Malnutrition Prolongs the Hospitalization of Patients with COVID-19 Infection: A Clinical Epidemiological Analysis

OBJECTIVES

During the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, malnutrition may contribute to COVID-19 adverse outcomes. We conducted a clinical epidemiological analysis to investigate the association of malnutrition with hospitalized duration in patients with COVID-19.

DESIGN

Retrospective survey study.

SETTING

Taikang Tongji (Wuhan) hospital in Wuhan, China.

PARTICIPANTS

139 patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

In total, 139 patients with COVID-19 from patients in the Infection Department of Taikang Tongji (Wuhan) hospital from February 2020 to April 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. We used the "Global leadership Initiative on Malnutrition(GLIM)" assessment standard published in 2019 to assess nutritional status. Prolonged hospitalization was lasting more than the median value of the hospitalized days (17 days) in this population.

RESULTS

According to the assessment results of GLIM nutrition assessment, the patients were divided into malnutrition group and normal nutrition group. Compared with the patients in the normal nutrition group, the hospitalization time was longer(15.67±6.26 days versus 27.48±5.04 days, P = 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed patients with malnutrition were more likely to be hospitalized longer compared with those normal nutrition (mean with 95% confidence interval [CI]: 28.91[27.52-30.30] versus 22.78[21.76-23.79], P = 0.001). COX regression analysis showed that malnutrition (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.773, P for trend = 0.001) was proportional associated with being discharged from hospital delayed.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Present findings suggested that malnutrition contributed to predicting a probability of prolonged hospitalization in patients with COVID-19 infection, to whom extra attentions and precautions should be paid during clinical treatments. Based on the existing results, it is recommended that inpatients with nutritional risk or malnutrition start nutritional support treatment as soon as possible.

Assessment of surgical outcomes and oncological safety for submental artery perforator flap reconstruction after ablation of oral cancer

The submental artery perforator flap (SAPF) has been a new option for the intraoral reconstruction of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients in recent years, but its surgical outcomes have not been well assessed. We compared the surgical outcomes and oncological safety of SAPF reconstruction for medium-sized soft-tissue defects after the ablation of primary oral cancer with traditional submental island flaps (SIF) and anterolateral thigh perforator flaps (ALTPF). Fifty-one SAPFs, 30 SIF, and 74 ALTPF were reviewed for the intraoral medium-sized reconstructions after the ablation of oral cancer from our institutional clinical oncological databases. We performed comparative assessments on the variables of surgical outcome and oncological safety among the 3 cohorts. A Kaplan-Meier estimate of survival for each flap was calculated. Operating time was significantly reduced in the SIF and SAPF groups than ALTPF (p = 0.021 and 0.014, respectively). Flap thickness of SAPF was the significantly thinnest (mean 0.5 cm) among three groups. The common complications of donor site for both SAPF and SIF group were incision dehiscence and orocutaneous fistula. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival (DFS) among the 3 groups. However, several OSCC patients with the SIF reconstruction were found to have recurrences with a metastatic lymph node under the flap after the first operation. SAPF could be a versatile choice of the intraoral reconstruction for the medium-sized soft-tissue defects after the ablation of oral cancer.

[Impact of history of hypertension and blood pressure levels on the risk of thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients]

Objective: To investigate the impact of history of hypertension and blood pressure levels on the thromboembolism risk in the setting of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods: China Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study prospectively enrolled 25 512 atrial fibrillation (AF) patients between August 2011 and December 2018. After exclusion of patients with valvular AF, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, receiving anticoagulation or ablation therapy at the enrollment, 7 757 patients were included in analysis. The primary endpoint was the time to the first occurrence of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to evaluate whether a history of hypertension or blood pressure levels were independently associated with thromboembolism. Results: During a mean follow up of (35±25) months, 455 （5.9%）thromboembolic events occurred. The crude incidence rate of thromboembolism in patients with a history of hypertension was higher than that in patients without hypertension (2.38 vs. 1.35 per 100 patient-years, χ²=16.8，Log-rank P<0.001). Patients were further divided into 4 groups according to systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels at baseline, the crude incidence rate of thromboembolism significantly increased in proportion to the elevation of SBP levels (χ²=17.9，Log-rank P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in thromboembolism risk among 4 groups stratified by diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels (χ²=0.6，Log-rank P=0.907). Multivariable regression analysis showed that history of hypertension was independently associated with a 27% higher risk of thromboembolism (HR=1.27, 95%CI 1.01-1.61, P=0.045). Patients with SBP≥140 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) was associated with 36% higher risk of thromboembolism than patients with SBP<120 mmHg (HR=1.36, 95%CI 1.02-1.82, P=0.036). However, patients with SBP 120-129 mmHg or 130-139 mmHg were not at a higher risk of thromboembolism as compared to the patients with SBP<120 mmHg (SBP 120-129 mmHg: HR=1.23, 95%CI 0.90-1.67, P=0.193; SBP 130-139 mmHg: HR=1.30, 95%CI 0.95-1.77, P=0.098). In addition, DBP levels were not independently associated with the increased thromboembolism risk. Conclusion: A history of hypertension and SBP≥140 mmHg are independent predictors of thromboembolism risk in patients with NVAF. These results indicate that intensive efforts to lower SBP below 140 mmHg might be an important strategy to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with NVAF.

[Research progress of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis]

Curcumin is a plant-derived polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of turmeric. As curcumin has such favorable properties as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-angiogenesis, immune regulation, anti-bacterial and pro-apoptosis and showed few side effects, the application of curcumin in prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases is promising. This article reviewed the research progress of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

Applications of microbial co-cultures in polyketides production

Polyketides are a large group of natural biomolecules that are normally produced by bacteria, fungi and plants. These molecules have clinical importance due to their anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyketides are biosynthesized from units of acyl-CoA by different polyketide synthases (PKSs), which display wide diversity of functional domains and mechanisms of action between fungi and bacteria. Co-culture of different micro-organisms can produce novel products distinctive from those produced during single cultures. This study compared the new polyketides produced in such co-culture systems and discusses aspects of the cultivation systems, product structures and identification techniques. Current results indicate that the formation of new polyketides may be the result of activation of previously silent PKSs genes induced during co-culture. This review indicated a potential way to produce pure therapeutic polyketides by microbial fermentation and a potential way to develop functional foods and agricultural products using co-co-culture of different micro-organisms. It also pointed out a new perspective for studies on the process of functional foods, especially those involving multiple micro-organisms.

Treatment outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation versus adrenalectomy for adrenal metastases: a retrospective comparative study

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcomes of percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of adrenal metastasis (AM), and to compare with adrenalectomy (Adx).

METHODS

From June 2008 to August 2018, a total of 60 patients with AM treated at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed, of whom 29 treated by RFA (RFA group) and 31 by Adx (Adx group). The technical success, local tumor progression (LTP) and overall survival (OS) after the treatment were evaluated and compared.

RESULTS

In RFA group, the first technical success was 72.4% and the second technical success was 86.2%. In Adx group, all the AMs were successfully resected. After 24.5 ± 19.1 months follow-up period, a total of 8 patients (6 in RFA group and 2 in Adx group) were detected LTP. The 1-, 2- and 3- LTP rates after treatment were 17.1%, 30.9% and 44.7% in RFA group, and 6.5%, 6.5% and 6.5% in Adx group, respectively (P = 0.028). However, for AM ≤ 5 cm, the LTP between the two groups were comparable (P = 0.068). The 1-, 2- and 3- OS rates after treatment for AM were 85.0%, 42.4% and 27.8% in RFA group, and 93.0%, 66.1% and 52.3% in Adx group, respectively (P = 0.057). RFA offered shorter treatment time (23.6 ± 16.9 vs. 155.6 ± 58.8 min, P < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (7.8 ± 3.9 vs. 15.0 ± 4.9 days, P < 0.001), and lower hospital cost ($3405.7 ± 1067.8 vs. $5248.0 ± 2261.3, P = 0.003) than Adx.

CONCLUSION

In comparison with Adx, percutaneous US-guided RFA, as an alternative treatment, is feasible and effective in controlling AM, especially in AM ≤ 5 cm in diameter.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of human cochleas for modeling cochlear implant electrical stimulus spread

Cochlear implants (CIs) have tremendously helped people with severe to profound hearing loss to gain access to sound and oral-verbal communication. However, the electrical stimulus in the cochlea spreads easily and widely, since the perilymph and endolymph (i.e., intracochlear fluids) are essentially electrolytes, leading to an inability to focus stimulation to discrete portions of the auditory nerve, which blurs the neural signal. Here, we characterize the complex transimpedances of human cadaveric cochleas to investigate how electrical stimulus spread is distributed from 10 Hz to 100 kHz. By using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), both the resistive and capacitive elements of human cochleas are measured and modeled with an electrical circuit model, identifying spread-induced and spread-independent impedance components. Based on this electrical circuit model, we implement a Laplace transform to simulate the theoretical shapes of the spread signals. The model is validated by experimentally applying the simulated stimulus as a real stimulus to the cochlea and measuring the shapes of the spread signals, with relative errors of <0.6% from the model. Based on this model, we show the relationship between stimulus pulse duration and electrical stimulus spread. This EIS technique to characterize the transimpedances of human cochleas provides a new way to predict the spread signal under an arbitrary electrical stimulus, thus providing preliminary guidance to the design of CI stimuli for different CI users and coding strategies.

The Ca2+ -regulated protein kinase CIPK1 integrates plant responses to phosphate deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana

Phosphate (Pi) deficiency severely restricts plant growth and development, as Pi is an essential macronutrient. Calcium (Ca²⁺ ) is a ubiquitous second messenger in plants; calcineurin B-like proteins (CBL) and CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPK) are signalling pathways that act as an important Ca²⁺ signalling network which integrates plants to fine tune the response to stress; however, whether CIPK are involved in Pi deficiency stress remains largely unknown. In this study, we carried out a reverse genetic strategy to screen T-DNA insertion mutants of CIPK isoforms under Pi deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana. Then Pi content, transcription of phosphate starvation-induced (PSI) genes, acid phosphatase activity and hydrogen peroxide were determined in the wild-type (WT) and cipk1 mutant, respectively. The phenotype of CIPK1 complementation lines was analysed. The cipk1 mutant had a more sensitive phenotype, with lower root elongation and root length, and decreased Pi content compared with the WT under Pi deficiency. Moreover, CIPK1 mutation caused phosphate starvation-induced (PSI) genes to be significantly induced under Pi deficiency. Histological staining demonstrated that the cipk1 mutant had increased acid phosphatase activity and hydrogen peroxide concentration under Pi deficiency. By using the yeast two-hybrid system, we further demonstrated the interaction between CIPK1 and the WRKY transcription factors, WRKY6 and WRKY42. Overall, we demonstrate that CIPK1 is involved in the Pi deficiency signalling pathway in A. thaliana, revealing the important role of Ca²⁺ in the Pi nutrition signalling pathway, and potentially providing a theoretical foundation for molecular breeding of crops with better Pi utilization efficiency.

Hollow Plasma Acceleration Driven by a Relativistic Reflected Hollow Laser

In order to address the present difficulty in experimentally generating the relativistic Laguerre-Gaussian laser, primarily due to damage caused to optical modulators, a high-reflectivity phase mirror is applied in the femtosecond petawatt laser system to generate a relativistic hollow laser at the highest intensity of 6.3×10^{19}  W/cm^{2} for the first time. A simple optical model is used to verify that the vortex laser may be generated in this new scheme; using such a relativistic vortex laser, the hollow plasma drill and acceleration are achieved experimentally and proven by particle-in-cell simulations. With the development of the petawatt laser, this scheme opens up possibilities for the convenient production of the relativistic hollow laser at high repetition and possible hollow plasma acceleration, which is important for a wide range of applications such as the generation of radiation sources with orbital angular momentum, fast ignition for inertial confinement fusion, and jet research in the astrophysical environment.

Genomic Signature of Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Areca Nut-Related Oral Cancer

Areca nut (AN) chewing contributes to an increase of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases in South and Southeast Asia; however, genomic events underlying the carcinogenesis process of AN-related OSCC remain unclear. Here, we comprehensively describe the genomic and transcriptome alterations of 113 Chinese OSCC patients (89 AN related and 24 AN negative) by whole-exome sequencing and RNA sequencing, and we compared the genomic differences between AN-related and AN-negative samples by integrating sequencing data of 325 OSCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and 50 from a published Taiwanese study. We identified 11 significantly mutated genes for OSCC, including 4 novel ones (ATG2A, WEE1, DST, and TSC2), of which WEE1 and ATG2A mutated with significantly higher rates in AN-related samples (P = 0.04 and P = 0.003, respectively). Mutational signature analysis revealed that AN-related OSCCs were specially characterized by the genomic signature of mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), which could also predict the prognosis status of AN-related OSCC. In addition, an elevated PD-L1 expression was also observed in both AN-related patients (P = 3.71 × 10^-11) and those with a high dMMR level (P = 1.99 × 10^-4). Further differential expression analysis and in vitro experiments confirmed the role of dMMR in the development of OSCC induced by AN exposure. Taken together, this study first revealed the molecular profiles and highlighted the role of dMMR in AN-related OSCC among the Chinese population and identified that AN-related OSCC may represent a potential cohort for effective anti-PD-1/L1 immunotherapy.

[Risk factors for recurrent hospitalizations of patients with atrial fibrillation]

Objective: To determine the predictors of recurrent hospitalizations among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Methods: We analyzed data from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry (CAFR), a prospective cohort study involving non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients from Augest 2011 to December 2017. A total of 5 349 NVAF patients with a minimum of 48 months follow-up were included for analysis. Data including patient demographics, complications, medical and ablation history were collected. The maximum number of all-cause hospitalizations within one-year for each patient served as the primary endpoint. Patients hospitalized less than twice within one-year were defined as non-recurrent hospitalizations group, those hospitalized at least twice within one-year were definned as recurrent hospitalizations group. Logistic regression model was used to identify associated risk factors for recurrent hospitalizations. Results: Of 5 349 NVAF patients, those hospitalized for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and at least 5 times within one-year was 2 703 (50.5%), 1 776 (33.2%), 642 (12.0%), 161(3.0), 52 (1.0%), 15 (0.3%), respectively. Eight hundred and seventy (16.3%) patients were included in recurrent hospitalizations group, 4 479 (83.7%) patients were included in non-recurrent hospitalizations group. Compare with non-recurrent hospitalizations group, patients in recurrent hospitalizations group was more likely to be older and female, more frequently had a history of hypertension, heart failure, coronary heart disesase, ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack, diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcer, a AF duration for more than 1 year, medication including drugs for ventricular rate control, statin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and higher CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores (P<0.05), but less frequently had higher education, a history of drinking, smoking and ablation (P<0.05). Multivariable analysis showed that age 50-64 (OR=1.47, 95%CI 1.20-1.80), age≥65 (OR=1.89, 95%CI 1.50-2.38), female (OR=1.21, 95%CI 1.01-1.46), hypertension history (OR=1.42, 95%CI 1.16-1.74), heart failure history (OR=1.73, 95%CI 1.37-2.18), coronary heart disease history (OR=1.63, 95%CI 1.31-2.03), peptic ulcer history (OR=2.00, 95%CI 1.18-3.39) were independent risk factors for recurrent hospitalizations, while higher education (college or above) (OR=0.82, 95%CI 0.69-0.99) was the protective factor for recurrent hospitalizations. Conclusions: Nearly 1 in 6 of AF patients were admitted to hospital more than once within one year in this NVAF cohort. Age≥50, female, hypertension history, heart failure history, coronary heart disease history, peptic ulcer history are associated with an increased risk of recurrent hospitalizations.

Graphene Oxide Enables the Reosteogenesis of Previously Contaminated Titanium In Vitro

The main goal of peri-implantitis treatment is to control infection and arrest bone loss, which requires the removal of polymicrobial biofilms on the implant surface and the reduction of tissue invasion. Additionally, prognosis can be improved if reosseointegration occurs on previously contaminated implants. To evaluate whether graphene oxide (GO) can remove polymicrobial biofilms, biofilms were established on titanium surfaces in vitro and treated with different methods: group B, removed only with brushing; group G, treated with different GO concentrations (64, 128, 256, and 512 μg/mL); group GB, combined treatments of groups B and G; and group C, untreated. Subsequently, to evaluate reosteogenesis on previously contaminated titanium, 4 groups were used: groups C, B, GB-256, and GB-512 (treated with 256 and 512 μg/mL of GO, respectively). Intact clean titanium (IC) was used as a control. Additionally, cell behavior on IC treated with GB-256 (IGB-256) and GB-512 (IGB-512) was compared with that of the GB-256 and GB-512 groups, respectively. The results showed that at high concentrations (≥256 μg/mL), GO eliminated residual bacteria and inhibited biofilm reformation after brushing, whereas neither GO nor brushing alone could achieve this. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell viability in groups GB-256 and IC was higher than that in groups GB-512, C, and B (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between group GB-256 and group IC (P > 0.05). Osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in group GB-256 was higher than that in groups IC, GB-512, C, and B. No difference was found between groups IGB-256 and IGB-512 and groups GB-256 and GB-512, respectively (P > 0.05). In conclusion, 256 μg/mL of GO combined with brushing significantly removed polymicrobial biofilms that remained on the previously contaminated titanium surfaces. The bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic potential was regained or even enhanced on the titanium surfaces treated this way in vitro, which might provide a new idea for treating peri-implantitis.

[Relationship between C-reactive protein level and incidence of left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and incidence of left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (LASEC) in the patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Four hundred and ninety consecutive patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency ablation for the first time from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018 in the Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital were enrolled. According to the results of transesophageal echocardiography before radiofrequency ablation, patients were divided into the group without LASEC (n=338) and the group with LASEC (n=152). hs-CRP was determined by latex enhanced immunoturbidimetry. The relationship between hs-CRP and LASEC in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation was investigated by univariate and multivariate logistic analysis. Results: LASEC was detected in 152 (31%) of 490 patients. Significant differences in age, type of atrial fibrillation, previous embolic events, fibrinogen, D-dimer, the left atrial anteroposterior diameter and CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores were found between patients with and without LASEC (all P<0.05). Compared with the group without LASEC, the serum hs-CRP level was significantly higher in the group with LASEC (3.16 (1.30, 5.23) mg/L vs. 0.67 (0.37, 1.48) mg/L, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hs-CRP (OR=1.136, 95%CI 1.060 - 1.217, P<0.001) and D-dimer (OR=1.040, 95%CI 1.011 - 1.070, P=0.007) were independent determinants for LASEC in this patient cohort. Conclusions: hs-CRP is an independent determinant for LASEC in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Inflammation may thus be involved in the formation of prethrombotic state in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Chinese expert group consensus on diagnosis and clinical management of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible

Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible (MORN) is one of the most devastating complications caused by radiation therapy in the head and neck region. It is characterized by infection and chronic necrosis of the mandible as the main manifestation. Clinically, MORN-related symptoms include swelling, pain, dysphagia, trismus, masticatory or speech disorders, refractory orocutaneous fistula, bone exposure, and even pathological fracture. MORN has become a challenging clinical problem for oral and maxillofacial surgeons to deal with, but thus far, this problem has not been solved due to the lack of widely accepted treatment algorithms or guidelines. Because of the nonexistence of standardized treatment criteria, most clinical treatment against MORN nowadays is largely based on controversial empirical understandings, while recommendations on post-therapeutic evaluations are scarce. Therefore, to further unify and standardize the diagnosis and treatment of MORN, to decrease the huge waste of medical resources, and ultimately, to improve the wellbeing of the patients, the Chinese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (CSOMS) convened an expert panel specialized in MORN from 16 domestic medical colleges and affiliated hospitals to discuss the spectrum of diagnosis and and formulate treatment. In addition, consensus recommendations were also revised with a comprehensive literature review of the previous treatment experiences and research pearls. This 'expert consensus statement on diagnosis and clinical management of MORN' is for clinical reference.

The effect of acetylation on the protein stability of BmApoLp-III in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Acetylation is an important, reversible posttranslational modification to a protein. In a previous study, we found that there were a large number of acetylated sites in various nutrient storage proteins of the silkworm haemolymph. In this study, we confirmed that acetylation can affect the stability of nutrient storage protein Bombyx mori apolipophorin-III (BmApoLp-III). First, the expression of BmApoLp-III could be upregulated when BmN cells were treated with the deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat (LBH589); similarly, the expression was downregulated when the cells were treated with the acetylase inhibitor C646. Furthermore, the increase in acetylation by LBH589 could inhibit the degradation and improve the accumulation of BmApoLp-III in BmN cells treated with cycloheximide and MG132 respectively. Moreover, we found that an increase in acetylation could decrease the ubiquitination of BmApoLp-III and vice versa; therefore, we predicted that acetylation could improve the stability of BmApoLp-III by competing for ubiquitination and inhibiting the protein degradation pathway mediated by ubiquitin. Additionally, BmApoLp-III had an antiapoptosis function that increased after LBH589 treatment, which might have been due to the improved protein stability after acetylation. These results have laid the foundation for further study on the mechanism of acetylation in regulating the storage and utilization of silkworm nutrition.

Electrochemical CO2 Reduction in a Continuous Non-Aqueous Flow Cell with [Ni(cyclam)]2

A significant number of molecular catalysts have been developed for electrochemical CO₂ reduction with high efficiency and selectivity; however, testing of these electrocatalysts in an application-ready system is lacking. Here, we present an example of a nonaqueous flow cell electrolyzer with [Ni(cyclam)]²⁺ as the homogeneous electrocatalyst for CO₂ reduction. Using ferrocene as a sacrificial electron donor and ammonium salts as both electrolyte and proton donor, efficient catalytic CO₂ reduction is achieved. The nonaqueous design shows high selectivity for the reduction of CO₂ to CO (>80%) and achieves high current densities with a graphite felt working electrode (up to 50 mA·cm^-2 with 0.5 M proton donor in MeCN solution), producing >40 mL·h^-1 of CO. The choice of a molecular electrocatalyst, solvent, and proton donor are the key factors for achieving high activity with an efficient flow electrolyzer and the eventual development of a viable continuous process.

6-Formyl-5-isopropyl-3-hydroxymethyl- 7-methyl-1H-indene mitigates methamphetamine-induced photoreceptor cell toxicity through inhibiting oxidative stress

As an extremely addictive psychostimulant drug and an illicit dopaminergic neurotoxin, methamphetamine (METH) conducts to enhance satisfaction, feelings of alertness through influencing monoamine neurotransmitter systems. Long-lasting exposure to METH causes psychosis and increases the risk of neurodegeneration. 6-Formyl-5-isopropyl-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methyl-1H-indene (FIHMI) is a novel compound with potent antioxidant properties. This study was to investigate whether FIHMI could mitigate METH-induced photoreceptor cell toxicity. METH-caused cell toxicity was established in 661W cells and protective effects of FIHMI at different concentrations (1-10 µM) was examined. FIHMI significantly attenuated the METH-caused cell damage in 661W cells, evidenced by increasing cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential, decreasing cytochrome c release and DNA fragmentation, inhibiting activities of caspase 3/9, and changing expression of apoptosis-related protein. Furthermore, FIHMI treatment decreased mRNA expression of Beclin-1 and LC3B protein expression in METH-induced 661W cells suggesting autophagy is reduced. FIHMI decreased the oxidative stress through increasing protein expression of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2. These data demonstrated FIHMI could inhibit oxidative stress, which may also play an essential role in the regulation of METH-triggered apoptotic response, providing the scientific rational to develop FIHMI as the therapeutic agent to alleviate METH-induced photoreceptor cell toxicity.

Jagged2 promotes cancer stem cell properties of triple negative breast cancer cells and paclitaxel resistance via regulating microRNA-200

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of Jagged2 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Breast cancer tissues of patients diagnosed with TNBC in Fujian Medical University Affiliated MinDong Hospital from January 2015 to September 2017 were selected. TNBC patients were divided into the paclitaxel-resistant group (n=34) and non-resistance group (n=11). Jagged2 expression in paclitaxel-resistant group and non-resistance group before and after treatment was detected by quantitative Real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. After Jagged2 knockdown in paclitaxel-resistant MDA-MB-231 cells (MDA-MB-231/TXR), expression of CD44+CD24-ESA+ subset was detected by flow cytometry. MicroRNA-200 expression was detected after Jagged2 knockdown in MDA-MB-231/TXR cells.

RESULTS

Jagged2 was highly expressed in paclitaxel-resistant TNBC tissues and cells. Jagged2 expression was found to be associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties of TNBC cells. Knockdown of Jagged2 inhibited CSC properties and paclitaxel resistance, whereas upregulated microRNA-200 expression. The inhibited CSC properties and paclitaxel resistance induced by Jagged2 knockdown were reversed by microRNA-200 knockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

Jagged2 maintains CSC properties of TNBC cells and paclitaxel resistance via regulating microRNA-200.

[Interpretation for the group standard of Health check-up guide for rural residents]

With the acceleration of the population aging in China, the health problems and the demands of health services such as health check-up for rural residents should attract the attention of the whole society. The group standard entitled Health check-up guide for rural residents (T/CHAA 005-2019), was written by experienced researchers from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and other professional institutes coordinated by Chinese Health Association. The standard aims to establish a service model that takes health information collection as a means, health risk assessment, health risk intervention and information services as the core, improving the health of rural residents as the target.

[Association between weight control and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients]

Objectives: This study explored the relationship between weight control and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive 333 overweight and obese patients aged 28 to 87 years old, who underwent catheter ablation for AF in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between October 2015 and February 2016. Data of patients' characteristics, laboratory examination and treatment were collected at baseline. Each patient was followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months after ablation to collect information on weight, AF recurrence, stroke, major bleeding, hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons and death, etc. Patients were divided into weight controlled group (ΔBMI<-1 kg/m(2)) and weight uncontrolled group (ΔBMI≥-1 kg/m(2)), according to the changes in the most recent exposure BMI before AF recurrence in patients with recurrence or the BMI at 12 months' follow-up in patients without recurrence and the BMI at baseline. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust other known risk factors of AF recurrence and to explore the association between weight control and AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Results: There were 54 patients in weight controlled group and 279 patients in weight uncontrolled group. There were no significant differences in age, gender, education level, left atrial size and history of hypertension between the two groups (all P>0.05). The proportion of patients using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers was higher in the weight controlled group (50.0%(27/54) vs. 34.8%(97/279), P=0.034). However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with obesity (33.3% (18/54) vs. 29.7% (83/279)), paroxysmal AF (59.3% (32/54) vs. 56.6% (158/279)) and AF duration less than 5 years (76.9% (40/52) vs. 65.4% (178/272)) between the weight controlled group and the uncontrolled group. During 1-year follow-up after ablation, the recurrence rate of AF was significantly lower in the weight controlled group than that in the weight uncontrolled group (14.8% (8/54) vs. 32.6%(91/279), P=0.009). Multivariable logistic regression analysis shows that weight control is independently associated with a lower postoperative AF recurrence rate (OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.18-0.90, P=0.026). Conclusion: Weight control is strongly associated with a lower AF recurrence rate after catheter ablation in overweight and obese patients.

InAs/GaAs quantum dot semiconductor saturable absorber for controllable dual-wavelength passively Q-switched fiber laser

We experimentally demonstrate the first use of 1550-nm InAs/GaAs quantum dot semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (QD-SESAM) in the dual-wavelength passively Q-switched (QS) erbium doped fiber (EDF) laser. The dual-wavelength QS lasing was obtained at a pump threshold of 180 mW with the average output power of 2.2 mW and the spacing between the two lasing wavelengths is 14 nm. A large absorption ranging from 1520 to 1590 nm has been realized when no substrate rotation was employed during the molecular beam epitaxy growth of the QD-SESAM indicating the potential to generate a 60 nm spacing of the dual-wavelength QS lasing peaks by changing the positions in the QD-SESAM and replacing EDF by co-doped fiber as gain medium. These results have provided a new opportunity towards achieving the stable and wide wavelength-tunable dual-modes fiber lasers.

Administration of Curcumin Alleviates Neuropathic Pain in a Rat Model of Brachial Plexus Avulsion

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) generally causes a chronic persistent pain that lacks efficacious treatment. Curcumin has been found to possess anti-inflammatory abilities. However, little is known about the mechanisms and effects of curcumin in an animal model of BPA.

METHODS

Mechanical withdrawal thresholds (MWT) were examined by von Frey filaments. Cold allodynia was tested by the acetone spray test. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 in rat spinal cords were analyzed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression levels of c-Fos and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured by Western blot. The expression level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was observed by immunofluorescence and Western blot.

RESULTS

After curcumin treatment, the MWT showed a significant increase when compared to the BPA group on both hind paws. A remarkable decrease of paw-withdrawal response frequency was observed compared with the BPA group. In addition, curcumin treatment significantly decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in rat spinal cords that were exceedingly upregulated in the BPA group. The protein levels of c-Fos and NGF were decreased by treatment with curcumin compared with the corresponding protein levels in the BPA group. Besides, curcumin reduced the number of GFAP positive cells and GFAP expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that curcumin significantly extenuates the BPA-induced pain and inflammation by reducing the expression level of proinflammatory cytokines and pain-associated proteins and inhibiting the activity of astrocytes.

[Application of direct antiviral drugs in special patients with HCV infection]

Patients with HCV infection can develop decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even liver failure. As a result, efficient antiviral treatment is very essential to prevent HCV-related disease progression. Newly developed direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have shown safety profile, favorable tolerability, and relatively short duration, which provide an opportunity to expand the number of patients who can be treated for HCV infection. There is a need for further clinical observation and summaries for DAAs in a real world. In the era of DAAs, special patients with HCV infection still get lots of attention from doctors. This review aims at the application of DAAs in patients with HCV infection, combined with chronic kidney diseases, hepatocellular carcinoma, HBV/HCV co-infection, HIV/HCV co-infection, post liver transplantation, pregnancy, children, lymphoma and retreatment.

Abstract P6-02-14: Not presented

This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Xing W, Li Q, Sun G, Cao R, Chen B, Jiang C, Ma L, Wang K. Not presented [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-02-14.

Abstract P2-01-25: Not presented

This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Xing W, Li Q, Cao R, Sun G, Jiang C. Not presented [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-01-25.

Fast distributed dynamic strain sensing using a modified gain-profile tracing technique

Gain-profile tracing (GPT) is a useful strategy of distributed sensing in BOTDA technique for achieving high spatial resolution, which has not been used for the dynamic strain measurement previously. In this paper, we propose a modified gain-profile tracing (MGPT) technique for fast dynamic strain measurement while maintaining the advantage of high spatial resolution. This technique is based on a modified pump pulse modulation scheme and the slope-assisted demodulation method. The time consumption using MGPT technique for a single pump pulse measurement of dynamic strain is less by 25% than the conventional GPT technique. The spatial resolution of our BOTDA system using MGPT technique is 50cm and maximal frequency of dynamic strain detection could be up to 53.5 Hz for 248m sensing length. In the experiments, we measure two vibration events spacing 50 cm with the frequency of 14.0 Hz and 17.0 Hz in a 248 m single-mode fiber. The proposed method is a potential real-time dynamic alternative for distributed structural health monitoring.

High-transmission polarization-dependent active plasmonic color filters

Plasmonic color filters, exhibiting great promise as an alternative for existing colorant-based filters, often only output one fixed color. Developing active color filters with controllable color output will lead to more compact color filter-based devices. In this paper, we present an approach to achieve active color filtering with a polarization-dependent plasmonic structural color filter, which comprises arrays of asymmetric cross-shaped nanoapertures in an ultrathin film of silver. A systematical study for aperture size, array period, and the thickness of silver film dependences of color filter properties is carried out, and strategies for polarization-dependent color filter designing are generated. A polarization-dependent and high tunability of color can be achieved by selecting the appropriate nanostructure parameters, which imply many potential applications.

New Optical Manipulation of Relativistic Vortex Cutter

A new relativistic vortex cutter driven by the Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) mode is carried out for the first time in three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Studies show that the electric fields periodically concentrate and emanate within every laser wavelength for the reflected circularly polarized LG_{p}^{l} (p=0, l=1, σ_{z}=-1) laser, which works just like a vortex cutter, resulting in a relativistic ultrashort collimated electron cluster with a constant period in space. A single particle model is given and verifies that the cluster formation has a close relation with the parameters of orbital angular momentum (l) and spin angular momentum (σ_{z}). Such a relativistic vortex cutter potentially can be applied for the accelerator, generating high-flux particle and coherent radiation sources, and so on.

Effect of the acrosome reaction on the efficiency of sperm-mediated DNA transfer

Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) is based on the ability of spermatozoa to bind exoge- nous DNA and transfer it into oocytes by fertilization. However, SMGT is still undergoing opti- mization to improve its efficiency to produce transgenic animals. The acrosome reaction is neces- sary for spermatozoa to carry the exogenous DNA into oocytes. In this study, the effect of the acrosome reaction on the efficiency of spermatozoa carrying exogenous DNA was evalua- ted. The results showed that the efficiency of the acrosome reaction was significantly higher (p⟨0.05) after incubation with 50 μmol/L progesterone compared to incubation without proges- terone. It was significantly higher (p⟨0.05) in the 20, 40, and 60 min of progesterone treatment groups than in the 0 min treatment group. The spermatozoa were further incubated with cyanine dye Cy5 labeled DNA (Cy5-DNA) for 30 min at 37°C, and positive fluorescence signals were detected after the acrosome reaction was induced by progesterone at concentrations of 0 and 50 μmol/L for 40 min. The percentage of positive Cy5-DNA signals in spermatozoa was 96.61±2.06% and 97.51±2.03% following exposure to 0 and 50 μmol/L progesterone, respective- ly. The percentage of partial spermatozoa heads observed following combination with Cy5-DNA was 39.73±3.03% and 56.88±3.12% following exposure to 0 and 50 μmol/L progesterone, respec- tively. The ratio of positively stained spermatozoa combined with exogenous DNA showed no reduction after the acrosome reaction. These results suggest that the acrosome reaction might not be the key factor affecting the efficiency of SMGT.