Enhancing trainee performance in obstetric ultrasound through an artificial intelligence system: randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Performing obstetric ultrasound scans is challenging for inexperienced operators; therefore, the prenatal screening artificial intelligence system (PSAIS) software was developed to provide real-time feedback and guidance for trainees during their scanning procedures. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of utilizing such an artificial intelligence system to enhance the efficiency of obstetric ultrasound training in acquiring and interpreting standard basic views.

METHODS

A prospective, single-center randomized controlled study was conducted at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. From September 2022 to April 2023, residents with no prior obstetric ultrasound experience were recruited and assigned randomly to either a PSAIS-assisted training group or a conventional training group. Each trainee underwent a four-cycle practical scan training program, performing 20 scans in each cycle on pregnant volunteers at 18-32 gestational weeks, focusing on acquiring and interpreting standard basic views. At the end of each cycle, a test scan evaluated trainees' ability to obtain standard ultrasound views without PSAIS assistance, and image quality was rated by both the trainees themselves and an expert (in a blinded manner). The primary outcome was the number of training cycles required for each trainee to meet a certain standard of proficiency (i.e. end-of-cycle test scored by the expert at ≥ 80%). Secondary outcomes included the expert ratings of the image quality in each trainee's end-of-cycle test and the discordance between ratings by trainees and the expert.

RESULTS

In total, 32 residents and 1809 pregnant women (2720 scans) were recruited for the study. The PSAIS-assisted trainee group required significantly fewer training cycles compared with the non-PSAIS-assisted group to meet quality requirements (P = 0.037). Based on the expert ratings of image quality, the PSAIS-assisted training group exhibited superior ability in acquiring standard imaging views compared with the conventional training group in the third (P = 0.012) and fourth (P < 0.001) cycles. In both groups, the discordance between trainees' ratings of the quality of their own images and the expert's ratings decreased with increasing training time. A statistically significant difference in overall trainee-expert rating discordance between the two groups emerged at the end of the first training cycle and remained at every cycle thereafter (P < 0.013).

CONCLUSION

By assisting inexperienced trainees in obtaining and interpreting standard basic obstetric scanning views, the use of artificial intelligence-assisted systems has the potential to improve training effectiveness. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[Epidemiological characteristics and drug resistance of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli infection in diarrhea patients in Shanghai, 2016-2022]

Objective: To understand the infection status, epidemiological characteristics and drug resistance of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in Shanghai and provide evidence for the disease surveillance. Methods: The epidemiological data of diarrhea cases in Shanghai from 2016 to 2022 were collected from Shanghai Diarrhea Comprehensive Surveillance System, and stool samples were collected from the cases for DEC detection. The drug resistance data was obtained from Chinese Pathogen Identification Network. Statistical analysis was conducted by using χ2 and fisher test. Results: In 24 883 diarrhea cases detected during 2016-2022, the DEC positive rate was 9.13% (2 271/24 883), the single DEC positive rate was 8.83% (2 197/24 883) and the mixed DEC positive rate was 0.30% (74/24 883). The main type of DEC was Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) [4.33% (1 077/24 883)]. The DEC positive rate was highest in people aged ≤5 years 18.48% (22/119). The annual peak of DEC positive rate was observed during July - September [5.91% (1 470/24 883)]. The DEC positive rate were 9.47% (554/5 847) and 9.02% (1 717/19 036) in urban area and in suburbs, respectively, Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) [3.98% (233/5 847)] and ETEC [4.56% (868/19 036)] were mainly detected. From 2016 to 2019, the DEC positive rate was 9.42% (1 821/19 330), while it was 8.10% (450/5 553) from 2020 to 2022, the main DEC types were ETEC (4.87%, 941/19 330) and EAEC (4.70%, 261/5 553). The multi-drug resistance rate was 40.21% (618/1 537). The top three antibiotics with high drug resistance rates were ampicillin [64.74% (995/1 537)], nalidixic acid [58.49% (899/1 537)] and tetracycline [45.09% (693/1 537)]. Conclusions: Compared with 2016- 2019, a decrease in DEC detection rate was observed during 2020-2022, and the main type of DEC detected shifted from ETEC to EAEC. The prevalence of multi-drug resistance was severe. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen the surveillance for DEC drug resistance and standardize the use of clinical antibiotics.

Properties of Cosmic Deuterons Measured by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

Precision measurements by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) on the International Space Station of the deuteron (D) flux are presented. The measurements are based on 21×10^{6} D nuclei in the rigidity range from 1.9 to 21 GV collected from May 2011 to April 2021. We observe that over the entire rigidity range the D flux exhibits nearly identical time variations with the p, ^{3}He, and ^{4}He fluxes. Above 4.5 GV, the D/^{4}He flux ratio is time independent and its rigidity dependence is well described by a single power law ∝R^{Δ} with Δ_{D/^{4}He}=-0.108±0.005. This is in contrast with the ^{3}He/^{4}He flux ratio for which we find Δ_{^{3}He/^{4}He}=-0.289±0.003. Above ∼13  GV we find a nearly identical rigidity dependence of the D and p fluxes with a D/p flux ratio of 0.027±0.001. These unexpected observations indicate that cosmic deuterons have a sizable primarylike component. With a method independent of cosmic ray propagation, we obtain the primary component of the D flux equal to 9.4±0.5% of the ^{4}He flux and the secondary component of the D flux equal to 58±5% of the ^{3}He flux.

Search for Periodic Time Variations of the Solar ^{8}B Neutrino Flux between 1996 and 2018 in Super-Kamiokande

We report a search for time variations of the solar ^{8}B neutrino flux using 5804 live days of Super-Kamiokande data collected between May 31, 1996, and May 30, 2018. Super-Kamiokande measured the precise time of each solar neutrino interaction over 22 calendar years to search for solar neutrino flux modulations with unprecedented precision. Periodic modulations are searched for in a dataset comprising five-day interval solar neutrino flux measurements with a maximum likelihood method. We also applied the Lomb-Scargle method to this dataset to compare it with previous reports. The only significant modulation found is due to the elliptic orbit of the Earth around the Sun. The observed modulation is consistent with astronomical data: we measured an eccentricity of (1.53±0.35)%, and a perihelion shift of (-1.5±13.5) days.

Mass, Spectroscopy, and Two-Neutron Decay of ^{16}Be

The structure and decay of the most neutron-rich beryllium isotope, ^{16}Be, has been investigated following proton knockout from a high-energy ^{17}B beam. Two relatively narrow resonances were observed for the first time, with energies of 0.84(3) and 2.15(5) MeV above the two-neutron decay threshold and widths of 0.32(8) and 0.95(15) MeV, respectively. These were assigned to be the ground (J^{π}=0^{+}) and first excited (2^{+}) state, with E_{x}=1.31(6)  MeV. The mass excess of ^{16}Be was thus deduced to be 56.93(13) MeV, some 0.5 MeV more bound than the only previous measurement. Both states were observed to decay by direct two-neutron emission. Calculations incorporating the evolution of the wave function during the decay as a genuine three-body process reproduced the principal characteristics of the neutron-neutron energy spectra for both levels, indicating that the ground state exhibits a strong spatially compact dineutron component, while the 2^{+} level presents a far more diffuse neutron-neutron distribution.

[Clinical study of the efficacies of ruxolitinib plus low-dose PTCY for acute GVHD prevention after haploidentical transplantation in malignant hematological diseases]

Objective: To investigate and verify a novel acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) prevention protocol in the context of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) . Methods: Patients who underwent haplo-HSCT in our center between January 2022 and December 2022 were included. All patients received reduced doses of cyclophosphamide, Rabbit anti-human tymoglobulin, ruxolitinib, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and MMF to prevent aGVHD. The transplantation outcomes, complications, and survival rate of all patients were investigated. Results: A total of 52 patients with haplo-HSCT were enrolled, 29 (55.8%) male and 23 (44.2%) female, with a median age of 28 (5-59) years. There were 25 cases of acute myeloid leukemia, 17 cases of acute lymphocyte leukemia, 6 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome, 2 cases of chronic myeloid leukemia and 2 cases of myeloproliferative neoplasms. 98.1% of patients had successful engraftment. The incidence of Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD and Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGVHD was 19.2% (95% CI 8.2% -30.3% ) and 7.7% (95% CI 0.2% -15.2% ), respectively. No patients experienced severe gastrointestinal mucositis. The Epstein-Barr virus and CMV reactivation rates were 40.4% and 21.3%, respectively. 9.6% of patients relapsed during followup, with 1-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and non-relapse mortality rates of 86.5% (95% CI 76.9% -96.1% ), 78.8% (95% CI 67.4% -90.3% ) and 11.5% (95% CI 2.6% -20.5% ), respectively. Conclusion: Ruxolitinib combined with a low dose of PTCY is a safe and effective first-line aGVHD prevention strategy.

Application of aptamer-conjugated graphene oxide for specific enrichment of microcystin-LR in Achatina fulica prior to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), as a hepatotoxin, can cause liver swelling, hepatitis, and even liver cancer. In this study, MC-LR aptamer (Apt-3) modified graphene oxide (GO) was designed to enrich MC-LR in white jade snail (Achatina fulica) and pond water, followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) analysis. Results indicated that the Apt-3/PEG/GO nanocomposites were highly specific to MC-LR, and the detection limit of MALDI-MS was 0.50 ng/mL. Moreover, the MC-LR can be released from nanocomposites at 75°C, thus, the reuse of Apt-3/PEG/GO is realized. Real sample analysis indicated that the Apt-3/PEG/GO nanocomposites coupled with MALDI-MS were efficient in detecting trace amounts of MC-LR in real samples. With the merits of being low cost, reusable, and easy to besynthesized, this Apt-3/PEG/GO MALDI-MS is expected to be comprehensively applied by anchoring suitable aptamers for different targets.

[Determination of Perchloroethylene in blood by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry]

Objective: To establish a method for determination of Perchloroethylene (PCE) in blood by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS/GC-MS) . Methods: From Dctober to December 2021, A total of 3 mL blood samples were taken into a 10 mL headspace bottle, after heated at 60 ℃ for 30 mins, PCE in the top air was separated by VF-WAXms capillary column and detected by GC-MS. The retention time and external standard method were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of PCE in samples, respectively. Results: There was good linear relationship in the range of 5.09-200.17 μg/L. The linear correlation coefficient was 0.9993.The detection limit was 0.21 μg/L and the lower limit of quantitation was 0.70 μg/L. The recovery rates of samples with different concentrations were 95.3%-103.8%. The intra-batch relative standard deviations (RSD) were 3.2%-4.6%, and inter-batch RSD was 4.0%-6.1%. The samples can be stored at 4 ℃ for three days and at -20 ℃ for seven days. Conclusion: This method is proved to be simple, practical and highly sensitive, which is suitable for the determination of PCE in blood.

Neuroprotective effect of plasmalogens on AlCl3-induced Alzheimer's disease zebrafish via acting on the regulatory network of ferroptosis, apoptosis and synaptic neurotransmission release with oxidative stress as the center

Plasmalogens (Pls) are considered to play a potential role in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, an Alzheimer's disease (AD) model of zebrafish induced by AlCl3 was established to investigate whether the marine-derived Pls could alleviate cognitive impairments of AD zebrafish. Behavioral tests were carried out to assess the athletic ability. The transcriptional profiles of zebrafish in the control, AD model and AD_PLS group were compared and analyzed to determine the potential mechanisms of dietary Pls on AD. The study found that Pls could reverse athletic impairment in the AD zebrafish model, and the expression levels of genes related to ferroptosis, synaptic dysfunction and apoptosis were significantly altered between experimental groups. Further analysis showed that all of these genes were associated with oxidative stress (OS). These data suggest that healthy protective role of marine-derived Pls on AD zebrafish may result from inhibition of ferroptosis and neuronal apoptosis, restoring synaptic neurotransmission release, and reducing neuroinflammation. Among them, Oxidative stress is acted as the center to connect different regulation pathways. This study provides evidence to support the essential roles of OS in pathogenesis of AD, and the application of Pls in relieving AD.

Ginsenoside Rg1 attenuates dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in mice

Ulceration colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disorder in the gastro-intestinal tract. The purpose of our study is to explore the potential mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg1 (GS Rg1) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Acute colitis was induced in male C57BL/6 mice. In vitro model of LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells to simulate enteritis model. The disease activity index (DAI), colon length, body weight and histopathological analysis were performed in vivo. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers for oxidative and anti-oxidative stress, MPO level were measured in vivo and in vitro. Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and NF-?B p65 protein levels were analyzed using western blotting. Our results indicated that the UC models were established successfully by drinking DSS water. GS Rg1 significantly attenuated UC-related symptoms, including preventing weight loss, decreasing DAI scores, and increasing colon length. GS Rg1 ameliorated the DSS-induced oxidative stress. IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels were significantly increased in serum and cell supernatant effectively, while treatment with the GS Rg1 significantly reduced these factors. GS Rg1 reduced MPO content in the colon. GS Rg1 treatment increased SOD and decreased MDA levels in the serum, colon, and cell supernatant. GS Rg1 restored the Nrf-2/HO-1/NF-?B pathway in RAW 264.7 cells and UC mice, and these changes were blocked by Nrf-2 siRNA. Overall, GS Rg1 ameliorated inflammation and oxidative stress in colitis via Nrf-2/HO-1/NF-kappaB pathway. Thus, GS Rg1 could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of UC.

Temporal Structures in Positron Spectra and Charge-Sign Effects in Galactic Cosmic Rays

We present the precision measurements of 11 years of daily cosmic positron fluxes in the rigidity range from 1.00 to 41.9 GV based on 3.4×10^{6} positrons collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the International Space Station. The positron fluxes show distinctly different time variations from the electron fluxes at short and long timescales. A hysteresis between the electron fluxes and the positron fluxes is observed with a significance greater than 5σ at rigidities below 8.5 GV. On the contrary, the positron fluxes and the proton fluxes show similar time variation. Remarkably, we found that positron fluxes are modulated more than proton fluxes with a significance greater than 5σ for rigidities below 7 GV. These continuous daily positron fluxes, together with AMS daily electron, proton, and helium fluxes over an 11-year solar cycle, provide unique input to the understanding of both the charge-sign and mass dependencies of cosmic rays in the heliosphere.

Erratum: Search for Cosmic-Ray Boosted Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using Recoil Protons at Super-Kamiokande [Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 031802 (2023)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.031802.

[Plurihormonal PIT1-lineage pituitary neuroendocrine tumors: a clinicopathological study]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of plurihormonal PIT1-lineage pituitary neuroendocrine tumors. Methods: Forty-eight plurihormonal PIT1-lineage tumors were collected between January 2018 and April 2022 from the pathological database of Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University. The related clinical and imaging data were retrieved. H&E, immunohistochemical and special stains were performed. Results: Out of the 48 plurihormonal PIT1-lineage tumors included, 13 cases were mature PIT1-lineage tumors and 35 cases were immature PIT1-lineage tumors. There were some obvious clinicopathological differences between the two groups. Clinically, the mature plurihormonal PIT1-lineage tumor mostly had endocrine symptoms due to increased hormone production, while a small number of immature PIT1-lineage tumors had endocrine symptoms accompanied by low-level increased serum pituitary hormone; patients with the immature PIT1-lineage tumors were younger than the mature PIT1-lineage tumors; the immature PIT1-lineage tumors were larger in size and more likely invasive in imaging. Histopathologically, the mature PIT1-lineage tumors were composed of large eosinophilic cells with high proportion of growth hormone expression, while the immature PIT1-lineage tumors consisted of chromophobe cells with a relatively higher expression of prolactin; the mature PIT1-lineage tumors had consistently diffuse cytoplasmic positive staining for keratin, while the immature PIT1-lineage tumors had various expression for keratin; the immature PIT1-lineage tumors showed more mitotic figures and higher Ki-67 proliferation index; in addition, 25.0% (12/48) of PIT1-positive plurihormonal tumors showed abnormal positive staining for gonadotropin hormones. There was no significant difference in the progression-free survival between the two groups (P=0.648) by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Conclusions: Plurihormonal PIT1-lineage tumor belongs to a rare type of PIT1-lineage pituitary neuroendocrine tumors, most of which are of immature lineage. Clinically increased symptoms owing to pituitary hormone secretion, histopathologically increased number of eosinophilic tumor cells with high proportion of growth hormone expression, diffusely cytoplasmic keratin staining and low proliferative activity can help differentiate the mature plurihormonal PIT1-lineage tumors from the immature PIT1-lineage tumors. The immature PIT1-lineage tumors have more complicated clinicopathological characteristics.

High Risk Prognostic Factors Predictive of Outcome Following Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Early-Stage Lung Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

High risk prognostic factors for outcomes following SBRT for early-stage lung cancer per SWOG/NRG 1914 include: tumor size > 2cm; moderately/poorly/undifferentiated histology; or high metabolic activity on PET/CT defined as SUV > 6.2. The purpose of this IRB approved retrospective study is to assess outcome for stage I lung cancer and to validate SWOG risk stratification in a single community-based radiation department.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A total of 132 patients with 139 tumors treated with SBRT between 2014 and 2019 were stratified by SWOG risk group (high vs. low). To assess differences by risk group in estimated overall survival (OS) at the patient level, as well as Freedom from Local Failure (FFLF), Freedom from Regional Failure (FFRF) and Freedom from Distant Failure (FFDF) at the tumor level, Kaplan-Meier methodology and Cox proportional hazards (PH) modeling for correlated data were used. Statistical significance was concluded at the 0.05 level.

RESULTS

Median follow-up for the entire group is 56 months. 77% of patients had high risk tumors. The median patient age was 75 years with 57% female. Patients with high-risk tumors were older (p = 0.023) compared to patients with low-risk tumors. At the tumor level, high risk tumors were more likely to have biopsies performed (91% vs 57% p = 0.002) and more likely to experience regional failure (28% vs 7% p = 0.005). High risk tumors were more likely to experience local failure (8% vs 0% p = NS) and distant failure (27% vs 14% p = NS). Median survival was 49 months for the whole group (46.0 months high risk, 65.1 months low risk). Actuarial OS at 5 years is 38% (35% high risk, 51% low risk). Actuarial FFLF at 5 years is 94% (93% high risk, 100% low risk). Actuarial FFRF at 5 years is 77% (72% high risk, 93% low risk). Actuarial FFDF at 5 years is 74% (70% high risk, 88% low risk). Cox PH models revealed no statistically significant differences in FFRF by risk group (p = 0.08).

CONCLUSION

Excellent local control but higher regional and distant failure was demonstrated for high-risk lung tumors as defined by SWOG/NRG 1914. Clinically important decrement in outcomes were consistently noted for high-risk tumors in this sample which did not demonstrate statistical significance due to lack of events and statistical power. However, our data supports the prognostic importance of tumor size/grade and SUV for identifying patients at high risk. Further validation with larger sample sizes would contribute to our knowledge regarding risk stratification for early-stage lung cancer treated with SBRT.

A patient with spinal cavernous vascular malformation: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Spinal cavernous vascular malformation (SCM) is a rare type of spinal vascular malformation that can be easily misdiagnosed and overlooked, accounting for 5%-12% of all spinal vascular malformations. To date, surgical resection has been the gold standard for treating SCM, particularly in symptomatic patients. The risk of secondary hemorrhage in SCM is as high as 66%. Therefore, early, timely, and accurate diagnosis is crucial for patients with SCM.

CASE REPORT

In this report, we describe a 50-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital with recurrent bilateral lower extremity pain and numbness for 10 years, with recurring symptoms for 4 months. The patient's symptoms initially improved after conservative treatment but then worsened again. An MRI revealed a spinal cord hemorrhage, and after surgical treatment, the patient's symptoms improved significantly. A postoperative pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of SCM.

CONCLUSIONS

This case, along with a review of the literature, suggests that for SCM, early surgery using techniques such as microsurgery and intraoperative evoked potential monitoring may result in better outcomes for the patient.

Properties of Cosmic-Ray Sulfur and Determination of the Composition of Primary Cosmic-Ray Carbon, Neon, Magnesium, and Sulfur: Ten-Year Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

We report the properties of primary cosmic-ray sulfur (S) in the rigidity range 2.15 GV to 3.0 TV based on 0.38×10^{6} sulfur nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment (AMS). We observed that above 90 GV the rigidity dependence of the S flux is identical to the rigidity dependence of Ne-Mg-Si fluxes, which is different from the rigidity dependence of the He-C-O-Fe fluxes. We found that, similar to N, Na, and Al cosmic rays, over the entire rigidity range, the traditional primary cosmic rays S, Ne, Mg, and C all have sizeable secondary components, and the S, Ne, and Mg fluxes are well described by the weighted sum of the primary silicon flux and the secondary fluorine flux, and the C flux is well described by the weighted sum of the primary oxygen flux and the secondary boron flux. The primary and secondary contributions of the traditional primary cosmic-ray fluxes of C, Ne, Mg, and S (even Z elements) are distinctly different from the primary and secondary contributions of the N, Na, and Al (odd Z elements) fluxes. The abundance ratio at the source for S/Si is 0.167±0.006, for Ne/Si is 0.833±0.025, for Mg/Si is 0.994±0.029, and for C/O is 0.836±0.025. These values are determined independent of cosmic-ray propagation.

Reversing stage III oral adenocarcinoma in a dog treated with anti-canine PD-1 therapeutic antibody: a case report

Monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is one of the most promising treatment therapies for human cancers. Canine PD-1 antibodies used in clinical trials have also shown efficacy in treating canine cancers. An 11-year-old male intact border collie presented to us for evaluation of left cervical mass. Computed tomography (CT) examination revealed an irregular pharyngeal mass invading the surrounding soft tissue. Histological and immunohistochemical results were consistent with a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, most likely originating from the minor salivary gland. An anti-canine PD-1 monoclonal antibody was administered. Two months after the initial treatment, the tumor reached partial remission and maintained as such for 6 months. Finally, the patient was euthanized due to reasons unrelated to cancer, with a survival time of 316 days. To our knowledge, this is the first report of response to PD-1 blockade treatment in canine adenocarcinoma.

Temporal Structures in Electron Spectra and Charge Sign Effects in Galactic Cosmic Rays

We present the precision measurements of 11 years of daily cosmic electron fluxes in the rigidity interval from 1.00 to 41.9 GV based on 2.0×10^{8} electrons collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the International Space Station. The electron fluxes exhibit variations on multiple timescales. Recurrent electron flux variations with periods of 27 days, 13.5 days, and 9 days are observed. We find that the electron fluxes show distinctly different time variations from the proton fluxes. Remarkably, a hysteresis between the electron flux and the proton flux is observed with a significance of greater than 6σ at rigidities below 8.5 GV. Furthermore, significant structures in the electron-proton hysteresis are observed corresponding to sharp structures in both fluxes. This continuous daily electron data provide unique input to the understanding of the charge sign dependence of cosmic rays over an 11-year solar cycle.

[Reverse partial pulmonary resection: a new surgical approach for pediatric pulmonary cysts]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of reverse partial lung resection for treatment of pediatric pulmonary cysts combined with lung abscesses or thoracic abscess.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of children undergoing reverse partial lung resection for complex pulmonary cysts in our hospital between June, 2020 and June, 2021.During the surgery, the patients lay in a lateral position, and a 3-5 cm intercostal incision was made at the center of the lesion, through which the pleura was incised and the fluid or necrotic tissues were removed.The anesthesiologist was instructed to aspirate the sputum in the trachea to prevent entry of the necrotic tissues in the trachea.The cystic lung tissue was separated till reaching normal lung tissue on the hilar side.The proximal end of the striated tissue in the lesion was first double ligated with No.4 silk thread, the distal end was disconnected, and the proximal end was reinforced with continuous sutures with 4-0 Prolene thread.The compromised lung tissues were separated, and the thoracic cavity was thoroughly flushed followed by pulmonary inflation, air leakage management and incision suture.

RESULTS

Sixteen children aged from 3 day to 2 years underwent the surgery, including 3 with simple pulmonary cysts, 11 with pulmonary cysts combined with pulmonary or thoracic abscess, 1 with pulmonary cysts combined with tension pneumothorax and left upper lung bronchial defect, and 1 with pulmonary herpes combined with brain tissue heterotaxy.All the operations were completed smoothly, with a mean operation time of 129 min, an mean hospital stay of 11 days, and a mean drainage removal time of 7 days.All the children recovered well after the operation, and 11 of them had mild air leakage.None of the children had serious complications or residual lesions or experienced recurrence of infection after the operation.

CONCLUSION

Reverse partial lung resection is safe and less invasive for treatment of complex pediatric pulmonary cysts complicated by infections.

[Enhanced endoplasmic reticulum RyR1 receptor phosphorylation leads to diaphragmatic dysfunction in septic rats]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of endoplasmic reticulum ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1) expression and phosphorylation in sepsis- induced diaphragm dysfunction.

METHODS

Thirty SPF male SD rats were randomized equally into 5 groups, including a sham-operated group, 3 sepsis model groups observed at 6, 12, or 24 h following cecal ligation and perforation (CLP; CLP-6h, CLP-12h, and CLP-24h groups, respectively), and a CLP-24h group with a single intraperitoneal injection of KN- 93 immediately after the operation (CLP-24h+KN-93 group). At the indicated time points, diaphragm samples were collected for measurement of compound muscle action potential (CMAP), fatigue index of the isolated diaphragm and fitted frequencycontraction curves. The protein expression levels of CaMK Ⅱ, RyR1 and P-RyR1 in the diaphragm were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTS

In the rat models of sepsis, the amplitude of diaphragm CMAP decreased and its duration increased with time following CLP, and the changes were the most obvious at 24 h and significantly attenuated by KN-93 treatment (P < 0.05). The diaphragm fatigue index increased progressively following CLP (P < 0.05) irrespective of KN- 93 treatment (P>0.05). The frequency-contraction curve of the diaphragm muscle decreased progressively following CLP, and was significantly lower in CLP-24 h group than in CLP-24 h+KN-93 group (P < 0.05). Compared with that in the sham-operated group, RyR1 expression level in the diaphragm was significantly lowered at 24 h (P < 0.05) but not at 6 or 12 following CLP, irrespective of KN-93 treatment; The expression level of P-RyR1 increased gradually with time after CLP, and was significantly lowered by KN-93 treatment at 24 h following CLP (P < 0.05). The expression level of CaMKⅡ increased significantly at 24 h following CLP, and was obviously lowered by KN-93 treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Sepsis causes diaphragmatic dysfunction by enhancing CaMK Ⅱ expression and RyR1 receptor phosphorylation in the endoplasmic reticulum of the diaphragm.

Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering data for Ruddlesden-Popper and reduced Ruddlesden-Popper nickelates

Ruddlesden-Popper and reduced Ruddlesden-Popper nickelates are intriguing candidates for mimicking the properties of high-temperature superconducting cuprates. The degree of similarity between these nickelates and cuprates has been the subject of considerable debate. Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) has played an important role in exploring their electronic and magnetic excitations, but these efforts have been stymied by inconsistencies between different samples and the lack of publicly available data for detailed comparison. To address this issue, we present open RIXS data on La₄Ni₃O₁₀ and La₄Ni₃O₈.

Transcriptomics integrated with metabolomics reveals the ameliorating effect of mussel-derived plasmalogens on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia in zebrafish

Plasmalogens (Pls), a special group of phospholipids, are effective in ameliorating neurodegenerative disease. In the present study, the metabolic effects of seafood-derived Pls on high fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia in zebrafish were evaluated, and the underlying mechanisms of dietary Pls against hyperlipidemia were explored through integrated analyses of hepatic transcriptomics and metabolomics. The results demonstrated that Pls supplementation could effectively alleviate HFD-induced obesity symptoms, such as body weight gain, and decrease total hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Integrated hepatic transcriptome and metabolome data suggested that Pls mainly altered lipid metabolism pathways (FA metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and glycerolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism) and the TCA cycle, induced the overexpression of anti-oxidation enzymes (Cat, Gpx4, Sod3a and Xdh), reduced disease biomarkers (such as glutarylcarnitine, gamma-glutamyltyrosine, and 11-prostaglandin f2) and gut microbiota-derived metabolites, and increased (±)12(13)-diHOME, EPA, lysoPC and PC levels. Moreover, 5 abnormally regulated metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers associated with hyperlipidemia according to the metabolomics results and suggested the involvement of gut microbiota in the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of Pls. Collectively, these findings suggest that the protective role of Pls is mainly associated with the promotion of unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and cholesterol efflux, lipid and phospholipid PUFA remodeling, and anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory capabilities. This study provides valuable information for reasonably explaining the beneficial effects of seafood-derived Pls in alleviating hyperlipidemia and thus may contribute to the development and application of Pls as functional foods or dietary supplements to protect against obesity and hyperlipidemia.