Woodland's role in natural flood management: Evidence from catchment studies in Britain and Ireland

Despite the attention currently given to the potential environmental benefits of large-scale forest planting, there is a shortage of clear observational evidence regarding the effects on river flows, and what there is has often been contradictory or inconclusive. This paper presents three independently conducted paired-catchment forestry studies covering 66 station-years of flow measurements in the UK and Ireland. In each case coniferous evergreen trees were removed from one catchment with minimal soil disturbance while the adjoining control catchment was left unchanged. Trees were removed from 20% - 90% of the three experimental basins. Following woodland removal there was an increase in dry weather baseflow at all sites. Baseflows increased by about 8% after tree removal from a quarter of the Hore basin and by 41% for the near-total cut at Howan. But the changes were more complex for peak flows. Tree harvesting increased the smallest and most frequent peak storm flows, indicating that afforestation would lead to the suppression of such events. This was however restricted to events well below the mean annual flood, indicating that the impact of forests upon the largest and most damaging floods is likely to be limited. Whilst a forest cover can be effective in mitigating small and frequent stormflows it should never be assumed to provide protection against major flood events.

Economic burden of public health care and hospitalisation associated with COVID-19 in China

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the socio-economic burden imposed on the Chinese healthcare system during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was used to investigate how COVID-19 impacted health and medical costs in China. Data were derived from a subdivision of the Centers for Disease control and Prevention of China.

METHODS

We prospectively collected information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the designated hospitals to determine the cost of public health care and hospitalisation due to COVID-19. We estimated the resource use and direct medical costs associated with public health.

RESULTS

The average costs, per case, for specimen collection and nucleic acid testing (NAT [specifically, polymerase chain reaction {PCR}]) in low-risk populations were $29.49 and $53.44, respectively; however, the average cost of NAT in high-risk populations was $297.94 per capita. The average costs per 1000 population for epidemiological surveys, disinfectant, health education and centralised isolation were $49.54, $247.01, $90.22 and $543.72, respectively. A single hospitalisation for COVID-19 in China cost a median of $2158.06 ($1961.13-$2325.65) in direct medical costs incurred only during hospitalisation, whereas the total costs associated with hospitalisation of patients with COVID-19 were estimated to have reached nearly $373.20 million in China as of 20, May, 2020. The cost of public health care associated with COVID-19 as of 20, May, 2020 ($6.83 billion) was 18.31 times that of hospitalisation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the magnitude of resources needed to treat patients with COVID-19 and control the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health measures implemented by the Chinese government have been valuable in reducing the infection rate and may be cost-effective ways to control emerging infectious diseases.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms rs102313, rs118231 and rs201832 of CTEP TaqIB gene correlated with lipid metabolism abnormalities and cerebral infarction in patients with atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CTEP) TaqIB gene polymorphism with lipid metabolism abnormalities and cerebral infarction (CI) in patients with atherosclerosis (AS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A case-control study was conducted on 100 AS patients complicated with (CI) as AS+CI group, and 200 AS patients with matched age, gender and race as controls (AS group). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs102313, rs118231 and rs201832 in the promoter region of CTEP TaqIB gene were classified by conformational differential gel electrophoresis. Then, Chi-square test was carried out to determine whether the distribution frequency of CTEP TaqIB genotypes conforms to the law of genetic equilibrium. In the meantime, the correlations of gene polymorphisms and allelotypes in the promoter region of CTEP TaqIB with CI and lipid metabolism abnormalities in AS patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium analysis showed that the three polymorphisms of CTEP TaqIB gene were in accordance with the genetic equilibrium distribution (p>0.05). Moreover, the results of gene association analysis revealed that the polymorphisms rs102313 and rs118231 and allelotypes in the promoter region of CTEP TaqIB gene were correlated with CI in AS patients (p<0.05). Specifically, AS patients with GG genotype and allele G at rs102313 and those with TT genotype and allele T at rs118231 had a higher risk of CI (p<0.05). Besides, the polymorphism rs102313 in the promoter region of CTEP TaqIB gene was markedly related to lipid metabolism abnormalities in AS patients (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The polymorphisms rs102313 and rs118231 in the promoter region of CTEP TaqIB gene are associated with CI in AS patients, and the polymorphism rs102313 is remarkably correlated with lipid metabolism abnormalities in AS patients.

Pregnancy outcomes of fetuses with congenital heart disease after a prenatal diagnosis with chromosome microarray

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD) after chromosome microarray (CMA)-based prenatal diagnosis.

METHOD

Amniocentesis was performed in 1035 pregnant women carrying fetuses with CHD between September 2014 and December 2019. Chromosomal aberrations in fetuses with CHD were evaluated using CMA. The pregnancy outcomes were followed up from 6 months to 5 years.

RESULTS

The overall CHD detection rate by CMA was 10.1% (105/1035; 50 fetuses: aneuploidy, 55 fetuses: pathogenic or likely pathogenic copy number variations). Among 1003 fetuses who were followed up, 4, 236, 763, and 18 cases were of miscarriages, pregnancy termination, live births, and postnatal deaths, respectively. Self-healed CHD was observed in 401 (52.6%) fetuses. The pregnancy termination rate of fetuses with chromosomal anomalies was significantly higher than that of fetuses without chromosomal anomalies (93.1% vs. 15.5%, p < 0.001). However, other pregnancy outcomes, including mortality, preterm labor, and low-weight birth rate, were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of CMA is an important factor influencing parents' choice of whether to continue the pregnancy. Self-healing rate of prenatal diagnosed CHD is high. The mortality and morbidity of fetuses with CHD following prenatal CMA testing are relatively low.

Point Absorber Limits to Future Gravitational-Wave Detectors

High-quality optical resonant cavities require low optical loss, typically on the scale of parts per million. However, unintended micron-scale contaminants on the resonator mirrors that absorb the light circulating in the cavity can deform the surface thermoelastically and thus increase losses by scattering light out of the resonant mode. The point absorber effect is a limiting factor in some high-power cavity experiments, for example, the Advanced LIGO gravitational-wave detector. In this Letter, we present a general approach to the point absorber effect from first principles and simulate its contribution to the increased scattering. The achievable circulating power in current and future gravitational-wave detectors is calculated statistically given different point absorber configurations. Our formulation is further confirmed experimentally in comparison with the scattered power in the arm cavity of Advanced LIGO measured by in situ photodiodes. The understanding presented here provides an important tool in the global effort to design future gravitational-wave detectors that support high optical power and thus reduce quantum noise.

[Analysis of saliva cotinine and 3'-hydroxynicotinine concentration levels among restaurant workers in six cities of China]

This study was conducted between November to December 2020, consisting of six representative cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen (with comprehensive smoke-free legislation), and Changsha, Chongqing, Shenyang (without comprehensive smoke-free legislation), 678 subjects were enrolled eventually, the mean age of the 678 subjects was (35.61±12.91)years old. Subjects from cities with comprehensive smoke-free legislation accounted for 49.71% of the total; male subjects accounted for 19.47%; meanwhile subjects from large, medium, and small restaurants accounted for 13.57% (92), 37.32% (253) and 49.11% (333) respectively. The analysis results indicate that the positive rate of restaurants staff of cotinine and 3'-hydroxynicotinine was lower in cities with comprehensive smoke-free legislation(34.12% vs 68.04%, χ²=78.01, P<0.001; 16.32% vs 41.94%, χ²=53.79, P<0.001), with staff from cities with comprehensive smoke-free legislation have lower concentrations of cotinine and 3'-hydroxynicotinine than their counterparts from cities without comprehensive smoke-free legislation(0.250 ng/ml vs 0.742 ng/ml, P<0.001; 0.250 ng/ml vs 0.250 ng/ml, P<0.001). No statistically significant difference in the concentration of cotinine and 3'-hydroxynicotinine in saliva between staff from restaurants of different sizes was detected (P>0.05).

Dynamic Speckle Holography

We introduce dynamic speckle holography, a new technique that combines imaging and scattering to measure three-dimensional maps of displacements as small as ten nanometers over several centimeters, greatly extending the capabilities of traditional imaging systems. We attain this sensitivity by imaging speckle patterns of light collected at three scattering angles and measuring the decay in the temporal correlation due to local motion. We use dynamic speckle holography to measure the strain field of a colloidal gel undergoing fracture and establish the surprising role of internal tension in driving the fracture.

Approaching the motional ground state of a 10-kg object

The motion of a mechanical object, even a human-sized object, should be governed by the rules of quantum mechanics. Coaxing them into a quantum state is, however, difficult because the thermal environment masks any quantum signature of the object's motion. The thermal environment also masks the effects of proposed modifications of quantum mechanics at large mass scales. We prepared the center-of-mass motion of a 10-kilogram mechanical oscillator in a state with an average phonon occupation of 10.8. The reduction in temperature, from room temperature to 77 nanokelvin, is commensurate with an 11 orders-of-magnitude suppression of quantum back-action by feedback and a 13 orders-of-magnitude increase in the mass of an object prepared close to its motional ground state. Our approach will enable the possibility of probing gravity on massive quantum systems.

Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection. We also use the stochastic gravitational-wave background energy density upper limits derived from the O3 data to constrain the cosmic string tension Gμ as a function of the number of kinks, or the number of cusps, for two cosmic string loop distribution models. Additionally, we develop and test a third model that interpolates between these two models. Our results improve upon the previous LIGO-Virgo constraints on Gμ by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the model that is tested. In particular, for the one-loop distribution model, we set the most competitive constraints to date: Gμ≲4×10^{-15}. In the case of cosmic strings formed at the end of inflation in the context of grand unified theories, these results challenge simple inflationary models.

Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection. We also use the stochastic gravitational-wave background energy density upper limits derived from the O3 data to constrain the cosmic string tension Gμ as a function of the number of kinks, or the number of cusps, for two cosmic string loop distribution models. Additionally, we develop and test a third model that interpolates between these two models. Our results improve upon the previous LIGO-Virgo constraints on Gμ by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the model that is tested. In particular, for the one-loop distribution model, we set the most competitive constraints to date: Gμ≲4×10^{-15}. In the case of cosmic strings formed at the end of inflation in the context of grand unified theories, these results challenge simple inflationary models.

Epidemiology of resistance of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae to ceftazidime-avibactam in a Chinese hospital

AIMS

Klebsiella pneumoniae has been reported to develop increased antibiotic resistance. Ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) is a novel antibiotic with activity against serine-lactamase. Here, we investigated the sensitivity of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) to CZA and the mechanisms of drug resistance in our hospital.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patient characteristics were obtained from medical records. K. pneumoniae and its antibiotic susceptibility were determined using the Vitek-2 Compact instrument. The antibiotic resistance genes KPC, NDM, OXA-48, VIM, IMP, CIM, SPM, TMB, SMB, SIM, AIM and DIM were detected using real-time PCR. Multilocus sequence typing was used for genetic RELATEDNESS analysis. In total, 121 CRKP strains were isolated from patients in the intensive care unit (51·2%), senior ward (12·4%) and neurosurgery department (10%). With an average age of 72·5 years, most patients were in care for respiratory (34·7%), brain (20·7%), digestive tract (13·2%) and cardiovascular (8·3%) diseases. Specimens were predominantly obtained from sputum (39·67%), urine (29·75%) and blood (6·61%).

CONCLUSION

Of 23 CZA-resistant CRKP strains (19·01%), ST11 being the most common at 56·52%, 11 NDM-1-positive (47·83%) and four NDM-5-positive (17·39%) strains were detected.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Our study indicates that CZA resistance occurs in ~19·01% CRKP strains and that bla_NDM-1 and bla_NDM-5 might be critical for resistance.

Gait disturbances and muscle dysfunction in fibroblast growth factor 2 knockout mice

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is important in musculoskeletal homeostasis, therefore the impact of reduction or Fgf2 knockout on skeletal muscle function and phenotype was determined. Gait analysis as well as muscle strength testing in young and old WT and Fgf2KO demonstrated age-related gait disturbances and reduction in muscle strength that were exacerbated in the KO condition. Fgf2 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in skeletal muscle of old WT compared with young WT. Muscle fiber cross-sectional area was significantly reduced with increased fibrosis and inflammatory infiltrates in old WT and Fgf2KO vs. young WT. Inflammatory cells were further significantly increased in old Fgf2KO compared with old WT. Lipid-related genes and intramuscular fat was increased in old WT and old Fgf2KO with a further increase in fibro-adipocytes in old Fgf2KO compared with old WT. Impaired FGF signaling including Increased β-Klotho, Fgf21 mRNA, FGF21 protein, phosphorylated FGF receptors 1 and 3, was observed in old WT and old Fgf2KO. MAPK/ ERK1/2 was significantly increased in young and old Fgf2KO. We conclude that Fgf2KO, age-related decreased FGF2 in WT mice, and increased FGF21 in the setting of impaired Fgf2 expression likely contribute to impaired skeletal muscle function and sarcopenia in mice.

LncRNA FGD5-AS1/miR-5590-3p axis facilitates the proliferation and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma through ERK/AKT signalling

OBJECTIVE

Amongst noncoding RNAs, competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) are popular and interesting regulatory mechanisms involved in oncogenesis and tumour progression. LncRNA FGD5-AS1, also known as miR-5590-3p, is involved in the regulatory role of ceRNA in many cancers. However, the roles of lncRNA FGD5-AS1 or miR-5590-3p in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain unclear. We investigated how FGD5-AS1 and miR-5590-3p regulated clear cell proliferation and metastasis in RCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real Time-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of FGD5-AS1 in tumour issues and renal cancer cell lines. MTT, scratch test and transwell assay were performed to confirm the effect of FGD5-AS1 on the proliferation, migration or invasion of the above cell lines. RNA pull-down and Luciferase assays were used to detect the target site between FGD5-AS1 and miR-5590-3p. In addition, we examined the proteins related to ERK/AKT signalling related via Western blot analysis. Finally, we used the RT-qPCR method to detect the mRNA levels of E-cadherin and vimentin.

RESULTS

LncRNA FGD5-AS1 was highly expressed in renal cancer tissues, especially in patients with metastasis. This effect facilitated the proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasion of renal cancer cells. Silencing the expression of FGD5-AS1 with FGD5-AS1 siRNA significantly inhibited the malignancy of tumour cells. RNA pull-down and Luciferase assays demonstrated that FGD5-AS1 targeted miR-5590-3p to interact with miR-5590-3p negatively. Furthermore, miR-5590-3p inhibitors could eliminate the FGD5-AS1 siRNA-induced upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of vimentin.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanistically, lncRNA FGD5-AS1 can competitively interact with miR-5590-3p and regulate the downstream signalling of ErkAKT to enhance the malignancy of tumours. This lncRNA could become a potential target molecule for treating and diagnosing RCC.

Prenatal chromosomal microarray analysis in 2466 fetuses with ultrasonographic soft markers: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Soft markers are nonspecific findings detected by ultrasonography during the second trimester that are often transient and nonpathologic but may imply an increased risk of underlying fetal aneuploidy. However, large-scale prospectively stratified studies focusing on the prevalence of chromosomal aberrations, including copy number variants, in fetuses with different types of isolated soft markers have rarely been published in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate clinical outcomes in fetuses with isolated soft markers by single nucleotide polymorphism array with long-term follow-up and to propose a diagnostic algorithm based on specific types of soft markers.

STUDY DESIGN

The prevalence of fetal isolated soft markers was 13.2% (7869 of 59,503). A total of 2466 fetuses with ultrasonographic soft markers during the second trimester, which were subjected to single nucleotide polymorphism array with long-term follow-up, were selected in this prospective study over a 5-year period. Soft markers were categorized into 12 groups. The demographic profile and chromosomal microarray analysis detection results were analyzed and compared among different groups.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of chromosomal aberrations in fetuses with soft markers was 4.3% (107 of 2466), which comprised 40.2% with numeric chromosomal abnormalities, 48.6% with pathogenic copy number variants, and 11.2% with likely pathogenic copy number variants. The incidence of numeric chromosomal abnormalities was significantly higher in multiple soft markers (5.5% vs 1.5%; P=.001) and the thickened nuchal fold group (8.3% vs 1.7%; P=.024). Meanwhile, the incidence of pathogenic copy number variants was significantly higher in multiple soft markers (5.5% vs 2.4%; P=.046) and the short femur length group (6.6% vs 2.2%; P<.0001). The incidences of pathogenic copy number variants in fetuses with isolated echogenic intracardiac focus, enlarged cisterna magna, choroid plexus cysts, echogenic bowel, or single umbilical artery were lower than 1.5%. The normal infant rate in fetuses without chromosomal aberrations was 91.7%; however, it was significantly lower in the mild ventriculomegaly (86.2% vs 93.0%; P<.0001) and short femur length groups (71.4% vs 93.6%; P<.0001).

CONCLUSION

The potential chromosomal aberrations and clinical prognoses varied widely among different types of isolated soft markers. Pathogenic copy number variants are more often present in specific soft markers, especially when multiple soft markers are found. Thus, a specific soft marker type-based prenatal genetic testing algorithm was proposed.

[Estimation of Early Postmortem Interval of Asphyxial Death Rats at Different Ambient Temperatures by GC-MS-Based Metabolomics]

Abstract

Objective To establish the orthogonal partial least square （OPLS） model for the estimation of early postmortem interval （PMI） of asphyxial death rats in four ambient temperatures based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） metabolomics. Methods The 96 rats were divided into four temperature groups （5 ℃, 15 ℃, 25 ℃ and 35 ℃）. Each temperature group was further divided into 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after death, and 6 other rats were taken as the control group. The cardiac blood was collected at the set time points for the four temperature groups and 0 h after death for the control group for the metabolomics analysis by GC-MS. By OPLS analysis, the variable importance in projection （VIP）>1 and the result of Kruskal-Wallis test P<0.001 were used to screen out the differential metabolite related to PMIs in the cardiac blood of rats of different temperature groups. Then OPLS regression models of different temperature groups were established with these metabolites. At the same time, a prediction group for investigating the prediction ability of these models was set up. Results Through the analysis of OPLS, 18, 15, 24 and 30 differential metabolites （including organic acids, amino acids, sugars and lipids） were screened out from the rats in groups of 5 ℃, 15 ℃, 25 ℃ and 35 ℃, respectively. The prediction results of the four temperature group models showed that the prediction deviation of 5 ℃ model was larger than that of other groups. The prediction results of other temperature groups were satisfactory. Conclusion There are some differences in the changes of metabolites in cardiac blood of rats at different ambient temperatures. The influence of ambient temperature should be investigated in the study of PMI estimation by metabolomics, which may improve the accuracy of PMI estimation.

Simvastatin promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in rat model of osteoporosis through BMP-2/Smads signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

By establishing osteoporosis (OP) model in rats, the specific regulatory effect of simvastatin on promoting the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts through the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)/Smads signaling pathway was investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 45 Sprague-Dawley rats were selected to establish the OP model by performing ovariectomy. The rats were divided into OP model group (OP group, n=15), 10-7 mmol/L simvastatin treatment group (SIM group, n=15), and normal control group (Control group, n=15). After the experimental period, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to observe the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1. Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was adopted to detect the contents of the differentiation-associated genes [runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and Osterix (Osx)]. Later, the bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) were selected and divided into Control group, 10-7 mol/L simvastatin group (SIM group), and osteoinduction medium group (OM group). Cell morphology in each group was observed. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was performed to determine the proliferation activity of BMSCs. ELISA was performed to measure the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). RT-PCR was conducted to examine the levels of key differentiation-associated gene RUNX2 and those in BMP-2/Smads pathway. Moreover, the Western blotting was adopted to analyze the expressions of RUNX2 and genes in BMP-2/Smads pathway.

RESULTS

The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1 in OP group were remarkably higher than those in the Control group, and their levels in the SIM group were close to those in the Control group. The elevated messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of the key differentiation-associated factors RUNX2, osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteopontin (OPN), and Osx were observed in the SIM group. In vitro cell culture revealed that the cells were in a favorable growth status in the SIM group and OM group, mostly manifesting in fusiform or spindle shape, and proliferated rapidly. In addition, the ALP level notably increased in the two groups compared with that in the Control group (p<0.05). Both SIM group and OM group had evidently higher mRNA expression levels of RUNX2, OPG, OPN, and Osx than those in the Control group (p<0.05), consistent with the expression trends of the genes in BMP-2/Smads pathway. The Western blotting indicated that the expression levels of RUNX2 and genes in BMP-2/Smads pathway in the SIM group were significantly higher than those in the Control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Simvastatin can promote the differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts in the OP rat model through the BMP-2/Smads signaling pathway.

[Analysis of BK virus infection in kidney transplant recipients]

Objective: To compare the infection of BK virus in the recipients of living donor(LD) kidney transplant and deceased donor(DD) kidney transplant. Methods: A total of 911 recipients who underwent kidney transplantation in the Organ Transplantation Research Institute of the 8th Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2015 to August 2019 were enrolled in this study. The DNA copies of BK virus in urine and peripheral blood of kidney transplant recipients were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The patients were divided into LD group (n=255) and DD group (n=656). BK virus infection in recipients with DD kidney transplant were compared with that in recipients of LD kidney transplant. Results: The BK virus positive rate in the urine of all subjects was 13.06%(119/911), and that in blood was 2.96% (27/911). The positive rate of BK virus in urine after kidney transplantation was significantly higher than that in blood(P<0.000 1). The positive rate in urine was 9.02% (23/255) in LD group, which was significantly lower than that of 14.63% (96/656) in DD group in the same period (χ(2)=5.097, P=0.012); The positive rate of BK virus infection in relatives group was 0.78% (2/255), which was significantly lower than that of 3.81% (25/656) in DD group (χ(2)=5.849, P=0.007). Conclusions: There was a significant difference in the infection rate of BK virus between the LD and DD group. The incidence of BK virus infection in kidney transplant recipients from DD was higher than that of from LD kidney transplant recipients.

Prognostic value of star-shaped intense uptake of 131I in thyroid cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

After ¹³¹I treatment in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), we sometimes find a star-shaped intense uptake of ¹³¹I on therapeutic whole body scans (Rx-WBS), called star artifacts. Therefore, we analyzed the relevant clinical factors and prognostic value of star artifacts in DTC patients.

METHODS

809 DTC patients who received ¹³¹I treatment were retrospectively evaluated and divided into 2 groups of patients with and without star artifacts. We evaluated the therapeutic response which was divided into excellent response (ER), biochemical incomplete response (BIR), indeterminate response (IR), and structural incomplete response (SIR). Clinical factors for the presence of star artifacts were analyzed. We also compared the rate of ER, BIR, IR, SIR and recurrence rate between group 1 and group 2.

RESULTS

The major clinical factors included stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg)>1.8ng/ml, 24h radioiodine uptake (RAIU)>2.2%, and positive ^99mTcO4^- thyroid imaging for the presence of star artifacts. In patients with sTg levels>10ng/ml, patients in group 1 had a higher rate of ablation success and ER than patients in group 2 (80.2% vs 65.6%, P=0.038, 31.6% vs 13.1%, P=0.008, respectively) and had a similar rate of BIR, IR, SIR. Recurrence rate was similar between group 1 and group 2 (5.2% vs 3.1%, P=0.13).

CONCLUSION

More remnant thyroid tissue is one of the factors associated with the presence of star artifacts on Rx-WBS. Patients with star artifacts exhibit a better therapeutic response (ER) when sTg levels are >10ng/ml. However, star artifacts have no effect on the recurrence rate.

MRI findings of central nervous system involvement in children with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: correlation with clinical biochemical tests

AIM

To investigate the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of children with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) with central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and to investigate the correlation with clinical biochemical tests.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Clinical and MRI data were collected from 118 children with HLH-CNS between January 2012 and June 2019. Patients were grouped according to their MRI findings, and statistical methods were used to test for correlations between the MRI findings and biochemical variables.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into three groups, including normal appearance (Group 1, 17/118), diffuse parenchymal volume loss (Group 2, 44/118), and brain parenchyma lesions (Group 3, 57/118) containing three subtypes of brain lesions and HLH-CNS complications. Comparing biochemical values among the three groups revealed a significant difference for all values (p<0.05), except for cell counts in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A pairwise comparison further showed significant inter-group differences for most of the variables. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient also demonstrated that CSF cell counts (r=0.193, p=0.036), CSF microprotein content (r=0.379, p<0.001), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST; r=0.521, p<0.001), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; r=0.514, p<0.001) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT; r=0.326, p<0.001) correlated positively with the MRI groups, while platelet count (PLT; r=-0.633, p<0.001) and plasma fibrinogen (FIB; r=-0.258, p=0.005) correlated negatively.

CONCLUSION

Classification of brain MRI findings of HLH-CNS correlates well with the results of several key biochemical tests. Brain MRI is a promising method to elucidate illness severity and clinical outcomes.

GW190521: A Binary Black Hole Merger with a Total Mass of 150 M_{⊙}

On May 21, 2019 at 03:02:29 UTC Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo observed a short duration gravitational-wave signal, GW190521, with a three-detector network signal-to-noise ratio of 14.7, and an estimated false-alarm rate of 1 in 4900 yr using a search sensitive to generic transients. If GW190521 is from a quasicircular binary inspiral, then the detected signal is consistent with the merger of two black holes with masses of 85_{-14}^{+21}  M_{⊙} and 66_{-18}^{+17}  M_{⊙} (90% credible intervals). We infer that the primary black hole mass lies within the gap produced by (pulsational) pair-instability supernova processes, with only a 0.32% probability of being below 65  M_{⊙}. We calculate the mass of the remnant to be 142_{-16}^{+28}  M_{⊙}, which can be considered an intermediate mass black hole (IMBH). The luminosity distance of the source is 5.3_{-2.6}^{+2.4}  Gpc, corresponding to a redshift of 0.82_{-0.34}^{+0.28}. The inferred rate of mergers similar to GW190521 is 0.13_{-0.11}^{+0.30}  Gpc^{-3} yr^{-1}.

[The role of large-scale testing platform in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic: an empirical study based on a novel numerical model]

Objective: China adopted an unprecedented province-scale quarantine since January 23rd 2020, after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) broke out in Wuhan in December 2019. Responding to the challenge of limited testing capacity, large-scale (>20 000 tests per day) standardized and fully-automated laboratory (Huo-Yan) was built as an ad-hoc measure. There is so far no empirical data or mathematical model to reveal the impact of the testing capacity improvement since quarantine. Methods: Based on the suspected case data released by the Health Commission of Hubei Province and the daily testing data of Huo-Yan Laboratory, the impact of detection capabilities on the realization of "clearing" and "clearing the day" of supected cases was simulated by establishing a novel non-linear and competitive compartments differential model. Results: Without the establishment of Huo-Yan, the suspected cases would increase by 47% to 33 700, the corresponding cost of quarantine would be doubled, the turning point of the increment of suspected cases and the achievement of "daily settlement" (all newly discovered suspected cases are diagnosed according to the nucleic acid testing result) would be delayed for a whole week and 11 days. If the Huo-Yan Laboratory could ran at its full capacity, the number of suspected cases could start to decrease at least a week earlier, the peak of suspected cases would be reduced by at least 44%, and the quarantine cost could be reduced by more than 72%. Ideally, if a daily testing capacity of 10 500 tests was achieved immediately after the Hubei lockdown, "daily settlement" for all suspected cases could be achieved. Conclusions: Large-scale, standardized clinical testing platform, with nucleic acid testing, high-throughput sequencing, and immunoprotein assessment capabilities, need to be implemented simultaneously in order to maximize the effect of quarantine and minimize the duration and cost of the quarantine. Such infrastructure, for both common times and emergencies, is of great significance for the early prevention and control of infectious diseases.

Assessment of knee extensor and flexor function using isokinetic test in COPD: impact on exercise capacity

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the relationship between strength and endurance of knee extensor and flexor and exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).METHODS: A total of 108 patients with stable COPD (age: 65 years, IQR25-75: 59-72) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Knee extensor and flexor function was evaluated using the isokinetic test, and the parameters attained were considered as independent variables. Exercise capacity was evaluated using 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and 30-second sit-to-stand test (30s SST), and the results were considered as dependent variables. The association between lower-limb muscle function and exercise capacity was assessed using multiple regression analysis.RESULTS: The patients mostly had moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction with a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) of 57.87 ± 17.71% predicted. In multiple regression analysis, flexor total work (TW), extensor endurance ratio (ER), age and FEV₁%pred were significantly associated with 6MWT (adjusted R² = 0.455, P < 0.001). Flexor TW and age were significantly associated with 30s SST (adjusted R² = 0.355, P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Knee endurance has a significant relationship with exercise capacity, and knee flexor endurance seems to be an important factor contributing to exercise capacity in COPD patients.

[Influencing factors on smoking cessation among outpatients from the National Central Subsidy Smoking Cessation Clinic Project, in 2015-2018]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of smoking cessation project run by the Central Subsidy Smoking Cessation Clinic and to explore the related influencing factors on smoking cessation, in order to improve related services and provide better guidance to these smoking cessation clinics. Methods: Practitioners who had been trained to run smoking cessation projects were recruited to conduct face-to-face interview with the smokers. Questionnaires were completed to provide information on related psychological, social and behavioral issues. In these clinics, medications were provided to the patients by the health care takers in the clinic. One month after the first visit, smoking cessation rate (self-reported, 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate at 30-day follow-up) was counted. Results: The overall smoking cessation rate (self-reported, 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate at 30-day follow-up) appeared as 34.1%. Results from the multivariate logistic regression showed that patients over the age of 60 were the ones most likely to quit smoking. Smokers who showed higher possibility of quitting would include those: not on the daily base, intend to quit within 30 days, with other diseases, or taking varenicline and bupropion. Factors as unemployment, longer history of smoking, bigger quantity of cigarettes consumption per day, dependence on nicotine and urgency on taking up the first cigarette in the early morning etc., were related to the less likelihood of giving up smoking. However, histories of cessation did not seem to affect the possibility of quitting. Conclusions: Data from self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 30-day follow-up study showed that the smoking cessation intervention programs run by the central subsidy smoking cessation clinic project had been effectively implemented. Advocacy on quit smoking at early stage seemed to have better outcomes, thus should be called for. Since medications as varenicline tartrate and bupropion hydrochloride can increase the possibility of stop smoking, we would suggest that all the hospitals which are with smoking cessation clinics be equipped with these medicines. Professional assistance provided by practitioners is of key importance to help overcome the withdrawal symptoms during the periods of cessation, on these smokers.

Characterization of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a tertiary hospital in Fuzhou, China

Aims

The emergence of carbapenem‐resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) strains has led to increased mortality and morbidity rates. Tigecycline, a new class of broad‐spectrum glycyl‐tetracycline antibiotics, has been used to target multi‐ and pan‐drug‐resistant bacterial infections. This study aimed to assess the molecular characteristics of CRKP in a tertiary hospital, and its susceptibility to tigecycline, to create a reference for hospital infection control and clinical drug use.

Methods and Results

We retrieved patient clinical information and CRKP characterization from medical records and detected the MIC of tigecycline using the micro‐broth dilution method. Multi‐locus sequence typing was performed, and antibiotic resistance genes associated with CRKP were detected by qPCR. A total of 166 CRKP strains were detected in the sputum, urine and blood among intensive care unit patients (average age, 69·6 years). The most infrequently observed resistance genes were amikacin resistance genes, followed by tobramycin resistance genes. KPC‐2, CTX‐M9 and CTX‐M1 were the most frequently detected resistance genes.

Conclusions

No strain was resistant to tigecycline (MIC ≥ 8 µg ml⁻¹). Twenty‐four sequence types were identified, with ST11 being the most common type.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Clinicians and infection control experts should be aware of CRKP prevalence to facilitate clinical treatment and improve nosocomial infection control.

Identification of a potential target for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: follistatin

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue is the most common oral cancer and is prone to develop regional lymph nodes and distant metastases. Reliable and stable therapeutic targets can improve the curative effect and reduce toxic side effects caused by traditional treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. We have analysed three sets of series of functional gene expression of SCC of the tongue from gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets, and 154 common differentially expressed genes (DEG) between SCC of the tongue and the corresponding normal tissues were screened. Further bioinformatics research that was based on the data from the Cancer genome atlas, Gene ontology, and the Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes indicated that the increased expression of follistatin might be correlated with a poor prognosis in these patients. By assay of colony formation, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blotting, immunohistochemical staining, and lentivirus transfection, we confirmed that downregulation of follistatin inhibited the proliferation of SCC cells in the tongue.

Prospects for observing and localizing gravitational-wave transients with Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA

We present our current best estimate of the plausible observing scenarios for the Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA gravitational-wave detectors over the next several years, with the intention of providing information to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We estimate the sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals for the third (O3), fourth (O4) and fifth observing (O5) runs, including the planned upgrades of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. We study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source for gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary systems of compact objects, that is binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems. The ability to localize the sources is given as a sky-area probability, luminosity distance, and comoving volume. The median sky localization area (90% credible region) is expected to be a few hundreds of square degrees for all types of binary systems during O3 with the Advanced LIGO and Virgo (HLV) network. The median sky localization area will improve to a few tens of square degrees during O4 with the Advanced LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA (HLVK) network. During O3, the median localization volume (90% credible region) is expected to be on the order of 10 5 , 10 6 , 10 7 Mpc 3 for binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems, respectively. The localization volume in O4 is expected to be about a factor two smaller than in O3. We predict a detection count of 1 - 1 + 12 ( 10 - 10 + 52 ) for binary neutron star mergers, of 0 - 0 + 19 ( 1 - 1 + 91 ) for neutron star-black hole mergers, and 17 - 11 + 22 ( 79 - 44 + 89 ) for binary black hole mergers in a one-calendar-year observing run of the HLV network during O3 (HLVK network during O4). We evaluate sensitivity and localization expectations for unmodeled signal searches, including the search for intermediate mass black hole binary mergers.

MicroRNA-19a-3p suppresses invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer via inhibiting SOX4

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of microRNA-19a-3p in regulating invasion, metastasis and EMT (epithelial mesenchymal transition) of prostate cancer (PCa) cells, as well as its underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MicroRNA-19a-3p mimic and negative control plasmid were first constructed. After transfection of microRNA-19a-3p mimic or negative control in DU145 cells, expression levels of microRNA-19a-3p and SOX4 were detected by quantitative Real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The regulatory effects of microRNA-19a-3p on migration and invasion of DU145 cells were detected by wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. Protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), N-cadherin, Vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin in DU145 cells transfected with microRNA-19a-3p mimic or negative control were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

Overexpression of microRNA-19a-3p inhibited protein level of SOX4 in DU145 cells. The migration and invasion of DU145 cells were inhibited after transfection of microRNA-19a-3p mimic. Protein levels of MMP2, MMP9, N-cadherin, Vimentin and α-SMA were downregulated, whereas E-cadherin was upregulated after microRNA-19a-3p overexpression.

CONCLUSIONS

MicroRNA-19a-3p inhibits migration, invasion and EMT of PCa cells via inhibiting SOX4.