Measurement of trace bisphenol A in drinking water with combination of immunochromatographic detection technology and SERS method

Sensitive and selective detection of target analyte is very important in many fields such as commodity inspection and quality monitoring. In this work, based on the principle of competitive immunoassay, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used to establish a rapid and highly sensitive method for the detection of trace amounts of bisphenol A in water. Here, Raman molecule 5,5-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid and anti-BPA antibody were conjugated with Au (core)@Ag (shell) nanoparticle to serve as SERS nanoprobe. After the SERS nanoprobe is combined with the substance to be tested, it uses the siphon effect to pass through the test line and the charging line on the test strip. And the Raman test was performed on the T line with a Raman spectrometer. The detection limitation was 0.1 pg/mL. Compared with the reported gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, fluorescence analysis, and other detection methods, SERS ICA does not demand complicated sample preparation procedures, and has the advantages of simple detection methods, quick results, High sensitivity, good specificity, and low technical demands for laboratory environment and testers. In addition, Raman spectrometers have gradually developed to be portable, making it easier to meet the needs of on-site rapid and highly sensitive detection, and will show broad prospects for applications in the fields of biomedical diagnosis and food safety monitoring.

Hormonal interactions underlying parthenocarpic fruit formation in horticultural crops

In some horticultural crops, such as Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, and Rosaceae species, fruit set and development can occur without the fertilization of ovules, a process known as parthenocarpy. Parthenocarpy is an important agricultural trait that can not only mitigate fruit yield losses caused by environmental stresses but can also induce the development of seedless fruit, which is a desirable trait for consumers. In the present review, the induction of parthenocarpic fruit by the application of hormones such as auxins (2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; naphthaleneacetic acid), cytokinins (forchlorfenuron; 6-benzylaminopurine), gibberellic acids, and brassinosteroids is first presented. Then, the molecular mechanisms of parthenocarpic fruit formation, mainly related to plant hormones, are presented. Auxins, gibberellic acids, and cytokinins are categorized as primary players in initiating fruit set. Other hormones, such as ethylene, brassinosteroids, and melatonin, also participate in parthenocarpic fruit formation. Additionally, synergistic and antagonistic crosstalk between these hormones is crucial for deciding the fate of fruit set. Finally, we highlight knowledge gaps and suggest future directions of research on parthenocarpic fruit formation in horticultural crops.

Understanding the Complex Interactions between Coffee, Tea Intake and Neurologically Relevant Tissues Proteins in the Development of Anxiety and Depression

OBJECTIVES

Coffee and tea intake might be associated with psychiatry diseases. However, it is unclear whether the effect of coffee/tea on anxiety and depression depending on the different types of proteins.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Our datasets were downloaded from online.

PARTICIPANTS

Phenotypic and genotypic data for coffee intake(N=376,196) and tea intake (N=376,078) were derived from UK Biobank. GWAS data of proteins (N=1,537) from neurologically relevant tissues (brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma) were obtained from a recently published study.

MEASUREMENTS

Multivariate linear analysis was then used to evaluate the potential interaction effect between coffee/tea intake and proteins polygenetic risk score (PRS) on the risks of anxiety and depression controlling for age, sex, Townsend deprivation index (TDI), smoke, drinking and education level.

RESULTS

34 coffee intake-proteins interactions and 15 tea intake-proteins interactions were observed in anxiety individuals, such as coffee intake-c-Jun interaction (β=0.0169, P=4.131×10-3), coffee intake-Fas interaction (β=-0.0190, P=8.132×10-4), tea intake-sL-Selectin interaction (β=0.0112, P=5.412×10-3) and tea intake-IL-1F6 (β=0.0083, P=4.471×10-2). 25 coffee intake-proteins and 14 tea intake-proteins interactions were observed in depression individuals, including coffee intake- IL-1 sRI (β=0.0171, P=4.888×10-3) and coffee intake-NXPH1 interaction (β=0.0156, P=9.819×10-3), tea intake-COLEC12 interaction (β=0.0127, P=3.280×10-3), and tea intake-Layilin interaction (β=0.0117, P=7.926×10-3).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested the important role of multiple proteins in neurologically relevant tissues in the associations between coffee/tea intake and psychiatry diseases, providing entry points to explore the mechanisms underlying anxiety and depression.

Chitinase Chi 2 Positively Regulates Cucumber Resistance against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important vegetable crop worldwide, and Fusarium wilt (FW), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (Foc), severely restricts cucumber growth and yield. Accumulating lines of evidence indicate that chitinases play important roles in attacking the invading fungal pathogens through catalyzing their cell wall degradation. Here, we identified the chitinase (Chi) genes in cucumber and further screened the FW-responsive genes via a comparative transcriptome analysis and found that six common genes were predominantly expressed in roots but also significantly upregulated after Foc infection. Expression verification further conformed that Chi2 and Chi14 were obviously induced by Foc as well as by hormone treatments, compared with the controls. The purified Chi2 and Chi14 proteins significantly affected the growth of Foc in vitro, compared with the controls. Knockdown of Chi2 in cucumber by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) increased susceptibility to FW, compared with the Chi14-silenced and control plants, and silencing of Chi2 drastically impaired gene activation in the jasmonic acid pathway, suggesting that the Chi2 gene might play positive roles in cucumber FW defense and, therefore, can provide a gene resource for developing cucumber-FW-resistance breeding programs.

[Study on the genetic characteristics of enteric viral pathogens of sporadic adult diarrhea in Chaoyang district, Beijing in 2019]

Objective: To analyze the distribution and genetic characteristics of sporadic adult diarrhea virus in Chaoyang District, Beijing. Methods: Fecal samples from 177 adult patients with sporadic diarrhea were collected from 4 enteric outpatient clinics in Chaoyang District, Beijing from May to December 2019. Nucleic acid detection of Norovirus, Sappovirus, Rotavirus, Enteric Adenovirus and Astrovirus in the samples was performed by real-time quantitative PCR. The positive samples were amplified by RT-PCR/PCR and sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis was performed by neighbor-Joining (NJ) methods of Mega 6.0 software. Results: There were 60 of 177 (33.90%) adult sporadic diarrhea samples positive for enteric viral pathogens. Among them, 47 cases were infected with single virus, including 29 cases of Norovirus, 9 cases of Sappovirus, 8 cases of Astrovirus and 1 case of Enteric Adenovirus, in addition with 13 cases of multiple infections. None of rotavirus was detected. Partial sequences were successfully obtained for analysis, including 16 cases of GI Norovirus (7 subtypes and GI.3[P13] predominant), 10 cases of GII Norovirus (5 subtypes and GII.6[P7] predominant), 12 cases of Sappovirus (4 subtypes and GI.2 predominant), and 7 cases of Astrovirus (2 subtypes and AST-1 predominant). Conclusion: Norovirus, Astrovirus and Sappovirus are main pathogens among sporadic adult diarrhea in Beijing in 2019, and and different pathogenic gene subtypes show diverse characteristics.

The clinical characteristic of biliary-hyperlipidemic etiologically complex type of acute pancreatitis: a retrospective study from a tertiary center in China

OBJECTIVE

Biliary and hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (AP) has become the second most common AP in China. Currently, AP is exclusively diagnosed as biliary or hyperlipidemic AP. However, as suggested by some reports, biliary and hyperlipidemic AP might coexist in a single patient. Moreover, acute lipotoxicity was shown to regulate the severity of biliary AP in the mouse model. Thus, whether these two etiologies coexist in AP patients and potentially worsen the clinical course remains unclear. To elucidate the clinical feature of a new complex type of acute pancreatitis with both biliary and hyperlipidemic etiologies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included AP patients who were admitted into our department within 7 days after the onset of the disease. 267 AP patients were enrolled in this study and were classified as BAP (biliary acute pancreatitis, n=153), HLAP (hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis, n=65) and BHAP (biliary-hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis, n=49). All the enrolled patients met the classification criteria of biliary etiology, hyperlipidemic etiology, and both etiologies, respectively. BHAP was compared with BAP and HLAP in terms of general information, inflammatory biomarkers, organ dysfunction, disease severity and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

BHAP (41 vs. 53) patients were younger than BAP patients. Serum procalcitonin of BHAP patients was higher than BAP and HLAP patients. Serum CRP of BHAP patients was higher than BAP patients. BHAP patients had the highest diagnosis rate of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) (46.9% vs. 17.6% or 21.5%) compared to BAP and HLAP. Prevalences of persistent respiratory, acute renal, and circulatory failure were highest in BHAP patients (44.9%, 28.6%, 12.2%, respectively). Requirements for mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy and vasoactive agents were also highest in BHAP patients (36.7%, 34.7%, 12.2%, respectively). Hospital stay was longer in BHAP patients (33 days) compared with BAP patients (24 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with both biliary and hyperlipidemic etiologies suffer from more severe clinical course of the disease and have worse prognosis than single-etiology BAP or HLAP patients in the early stage of AP (within 7 days). It should be recognized as a new etiological type named biliary-hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (BHAP).

Dual-wavelength excitation combined Raman spectroscopy for detection of highly fluorescent samples

As fluorescence is the major limitation in Raman scattering, near-infrared excitation wavelength (>780nm) is preferred for fluorescence suppression in Raman spectroscopy. To reduce the risk of fluorescence interference, we developed a dual-wavelength excitation combined Raman spectroscopy (DWECRS) system at 785 and 830 nm. By a common optical path, each laser beam was focused on the same region of the sample by a single objective lens, and the dual-wavelength excitation Raman spectra were detected by a single CCD detector; in addition, 785 and 830 nm excitation Raman spectra can be directly constructed as combined Raman spectrum in the DWECRS system. The results of pure peanut oil and glycerol indicate that the combined Raman spectrum cannot only reduce fluorescence interference but also keep a high signal-to-noise ratio in the high-wavenumber region. The results of dye-ethanol solutions with different concentrations show that the handheld DWECRS system can be used as a smart method to dodge strong fluorescence. Furthermore, we developed a peak intensity ratio method with the DWECRS system to distinguish different types of edible oils. The peak intensity ratio distribution chart of edible oils showed each oil normalized center was relatively independent and nonoverlapped, which can be used as the basis of edible oil classification analysis. In the future, the DWECRS system has potential to be used as a tool for more complex applications.

Improved Mechanical, Anti-UV Irradiation, and Imparted Luminescence Properties of Cyanate Ester Resin/Unzipped Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes/Europium Nanocomposites

Cyanate ester resin (CER) is an excellent thermal stable polymer. However, its mechanical properties are not appropriate for its application, with brittle weakness, and it has poor functional properties, such as luminescence. This work innovatively combines the luminescence property and the improved mechanical properties with the inherent thermal property of cyanate ester. A novel nanocomposite, CER/uMWCNTs/Eu, with multi-functional properties, has been prepared. The results show that with the addition of 0.1 wt.% of uMWCNTs to the resin, the flexural strength and tensile strength increased 59.3% and 49.3%, respectively. As the curing process of the CER progresses, the injected luminescence signal becomes luminescence behind the visible (FBV). The luminescence intensity of CER/uMWCNTs/Eu was much stronger than that of CER/MWCNTs/Eu, and the luminescence lifetime of CER/MWCNTs/Eu and CER/uMWCNTs/Eu was 8.61 μs and 186.39 μs, respectively. FBV exhibited great potential in the embedment of photon quantum information. Therefore, it can be predicted that CER/uMWCNTs/Eu composites will not only have a wide range of applications in sensing, detection, and other aspects, but will also exhibit great potential in the embedding of photon quantum information.

CBD Promotes Oral Ulcer Healing via Inhibiting CMPK2-Mediated Inflammasome

Oral ulcer is a common oral inflammatory lesion accompanied by severe pain but with few effective treatments. Cannabidiol (CBD) is recently emerging for its therapeutic potential in a range of diseases, including inflammatory conditions and cancers. Here we show that CBD oral spray on acid- or trauma-induced oral ulcers on mice tongue inhibits inflammation, relieves pain, and accelerates lesion closure. Notably, the enrichment of genes associated with the NOD, LRR, and NLRP3 pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway is downregulated after CBD treatment. The expression of cleaved-gasdermin D (GSDMD) and the percentage of pyroptotic cells are reduced as well. In addition, CBD decreases the expression of cytidine/uridine monophosphate kinase 2 (CMPK2), which subsequently inhibits the generation of oxidized mitochondria DNA and suppresses inflammasome activation. These immunomodulating effects of CBD are mostly blocked by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) antagonist and partially antagonized by CB₁ receptor antagonist. Our results demonstrate that CBD accelerates oral ulcer healing by inhibiting CMPK2-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, which are mediated mostly by PPARγ in the nucleus and partially by CB₁ in the plasma membrane.

Self-Photoluminescence of Unzipped Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Unzipping of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been widely explored to obtain new nanocarbon structures with promising properties. In this work, we report that unzipping of CNTs according to the well-established modified Hummers method produces unzipped CNTs (uCNTs) that exhibit self-photoluminescence that depends on the diameter of pristine CNTs. The uCNTs were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy indicating that unzipping is accompanied by the introduction of defects and oxygen-containing functional groups. The morphology of CNTs and uCNTs was determined by TEM showing longitude unzipping of CNTs. Our study shows that increasing the diameter of pristine CNTs results in decreasing the edge etching effect and decreasing the functionality of uCNTs. Based on the UV-Vis spectra, the band gap of uCNTs was calculated using the Kubelka-Munk function. The band gap of uCNTs increased with decreasing diameter of pristine CNTs. The uCNTs exhibited photoluminescence with a good emission in the visible light region. The uCNTs with the largest band gap and the highest oxygen content had the strongest fluorescence intensity. Moreover, different metal ions produced different degrees of fluorescence quenching for uCNT-15, which verified the self-photoluminescence of uCNTs.

AgNPs and MIL-101(Fe) self-assembled nanometer materials improved the SERS detection sensitivity and reproducibility

Recently, in the research of Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology, it is found that the preparation of enhanced substrate is particularly important. In this work, the most commonly used methods were used to synthesize AgNPs and MIL-101(Fe), and AgNPs/MIL-101(Fe) nanocomposite was obtained through self-assembly of the two substances. Four different probe molecules were detected with the self-assembled substrate and compared with the results of same probe molecules with AgNPs and MIL-101(Fe) as SERS substrate separately, it was found that AgNPs/ MIL-101 (Fe) nanocomposites had a strong enhancing effect as SERS substrate. The Enhancement Factor (EF) value of 10^-6 mol/L Rhodamine 6G (R6G) was calculated as 2.09 × 10⁹, and the Raman intensities of the peak relative standard deviation (RSD) of R6G Raman attribution was calculated as 7.55%. The time stability of the material was studied and it was found that the reduced Raman signal and poor reproducibility were due to the AgNPs placement time. AgNPs/ MIL-101 (Fe) nanocomposites were used as SERS substrate to detect Paraquat with a minimum concentration of 10^-12 mol/L. The signal values of Paraquat Raman detected at 10^-6 mol/L in different pH environments were relatively stable.

Surface-enhanced shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy for trace detection of fentanyl in beverages

In recognition of the misuse risks of fentanyl, there is an urgent need to develop a useful and rapid analytical method to detect and monitor the opioid drug. The surface-enhanced shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SE-SERDS) method has been demonstrated to suppress background interference and enhance Raman signals. In this study, the SE-SERDS method was used for trace detection of fentanyl in beverages. To prepare the simulated illegal drug-beverages, fentanyls were dissolved into distilled water or Mizone as a series of test samples. Based on our previous work, the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection was performed on the beverages containing fentanyl by the prepared AgNPs and the SE-SERDS spectra of test samples were collected by the dual-wavelength rapid excitation Raman difference spectroscopy system. In addition, the quantitative relationship between fentanyl concentrations and the Raman peaks was constructed by the Langmuir equation. The experimental results show that the limits of quantitation for fentanyl in distilled water and Mizone were 10 ng/mL and 200 ng/mL, respectively; the correlation coefficients for the nonlinear regression were as high as 0.9802 and 0.9794, respectively; and the relative standard deviation was less than 15%. Hence, the SE-SERDS method will be a promising method for the trace analyses of food safety and forensics.

CT texture analysis for the presurgical prediction of superior mesenteric-portal vein invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: comparison with CT imaging features

AIM

To investigate the value of computed tomography (CT) texture analysis (TA) and imaging features for evaluating suspected surgical superior mesenteric-portal vein (SMPV) invasion in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-four patients with PDAC in the pancreatic head or uncinate process with suspected SMPV involvement were analysed retrospectively. SMPV invasion status was identified by surgical exploration. For each patient, 396 texture features were extracted on pretreatment CT. Non-parametric tests and minimum redundancy maximum relevance were used for feature selection. A CTTA model was constructed using multivariate logistic regression, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of the model was calculated. Two reviewers evaluated qualitative imaging features independently for SMPV invasion and interobserver agreement was investigated. The diagnostic performance of the imaging features and the CTTA model for SMPV invasion was compared using the McNemar test.

RESULTS

Of the 54 patients with PDAC, SMPV invasion was detected in 23 (42.6%). The CTTA model yielded an AUROC of 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.97) and achieved significantly higher specificity (0.90) than the two reviewers (0.61 and 0.65; p=0.027 and 0.043). Interobserver agreement was moderate between the two reviewers (κ = 0.517). Of the 13 cases with disagreement between the two reviewers, 11 cases were predicted accurately by the CTTA model.

CONCLUSION

CTTA can predict suspected SMPV invasion in PDAC and may be a beneficial addition for qualitative imaging evaluation.

Immigration and Oral Health in Older Adults: An Integrative Approach

The aim of this study was to develop an integrative framework on aging, immigration, and oral health. The methodology was a critical review that used immigration as a social determinant framework through which to evaluate its impact on the oral health of older immigrants. We reviewed recent empirical evidence on factors related to oral health in older immigrants. In a systematic search across multiple databases, we identified 12 eligible studies in this review. Among the eligible studies, most were conducted among East Asian immigrants (8 articles), followed by non-Hispanic White/European origin (2 articles), Mexican origins (1 article), and Iran and other Middle East regions (1 article). The research revealed knowledge gaps in the evidence base, including the dynamic relationship between acculturation and oral health, the role of environmental factors on oral health for immigrants, psychosocial stressors and their relationship with oral health, and oral health literacy, norms, and attitude to dental care utilization and oral hygiene practices. The development of the integrative framework suggests the pathways/mechanisms through which immigration exerts influences on oral health in later life. This provides opportunities for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to gain greater insights into the complex associations between immigration and oral health among older adults.

Effect of Polyphenols on Cognitive Function: Evidence from Population-Based Studies and Clinical Trials

Due to progressive population aging, a new dementia case occurs at every 3 seconds, placing a heavy burden of disease. Identifying potential risk or preventive factors is emphasized owing to a lack of effective treatment for dementia. There has been emerging evidence on the link of certain dietary components, particularly polyphenols, to brain wellness and cognitive outcomes. Findings from animal and in vitro studies appear more consistent and conclusive. However, such an association has not been investigated in depth in human beings. In this review, we examined studies on the effect of dietary polyphenols (including flavonoids, curcumin, and resveratrol) on cognitive function. Intervention in early stages of dementia/Alzheimer's disease might be a target to slow down age-related cognitive decline before disease onset. We summarized 28 epidemiological studies (8 cross-sectional and 20 cohort studies) and 55 trials in this review. Preliminary evidence from epidemiological data provides the necessity for intervention trials, even though the measures of polyphenol intake tend to be less precise. Clinical trials are in favor of the role of some polyphenols in benefiting specific domains of cognition. This review also describes the divergence of results and current limitations of research in this field.

Nitric oxide alleviates lignification and softening of water bamboo (Zizania latifolia) shoots during postharvest storage

Water bamboo shoots quickly deteriorate after harvest as a result of rapid lignification and softening. Nitric oxide (NO) has been used to extend the postharvest life of several other vegetables. Here, we examined the effect of NO on the storage of water bamboo shoots at 4℃ for 28 days. Without NO, fresh weight and firmness decreased quickly, while the cellulose and lignin contents increased sharply during storage. NO treatment delayed softening by maintaining the integrity of the cell wall and inhibiting the degradation of protopectin and the expressions of pectin methylesterase and polygalacturonase. NO treatment also delayed cellulose synthesis by increasing cellulase activity. NO treatment decreased the synthesis of lignin by inhibiting the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, laccase and peroxidase. These results indicate that NO treatment is effective at suppressing the softening and lignification of water bamboo shoots during postharvest storage.

Patterns of left ventricular longitudinal myocardial dysfunction in mitral valve prolapse and effects of valve repair

Background

Regional longitudinal left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) due to valve prolapse (MVP) with normal ejection fraction has been recently described, with data pointing at dysfunction of the LV base related to dilatation of the mitral annulus.

Purpose

To investigate degree and extent of regional LV dysfunction and its mechanisms in patients with MVP and severe acute (MRa, n=27) or chronic (MRc, n=41) MR and no coronary disease, undergoing surgical valve repair with 3 months follow-up (FU); 20 normal subjects were used as controls (N).

Methods

Speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed pre- (Bas), 1 week (1w) and 4 months (4mo) post-operatively to measure longitudinal global (GLPSS, %), regional (RPSS, %) and segmental (SPSS) peak systolic strain. Maximum and minimum mitral annulus (MA) diameters were measured with 3D echo at Bas. We also evaluated: LV end-diastolic volume index (EDVi, ml/m2); ejection fraction (EF, %); left atrial end-systolic volume index (LAVi, ml/m2); non-invasive pulmonary systolic pressure (PSP, mmHg).

Results

Risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, smoke and previous stroke) were similar in MRc and MRa. At Bas EDVi was larger by definition in MRc (MRc: 102±21, MRa: 67±10 ml/m2, p<0.001) as LAVi (101±46 vs 76±31 ml/m2, p=0.035). Both EF (65±8 vs 64±8 ml/m2) and GLPSS (−20±4 vs −21±5%) were normal, but RPSS was reduced, only at the base (−13±6 vs −13±6%, p= ns; N: −18±2, p<0.03 vs MRc and MRa) in MRc and MRa, with reduced SPSS localized at anterior, lateral and posterior – but not septal – segments. At 1w, EF decreased in both MRc (47±14%, p<0.001 vs Bas) and MRa (56±10%, p=0.014 vs Bas), together with GLPSS (MRc: −11±4%, p<0.001 vs Bas; MRa; −13±4, p<0.001 vs Bas) driven by a prevalent marked decrease in RPSS (MRc: −7±4%, p<0.001 vs Bas; MRa; −8±5, p<0.001 vs Bas) of the LV base. All patients were alive at 3 months with no MACEs, similar reduction of mean MR grade (MRc: 4±0 to 1.9±0.7, p<0.001; MRa: 3.9±0.3 to 0.9±0.9, p<0.001) and PSP (MRc: 50±23 to 29±5 mmHg, p<0.001; MRa: 42±22 to 32±6 mmHg, p=0.039), normal EDVi (MRc: 70±27, MRa: 49±10 ml/m2), dilated LAVi (MRc: 101±46, MRa: 54±13 ml/m2), and reduced GLPSS (MRc: −12±5%, p<0.001 vs Bas; MRa; −15±3, p=0.001 vs Bas) and base RPSS (MRc: −7±6%, p=0.004 vs Bas; MRa; −10±4, p= ns vs Bas). At multivariate analysis, regional dysfunction was not related to the prolapsing scallop, presence of flail, commissure involvement, dimension and geometry of the MA, EF or pulmonary pressures.

Conclusions

In patients with MVP and severe MR, there is a specific regional longitudinal dysfunction pattern prevalent at the LV base which may be related to the duration of MR but not to annular dilatation or morphology of the prolapsing leaflets. The dysfunction worsens greatly following acute reduction of preload after surgical repair and is still significant at 4mo FU.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

The probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota attenuates symptoms of vestibular migraine: a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial

Vestibular migraine (VM) has emerged as one of the major vestibular syndromes. Although probiotics have exhibited beneficial effects on migraine headache, its effect on VM is not clear. This trial aimed to investigate the treatment efficacy of the probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) on symptoms of VM. 247 VM patients were enrolled, of which 204 eligible patients receiving either LcS or placebo on a daily basis completed the 4 month study. They were re-visited at 2 and 4 months after study initiation to assess treatment outcomes. The primary endpoints were vestibular symptoms, evaluated by the number of vertiginous attacks during the past week, the Vertigo Severity Score (VSS), and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores. The secondary endpoints were anxiety and depressive symptoms, evaluated using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores. Efficacy of LcS over placebo was not obvious at 2 month follow-up. At 4 month follow-up, while both LcS and placebo groups of VM patients displayed alleviated symptoms, the extents of the improvements were significantly better in LcS group than those of placebo group, with regard to vestibular symptoms using DHI and VSS, as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms using BAI and BDI. Although placebo effect cannot be ignored in intervention for VM patients, the probiotic LcS still exhibits considerable efficacy against VM symptoms over a 4 month study period, supporting further clinical study of a larger and more diverse cohort.

Differences in xylem development between Dutch and Japanese tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) correlate with cytokinin levels in hypocotyls

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Dutch tomato cultivars tend to have a greater yield than Japanese cultivars even if they are grown under the same conditions. Factors contributing to the increased yield of the Dutch cultivars were a greater light use efficiency and greater leaf photosynthetic rate. On the other hand, the relationship between tomato yields and anatomical traits is still unclear. The aim of this study is to identify the anatomical traits related to the difference in yield between Dutch and Japanese cultivars.

METHODS

Anatomical properties were compared during different growth stages of Dutch and Japanese tomatoes. Hormone profiles and related gene expression in hypocotyls of Dutch and Japanese cultivars were compared in the hypocotyls of 3- and 4-week-old plants.

KEY RESULTS

Dutch cultivars have a more developed secondary xylem than Japanese cultivars, which would allow for greater transport of water, mineral nutrients and phytohormones to the shoots. The areas and ratios of the xylem in the hypocotyls of 3- to 6-week-old plants were larger in the Dutch cultivars. In reciprocal grafts of the Japanese and Dutch cultivars, xylem development at the scion and rootstock depended on the scion cultivar, suggesting that some factors in the scion are responsible for the difference in xylem development. The cytokinin content, especially the level of N6-(Δ 2-isopentenyl) adenine (iP)-type cytokinin, was higher in the Dutch cultivars. This result was supported by the greater expression of Sl-IPT3 (a cytokinin biosynthesis gene) and Sl-RR16/17 (a cytokinin-responsive gene) in the Dutch cultivars.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that iP-type cytokinins, which are locally synthesized in the hypocotyl, contribute to xylem development. The greater xylem development in Dutch cultivars might contribute to the high yield of the tomato.

The major-effect quantitative trait locus Fnl7.1 encodes a late embryogenesis abundant protein associated with fruit neck length in cucumber

Fruit neck length (FNL) is an important quality trait in cucumber because it directly affects its market value. However, its genetic basis remains largely unknown. We identified a candidate gene for FNL in cucumber using a next-generation sequencing-based bulked segregant analysis in F₂ populations, derived from a cross between Jin5-508 (long necked) and YN (short necked). A quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 7, Fnl7.1, was identified through a genome-wide comparison of single nucleotide polymorphisms between long and short FNL F₂ pools, and it was confirmed by traditional QTL mapping in multiple environments. Fine genetic mapping, sequences alignment and gene expression analysis revealed that CsFnl7.1 was the most likely candidate Fnl7.1 locus, which encodes a late embryogenesis abundant protein. The increased expression of CsFnl7.1 in long-necked Jin5-508 may be attributed to mutations in the promoter region upstream of the gene body. The function of CsFnl7.1 in FNL control was confirmed by its overexpression in transgenic cucumbers. CsFnl7.1 regulates fruit neck development by modulating cell expansion. Probably, this is achieved through the direct protein-protein interactions between CsFnl7.1 and a dynamin-related protein CsDRP6 and a germin-like protein CsGLP1. Geographical distribution differences of the FNL phenotype were found among the different cucumber types. The East Asian and Eurasian cucumber accessions were highly enriched with the long-necked and short-necked phenotypes, respectively. A further phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Fnl7.1 locus might have originated from India. Thus, these data support that the CsFnl7.1 has an important role in increasing cucumber FNL.

LepR-Expressing Stem Cells Are Essential for Alveolar Bone Regeneration

Stem cells play a critical role in bone regeneration. Multiple populations of skeletal stem cells have been identified in long bone, while their identity and functions in alveolar bone remain unclear. Here, we identified a quiescent leptin receptor–expressing (LepR+) cell population that contributed to intramembranous bone formation. Interestingly, these LepR+ cells became activated in response to tooth extraction and generated the majority of the newly formed bone in extraction sockets. In addition, genetic ablation of LepR+ cells attenuated extraction socket healing. The parabiosis experiments revealed that the LepR+ cells in the healing sockets were derived from resident tissue rather than peripheral blood circulation. Further studies on the mechanism suggested that these LepR+ cells were responsive to parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH/PTH1R) signaling. Collectively, we demonstrate that LepR+ cells, a postnatal skeletal stem cell population, are essential for alveolar bone regeneration of extraction sockets.

[Impact of gender on hepatic pathology and antibody - mediated immunity caused by Schistosoma japonicum infection in C57BL/6 mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of gender on hepatic pathology and antibody-mediated immunity in Schistosoma japonicum-infected C57BL/6 mice.

METHODS

Female and male C57BL/6 mice were infected with S. japonicum, and the hepatic pathological changes were observed using HE and picrosirius red staining in mice 8 weeks post-infection. The serum specific IgG antibody levels against the soluble adult worm antigen (SWA) and soluble egg antigen (SEA) were measured in mice using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the percentages of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells were detected in mouse spleen and lymph nodes using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

HE staining showed no significant difference in the mean area of a single hepatic egg granuloma between female and male mice 8 weeks post-infection with S. japonicum [(28.050 ± 3.576) × 10⁴ μm² vs. (26.740 ± 4.093) × 10⁴ μm²; t = 0.241, P = 0.821], and picrosirius red staining revealed no statistical differences between female and male mice in terms of the mean proportion of picrosirius red stained hepatic tissues [(7.667 ± 1.856)% vs. (7.667 ± 1.764)%; t = 0, P = 1] or the mean optical density [(0.023 ± 0.003) vs. (0.027 ± 0.007); t = 0.447, P = 0.678]. ELISA detected no significant differences in the serum IgG antibody levels against SWA [(2.098 ± 0.037) vs. (1.970 ± 0.071); t = 1.595, P = 0.162] or SEA [(3.738 ± 0.039) vs. (3.708 ± 0.043); t = 0.512, P = 0.623] between female and male mice 8 weeks post-infection with S. japonicum. Flow cytometry detected significantly greater percentages of Tfh cells in the spleen [female mice, (8.645 ± 1.356)% vs. (1.730 ± 0.181)%, t = 5.055, P = 0.002; male mice, (8.470 ± 1.161)% vs. (1.583 ± 0.218)%, t = 5.829, P = 0.001] and lymph nodes [female mice, (3.218 ± 0.153)% vs. (1.095 ± 0.116)%, t = 11.040, P < 0.001; male mice, (3.673 ± 0.347)% vs. (0.935 ± 0.075)%, t = 8.994, P = 0.001) of both female and male mice 8 weeks post-infection with S. japonicum than in uninfected mice; however, no significant differences were seen between female and male mice 8 weeks post-infection with S. japonicum in terms of the percentages of Tfh cells in the spleen [(8.645 ± 1.356)% vs. (8.470 ± 1.161)%; t = 0.098, P = 0.925] or lymph nodes [(3.218 ± 0.153)% vs. (3.673 ± 0.347)%; t = 1.332, P = 0.241]. There was no significant difference in the proportion of Treg cells in the spleen of male mice between infected and uninfected mice [(10.060 ± 0.361)% vs. (10.130 ± 0.142)%; t = 0.174, P = 0.867], while a higher proportion of Treg cells was seen in the spleen of female mice 8 weeks post-infection with S. japonicum than in uninfected mice [(10.530 ± 0.242)% vs. (9.450 ± 0.263)%; t = 3.021, P = 0.023]. There was no significant difference in the proportion of Treg cells in the spleen between female and male mice infected with S. japonicum [(10.530 ± 0.242)% vs. (10.060 ± 0.361)%; t =1.077, P = 0.323]. In addition, the proportions of Treg cells were significantly greater in the lymph node of S. japonicum -infected female [(17.150 ± 0.805)% vs. (13.100 ± 0.265)%; t = 4.781, P = 0.003] and male mice [(18.550 ± 0.732)% vs. (12.630 ± 0.566)%; t = 6.402, P = 0.001] than in uninfected mice; however, no significant difference was seen between female and male mice 8 weeks post-infection [(17.150 ± 0.805)% vs. (18.550 ± 0.732)%; t = 1.287, P = 0.246].

CONCLUSIONS

There are no gender-specific hepatic pathological changes or antibody-mediated immunity in C57BL/6 mice post-infection with S. japonicum.

Sugar enhances waterlogging-induced adventitious root formation in cucumber by promoting auxin transport and signalling

Waterlogging is a severe environmental stress that causes severe crop productivity losses. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) survives waterlogging by producing adventitious roots (ARs) that enhance gas exchange. Little is known about the role of light and sugars in the waterlogging-induced production of ARs. The role of these factors in AR production was therefore studied in cucumber seedlings grown in the absence or presence of waterlogging and different light conditions. The effect of photosynthesis was studied by removing the shoots of the seedlings and replacing them with exogenous applications of sucrose or stachyose. Shoot removal inhibited AR emergence and elongation. However, the exogenous application of sugars fully restored AR emergence and partially restored root elongation. The exogenous application of a synthetic auxin restored AR emergence but not AR elongation. Transcriptome profiling analysis was used to determine the effects of light on gene expression in the hypocotyls under these conditions. The levels of transcripts encoding proteins involved in auxin transport and signalling were higher in the light and following the exogenous application of sucrose and stachyose. These results show that the waterlogging-induced emergence of ARs is regulated by the interaction between sugars and auxin, whereas AR elongation depends only on sugars alone.

Identification of MicroRNAs and Their Targets That Respond to Powdery Mildew Infection in Cucumber by Small RNA and Degradome Sequencing

Powdery mildew (PM) is a prevalent disease known to limit cucumber production worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded molecules that regulate host defense responses through posttranscriptional gene regulation. However, which specific miRNAs are involved and how they regulate cucumber PM resistance remain elusive. A PM-resistant single-segment substitution line, SSSL508-28, was developed previously using marker-assisted backcrossing of the PM-susceptible cucumber inbred D8 line. In this study, we applied small RNA and degradome sequencing to identify PM-responsive miRNAs and their target genes in the D8 and SSSL508-28 lines. The deep sequencing resulted in the identification of 156 known and 147 novel miRNAs. Among them, 32 and six differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were detected in D8 and SSSL508-28, respectively. The positive correlation between DEMs measured by small RNA sequencing and stem-loop quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction confirmed the accuracy of the observed miRNA abundances. The 32 DEMs identified in the PM-susceptible D8 were all upregulated, whereas four of the six DEMs identified in the PM-resistant SSSL508-28 were downregulated. Using in silico and degradome sequencing approaches, 517 and 20 target genes were predicted for the D8 and SSSL508-28 DEMs, respectively. Comparison of the DEM expression profiles with the corresponding mRNA expression profiles obtained in a previous study with the same experimental design identified 60 and three target genes in D8 and SSSL508-28, respectively, which exhibited inverse expression patterns with their respective miRNAs. In particular, five DEMs were located in the substituted segment that contained two upregulated DEMs, Csa-miR172c-3p and Csa-miR395a-3p, in D8 and two downregulated DEMs, Csa-miR395d-3p and Csa-miR398b-3p, in SSSL508-28. One gene encoding L-aspartate oxidase, which was targeted by Csa-miR162a, was also located on the same segment and was specifically downregulated in PM-inoculated D8 leaves. Our results will facilitate the future use of miRNAs in breeding cucumber varieties with enhanced resistance to PM.

[WITHDRAWN: Potential false-positive rate among the 'asymptomatic infected individuals' in close contacts of COVID-19 patients]

Editor office’s response for Ahead of Print article withdrawn The article “Potential false-positive rate among the ‘asymptomatic infected individuals’ in close contacts of COVID-19 patients” was under strong discussion after pre-published. Questions from the readers mainly focused on the article’s results and conclusions were depended on theoretical deduction, but not the field epidemiology data and further researches were needed to prove the current theory. Based on previous discussions, the article was decided to be offline by the editorial board from the pre-publish lists. Objective: As the prevention and control of COVID-19continues to advance, the active nucleic acid test screening in the close contacts of the patients has been carrying out in many parts of China. However, the false-positive rate of positive results in the screening has not been reported up to now. But to clearify the false-positive rate during screening is important in COVID-19 control and prevention. Methods: Point values and reasonable ranges of the indicators which impact the false-positive rate of positive results were estimated based on the information available to us at present. The false-positive rate of positive results in the active screening was deduced, and univariate and multivariate-probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to understand the robustness of the findings. Results: When the infection rate of the close contacts and the sensitivity and specificity of reported results were taken as the point estimates, the positive predictive value of the active screening was only 19.67%, in contrast, the false-positive rate of positive results was 80.33%. The multivariate-probabilistic sensitivity analysis results supported the base-case findings, with a 75% probability for the false-positive rate of positive results over 47%. Conclusions: In the close contacts of COVID-19 patients, nearly half or even more of the 'asymptomatic infected individuals' reported in the active nucleic acid test screening might be false positives.

[Analysis on the consciousness of the cancer early detection and its influencing factors among urban residents in China from 2015 to 2017]

Objective: To understand the consciousness of the cancer early detection among urban residents and identify the influencing factors from 2015 to 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces covered by the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China from 2015 to 2017. A total of 32 257 local residents aged ≥18 years old who could understand the investigation procedure were included in the study by using the cluster sampling method and convenient sampling method. All local residents were categorized into four groups, which contained 15 524 community residents, 8 016 cancer risk assessment/screening population, 2 289 cancer patients and 6 428 occupational population, respectively. Self-designed questionnaires were used to collect population, socioeconomic indicators, self-cancer risk assessment, regular participation in physical examination and other information. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the factors of people who had not regularly participated in the regular physical examination in the past five years. Results: The self-assessment results of 32 357 residents showed that there were 27.54% (8 882) of total study population with self-reported cancer risk, 45.48% (14 671) without cancer risk and 26.98% (8 704) with unclear judgement on their own cancer risk. Among population with cancer risk, 79.84% (7 091) considered physical examination accounted. In the past five years, there were 21 105 (65.43%) residents participated in regular physical examination and 11 148 (34.56%) participated in non-scheduled one, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with unmarried and western region residents, divorced, middle and eastern region residents had a stronger consciousness to participate in the regular physical examination (P<0.05). Compare with residents with annual household income less than 20 000 CNY in 2014, cancer risk assessment/screening intervention population, and self-assessment with cancer risk, residents with annual household income between 20 000 CNY and 59 000 CNY in 2014, occupational population, community residents, cancer patients, self-reported cancer-free risk, and self-assessment with unclear judgement of cancer risk were less likely to participate in the regular physical examination (all P values <0.05). Conclusion: From 2015 to 2017, the Chinese urban residents had a acceptable consciousness of the cancer early detection. The marital status, annual household income, population group and self-assessment of cancer risk were related to the consciousness of the cancer early detection of people who had not participated in the regular physical examination in the past five years.

[Analysis on the demand, access and related factors of cancer prevention and treatment knowledge among urban residents in China from 2015 to 2017]

Objective: To investigate the demand and access to the cancer prevention and treatment knowledge and related factors among urban residents in China from 2015 to 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces covered by the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China from 2015 to 2017. A total of 32 257 local residents aged ≥18 years old who could understand the investigation procedure were included in the study by using the cluster sampling method and convenient sampling method. All local residents were categorized into four groups, which contained 15 524 community residents, 8 016 cancer risk assessment/screening population, 2 289 cancer patients and 6 428 occupational population, respectively. The self-designed questionnaire was used to collect the information of general demographic characteristics, the demand and access to cancer prevention and treatment knowledge, and the influencing factors of the attitude. The Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference of the demand of the cancer prevention knowledge among different groups and the corresponding factors of the cancer prevention and treatment knowledge were analyzed by using the logistic regression model. Results: The proportion of residents who need the cancer prevention and treatment knowledge was 79.5%. The demand rate of the inducement, symptom and diagnosis methods of cancer in the occupational population was highest, about 66.8%, 71.0% and 20.8%, respectively. The demand rate of treatment methods and cost in current cancer patients was the highest, about the 45.9% and 21.9%, respectively. The top three sources to acquire the cancer prevention and treatment knowledge were "broadcast or television" (69.5%), "books, newspapers, posters or brochures" (44.7%) and "family and friends" (33.8%). The multivariate analysis showed that compared with public institution personnel/civil servants, unmarried/cohabiting/divorced/widowed and others, annual household income less than 20 000 CNY, from the eastern region, people without cancer diagnosis and people with self-assessment of cancer risk, the demand rate of cancer prevention and treatment knowledge was higher in enterprise personnel/workers, married, annual household income between 60 000 CNY and 150 000 CNY, from the central region, people with cancer and people with unclear cancer risk (all P values <0.05). Conclusion: There was a high demand for the cancer prevention and treatment knowledge among urban residents in China from 2015 to 2017. The main access to the knowledge is from the radio or television. The occupation, marital status, annual household income, residential region, health status and risk of disease were the main factors of the demand of the cancer prevention and treatment knowledge.

[Study on the health literacy and related factors of the cancer prevention consciousness among urban residents in China from 2015 to 2017]

Objective: To understand the health literacy and relevant factors of cancer prevention consciousness in Chinese urban residents from 2015 to 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces covered by the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China from 2015 to 2017. A total of 32 257 local residents aged ≥18 years old who could understand the investigation procedure were included in the study by using the cluster sampling method and convenient sampling method. All local residents were categorized into four groups, which contained 15 524 community residents, 8 016 cancer risk assessment/screening population, 2 289 cancer patients and 6 428 occupational population, respectively. The self-designed questionnaire was used to collect the information of demographic characteristics and cancer prevention consciousness focusing on nine common risk factors, including smoking, alcohol, fiber food, food in hot temperature or pickled food, chewing betel nut, helicobacter pylori, moldy food, hepatitis B infection, estrogen, and exercise. The logistic regression model was adopted to identify the influencing factors. Results: The overall health literacy of the cancer prevention consciousness was 77.4% (24 980 participants), with 77.4% (12 018 participants), 79.9% (6 406 participants), 77.2% (1 766 participants) and 74.5% (4 709 participants) in each group (P<0.001). The correct response rates for nine risk factors ranged from 55.2% to 93.0%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with community residents, people with primary school level education or below, and the number of people living together in the family <3, the cancer risk assessment/screening intervention population, cancer patients, those with junior high school level educationor above and the number of people living in the family ≥3 had better health literacy of the cancer prevention consciousness (all P values <0.05). Compared with females, 39 years old and below, government-affiliated institutions or civil servants, from the eastern region, males, older than 40 years, company or enterprise employees, and from the middle or western region had worse health literacy of the cancer prevention consciousness (all P values <0.05). Conclusion: The health literacy of the cancer prevention consciousness in Chinese urban residents should be improved. The cancer screening intervention, gender, age, education, occupation, the number of people co-living in the family, and residential region were associated with the health literacy of the cancer prevention consciousness.

[Analysis on the health literacy of the cancer prevention and treatment and its related factors among urban residents in China from 2015 to 2017]

Objective: To understand the health literacy of the cancer prevention and treatment among urban residents of China, and explore the related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces covered by the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China (CanSPUC) from 2015 to 2017. A total of 32 257 local residents aged ≥18 years old who could understand the investigation procedure were included in the study by using the cluster sampling method and convenient sampling method. All local residents were categorized into four groups, which contained 15 524 community residents, 8 016 cancer risk assessment/screening population, 2 289 cancer patients and 6 428 occupational population, respectively. The health literacy of the cancer prevention, early discovery, early diagnosis, early treatment and the demands of cancer prevention and treatment knowledge was analyzed. The level of health literacy among different groups were calculated and compared. The binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of the health literacy of the cancer prevention and treatment. Results: The level of health literacy of the cancer prevention and treatment was 56.97% among all study population; in each group it was 55.01% for community residents, 59.08% for cancer risk assessment/screening population, 61.99% for cancer patients and 57.31% for occupational population, respectively (P<0.001). The level of health literacy of the cancer prevention and treatment of residents aged 50 to 69 years old, other occupational groups, unmarried, the central and western region residents and the group with unclear self-assessment of cancer risk was significantly lower than that of residents younger than 40 years old, personnel of public institutions/civil servants, married, the eastern region residents and the group whose self-assessment without cancer risk (P<0.05) . The level of health literacy of cancer prevention and treatment of females, people who went to high school or over, cancer risk assessment/screening population, cancer patients and occupational population was significantly higher than that of males, people who had an education level of primary school or below and community residents (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The health literacy of the cancer prevention and treatment of urban residents in China was relatively high, but there was still room for improvement. Gender, age, educational level, occupation, region, marital status, self-assessment of cancer risk, and type of respondents were the key influencing factors of the health literacy of the cancer prevention and treatment. Male, 50-69 years old, lower educational level, central and western regions, unclear cancer risk self-assessment, and without specific environmental exposure to cancer prevention and treatment knowledge or related risk factors were the characteristics of the key intervention group of the health literacy of the cancer prevention and treatment.

[Analysis on the consciousness of the early cancer treatment and its influencing factors among urban residents in China from 2015 to 2017]

Objective: To understand the consciousness of the cancer early treatment and its demographic and socioeconomic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces covered by the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China (CanSPUC) from 2015 to 2017. A total of 32 257 local residents aged ≥18 years old who could understand the investigation procedure were included in the study by using the cluster sampling method and convenient sampling method. All local residents were categorized into four groups, which contained 15 524 community residents, 8 016 cancer risk assessment/screening population, 2 289 cancer patients and 6 428 occupational population, respectively. The questionnaire collected personal information, the consciousness of the cancer early treatment and relevant factors. The Chi square test was used to compare the difference between the consciousness of the cancer early treatment and relevant factors among the four groups. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors related to the consciousness of the cancer early treatment. Results: With the assumption of being diagnosed as precancer or cancer, 89.97% of community residents, 91.84% of cancer risk assessment/screening population, 93.00% of cancer patients and 91.52% of occupational population would accept active treatments (P<0.001). If the immediate family members were diagnosed as precancer or cancer, people who would encourage their family members to receive early treatment in the four groups accounted for 91.96%, 91.94%, 92.44% and 91.55%, respectively (P<0.001). The company employees, annual household income with 40 000 yuan and more and other three groups had a relatively better consciousness of the cancer early treatment (P<0.05). Male, widowed, unemployed and from the central and western regions had a relatively worse consciousness of the cancer early treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Residents in urban China participants had a good consciousness of the cancer early treatment. The marital status, occupation, annual household income and residential regions were major factors related to the consciousness of the cancer early treatment.

Impaired bone microarchitecture in distal interphalangeal joints in patients with primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography

This study aimed to investigate the bone impairment in finger joints in PHO patients by HR-pQCT. Results showed distinguished differences in bone architecture and biomechanics parameters at DIPs between PHO patients and healthy controls using HR-pQCT assessment. Besides, serum PGE2, hsCRP and ESR levels were found negatively correlated with total vBMD.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the bone impairment in finger joints in primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) patients firstly by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

METHODS

Fifteen PHO patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Bone erosions in hands at distal interphalangeal joints (DIPs) in both PHO patients and controls were evaluated by X-ray. Bone geometry, vBMD, microstructure parameters, and size of individual bone erosion were also measured at the 3rd DIP by HR-pQCT as well. Blood biochemistry levels between the two groups were also compared.

RESULTS

Compared to X-ray, HR-pQCT assessment were more sensitive for detection of bone erosions, with 14 PHO patients by HR-pQCT versus ten PHO patients by X-ray judged at the 3rd DIP. The average depth, width, and volume of erosions size in PHO patients were 1.38 ± 0.80 mm, 0.79 ± 0.27 mm, and 1.71 ± 0.52 mm³, respectively. The bone cross-areas including total area (+ 25.3%, p ≤ 0.05), trabecular area (+ 56.2%, p ≤ 0.05), and cortical perimeter (+ 10.7%, p ≤ 0.05) at the defined region of interest of 3rd DIP was significantly larger than controls. Total vBMD was 11.9% lower in PHO patients compared with the controls (p ≤ 0.05). Biochemical test results showed the increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, bone resorption markers, and joint degeneration markers in PHO patients. Serum prostaglandin PGE2, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were found negatively correlated with total vBMD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated higher sensitivity of the HR-pQCT measurement at DIPs by showing the differences in architecture and biomechanics parameters at DIPs between the PHO patients and healthy controls, which would be of interest clinically to investigate bone deterioration in PHO patients.

Strongly enhanced efficiency of polymer solar cells through unzipped SWNT hybridization in the hole transport layer

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have good conductivity, but their size can't match the heterojunction nanostructure in polymer solar cells (PSCs). To improve the photovoltaic performance of PSCs, herein, a faciley fabricated composite hole transport layer composed of unzipped single-walled carbon nanotubes (uSWNTs) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is effectively applied for PSC devices. Compared with the pure PEDOT:PSS hole transport layer (HTL) without uSWNTs, the uSWNTs/PEDOT:PSS layer shows more effective performance as the hole transportation layer. Optimizing the uSWNT concentration in PEDOT:PSS results in fabrication of the PSC devices with uSWNTs/PEDOT:PSS hole transport layers that exhibit greatly improved average power conversion efficiency (PCE), from 13.72% to 14.60%, and greatly enhanced current density and fill factor, which can be ascribed to the increased conductivity and hole transport efficiency. Our approach also supports simple solution-processing techniques and the insensitivity of the performance to thickness, which promises that the faciley fabricated uSWNTs/PEDOT:PSS layer has more potential to be applicable to the roll-to-roll process of PSC fabrication with extremely low cost.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have good conductivity, but their size can't match the heterojunction nanostructure in polymer solar cells (PSCs).

Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in the United States: A Public Health Concern

Childhood and adolescent obesity have reached epidemic levels in the United States. Currently, about 17% of US children are presenting with obesity. Obesity can affect all aspects of the children including their psychological as well as cardiovascular health; also, their overall physical health is affected. The association between obesity and other conditions makes it a public health concern for children and adolescents. Due to the increase in the prevalence of obesity among children, a variety of research studies have been conducted to discover what associations and risk factors increase the probability that a child will present with obesity. While a complete picture of all the risk factors associated with obesity remains elusive, the combination of diet, exercise, physiological factors, and psychological factors is important in the control and prevention of childhood obesity; thus, all researchers agree that prevention is the key strategy for controlling the current problem. Primary prevention methods are aimed at educating the child and family, as well as encouraging appropriate diet and exercise from a young age through adulthood, while secondary prevention is targeted at lessening the effect of childhood obesity to prevent the child from continuing the unhealthy habits and obesity into adulthood. A combination of both primary and secondary prevention is necessary to achieve the best results. This review article highlights the health implications including physiological and psychological factors comorbidities, as well as the epidemiology, risk factors, prevention, and control of childhood and adolescent obesity in the United States.