, with significantly greater Q-TWiST (mean [SE] months: BIRC-assessed, 28.2 [1.2] versus 25.1 [1.1], P = 0.045; investigator-assessed, 28.5 [1.2] versus 24.8 [1.1], P = 0.018). Relative gains in Q-TWiST with brigatinib compared to crizotinib were clinically meaningful (BIRC-assessed, 10.4%; investigator-assessed, 12.3%). Patients with brain metastases at baseline receiving brigatinib had significantly greater Q-TWiST (mean [SE] months: BIRC-assessed, 29.0 [1.9] versus 19.0 [1.9], P = 0.0001) than those receiving crizotinib.

CONCLUSION

First-line brigatinib treatment was associated with significant and clinically meaningful gains in Q-TWiST compared to crizotinib in patients with ALK-positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, supporting the results of the ALTA-1L trial and brigatinib as a safe and effective first-line treatment for ALK-positive NSCLC.

Cascade dams altered taxonomic and functional composition of bacterioplankton community at the regional scale

Dams are increasingly disrupting natural river systems, yet studies investigating their impact on microbial communities at regional scale are limited. Given the indispensable role of bacterioplankton in aquatic ecosystems, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to explore how these communities respond to dam-influenced environmental changes at the regional scale in the Shaying River Basin. Our findings revealed that cascade dams create distinct environments, shaping bacterioplankton communities near the dams differently from those in natural rivers. In the upstream of the cascade dams, water quality was superior, while bacterioplankton community structure was simple with weak community interactions. In the midstream, nutrient and heavy metal content were increased, making bacterioplankton structures more susceptible to environmental changes. In the downstream of the cascade dams, water quality had a significant impact on the community and the bacterioplankton structures were highly complex. Additionally, environmental variables significantly influenced bacterioplankton functional groups. However, the response to these factors, as well as the interplay between functional and taxonomic diversity, varied markedly depending on the specific region of the cascade dams. We here delved into the effects of cascade dams on the taxonomic diversity and functional groups of bacterioplankton to provide a theoretical basis for segmentally regulating these dams.

PSMA PET Guided Salvage Radiotherapy Among Prostate Cancer Patients in the Post-Prostatectomy Setting: A Single Center Post-Hoc Analysis

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) shows improved sensitivity and specificity for detection of locoregional and distant metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) compared to conventional imaging, especially at lower PSA levels as is often the case in the biochemically recurrent (BCR), post radical prostatectomy (RP) setting. Providers are now utilizing PSMA PET findings to guide their salvage radiotherapy (sRT) treatment fields and doses, although it is not well understood how PSMA PET guided sRT impacts patient outcomes.

MATERIALS/METHODS

This was a post-hoc analysis of 5 prospective studies of PSMA PET conducted at UCLA from 2016 to 2021 that included patients with recurrent PCa following RP. Patients were included in this retrospective study if they initiated sRT within 3 months of PSMA PET, had at least 12 months of follow up after sRT completion, had available sRT treatment details, and did not have distant metastases (DM) by conventional imaging on upfront staging. Patients treated with palliative RT were excluded. BCR following sRT was defined as an increase in PSA of 0.2 ng/ml above the post sRT nadir. Metastasis directed therapy (MDT) was defined as sRT to all PSMA+ N1 and M1 lesions. Baseline patient demographics, PSMA PET findings, sRT & ADT treatment details, and patient outcome data were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 176 patients were included in this study. Median time between RP and PSMA PET was 38 months (range 1-329). Median PSA at the time of the PSMA PET was 0.625 ng/mL (range 0.063-35). PSMA PET was positive in 128 patients (73%): 21 (12%) miT+N0M0, 55 (31%) miTxN1M0 and 52 (30%) miTxNxM1 with 19 (11%) miTxNxM1a, 31 (18%) miTxNxM1b, and 2 (1%) miTxNxM1c. Median number of lesions seen on positive PSMA scans was 1 (range 1-8). 39 (22%) patients were subsequently treated with sRT to the prostate bed (PB) only, 59 (34%) to PB + pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs), 33 (19%) to PLNs only, 7 (4%) to PB + PLNs + DM, 7 (4%) to PLNs + DM, and 31 (18%) to DM only. 59 (34%) patients were treated with concurrent ADT at a median duration of 6 months (range 1-39). At a median follow-up of 32 months (range 12-70) after sRT, 80 patients (45%) did not develop BCR or imaging relapse (IR) following sRT, 24 patients (14%) developed BCR but not IR, 1 patient (<1%) developed IR only, and 70 patients (40%) developed both BCR and IR. The median time to BCR and IR following sRT was 15 months (range 1-48) and 19 months (range 6-61), respectively. 1 year post sRT biochemical recurrence free survival was 77%. Of the 83 patients treated with MDT, 32 (39%) did not develop subsequent disease relapse.

CONCLUSION

This post hoc analysis assessed the outcomes of 176 patients treated with PSMA PET guided salvage RT, proving it to be an effective method for treating both pelvic and extrapelvic recurrent PCa. Further investigation is needed to assess the full extent of patient outcomes in this population.

Andrographolide inhibits infectious bronchitis virus-induced apoptosis, pyroptosis, and inflammation

BACKGROUND

Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a coronavirus, causes a huge economic loss to the poultry industry. Andrographolide (APL) is a compound with a variety of pharmacological properties, including antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, APL was evaluated for antiviral activity by its anti-apoptotic, anti-pyroptosis, and anti-inflammatory effects.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity of APL was determined by the MTT method. We investigated the therapeutic impact of APL on IBV through a plate assay. We explored that APL inhibited IBV-induced apoptosis, pyroptosis, and inflammation in HD11 cells by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. Also, it was verified in the clinical chicken embryo trial.

RESULTS

We found that APL down-regulated apoptosis-related genes Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9, Bax, Bid, and Bak, down-regulated pyroptosis gene DFNA5, and down-regulated inflammation-related genes (NF-κB, NLRP3, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β). In addition, APL reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cells. Finally, clinical trials showed that APL inhibited IBV-induced apoptosis, pyroptosis, and inflammation, as well as reduced the mortality and malformation of chicken embryos.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we delved into the antiviral properties of APL in the context of chicken macrophage (HD11) infection with IBV. Our findings confirm that andrographolide effectively inhibits apoptosis, pyroptosis, and inflammation by IBV infection. Furthermore, this inhibition was verified on chicken embryos in vivo. This inhibition suggests a substantial potential for APL as a therapeutic agent to mitigate the harmful effects of IBV on host cells.

Dose DIBH Really Reduce the Subclinical Cardiac Acute Injury? Analysis of Clinical Real World from Our Institute

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The study is aim to investigate whether Deep-inspirational breath-hold (DIBH), compared with free breathing (FB), could provide a short-term cardiac benefit in patients with early left breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery combined whole breast radiotherapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A total of 78 patients with early stage left breast cancer treated with radiotherapy between 2021-2022 after breast-conserving surgery were enrolled. Among them, 32 cases were treated with DIBH technique and 46 cases were treated with free breathing. Patients with previous cardiac disease such as coronary artery disease were excluded. We performed myocardial enzymes, ECG, and ECHO in all patients within 2 weeks before, during, and 6 months after radiotherapy. The results of the two groups were compared using nonparametric tests and chi-square tests, and P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Where subclinical acute cardiac injury was defined as new above-normal myocardial enzymes and/or electrocardiographic ST-T or T-wave changes and/or ECHO abnormalities after the start of radiotherapy.

RESULTS

The median follow-up of patients was 6 months and the mean age of patients was 52.3 years for FB and 44.9 years for DIBH. There were no significant differences in staging, molecular subtype, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy history. The proportion of subclinical acute cardiac injury was smaller in the DIBH group compared to the FB group (DIBH = 31/46 and FB = 28/32, p = 0.042). The most sensitive of the subclinical acute cardiac injury events were detected by myocardial enzymes rising, with cTnI (p = 0.034) and NT-proBNP (p = 0.023) appearing significantly lower in the DIBH patients during radiotherapy. The difference of cTnI between 2 groups at 6 months after radiotherapy became non-significant. In contrast, CK-MB was higher in DIBH compared with FB only 6 months after radiotherapy (p = 0.006). The differences in ECG and ECHO were not significant between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

After breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy for left early breast cancer, DIBH compared to FB reduces the proportion of acute subclinical cardiac injury that occurs with the most sensitive changes in myocardial enzymes. Subsequent studies will explore the relationship between the short-term subclinical injury and irradiated dose, as well as long term cardiac injury.

Tolerability of Metastasis-Directed Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy with Short-Course Triple-Agent Androgen Annihilation Therapy in Recurrent Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer: Secondary Analysis of a Phase II Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

A majority of patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer experience relapse within 12 months of metastasis-directed therapy. Intense, triple-agent androgen annihilation therapy (AAT) with leuprolide, abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP), and apalutamide may improve efficacy, but long courses of AAT have been shown to be associated with increased rates of grade≥3 toxicity. The purpose of this secondary analysis of this study is to characterize the tolerability of a short, six-month course of AAT added to metastasis-directed therapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

All 28 patients enrolled on this phase II study were included in this analysis. All patients had oligometastatic prostate cancer after initial radical prostatectomy, defined by the presence of 1-5 extrapelvic metastases on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT. Patients were started on six months of AAT. After the first month, patients received stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in 1, 3, or 5 fractions to metastases with or without radiotherapy to the prostate bed and pelvic lymph nodes. Physician-scored toxicities were graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), Version 5.0.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time was 11.4 months. Twenty patients (71.4%) completed AAT with all three agents. Six patients (21.4%) completed six months of therapy but discontinued at least one agent [4 patients (14.3%) discontinued apalutamide, 1 patient (3.6%) discontinued AAP, and 1 patient (3.6%) discontinued both apalutamide and AAP]. Two patients (7.1%) withdrew from the trial due to adverse events and did not complete therapy. Grade 2 and grade 3 toxicity rates from AAT were each 21.4%. Of the 6 cases of grade 3 toxicity, 3 were skin rashes, 2 were hypertension, and 1 was hepatic toxicity. At the time of SBRT, 1 patient had withdrawn from the study and 1 patient declined radiation therapy. All 26 remaining patients completed SBRT. Grade 2 and grade 3 toxicity rates from SBRT were 7.7% and 0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A majority of patients were able to tolerate and complete AAT in combination with metastasis-directed SBRT. Some patients experienced acute grade 3 toxicities, the most common being drug-related skin rashes and hypertension. While efficacy data are needed to evaluate the oncologic benefit, these data suggest a short course of AAT is considerably better tolerated than longer courses of AAT, with grade 3 toxicity rates similar to long courses of single-agent androgen deprivation therapy alone.

The Role of Radiotherapy in Patients with Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma after Brentuximab Vedotin and -/or Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) had important roles in the treatment of relapse or refractory (R/R) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Treatment of refractory disease after BV and -/or ICIs remains a challenge. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy for R/R HL after failure to BV or ICIs.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients in two institutions with R/R HL who had failed after first-line therapy, and were refractory to BV or ICIs, and received radiotherapy (RT) thereafter. The overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 19 patients were enrolled. First-line systemic therapy consisted of ABVD (84.2%), AVD + ICIs (10.5%) and BEACOPP (5.3%), respectively. After first-line therapy, 15 patients (78.9%) were refractory, and 4 patients (21.1%) relapsed. After diagnosis of R/R HL, 8 patients (42.1%) received BV, and 17 patients (89.5%) received ICIs. RT was delivered in all 19 patients who failed after BV or ICIs. In 16 efficacy-evaluable patients, the ORR and CR rate were 100% and 100%. The median DOR was 17.2 months (range, 7.9 to 46.7 months). 3 patients progressed at outside of the radiation field. The in-field-response rate was 100%. The 12-month PFS and OS were 84.4% and 100%, respectively. No patients were reported with sever adverse events.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that radiotherapy was effective and safe for refractory HL after BV or ICIs. Further prospective studies were warranted.

Postoperative Radiotherapy to Abdominal and Pelvic Lymphatic Drainage Area for Stage III Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Sharp Tool to Prolong Disease-Free Survival Time

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

For patients with stage III epithelial ovarian cancer, there are limited studies on the effects of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after standard cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and full treatment of first-line adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). The aims of our study were to assess the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of our special postoperative radiotherapy to abdominal and pelvic lymphatic drainage area for stage III epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrospectively collected patients with stage III epithelial ovarian cancer after CRS and full-course adjuvant chemotherapy. The CT+RT group patients were treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to abdominal and pelvic lymphatic drainage area (which has been shown to be an alternative to whole abdominal radiotherapy (WART) both on the basis of clinical result and dosimetric verification from our prior study). The CT group data was obtained from the PUMCH's electronic medical record analytical database between 2010 and 2020. A propensity score matching analysis was performed 1:2 between CT+RT group and CT group.

RESULTS

A total of 132 patients with median follow-up of 73.9 months (9.1-137.7 months) were included (44 and 88 for the CT+RT and CT groups, retrospectively). The baseline characteristics of age, histology, level of CA12-5, surgical staging, residual tumor, courses of adjuvant CT, and courses to reduce CA12-5 to normal were all balanced. The median disease-free survival (DFS) time, 5-year overall survival (OS), and local recurrence free survival (LRFS) of CT+RT group and CT group were 100.0 months versus 25.9 months (p = 0.020), 69.2% versus 49.9% (p = 0.002), 85.9% versus 50.5% (p = 0.020), respectively. Distant metastasis was still the primary reason (57.6%), and local failure rate was 42.3%, the local recurrence rate was significantly lower in CT+RT group, compared with CT group (13.6% versus 45.5%, p = 0.016). In terms of toxicity, CT+RT group mainly presented with acute hematological toxicities, with no statistically significant difference with CT group when compared with grade III intestinal adverse effects (3/44 versus 6/88, p = 0.480).

CONCLUSION

This report demonstrates that long-term disease-free survival could be achieved in stage III epithelial ovarian cancer patients treated with IMRT preventive radiation to abdominal and pelvic lymphatic area. Compared with CT group, DFS and OS were significantly prolonged and adverse effects were acceptable.

Randomized evaluation of an online single-session intervention for minority stress in LGBTQ+ adolescents

Background

LGBTQ+ youth face myriad adverse health outcomes due to minority stress, creating a need for accessible, mechanism-targeted interventions to mitigate these minority stress-related risk factors. We tested the effectiveness and acceptability of Project RISE, an online single-session intervention designed to ameliorate internalized stigma and improve other outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth. We hypothesized that youth assigned to RISE (versus a control) would report significantly reduced internalized stigma and increased identity pride at post-intervention and at two-week follow-up and would find RISE acceptable.

Methods

We recruited adolescents nationally through Instagram advertisements in May 2022 (N = 538; M age = 15.06, SD age = 0.97). Participants were randomly assigned to RISE or an information-only control and completed questionnaires pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and two weeks post-intervention. Inclusion criteria included endorsing: (1) LGBTQ+ identity, (2) age 13-16, (3) English fluency (4) Internet access, and (5) subjective negative impact of LGBTQ+ stigma.

Results

Relative to participants in the control condition, participants who completed RISE reported significant decreases in internalized stigma (d = -0.49) and increases in identity pride (d = 0.25) from pre- to immediately post-intervention, along with decreased internalized stigma (d = -0.26) from baseline to two-week follow-up. Participants rated both RISE and the information-only control as highly, equivalently acceptable.

Conclusions

RISE appears to be an acceptable and useful online SSI for LGBTQ+ adolescents, with potential to reduce internalized stigma in both the short- and longer-term. Future directions include evaluating effects of Project RISE over longer follow-ups and in conjunction with other mental health supports.

New insights into the antimicrobial action and protective therapeutic effect of tirapazamine towards Escherichia coli-infected mice

OBJECTIVES

Escherichia coli is an important pathogen responsible for numerous cases of diarrhoea worldwide. The bioreductive agent tirapazamine (TPZ), which was clinically used to treat various types of cancers, has obvious antibacterial activity against E. coli strains. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the protective therapeutic effects of TPZ in E. coli-infected mice and provide insights into its antimicrobial action mechanism.

METHODS

The MIC and MBC tests, drug sensitivity test, crystal violet assay and proteomic analysis were used to detect the in vitro antibacterial activity of TPZ. The clinical symptoms of infected mice, tissue bacteria load, histopathological features and gut microbiota changes were regarded as indicators to evaluation the efficacy of TPZ in vivo.

RESULTS

Interestingly, TPZ-induced the reversal of drug resistance in E. coli by regulating the expression of resistance-related genes, which may have an auxiliary role in the clinical treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections. More importantly, the proteomics analysis showed that TPZ upregulated 53 proteins and downregulated 47 proteins in E. coli. Among these, the bacterial defence response-related proteins colicin M and colicin B, SOS response-related proteins RecA, UvrABC system protein A, and Holliday junction ATP-dependent DNA helicase RuvB were all significantly upregulated. The quorum sensing-related protein glutamate decarboxylase, ABC transporter-related protein glycerol-3-phosphate transporter polar-binding protein, and ABC transporter polar-binding protein YtfQ were significantly downregulated. The oxidoreductase activity-related proteins pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductase, glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2), NAD(+)-dependent aldehyde reductase, and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which participate in the elimination of harmful oxygen free radicals in the oxidation-reduction process pathway, were also significantly downregulated. Moreover, TPZ improved the survival rate of infected mice; significantly reduced the bacteria load in the liver, spleen, and colon; and alleviated E. coli-associated pathological damages. The gut microbiota also changed in TPZ-treated mice, and these genera were considerably differentiated: Candidatus Arthromitus, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, Prevotellaceae UCG-001, Actinospica, and Bifidobacterium.

CONCLUSIONS

TPZ may represent an effective and promising lead molecule for the development of antimicrobial agents for the treatment of E. coli infections.

Prevalence, drivers and surveillance of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic use in rural China: Interdisciplinary study

This study aimed to characterise antibiotic prescribing and dispensing patterns in rural health facilities in China and determine the community prevalence of antibiotic resistance. We investigated patterns and drivers of antibiotic use for common respiratory and urinary tract infections (RTI/UTI) in community settings, examined relationships between presenting symptoms, clinical diagnosis and microbiological results in rural outpatient clinics, and assessed potential for using patient records to monitor antibiotic use. This interdisciplinary mixed methods study included: (i) Observations and exit interviews in eight village clinics and township health centres and 15 retail pharmacies; (ii) Urine, throat swab and sputum samples from patients to identify potential pathogens and test susceptibility; (iii) 103 semi-structured interviews with doctors, patients, pharmacy workers and antibiotic-purchasing customers; (iv) Assessment of completeness and accuracy of electronic patient records through comparison with observational data. 87.9% of 1123 recruited clinic patients were prescribed antibiotics (of which 35.5% contained antibiotic combinations and >40% were for intravenous administration), most of whom had RTIs. Antibiotic prescribing for RTIs was not associated with presence of bacterial pathogens but was correlated with longer duration of infection (OR = 3.33) and presence of sore throat (OR = 1.64). Fever strongly predicted prescription of intravenous antibiotics (OR = 2.87). Resistance rates in bacterial pathogens isolated were low compared with national data. 25.8% of patients reported antibiotics use prior to their clinic visit, but only 56.2% of clinic patients and 53% of pharmacy customers could confirm their prescription or purchase included antibiotics. Diagnostic uncertainty, financial incentives, understanding of antibiotics as anti-inflammatory and limited doctor-patient communication were identified as key drivers of antibiotic use. Completion and accuracy of electronic patient records were highly variable. Prevalence of antibiotic resistance in this rural population is relatively low despite high levels of antibiotic prescribing and self-medication. More systematic use of e-records and in-service training could improve antibiotic surveillance and stewardship in rural facilities. Combining qualitative and observational anthropological methods and concepts with microbiological and epidemiological investigation of antibiotic resistance at both research design and analytic synthesis stages substantially increases the validity of research findings and their utility in informing future intervention development.

[Membrane anatomy-based splenic hilar lymph node dissection for gastric cancer]

There is a consensus that selectively perform splenic lymph node dissection is necessary for high-risk patients with proximal gastric cancer to achieve radical treatment. However, there are still some outstanding issues that need to be solved during the practice of splenic lymph node dissection. These include poorly defined boundaries, technical difficulties, and blurred boundaries in No. 10 and No. 11 lymph nodes, etc. Membrane anatomy has achieved successful applications in the field of gastric and colorectal surgery in recent years. The study of membrane anatomy in the splenic hilum region is controversial due to the special location of the splenic hilum, which involves multiple organs and affiliated mesentery undergoing complex rotation, folding, and fusion during embryonic development. In this manuscript, we summarize the following points based on existing research and personal experience regarding membrane anatomy. 1. There is a membrane anatomical structure that can be used for lymph node dissection in the splenic hilum region. 2. The membrane structure in the splenic hilum region can be divided into two layers: the superficial layer is composed of the dorsal mesogastrium, and the deep layer is composed of Gerota fascia, the tail of the pancreas, and the mesentery of the transverse colon (from head to tail). 3. There is a loose space between the two layers that can be used for separation during surgery. The resection of the dorsal mesogastrium belongs to D2 dissection. The No. 10 lymph node in the deeper layer belongs to the duodenal mesentery, and the resection of the No.10 lymph node exceeds D2 dissection. The complete excision of the gastric dorsal mesentery is consistent with the D2+CME surgical mode proposed by Gong Jianping's group.

[Development of membrane anatomy theory in gastric cancer surgery]

In the past decade, the concept of membrane anatomy has been gradually applied in gastric cancer surgery. Based on this theory, D2 lymphadenectomy plus complete mesogastric excision (D2+CME) has been proposed, which has been demonstrated to significantly reduce intraoperative bleeding and intraperitoneal free cancer cells during surgery, decrease surgical complications, and improve survival. These results indicate that membrane anatomy is feasible and efficacious in gastric cancer surgery. In this review, we will describe the important contents of membrane anatomy, including "Metastasis V"(2013, 2015), proximal segmentation of dorsal mesogastrium (2015), D2+CME procedure (2016), "cancer leak"(2018), and surgical outcomes of D2+CME (2022).

Independent and combined associations of upper and lower limb strength with all-cause mortality in community-based older adults: findings from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

OBJECTIVE

With the acceleration of aging progress, China is projected to have the largest older population globally. This study aimed to examine the association of upper limb strength (ULS) and lower limb strength (LLS) with all-cause mortality based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2012-2018).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Participants were 2442 older adults (aged 84.98 ± 11.94 years) recruited from eight longevity areas in China. Limb muscle strength was evaluated using handgrip strength and objective physical examinations. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyze the association of limb muscle strength with all-cause mortality. Demographic characteristics, health status, and biological markers were included as confounders.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up period of 42.2 months, 993 older people died. After adjusting for all covariates, low ULS was associated with higher mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25-1.84), and the association of low LLS with all-cause mortality was only significant in women (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.04-1.79). Participants with combined low ULS and low LLS had the highest risk of mortality than those with normal limb muscle strength (hazard ratio = 2.06, 95% confidence interval = 1.61-2.63). The combined association of ULS and LLS with mortality was robust in subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

Low ULS and low LLS were independently and synergistically associated with higher all-cause mortality risk. Considering the high prevalence of limb muscle weakness among Chinese older adults, especially the oldest-old, limb strength could be considered as a potential doable mortality predictor for community health care.

Engineered Shellac Beads-on-the-String Fibers Using Triaxial Electrospinning for Improved Colon-Targeted Drug Delivery

Colon-targeted drug delivery is gradually attracting attention because it can effectively treat colon diseases. Furthermore, electrospun fibers have great potential application value in the field of drug delivery because of their unique external shape and internal structure. In this study, a core layer of hydrophilic polyethylene oxide (PEO) and the anti-colon-cancer drug curcumin (CUR), a middle layer of ethanol, and a sheath layer of the natural pH-sensitive biomaterial shellac were used in a modified triaxial electrospinning process to prepare beads-on-the-string (BOTS) microfibers. A series of characterizations were carried out on the obtained fibers to verify the process-shape/structure-application relationship. The results of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicated a BOTS shape and core-sheath structure. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the drug in the fibers was in an amorphous form. Infrared spectroscopy revealed the good compatibility of the components in the fibers. In vitro drug release revealed that the BOTS microfibers provide colon-targeted drug delivery and zero-order drug release. Compared to linear cylindrical microfibers, the obtained BOTS microfibers can prevent the leakage of drugs in simulated gastric fluid, and they provide zero-order release in simulated intestinal fluid because the beads in BOTS microfibers can act as drug reservoirs.

Intensive human land uses cause the biotic homogenization of algae and change their assembly process in a major watershed of China

Human land uses are a crucial driver of biodiversity loss in freshwater ecosystems, and most studies have focused on how cities or croplands influence alpha diversity while neglecting the changes in community composition (beta diversity), especially in algae. Here, we examined the taxonomic and functional composition of algae communities and their underlying drivers along the human land-use intensity gradient in the Huai River basin, the third largest basin in China. Our results indicated that the increased intensity of human land use caused biotic homogenization (decreasing compositional dissimilarity between sites) of algae communities in terms of both taxonomic and functional traits. Functional beta diversity was more sensitive to human land uses than taxonomic beta diversity. Furthermore, we found that the increased intensity of human land use altered algae assemblage processes. As opposed to the low- or moderate-intensity human land uses, in high-intensity groups, species sorting rather than dispersal limitations dominated algae community assembly. NO2-N, HCO3, and Fe were the major factors explaining the variance in the taxonomic and functional beta diversities of algae. Human land use reshaped the taxonomic and functional structures of algae, raising concerns about the ecological processes altered by human activity.

[Characteristics of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA in children with primary infection]

Objective: To explore the characteristics of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in primary infection in pediatric cases. Methods: The laboratory and clinical data of 571 children diagnosed with EBV primary infection in Children's Hospital of Fudan University during September 1^st, 2017 to September 30^th, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of plasma EBV DNA, they were divided into positive group and negative group. According to the EBV DNA, they were devided into high plasma virol load group and low plasma virol load group. The Chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare the differences between groups. Results: Among the 571 children with EBV primary infection, 334 were males and 237 were females. The age of first diagnosis was 3.8 (2.2, 5.7) years. There were 255 cases in positive group and 316 cases in negative group. The percentage of cases with fever,hepatomegaly and (or) splenomegaly, elevated transaminase in the positive group were higher than those in the negative group (235 cases (92.2%) vs. 255 cases (80.7%), χ²=15.22, P<0.001; 169 cases (66.3%) vs. 85 cases (26.9%), χ²=96.80, P<0.001; and 144 cases (56.5%) vs. 120 cases (38.0%), χ²=18.27, P<0.001; respectively).In the positive group, 70 cases were followed up for 46 (27, 106) days, 68 cases (97.1%) turned negative within 28 days, with the exception of 2 cases (2.9%) developed chronic active EBV infection by follow-up revision.There were 218 cases in high plasma viral DNA copies group and 37 cases in low copies group. More cases presented with elevated transaminases in the high plasma viral DNA copies group than those in the low group (75.7% (28/37) vs. 56.0%(116/207), χ²=5.00, P=0.025).Both the positive rate of EBV DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes (84.2% (266/316) vs. 44.7% (255/571), χ²=76.26, P<0.001) and the copies of EBV DNA (7.0×10⁷ (1.3×10⁷, 3.0×10⁸) vs. 3.1×10⁶ (1.6×10⁶, 6.1×10⁶) copies /L, Z=15.23, P<0.001) were higher than that of plasma. Conclusions: In immunocompetent pediatric cases diagnosed as EBV primary infection, cases with positive plasma EBV DNA were prone to have fever, hepatomegaly and (or) splenomegaly, and elevated transaminase than those with negative plasma viral DNA. The plasma EBV DNA usually turns negative within 28 days after initial diagnosis.Most cases with high viral load in plasma showed elevated aminotransferase.