Dual Functions of MDP Monomer with De- and Remineralizing Ability

Methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) has been speculated to induce mineralization, but there has been no convincing evidence of its ability to induce intrafibrillar mineralization. Polymers play a critical role in biomimetic mineralization as stabilizers/inducers of amorphous precursors. Hence, MDP-induced biomimetic mineralization without polymer additives has not been fully verified or elucidated. By combining 3-dimensional stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, surface zeta potentials, contact angle measurements, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with circular dichroism, we show that amphiphilic MDP can not only demineralize dentin by releasing protons as an acidic functional monomer but also infiltrate collagen fibrils (including dentin collagen), unwind the triple helical structure by breaking hydrogen bonds, and finally immobilize within collagen. MDP-bound collagen functions as a huge collagenous phosphoprotein (HCPP), in contrast to chemical phosphorylation modifications. HCPP can induce biomimetic mineralization itself without polymer additives by alternatively attracting calcium and phosphate through electrostatic attraction. Therefore, we herein propose the dual functions of amphiphilic MDP monomer with de- and remineralizing ability. MDP in the free state can demineralize dentin substrates by releasing protons, whereas MDP in the collagen-bound state as HCPP can induce intrafibrillar mineralization. The dual functions of MDP monomer with de- and remineralization properties might create a new epoch in adhesive dentistry and preventive dentistry.

[Yi Wan She--Huzhou medical association in the late Ming Dynasty]

Yi Wan She, as a medical association in the Huzhou area, was organised by Lu Mingquan, Lu Shilong, Jin Desheng and other doctors in the late Ming Dynasty, developing daily medical theoretical discussions. It built up a hospital named Tian, paid deference to ancient medical doctors, and participated in activities to fight epidemics, organised by Hui Min Pharmacy, such as drug delivery, as an association of local affairs. This was recorded in Yi Wan She Cao and Lu Shi San Shi Yi Yan.

Effects of ciprofol for the induction of general anesthesia in patients scheduled for elective surgery compared to propofol: a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, comparative study

OBJECTIVE

Ciprofol is a newly developed intravenous sedative-hypnotic drug. The objective of the study was to prove whether ciprofol was non-inferior to propofol for the successful induction of general anesthesia. The ideal post-induction sedation level was assessed by comparing patients' clinical symptoms and their hemodynamic effects in responding to noxious stimuli, mostly tracheal intubation and bispectral index (BIS) alterations following ciprofol/propofol administration.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this multi-center, randomized, double-blind phase 3 trial, selective surgery patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either ciprofol 0.4 mg/kg (n = 88) or propofol 2.0 mg/kg (n = 88) groups. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with successful anesthesia inductions. Secondary endpoints included the times to successful induction of general anesthesia and loss of the eyelash reflex, changes in BIS, as well as safety indicators.

RESULTS

The anesthesia induction success rates for both ciprofol 0.4 mg/kg and propofol 2 mg/kg groups were 100.0%, with a 95% CI lower success limit of -4.18% difference between the two groups, indicating that ciprofol was non-inferior to propofol. For secondary outcomes, the average time to successful anesthesia and loss of the eyelash reflex were 0.91 min and 0.80 min for ciprofol and 0.80 min and 0.71 min for propofol, respectively. The pattern of BIS changes with ciprofol was similar to propofol and stable during the anesthesia maintenance period. Safety was comparable with 88.6% TEAEs in the ciprofol group compared to 95.5% in the propofol group. The incidence of injection pain was significantly lower in the ciprofol group compared to the propofol group (6.8% vs. 20.5%, p < 0.05). In addition, the patients treated with ciprofol had a lesser increase in blood pressure and heart rate, and fewer cases with BIS > 60 within 15 min of intravenous administration, which indicated that ciprofol may provide a better ideal sedation level during the post-induction period under an equivalent dosing regimen to propofol.

CONCLUSIONS

Ciprofol for patients undergoing selective surgery is a new option for the induction of general anesthesia.

Dlx3 Ubiquitination by Nuclear Mdm2 Is Essential for Dentinogenesis in Mice

Dentin is a major mineralized component of teeth. Odontoblasts are responsible for synthesis and secretion of dentin matrix. Previously, it has been demonstrated in a cell culture system that the E3 ubiquitin ligase, murine double minute 2 (Mdm2), promotes odontoblast-like differentiation of mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs) by ubiquitinating p53 and the odontoblast-specific substrate Dlx3. However, whether Mdm2 plays an essential role in vivo in odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the in vivo functions of Mdm2 using Dmp1-Cre;Mdm2 flox/flox mice combined with multiple histological and molecular biological methods. The results showed that Mdm2 deletion in the odontoblast layer led to defects in odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. Unexpectedly, specific inhibition of the Mdm2-p53 axis in wild-type mice by injection of a small-molecule inhibitor Nutlin-3a indicated that the role of Mdm2 in dentinogenesis was p53 independent, which was inconsistent with the previous in vitro study. In situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) showed that Mdm2 interacted with and ubiquitinated Dlx3 in the odontoblast nucleus of mouse molars. Dlx3 promoted the translocation of Mdm2 to the nucleus, and in turn, the nuclear Mdm2 mediated ubiquitination of Dlx3 and promoted the odontoblast-like differentiation of mDPCs. Dlx3 interacted with Mdm2 through its C-terminal domain. Deletion of the C-terminal domain of Dlx3 reversed the enhanced odontoblast-like differentiation and the activation of Dspp promoter mediated by overexpression of wild-type or nuclear Mdm2. Our findings suggest that nuclear Mdm2 mediates ubiquitination of the transcription factor Dlx3, which is essential for Dlx3 transcriptional activity on Dspp as well as subsequent odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation.

[Differential expression profile of miRNAs in amniotic fluid exosomes from fetuses with Down syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of miRNAs in amniotic fluid exosomes in growth and development of fetuses with Down syndrome (DS).

METHODS

Amniotic fluid were collected from 20 fetuses with DS and 20 normal fetuses (control) to extract amniotic exosome miRNA. MicroRNA sequencing technique was used to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs between the two groups, for which gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis was performed. Three differentially expressed miRNAs with the strongest correlation with DS phenotype were selected for qPCR verification. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the activity of let-7d-5p for targeted regulation of BACH1.

RESULTS

We identified 15 differentially expressed miRNAs in DS as compared with the control group, among which 7 miRNAs were up-regulated and 8 were down-regulated. Target gene prediction results showed that the differentially expressed miRNAs targeted 17 DS-related genes. GO analysis revealed that the main functions of the target genes involved protein binding, protein transport, ATP binding, transferase activity and synapses. Pathway analysis revealed that the functional pathways were closely related with the development of the nervous system. qPCR results showed that the expression levels of miR-140-3p and let-7d-5p were significantly lower in DS group than in the control group (P < 0.05), as was consistent with miRNA sequencing results; the expression level of miR-4512 was significantly higher in DS group than in control group (P < 0.05), which was contrary to miRNA sequencing results. The results of double luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that let-7d-5p was capable of targeted regulation of BACH1 expression.

CONCLUSION

Let-7d-5p in amniotic fluid exosomes may promote oxidative stress events in the brain of fetuses with DS by regulating BACH1 expression.

Efficacy and safety of HSK3486 for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in elective surgical patients: a multicenter, randomized, open-label, propofol-controlled phase 2 clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of HSK3486 for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in elective surgical patients, but excluding emergency, cardiothoracic, cerebral and endoscopic sinus cases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 40 eligible patients were randomly assigned to HSK3486 (n = 30) or propofol (n = 10) dosage groups in a ratio of 3:1. Drugs were administered as a bolus injection of 0.4 mg/kg (HSK3486) or 2.0 mg/kg (propofol) for induction, followed by maintenance infusion with the same anesthetic. An additional 6 non-randomized patients received propofol (2.0 mg/kg) for induction and were given HSK3486 for maintenance.

RESULTS

The primary efficacy endpoint - the success rate of anesthesia maintenance - was 100% in the 3 arms. The secondary efficacy endpoints included times from discontinuation of HSK3486 or propofol maintenance to full alertness, respiratory recovery, extubation and reaching the goal of the Aldrete score. Also, the proportion of patients who constantly maintained BIS40-60 or those with a period of BIS40-60 during maintenance anesthesia showed no significant difference in the HSK3486 and propofol groups (all p > 0.05). Patients who received HSK3486 exhibited a higher satisfaction score from anesthesiologists during the induction period (p = 0.024). The occurrence and types of treatment-emergent adverse events were similar among the 3 arms, both with a severity of grade 1 or 2. Drug-related hypotension occurred in 14 (46.7%) and 7 (70.0%) patients treated with HSK3486 and propofol, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HSK3486 exhibited good efficacy for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia and was well tolerated by patients who underwent elective surgery.

[Effects on extravascular lung water of lung protective ventilation strategy applied on piglets with acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by paraquat]

Objective: To study the effects on extravascular lung water of lung protective ventilation strategy applying on piglets with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by paraquat (PQ) under pulse indicating continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) monitoring. Methods: The piglets models with ARDS induced by PQ were established in June 2020 and all of them were received mechanical ventilation and divided into three groups according to tidal volume (V(T)) : small V(T) group (6 ml/kg) , middle V(T) group (10 ml/kg) and large V(T) group (15 ml/kg) , there were 5 piglets in each group. The positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) were all setup on 10 cmH(2)O. The indexes such as arterial blood gas analysis, oxygenation index (OI) , extravascular lung water index (ELWI) and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) were monitored at time of before the model was established (baseline) , time of the model was established (t(0)) and 2 h (t(2)) , 4 h (t(4)) , 6 h (t(6)) after mechanical ventilation. Lung tissue were punctured at time of baseline, t(0) and t(6) to be stained by Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and pulmonary pathology were observed under light microscopy. Results: The heart rate (HR) , mean arterial pressure (MAP) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) of all groups were higher than the base value while the pH values, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)) and OI were lower than the base value when the models were established (P<0.05) . After mechanical ventilation, the HR and MAP values of all groups at t(2), t(4) and t(6) were lower than t(0) while the PaCO(2) of t(4) and t(6) were all higher than t(0), the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . The PaO(2) and OI of all groups showed a trend of rising at first and then decreasing after mechanical ventilation. The MAP, PaO(2), PaCO(2) and OI of the middle V(T) group and large V(T) group were apparently lower than that of the small V(T) group at t(2), t(4) and t(6) (P<0.05) . The ELWI and PVPI at t(0) of all groups were higher than that of baseline (P<0.05) . The ELWI of the small V(T) group at t(6) were lower than t(0) of the same group and t(6) of the middle V(T) group and large V(T) group (P<0.05) . HE staining showed congestion and edema of alveolar tissue, swelling of capillaries, exudation of red blood cells and widening of alveolar septum in piglets after successful modeling. And further widening of alveolar septum and rupture of alveolar septum could be seen in the lung tissues of each group at t(6), and the injury was the slightest in the small V(T) group. Conclusion: The lung protective ventilation strategy can alleviate the extravascular lung water and ARDS induced by PQ and improve oxygenation.

Restoring Carboxylates on Highly Modified Alginates Improves Gelation, Tissue Retention and Systemic Capture

Alginate hydrogels are gaining traction for use in drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and as tissue engineered scaffolds due to their physiological gelation conditions, high tissue biocompatibility, and wide chemical versatility. Traditionally, alginate is decorated at the carboxyl group to carry drug payloads, peptides, or proteins. While low degrees of substitution do not cause noticeable mechanical changes, high degrees of substitution can cause significant losses to alginate properties including complete loss of calcium cross-linking. While most modifications used to decorate alginate deplete the carboxyl groups, we propose that alginate modifications that replenish the carboxyl groups could overcome the loss in gel integrity and mechanics. In this report, we demonstrate that restoring carboxyl groups during functionalization maintains calcium cross-links as well as hydrogel shear-thinning and self-healing properties. In addition, we demonstrate that alginate hydrogels modified to a high degree with azide modifications that restore the carboxyl groups have improved tissue retention at intramuscular injection sites and capture blood-circulating cyclooctynes better than alginate hydrogels modified with azide modifications that deplete the carboxyl groups. Taken together, alginate modifications that restore carboxyl groups could significantly improve alginate hydrogel mechanics for clinical applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Chemical modification of hydrogels provides a powerful tool to regulate cellular adhesion, immune response, and biocompatibility with local tissues. Alginate, due to its biocompatibility and easy chemical modification, is being explored for tissue engineering and drug delivery. Unfortunately, modifying alginate to a high degree of substitution consumes carboxyl group, which are necessary for ionic gelation, leading to poor hydrogel crosslinking. We introduce alginate modifications that restore the alginate's carboxyl groups. We demonstrate that modifications that reintroduce carboxyl groups restore gelation and improve gel mechanics and tissue retention. In addition to contributing to a basic science understanding of hydrogel properties, we anticipate our approach will be useful to create tissue engineered scaffolds and drug delivery platforms.

[Mutational spectrum and its prognostic significance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia based on next-generation sequencing technology]

Objective: This study analyzed the correlation between genetic mutation and prognostic significance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) . Methods: Targeted exome by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology was used to carry out molecular profiling of untreated 141 children with ALL in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from November 2016 to December 2019. Correlation of genetic features and clinical features and outcomes was analyzed. Results: Among the 141 pediatric patients with ALL, 160 somatic mutations were detected in 83 patients (58.9% ) , including 37 grade Ⅰ mutations and 123 grade Ⅱ mutations. Single nucleotide variation was the most common type of mutation. KRAS was the most common mutant gene (12.5% ) , followed by NOTCH1 (11.9% ) , and NRAS (10.6% ) . RAS pathway (KRAS, FLT3, PTPN11) , PAX5 and TP53 mutations were only detected, and NRAS mutations was mainly found in B-ALL while FBXW7 and PTEN mutations were only found, and NOTCH1 mutation was mainly detected in T-ALL. The average number of mutations detected in each child with T-ALL was significantly higher than in children with B-ALL (4.16±1.33 vs 2.04±0.92, P=0.004) . The children were divided into mutation and non-mutation groups according to the presence or absence of genetic variation. There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, newly diagnosed white blood cell count, minimal or measurable residual disease monitoring results, expected 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) between the two groups (P>0.05) . On the other hand, the proportion of T-ALL and fusion gene negative children in the mutant group was significantly higher than the non-mutation group (P=0.021 and 0.000, respectively) . Among the patients without fusion gene, the EFS of children with grade I mutation was significantly lower than children without grade I mutation (85.5% vs 100.0% , P=0.039) . Among children with B-ALL, the EFS of those with TP53 mutation was significantly lower than those without TP53 mutation (37.5% vs 91.2% , P<0.001) . Conclusion: Genetic variation is more common in childhood ALL and has a certain correlation with clinical phenotype and prognosis. Therefore, targeted exome by NGS can be used as an important supplement to the traditional morphology, immunology, cytogenetics, and molecular biology classification.

Therapeutic Effects of Small Incision Open Reduction and Internal Fixation and Arthroscopic High Strength Non-Absorbable Suture on Tibial Insertion Avulsion Fracture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To evaluate the therapeutic effects of small incision open reduction and internal fixation and arthroscopic high strength non-absorbable suture on tibial insertion avulsion fracture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). MATERIAL AND METHODS In this prospectively study, 72 patients with ACL tibial insertion avulsion fracture treated from December 2017 to June 2020 were enrolled and divided into group A (treated with small incision open reduction and cannulated screw internal fixation) and group B (treated with arthroscopic high strength non-absorbable suture) using a random number table (n=36). Their general data, surgical indices and incidence of postoperative adverse reactions were compared. Knee function indices were compared before and after treatment, and evaluated by random walk model. RESULTS No significant differences were found in the general data, intraoperative blood loss, preoperative Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Tegner score, knee range of motion and difference of bilateral tibial forward displacement distance, and total incidence rate of postoperative adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Group B had significantly longer operation time, and significantly shorter hospital stay, time of first ambulation after operation and bone healing time than group A (P<0.05). Both groups had improved Lysholm score, IKDC score, Tegner score and knee range of motion after treatment, especially in group B (P<0.05). The difference of bilateral tibial forward displacement distance significantly reduced in both groups after treatment, particularly in group B (P<0.05). The random walk model revealed that group B had better improvement of knee function than group A. CONCLUSIONS Arthroscopic high strength non-absorbable suture in the treatment of ACL tibial insertion avulsion fracture can dramatically improve the knee function indices of patients, with rapid recovery and high safety, so it has a broad prospect of clinical application. Key words: small incision open reduction and internal fixation, arthroscopic high strength non-absorbable suture, tibial insertion avulsion fracture, anterior cruciate ligament, random walk model.

[Value of purple sign for predicting rebleeding events in cirrhotic patients following endoscopic selective varices devascularization]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of the purple sign for predicting long-term rebleeding events in cirrhotic patients following endoscopic selective varices devascularization.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 97 patients with liver cirrhosis, who had a history of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding and underwent endoscopic selective varices devascularization. Thirty-two of the patients showed purple sign after endoscopic treatment. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to minimize the selection bias of the patients (purple sign vs no purple sign) and reduce the intergroup differences of clinical characteristics. The primary outcome measure of this study was cumulative rebleeding events after endoscopic selective varices devascularization.

RESULTS

The 1-year rebleeding rate (27.0% vs 36.7%) or 6-month rebleeding rate (10.9% vs 26.9%) following endoscopic treatment was not significantly different between the purple sign group and no purple sign group before PSM (P=0.2385). But after PSM, the 1-year rebleeding rate (28.2% vs 56.4%) and 6-month rebleeding rate (5.0% vs 37.0%) were significantly lower in the purple sign group than in the no purple sign group (P=0.0304).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of purple sign indicates a lower risk of rebleeding after endoscopic treatment of cirrhotic gastroesophageal varices and a potentially favorable treatment response after endoscopic therapy, thus providing a clinical indicator for stratification of the patients for sequential endoscopic sessions.

A prospective study on vulvovaginal candidiasis: multicentre molecular epidemiology of pathogenic yeasts in China

BACKGROUND

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is frequent in women of reproductive age, but very limited data are available on the epidemiology in cases of VVC in China.

OBJECTIVES

The current study has been conducted to reveal the prevalence, species distribution of yeast causing VVC and molecular genetics of Candida albicans in China.

METHODS

Vaginal swabs were collected from 543 VVC outpatients recruited in 12 hospitals in China between September 2017 and March 2018. They were preliminarily incubated on Sabouraud dextrose agar and then positive subjects of which were then transmitted to our institute for further identification. CHROMagar™ was used to isolate Candida species, and all isolates were finally identified by DNA sequencing. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to analyse phylogenetic relationships of the various C. albicans isolates.

RESULTS

Eleven different yeast species were identified in 543 isolates, among which C. albicans (84.7%) was the most frequent, followed by C. glabrata (8.7%). We obtained 117 unique diploid sequence types from 451 clinical C. albicans isolates and 92 isolates (20.4%) belonged to a New Clade. All the strains appearing in the New Clade were from northern China and they were isolated from non-recurrent VVC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that C. albicans are still the main cause of VVC in China and the majority of C. albicans isolates belongs to Clade 1 with DST 79 and DST 45 being two most common. Moreover, the New Clade revealed in our study seems to be specific to northern China.

[A cohort study on the incidence of HIV infection in drug abusers among men who have sex with men in Shanghai and Tianjin]

Objective: To analyze the incidence of HIV infection and identify associated risk factors in drug abusers among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Tianjin and Shanghai through a cohort study and provide a basis for HIV prevention in this population. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among MSM who had a history of drug abuse in the past six months from June 2016 to June 2018 in the two cities. MSM were investigated to obtain information on sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related sexual behaviors, and drug abuse. Follow-up investigation and HIV testing were carried out based on the baseline survey and testing. Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors for HIV infection. Results: There were 455 eligible subjects, and 16 new HIV infection cases were identified in the 2-year follow-up survey. The cumulative follow-up time was 586.08 person-years, and the incidence of HIV infection was 2.73/100 person-years. The multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that compared with those aged ≥25 years, consistent condom use during anal sex with men in the past six months, without mixed-use of drugs, these aged <25 years (HR=5.01, 95%CI: 1.09-23.11), inconsistent condom use during anal sex with men in the past six months (HR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.04-2.41) and mixed-use of drugs (HR=1.92, 95%CI: 1.08-3.40) were significantly associated with HIV infection in this cohort. Conclusions: The younger age, inconsistent condom use during anal sex with men, and mixed drug use appeared as risk factors of new HIV infection in drug abusers among MSM. HIV prevention and intervention in this population should be further strengthened.

[Mini-incision with endoscope-assisted surgery for bilateral congenital second branchial cleft fistula and a pedigree report]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of mini-incision with endoscope-assisted resection for bilateral congenital second branchial cleft fistula, and to report on a rare pedigree. Methods: The clinical data of 5 patients with bilateral congenital second branchial fistula admitted in Fujian Provincial Hospital from April 2007 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed, including 2 males and 3 females, aged from 3 to 31 years old. The surgical strateges and clinical experience of single mini-incision with endoscope-assisted fistulectomy were summarized, and a rare pedigree was reported. Results: In five patients, Case 1 to Case 4 were treated with bilateral endoscopic-assisted fistula high ligation with titanium clips and removal through a single small incision under general anesthesia. No obvious complications occurred after the operation. The patients were followed up for 40-164 months with no fistula recurrence. Case 5 gave up surgical resection and was followed up for 24 months with acute infection attack once. Case 2 and Case 4 came from the same family. In this family, 7 out of 31 members of four generations had second branchial cleft fistulas, of which 4 were bilateral and 3 were right. Pedigree analysis was consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance. No deafness, preauricular tag, external and middle ear deformity and kidney malformation were found in the family members. Conclusions: Bilateral congenital second branchial cleft fistula is rare. Surgical resection is the preferred treatment. Mini-incision with endoscopic-assisted fistula high ligation with titanium clip and resection has clear operative field, ideal cosmetic effect and definite curative effect.

Selpercatinib for lung and thyroid cancers with RET gene mutations or fusions

Aberrations in oncogene RET (rearranged during transfection) have been found to be the cause of different kinds of malignancies, especially in lung and thyroid cancers. Targeted therapy of RET-altered cancers using multi-kinase inhibitors (MKIs) has demonstrated limited clinical efficacy due to off-target toxicity. In May 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a novel specific RET inhibitor for use in some subtypes of lung and thyroid cancers with RET alterations. In this review, we summarize the mechanism of action, pharmaceutical properties and clinical data of selpercatinib, and share some of our perspectives.

Growth Curves of Subependymal Giant Cell Tumors in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Growth of subependymal giant cell tumor and subependymal nodules has not been well-characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine whether growth curves can differentiate subependymal giant cell tumors from subependymal nodules.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Brain MR imaging of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex were retrospectively reviewed from 2002 to 2018. All lesions in the region of the foramen of Monro were measured. Lesions were categorized on the basis of maximal diameter at the most recent scan: small lesions (<1 cm), indeterminate lesions (>1 cm), and resected lesions (>1 cm and surgically resected). Growth velocity and acceleration on serial imaging were analyzed, and growth rates were calculated between 0 and 20 years of age and compared among the 3 categories.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients were analyzed. The average age at the earliest scan was 5.9 (SD = 5.7) years. One hundred twenty-six small, 27 indeterminate, and 10 resected lesions were measured. Subependymal giant cell tumors grew faster than indeterminate lesions between 6 and 15 years of age. Indeterminate lesions grew faster than small lesions at 0-10 years of age. Resected lesions showed increased velocity and acceleration of growth compared with indeterminate lesions and small lesions on serial imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

Growth differentiates subependymal nodules and subependymal giant cell tumors within the first 20 years of life, and the use of velocity and acceleration of growth may refine the diagnostic criteria of subependymal giant cell tumors. Additionally, 6-15 years of age may be an important period to monitor subependymal giant cell tumors at the foramen of Monro because increased growth may help to identify subependymal giant cell tumors that will continue to grow and result in obstructive hydrocephalus.

[Introduction of World Health Organization Strategies and the Technical Advisory Committee actions on viral hepatitis control and status of the elimination of viral hepatitis in China]

Viral hepatitis has been causing big threat to public health globally. The number of annual deaths caused by hepatitis surpassed the deaths caused by AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. World Health Organization (WHO) issued the global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-2020 (GHSS) to control its epidemic. It established the Strategies and Technical Advisory Committee on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STAC). This paper summarizes the GHSS goals and the keynote of the 2020 STAC meeting, analyzes the challenges and opportunities faced by China in eliminating viral hepatitis, and provides the comments on the papers on this issue, which could guide further actions.

[Analysis on hepatitis B cases reported from surveillance points in China, 2019]

Objective: To understand the characteristics of hepatitis B cases reported through the National Notifiable Disease Reported System (NNDRS) of China in 2019, analyze the quality of hepatitis B reporting. Methods: The survey forms and reporting cards of hepatitis B cases in 200 surveillance points in China in 2019 were collected from NNDRS, the completeness rate of the reporting card was calculated, and the reported hepatitis B cases were verified based on the diagnostic criteria (WS 299-2008). The clinical types of the cases after verification were compared with the reported ones, the consistency was evaluated with Kappa test. The reasons for the inconsistent clinical types of the cases were analyzed. Results: In 2019, a total of 64 686 hepatitis B cases were reported through NNDRS. Acute, chronic and unclassified hepatitis B cases accounted for 5.8%, 92.4% and 1.8%, respectively. The average age of reported cases was 47 (47±15) years, and males accounted for 64.4%. The average level of alanine aminotransferase was 214.2 (214.2±1 253.4) U/L. The reported cases mainly worked in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, and water conservancy (50.6%, 32 722). The proportions of cases reported from the eastern, western and central regions were 42.5% (27 501),22.1% (14 315) and 35.4% (22 870), respectively. The consistent rate of the clinical types between the reported cases and the verified cases was 58.8%, with a Kappa value of 0.15. For the 39 271 cases confirmed as acute and chronic hepatitis B cases in the reporting cards, the consistent rate of the clinical types between the reported cases and the verified cases was 96.9%, with a Kappa value of 0.73. In 94.5% (24 267/25 681) of the cases with inconsistent clinical types, the reporting card information were incomplete. Conclusion: The diagnosis of hepatitis B has been improved in the hepatitis B surveillance in China, but it is necessary to improve the completeness of the reporting cards of hepatitis B cases to NNDRS.

[Cost-benefit analysis of the hepatitis B vaccination to prevent mother-to-child transmission strategies in China, 1992-2019]

Objective: To make a cost-benefit analysis of the hepatitis B vaccination (HepB) to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) strategies in China, 1992-2019. Methods: We built a decision analytic-Markov model to estimate the birth cohorts of 1992-2019. The parameters in our model were referred from literature, published yearbooks, and data from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We conducted a univariate sensitivity analysis to test the robustness of the model. Results: For the 28 birth cohorts, the Chinese government has invested 37.43 billion RMB Yuan in direct costs and 47.61 billion RMB Yuan in societal costs on HepB vaccination and HBV prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT). And we estimated that about 50 million chronic HBV infections and 12.5 million premature deaths due to HBV-related diseases would be averted. China would save 2.89 trillion RMB Yuan and 6.92 trillion RMB Yuan for the direct and societal medical burden on HBV-related conditions. The direct and societal net benefit was 2.85 trillion RMB yuan 6.87 trillion RMB yuan, respectively. The direct and societal benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) were 77.21 and 145.29, respectively. Conclusion: The strategies of HepB vaccination for HBV PMTCT prevention were cost-effective in China during 1992-2019.

[Estimation of incidence of viral hepatitis B and analysis on case characteristics in China,2013-2020]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B in China, evaluate the performance of elimination hepatitis B in China and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of hepatitis B. Methods: An analysis was conducted by using the data of hepatitis B cases reported to the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS) from the areas with low, moderate and high hepatitis B prevalence in China from 2013 to 2020, and the information about the diagnoses of the hepatitis B cases were collected, the incidence of hepatitis B was estimated according to the reporting and diagnosis information and the characteristics of acute and chronic hepatitis B were compared. Results: A total of 27 013 hepatitis B cases were reported to NNDRS, including 4 070 acute cases, 21 971 chronic cases and 972 unclassified cases. Among the reported acute hepatitis B cases, 69.9% (2 845/4 070) were confirmed. Among the reported chronic hepatitis B cases, 89.0% (19 548/21 971) were confirmed, and 2.1% (452/21 971) were confirmed as acute cases. It was estimated that the incidence of acute hepatitis B was 4.6/100 000 and the incidence of chronic hepatitis B cases was 54.5/100 000. The case number of acute hepatitis B in age group 31-45 years was highest, accounting for 35.3% (1 164/3 297). The case number of acute hepatitis B in children under 15 years old was lowest, accounting for 0.4% (13/3 297). The case number of chronic hepatitis B in age group 46-60 years was highest, accounting for 34.4% (7 211/20 932). Conclusions: The incidence of acute hepatitis B was in decrease and the incidence of chronic of hepatitis B was in increase in China year by year. It is important to strengthen the standardized diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B to decrease the morbidity and mortality of hepatitis B. At the same time, it is necessary to standardize the management and reporting of hepatitis B cases reported to NNDRS to improve the accuracy of the reporting of hepatitis B.

[Hesitancy of parents towards vaccines in national immunization program in three regions in China: a cross-sectional study]

Objective: To investigate the incidence and determinants of vaccine hesitancy towards national immunization program in China and understand the current status of parents' hesitancy to different vaccines used in national immunization program. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Beijing, Sichuan and Gansu. The methods of proportional probability sampling and convenience sampling were used to select the eligible study subjects for questionnaire surveys. Results: A total of 3 592 parents were enrolled in the study, in whom 38.22% fully accepted all the vaccines, 59.35% agreed to let their children to receive all the vaccines but showed slight concern, and 2.42% had hesitancy to the vaccines. The vaccine with the most hesitancy was polio vaccine (0.89%), followed by diphtheria pertussis tetanus vaccine (0.70%) and hepatitis A vaccine (0.64%). The dominant reason for vaccine hesitancy was the risk-benefit perception of vaccination (31.03%), followed by the low awareness of the parents (21.84%) and the inconvenience caused by distance and time (21.84%). Conclusions: The incidence of vaccine hesitancy towards national immunization program was low in parents in China, but over 50% of the parents showed concern to the vaccines. It is essential to improve the service quality of national immunization program and strengthen the health education about the vaccination to reduce the incidence of vaccine hesitancy in parents.

[Development and outlook on human challenge trial of vaccine]

Human challenge trial (HCT) is a test in which human volunteers are intentionally infected with pathogens in order to evaluate the efficacy of candidate preventive or therapeutic drugs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the HCT of vaccines has aroused people's attention due to its significant advantages over clinical trial. This paper introduces the concept, development and application of HCT, the advantages and limitations of HCT for vaccine evaluation, and the consideration of future HCT of COVID-19 vaccine in China.

[Efficacy of intravascular ultrasound-guided rotational atherectomy combined with cutting balloon for pretreatment of severe coronary artery calcified lesions]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided rotational atherectomy (RA) combined with cutting balloon for pretreatment of severe calcified lesions in the coronary artery before stent placement.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients with severe coronary artery calcifications detected by IVUS that required percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were recruited from our hospital between January, 2016 to January, 2019. The patients were randomized into two groups for pretreatment of the lesions with semicompliant balloon (SB group, 60 cases) or RA combined with CB (RA+CB group, 60 cases), and drug-eluting stents were implanted after the procedure. The immediate success rate of PCI, vascular parameters detected by IVUS after PCI, and the rates of residual stenosis < 10% were compared between the two groups. The incidences of intraoperative complications and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 24 months after the surgery were also observed in the two groups.

RESULTS

The immediate success rate was significantly higher in RA+CB group than in SB group (P=0.032). After pretreatment and stent placement, the minimum stent lumen diameter (P=0.035), minimum stent lumen cross-sectional area (P=0.029), immediate lumen acquisition, immediate lumen cross-sectional area acquisition and the rate of residual stenosis < 10% were all significantly higher in RA+CB group than in SB group (P < 0.001). The patients in RA+ CB group showed obviously less residual stenosis of lumen cross-sectional area than those in SB group after the surgery (χ²= 7.859, P=0.005). The incidences of intraoperative complications (χ²=5.997, P=0.014) and MACE within 24 months after the operation (χ²=4.285, P=0.038) were significantly lower in RA+CB group than in SB group.

CONCLUSION

For patients with severe coronary artery calcifications eligible for PCI, RA combined with CB angioplasty can significantly improve the success rate of immediate PCI, expand the lumen diameter and cross-sectional area of the stent after PCI, enhance immediate lumen gain, and reduce the incidence of intraoperative complications and MACE after the operation.

[Relationship between age at menarche and obesity in women]

Objective: To explore the relationship between age at menarche and general obesity (based on BMI) and central obesity (based on WC or WHtR) in middle-aged and elderly women in China. Methods: A total of 6 363 women from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were included. Restricted cubic splines based on binary logistic regressions were used to analyze the relationship between age at menarche and the risk of obesity. Age at menarche was divided into four groups: ≤13, 14- (control group), 16- , and ≥18 years old. Binary logistic regressions were applied to analyze the relationship between the continuous or grouped variable of age at menarche and the risk of obesity. Results: After adjusting potential confounders, the age at menarche showed a negative linear relationship with the risk of general obesity and central obesity. The risk for obesity based on BMI, WC and WHtR significantly decreased by 6% (OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.90-0.99), 4% (OR=0.96, 95%CI: 0.92-1.00), and 6% (OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.90-0.99) for each 1 year increase in age at menarche. Compared with participants who had menarche at age 14- years old, the risk for obesity based on BMI (OR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.55-0.91), WC (OR=0.75, 95%CI: 0.62-0.92) and WHtR (OR=0.76, 95%CI: 0.61-0.96) significantly decreased by 29%, 25%, and 24% in participants who had menarche at age ≥18 years old. Conclusions: There was a negative linear relationship between age at menarche and the risk for general obesity and central obesity in middle-aged and elderly women in China. Older age at menarche might be negatively associated with risk for obesity in middle-aged and elderly women.

A further survey of the quantitative trait loci affecting swine body size and carcass traits in five related pig populations

Breeding for good meat quality performance while maintaining large body size and desirable carcass traits has been the major challenge for modern swine selective breeding. To address this goal, in the present work we studied five related populations produced by two commercial breeds (Berkshire and Duroc) and two Chinese breeds (Licha black pig and Lulai black pig). A single-trait GWAS performed on 20 body size and carcass traits using a self-developed China Chip-1 porcine SNP50K BeadChip identified 11 genome-wide significant QTL on nine chromosomes and 22 suggestive QTL on 15 chromosomes. For the 11 genome-wide significant QTL, eight were detected in at least two populations, and the rest were population-specific and only mapped in Shanxia black pig. Most of the genome-wide significant QTL were pleiotropic; for example, the QTL around 75.65 Mb on SSC4 was associated with four traits at genome-wide significance level. After screening the genes within 50 kb of the top SNP for each genome-wide significant QTL, NR6A1 and VRTN were chosen as candidate genes for vertebrae number; PLAG1 and BMP2 were identified as candidate genes for body size; and MC4R was the strong candidate gene for body weight. The four genes have been reported as candidates for thoracic vertebrae number, lumbar vertebrae number, carcass length and body weight respectively in previous studies. The effects of VRTN on thoracic vertebrae number, carcass length and body length have been verified in Shanxia black pig. Therefore, the VRTN genotype could be used in gene-assisted selection, and this could accelerate genetic improvement of body size and carcass traits in Shanxia black pig.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of a regenerable maize inbred line A188

BACKGROUND

The maize inbred line A188 is an attractive model for elucidation of gene function and improvement due to its high embryogenic capacity and many contrasting traits to the first maize reference genome, B73, and other elite lines. The lack of a genome assembly of A188 limits its use as a model for functional studies.

RESULTS

Here, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly of A188 using long reads and optical maps. Comparison of A188 with B73 using both whole-genome alignments and read depths from sequencing reads identify approximately 1.1 Gb of syntenic sequences as well as extensive structural variation, including a 1.8-Mb duplication containing the Gametophyte factor1 locus for unilateral cross-incompatibility, and six inversions of 0.7 Mb or greater. Increased copy number of carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 1 (ccd1) in A188 is associated with elevated expression during seed development. High ccd1 expression in seeds together with low expression of yellow endosperm 1 (y1) reduces carotenoid accumulation, accounting for the white seed phenotype of A188. Furthermore, transcriptome and epigenome analyses reveal enhanced expression of defense pathways and altered DNA methylation patterns of the embryonic callus.

CONCLUSIONS

The A188 genome assembly provides a high-resolution sequence for a complex genome species and a foundational resource for analyses of genome variation and gene function in maize. The genome, in comparison to B73, contains extensive intra-species structural variations and other genetic differences. Expression and network analyses identify discrete profiles for embryonic callus and other tissues.

[Clinical and genetic studies on 76 patients with hydrocephalus caused by methylmalonic acidemia combined with homocysteinuria]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features, genetic characteristics, treatment and follow-up results of patients with hydrocephalus caused by methylmalonic acidemia combined with homocysteinuria, and to discuss the optimal strategies for assessing and treating such patients. Methods: From January 1998 to December 2020, 76 patients with hydrocephalus due to methylmalonic acidemia combined with homocysteinuria in the Department of Pediatrics in 11 hospitals including Peking University First Hospital were diagnosed by biochemical, genetic analysis and brain imaging examination. The patients were divided into operation-group and non-operation-group according to whether they underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The clinical features, laboratory examinations, genotype, and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed. Data were compared between the two groups using rank sum test, and categorical data were compared using χ² test. Results: Among the 76 patients (51 male, 25 female), 5 were detected by newborn screening, while 71 were diagnosed after clinical onset, 68 cases (96%) had early-onset, 3 cases (4%) had late-onset. The most common clinical manifestations of 74 cases with complete data were psychomotor retardation in 74 cases (100%), visual impairment in 74 cases (100%), epilepsy in 44 cases (59%), anemia in 31 cases (42%), hypotonia or hypertonia in 21 cases (28%), feeding difficulties in 19 cases (26%) and disturbance of consciousness in 17 cases (23%). Genetic analysis was performed in 76 cases, all of whom had MMACHC gene variations, including 30 homozygous variations of MMACHC c.609G>A. The most common variations were c.609G>A (94, 62.7%), followed by c.658_660del (18, 12.0%), c.567dupT (9, 6.0%) and c.217C>T (8, 5.3%). Therapy including cobalamin intramuscular injection, L-carnitine and betaine were initiated immediately after diagnosis. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation was performed in 41 cases (operation group), and 31 patients improved after metabolic intervention (non-operation group). There was no significant difference in the age of onset, the age of diagnosis, the blood total homocysteine, methionine, and urinary methylmalonic acid concentration between the two groups (all P>0.05). The symptoms of psychomotor development, epilepsy, and visual impairments improved gradually after a long-term follow-up in the operation group. Conclusions: Hydrocephalus is a severe complication of methylmalonic acidemia combined with homocysteinuria. The most common clinical manifestations are psychomotor retardation, visual impairment, and epilepsy. It usually occurs in early-onset patients. Early diagnosis and etiological treatment are very important. Hydrocephalus may improve after metabolic intervention in some patients. For patients with severe ventricular dilatation, prompt surgical intervention can improve the prognosis.

[The quotations of Yijing Dazhi from the Danxi Yi An]

The Yijing Dazhi (, Great Illustrated Directions on Medical Classics) was written by Haiyan He Yue in the Ming Dynasty. This book cited some sections from the Danxi Yi An ( , Danxi's Medical Cases), and some cases in this book were new discoveries. Using the method of philology, this paper compared the cited sections from the Danxi Yi An () in The Yijing Dazhi with the medical records in Danxi Yi An (), Gezhi Yu Lun (, Further Discourses on the Properties of Things), Danxi Zuanyao (, Collected Essentials of Master Danxi's Medical Book), and Danxi Zhifa Xinyao (, Heart and Essentials of Danxi's Treatment Methods). It found that Danxi Yi An() and Danxi Yi An () are actually two individual books. In addition, the contents of Yijing Dazhi cited from Danxi Yi An () are well preserved and have important reference value for collating the medical records of Zhu Danxi in other relevant medical archives.

[Initial exploration of transfusion-free liver transplantation]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transfusion-free techniques on the prognosis of liver transplant patients. Methods: The recipients of adult liver transplantation at Tianjin First Central Hospital from August to December 2019 were included in the clinical observation. Liver transplantation without allogeneic blood transfusion was performed through anesthesia management techniques such as acute hemodilution or phlebotomy without volume replacement,maintaining decreased baseline central venous pressure and cell saver. According to the actual results,the patients were divided into two groups: transfusion-free group(n=21) and allogeneic transfusion group(n=28). There were 13 males and 8 females aged of (56.3±11.6) years in the transfusion-free group;and there were 16 males and 12 females aged (54.3±14.2)years in the allogeneic transfusion group. The transplant recipients who had not adopted transfusion management strategy from January to July 2019 were included as control group(27 males and 13 females,aged of (58.9±14.1)years). The clinical data of patients in perioperative period were collected to compare whether there were differences in the recovery of liver function and early complications among the three groups, one-way ANOVA test, rank-sum test, and χ² test were used for data analysis. Results: The amount of intraoperative blood loss in both the transfusion-free group and the transfusion group was less than that in the control group((454.2±271.3)ml vs.(673.6±333.4)ml vs.(890.3±346.7)ml;q=-6.342,-5.286,both P<0.05).The duration of stay in ICU of the transfusion-free group was less than that of the transfusion group and control group((36.4±9.1)hours vs.(44.3±14.9)hours vs.(58.2±21.1)hours;q=-4.432,-3.824,both P<0.05).The mean ALT level at 7 days after operation was significantly lower in the transfusion-free group than in the control group((56.8±32.1)U/L vs.(89.6±45.6)U/L;q=-3.358,P<0.05). Conclusions: The improvement of multi-disciplinary transfusion management technology aimed at transfusion-free liver transplantation can effectively reduce intraoperative hemorrhage and help to avoid surgical transfusion. Transfusion-free liver transplantation is beneficial to the early postoperative recovery,and its long-term clinical significance is worthy of further clinical research.

Tumor-derived exosomal miR-103a-2-5p facilitates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation and migration

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the different expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the plasma derived exosomes of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 9 patients with ESCC and 9 patients with benign diseases were involved. miRNA sequencing was performed to screen differential expression of microRNAs in plasma exosomes between patients with ESCC and controls. The function of miRNA on proliferation and migration abilities was determined by CCK-8 analysis, wound scratch and transwell test. Predicted target genes were screened by databases and confirmed by RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 10 miRNAs (7 upregulated and 3 downregulated) that were differentially expressed in plasma exosomes between patients with ESCC and control patients (fold change, FC ≥ 2.0 or ≤ -2.0, p ≤ 0.05) by miRNA sequencing. Ten miRNAs were detected by qRT-PCR to verify the results of the miRNA sequencing. MiR-103a-2-5p demonstrated the most significant differential expression in both exosomes of ESCC cell lines and plasma of patients as compared with control patients and was therefore selected for subsequent functional experiments. Overexpression of miR-103a-2-5p promoted proliferation and migration in TE-1 cells, whereas inhibition of miR-103a-2-5p suppressed proliferation and migration in KYSE-150 cells. Exosomes extracted from the cells transfected with miR-103a-2-5p mimics significantly increased the proliferation and migration of two ESCC cell lines. Two genes, CDH11 and NR3C1 were identified as predicted targets of miR-103a-2-5p by the bioinformatics tools TargetScan, MiRanda, and mirDIP and RT-qPCR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results shed light on how exosomal miR-103a-2-5p can promote proliferation and migration of ESCC cells and may represent a potential target for ESCC therapies.

[Establishment of animal models of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-related rashes]

OBJECTIVE

To establish animal models epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-related skin rashes using cetuximab, gefitinib or erlotinib.

OBJECTIVE

Female SCID mice were randomly divided into blank control group and high-, moderate-, and low-dose cetuximab groups. The mice in control group received intraperitoneal injection of saline, and those in the 3 cetuximab groups were injected with 80, 40, and 20 mg/kg cetuximab (3 times a week for 4 weeks), respectively. The general skin appearance and skin pathologies of the mice were observed. Female BN rats were randomly divided into blank group, ovalbumin group, gefitinib group and erlotinib group, and in the latter 3 groups, the rats were given ovalbumin (1 mg), gefitinib (37.5 mg/kg), and erlotinib (23.5 mg/kg) by lavage once daily for 45 days, respectively. Skin pathologies of the rats were observed, and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and other inflammatory factors were detected using ELISA.

OBJECTIVE

Intraperitoneal injection of cetuximab did not induce typical skin rashes, scabs or obvious skin inflammation in the mice. In female BN rats, lavage of gefitinib caused obvious skin rashes, scabs and exudation, and obvious inflammatory cell infiltration, keratinosis, spinous layer release and epidermal thickening were observed in the skin. No obvious skin inflammation were observed in the rats in the control, ovalbumin or erlotinib groups. While IgE (P=0.061) and TNF-α concentrations (P=0.057) did not differ significantly among the groups, serum levels of IL-6 was significantly higher in gefitinib group than in the blank control group (P=0.016) but similar between erlotinib group and the blank group (P=0.910).

OBJECTIVE

Intraperitoneal injection of cetuximab can not induce epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-related skin rashes in SCID mice. Lavage of gefitinib, but not erlotinib, can be used to establish models of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-related rashes in BN rats.

Defining the temporal evolution of gut dysbiosis and inflammatory responses leading to hepatocellular carcinoma in Mdr2 -/- mouse model

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiome in liver inflammation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. We aimed to characterize the temporal evolution of gut dysbiosis, in relation to the phenotype of systemic and hepatic inflammatory responses leading to HCC development. In the present study, Mdr2 -/- mice were used as a model of inflammation-based HCC. Gut microbiome composition and function, in addition to serum LPS, serum cytokines/chemokines and intrahepatic inflammatory genes were measured throughout the course of liver injury until HCC development.

RESULTS

Early stages of liver injury, inflammation and cirrhosis, were characterized by dysbiosis. Microbiome functional pathways pertaining to gut barrier dysfunction were enriched during the initial phase of liver inflammation and cirrhosis, whilst those supporting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis increased as cirrhosis and HCC ensued. In parallel, serum LPS progressively increased during the course of liver injury, corresponding to a shift towards a systemic Th1/Th17 proinflammatory phenotype. Alongside, the intrahepatic inflammatory gene profile transitioned from a proinflammatory phenotype in the initial phases of liver injury to an immunosuppressed one in HCC. In established HCC, a switch in microbiome function from carbohydrate to amino acid metabolism occurred.

CONCLUSION

In Mdr2 -/- mice, dysbiosis precedes HCC development, with temporal evolution of microbiome function to support gut barrier dysfunction, LPS biosynthesis, and redirection of energy source utilization. A corresponding shift in systemic and intrahepatic inflammatory responses occurred supporting HCC development. These findings support the notion that gut based therapeutic interventions could be beneficial early in the course of liver disease to halt HCC development.

[The relationship between Ruishou Ben'i Zenkushuu and the medical writings of the Zhu Zhengheng]

Ruishou Ben'i Zenkushuu(,The Nine Tenths of the the Differnetiation of Similar Syndromes) was compiled by Doctor Yuehu, a Japanese monk, in 1452. This book had important implications for the spread to Japan of Chinese medical ideas and theories by Li Dongyuan and Zhu Danxi. This paper analyzed the citation of Chinese medical books in Ruishou Ben'i Zenkushuu and found that the name of Zhu Danxi appeared frequently in this book.Based on the data from the sources of Danxi's medical ideas and theories cited in the book, this paper illuminates the close connection with the medicine ideas and theories of Danxi, and clarifies the story that Yuehu once studied Chinese medicine from Yu Tuan. Research on the sources of the ideas in Ruishou Ben'i Zenkushuu is helpful tracing back historically the spread of the ideas and theories of Danxi in Japan.

[Clinical features and prognosis of ETV6-RUNX1-positive childhood B-precursor acute lymphocyte leukemia]

目的

探讨ETV6-RUNX1融合基因阳性儿童急性前体B淋巴细胞白血病（B-ALL）的临床特征及预后。

方法

回顾性分析2011年4月至2020年5月福建医科大学附属协和医院小儿血液科收治的927例初诊B-ALL患儿的临床资料。根据ETV6-RUNX1检测结果，分为ETV6-RUNX1⁺组及ETV6-RUNX1⁻组，对比两组的临床特征及预后；182例ETV6-RUNX1⁺患儿规范治疗，其中144例接受中国儿童白血病协作组（CCLG）-ALL 2008方案治疗（CCLG-ALL 2008方案组），38例接受中国儿童癌症协作组（CCCG）-ALL 2015方案治疗（CCCG-ALL 2015方案组），对比两种方案的疗效、严重不良反应（SAE）发生率及治疗相关死亡（TRM）率。

结果

927例B-ALL患儿中，189例（20.4%）ETV6-RUNX1阳性。ETV6-RUNX1⁺组初诊时有危险因素（年龄≥10岁或<1岁，WBC≥50×10⁹/L）的患者比例均显著低于ETV6-RUNX1⁻组（P值分别为0.000和0.001），而泼尼松诱导试验反应良好、诱导化疗第15天或第19天微小残留病（MRD）<1%，以及诱导化疗第33天或第46天MRD<0.01%的患者比例显著高于ETV6-RUNX1⁻组（P值分别为0.001、0.028和0.004）。ETV6-RUNX1⁺组的5年无事件生存（EFS）及总生存（OS）率均显著高于ETV6-RUNX1⁻组（EFS：89.8%对83.2%，P＝0.003；OS：90.2%对86.3%，P＝0.030）。CCLG-ALL 2008组感染相关SAE发生率显著高于CCCG-ALL 2015组（27.1%对5.3%，P＝0.004），TRM发生率也高于CCCG-ALL 2015组，但差异无统计学意义（4.9%对0，P＝0.348）。

结论

ETV6-RUNX1⁺儿童B-ALL初诊危险因素较少，早期治疗反应较好，复发率低，总体预后良好；适当减低化疗强度，可降低感染相关SAE及TRM发生率，并进一步提高该亚型ALL患儿的OS率。

Large-Scale Genome Scanning within Exonic Regions Revealed the Contributions of Selective Sweep Prone Genes to Host Divergence and Adaptation in Magnaporthe oryzae Species Complex

Magnaporthe oryzae, one of the most notorious plant pathogens in the agronomic ecosystem, causes a destructive rice blast disease around the world. The blast fungus infects wide arrays of cultivated and non-cultivated plants within the Poaceae. Studies have shown that host speciation exerts selection pressure that drives the evolution and divergence of the M. oryzae population. Population genetic relationship deducted by genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms showed that M. oryzae differentiation is highly consistent with the host speciation process. In particular, the rice-infecting population of M. oryzae is distinct from populations from other hosts. However, how genome regions prone to host-mediated selection pressures associated with speciation in M. oryzae, especially at a large-scale population level, has not been extensively characterized. Here, we detected strong evidence of sweep selection throughout the genomes of rice and non-rice pathotypes of M. oryzae population using integrated haplotype score (iHS), cross population extended haplotype homozygosity (XPEHH), and cross population composite likelihood ratio (XPCLR) tests. Functional annotation analyses of the genes associated with host-mediated selection pressure showed that 14 pathogenicity-related genes are under positive selection pressure. Additionally, we showed that 17 candidate effector proteins are under positive and divergent selection among the blast fungus population through sweep selection analysis. Specifically, we find that a divergent selective gene, MGG_13871, is experiencing host-directed mutation in two amino acid residues in rice and non-rice infecting populations. These results provide a crucial insight into the impact of selective sweeping on the differentiation of M. oryzae populations and the dynamic influences of genomic regions in promoting host adaptation and speciation among M. oryzae species.

A Constrained Molecular Dynamics (CoMD) study of nuclear near-ground-state properties

The Constrained Molecular Dynamics (CoMD) model is used to describe the properties of nuclear systems near the ground state. A procedure for global optimization of the initial configurations of the nuclei is developed. In addition, the neutron skins of various nuclear systems are calculated. Finally, the GDR and GMR spectra of medium-mass nuclear systems are studied. The effect of the model parameters to the spectra is explored. We conclude that an increased compressibility of K = 308 MeV results in increased GDR energy and decreased skin, while the total energy and the GMR energy remain almost unaltered.

Cardiac procedural myocardial injury, infarction and mortality in patients undergoing elective PCI: a pooled analysis of patient-level data

Background

The prognostic implications of cardiac procedural myocardial injury and infarction (MI) in chronic coronary syndrome patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still debated.

Objective

To determine the optimal cardiac troponin threshold for identifying prognostically important events.

Methods

Using a pooled dataset of nine registries and one randomized trial, we analysed individual data of 14,433 patients undergoing elective PCI with a normal or moderately elevated baseline pre-PCI cardiac troponin (cTn). A multivariate model was performed to evaluate the associations between post-PCI cTn elevation and 1-year mortality after PCI, including thresholds used by existing procedural myocardial injury definitions (Fourth Universal Definition of MI [UDMI] and Academic Research Consortium 2 [ARC-2] / Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI)). The association between type 4a MI and 1-year mortality was also evaluated.

Results

Procedural myocardial injury defined by the Fourth UDMI occurred in 52.5% of patients and was not associated with 1-year mortality (adjOR 1.27, 95% CI [0.90–1.81] p=0.18). The association between post-PCI cTn elevation and 1-year mortality was significant above a 3-fold increase above the upper reference limit, and was optimal for a 5.2-fold increase which corresponded to an 18.3% rate of event, and an adjOR of 2.03 (95% CI [1.31–3.14], p=0.002) (figure). Procedural myocardial injury defined by the ARC-2/SCAI definition occurred in 1.3% of the patients, had a strong association with 1-year mortality (adjOR 4.15, 95% CI [1.62–10.64], p&lt;0.01) but lacked sensitivity (5.2% sensitivity). Type 4a MI occurred in 12.7% of patients, was strongly associated with 1-year mortality (adjOR 3.18, 95% CI [1.47–6.90], p=0.002), but could only be evaluated in a subset of patients (n=3 084) with available data on new myocardial ischaemia post-PCI.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated that a post-PCI cTn elevation ≥5x the 99th percentile URL in CCS patients with normal baseline cTn, represents the optimal threshold for defining prognostically important or “Major” procedural myocardial injury in the absence of evidence for new myocardial ischaemia. Major procedure related myocardial injury and type 4a MI should be considered as a quality metric and endpoints in clinical trials.

Adjusted OR of mortality at 1 year

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Efficacy of utidelone plus capecitabine versus capecitabine for heavily pretreated, anthracycline- and taxane-refractory metastatic breast cancer: final analysis of overall survival in a phase III randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Primary analysis of the phase III trial BG01-1323L demonstrated that utidelone plus capecitabine significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate (ORR) versus capecitabine alone in heavily-pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Here, we report the final overall survival (OS) analysis and updates of other endpoints.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 405 patients were randomised 2:1 to receive utidelone (30 mg/m² IV daily, days 1-5, over 90 min) plus capecitabine (1000 mg/m² orally b.i.d., days 1-14) or capecitabine alone (1250 mg/m² orally b.i.d., days 1-14) every 21 days. The secondary endpoint, OS, was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit approach at a two-sided alpha level of 0.05 after the prespecified 310 death events had been reached. Exploratory analyses of the primary endpoint, PFS, and the secondary endpoint, ORR, were also done. Safety was analysed in patients who had at least one dose of study drug.

RESULTS

At the final OS analysis, the median duration of follow-up was 19.6 months in the utidelone plus capecitabine group and 15.4 months in the capecitabine alone group. In the intention-to-treat population, 313 deaths had occurred at data cut-off, 203 of 270 patients in the combination group and 110 of 135 in the monotherapy group. Median OS in the combination group was 19.8 months compared with 16.0 months in the monotherapy group [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.75, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.59-0.94, P = 0.0142]. The updated analysis of PFS and ORR showed that the combination therapy remained superior to monotherapy. Safety results were similar to those previously reported with respect to incidence, severity and specificity. No late-emerging toxicities or new safety concerns occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

For heavily-pretreated, anthracycline- and taxane-resistant MBC patients, utidelone plus capecitabine significantly improved OS versus capecitabine alone. These results support the use of utidelone plus capecitabine as a novel therapeutic regimen for patients with MBC.

WWP2 Promotes Odontoblastic Differentiation by Monoubiquitinating KLF5

WW domain-containing E3 Ub-protein ligase 2 (WWP2) belongs to the homologous to E6AP C-terminus (HECT) E3 ligase family. It has been explored to regulate osteogenic differentiation, chondrogenesis, and palatogenesis. Odontoblasts are terminally differentiated mesenchymal cells, which contribute to dentin formation in tooth development. However, it remained unknown whether WWP2 participated in odontoblast differentiation. In this study, WWP2 was found to be expressed in mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs), odontoblasts, and odontoblastic-induced mDPCs by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Besides, WWP2 expression was decreased in the cytoplasm but increased in the nuclei of differentiation-induced mDPCs. When Wwp2 was knocked down, the elevated expression of odontoblast marker genes (Dmp1 and Dspp) in mDPCs induced by differentiation medium was suppressed. Meanwhile, a decrease of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was observed by ALP staining, and reduced formation of mineralized matrix nodules was demonstrated by Alizarin Red S staining. Overexpression of WWP2 presented opposite results to knockdown experiments, suggesting that WWP2 promoted odontoblastic differentiation of mDPCs. Further investigation found that WWP2 was coexpressed and interacted with KLF5 in the nuclei, leading to ubiquitination of KLF5. The PPPSY (PY2) motif of KLF5 was essential for its physical binding with WWP2. Also, cysteine 838 (Cys838) of WWP2 was the active site for ubiquitination of KLF5, which did not lead to proteolysis of KLF5. Then, KLF5 was confirmed to be monoubiquitinated and transactivated by WWP2, which promoted the expression of KLF5 downstream genes Dmp1 and Dspp. Deletion of the PY2 motif of KLF5 or mutation of Cys838 of WWP2 reduced the upregulation of Dmp1 and Dspp. Besides, lysine (K) residues K31, K52, K83, and K265 of KLF5 were verified to be crucial to WWP2-mediated KLF5 transactivation. Taken together, WWP2 promoted odontoblastic differentiation by monoubiquitinating KLF5.

Changes in the hepatitis B surface antibody in childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia survivors after treatment with the CCLG-ALL 2008 protocol

Antibody levels after hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination may be affected by suppression of the immune system due to cancer therapy. As such, childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) survivors are at risk of HBV infection due to immunosuppression secondary to chemotherapy. However, the hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb)-seropositive rate of childhood ALL survivors after chemotherapy is unknown, and the need to revaccinate HBsAb-seronegative ALL survivors is not appreciated in China. To assess the changes in HBsAb before and after chemotherapy, we retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 547 patients treated with the Chinese Children Leukaemia Group (CCLG)-ALL 2008 protocol from 1 April 2008 to 30 August 2019. The results revealed that 416 patients (76·1%) were HBsAb-seropositive at diagnosis, and at the time of the cessation of chemotherapy, 177 patients (32·4%) were HBsAb-seropositive and 370 patients (67·6%) were HBsAb-seronegative. Interestingly, 11 patients who were HBsAb-seronegative at diagnosis converted to seropositive at the time of the cessation of chemotherapy. HBsAb titres were decreased after chemotherapy (P < 0·0001). Further, patients with higher HBsAb titres at diagnosis were more likely to maintain protective antibody titres at the completion of chemotherapy (P < 0·0001). The loss of antibody was more remarkable in younger patients (≤ 10 years) both at diagnosis (P = 0·009) and at the completion of chemotherapy (P = 0·006). In summary, this study showed that 67·6% of patients were HBsAb-seronegative at the time of the cessation of chemotherapy, which indicates that ALL survivors are at high risk of HBV. As a result, HBV revaccination after chemotherapy should be highly valued in ALL survivors.