[Analysis of capability to pertussis etiology and serological diagnosis for GradeⅡ and Ⅲmedical institutions in Shandong Province in 2018]

Objective: Investigate and analyze the etiology and serological diagnosis capabilities of pertussis in medical institutions in Shandong Province in 2018. Methods: Using the census method, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 603 second and above level medical institutions in Shandong Province. The deadline for the survey was December 2018, and a total of 543 questionnaires have been recovered, and the validity rate of the questionnaires was 90%. Surveyed the pertussis etiology and serology test items (pertussis IgM and IgG, pertussis nucleic acid and pertussis bacterial culture) and the start time of each test item by questionnaire. The reported cases (confirmed cases and clinically diagnosed cases) between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018 were derived from the Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System according to the onset date. We used indicators such as fixed-base development speed, chain development speed, and chain growth speed for analysis. The chi test was used to analyze the differences in the composition ratio of medical institutions with detection ability in different levels and regions, and analyze the changes in the number of reported cases before and after the development of pertussis etiology and serology testing. Results: A total of 543 medical institutions accounted for 90.0% (543/603) of all secondary and above level medical institutions in the province, 356 secondary medical institutions (65.6%), and 187 tertiary medical institutions (34.4%). There were 10 medical institutions that carry out pertussis IgM, IgG and nucleic acid testing, accounting for 1.8% (10/543) of the surveyed medical institutions respectively. 2 medical institutions that carried out bacterial culture, accounting for 0.4% of the surveyed medical institutions (2/543). 20 medical institutions have carried out the above tests (8 secondary medical institutions and 12 tertiary medical institutions), accounting for 3.7% (20/543). The proportion of tertiary medical institutions with pertussis IgM, IgG detection and nucleic acid detection capabilities [6.42% (12/187)] was significantly higher than that of secondary medical institutions [2.25% (8/356)] (χ²=6.01, P=0.014). From 2012 to 2018, the fixed base ratio development speed of reported cases was 3 834.69% in Shandong Province, among which medical institutions with etiology and serological testing capabilities reached 4 533.33%. In 13 medical institutions, the average annual number of reported cases after pertussis etiology and serological testing were higher than that of reported cases before testing. Conclusion: The ability of pertussis etiology and serology diagnosis of secondary and above medical institutions in Shandong Province needs to be improved.

Extended Very-High-Energy Gamma-Ray Emission Surrounding PSR J0622+3749 Observed by LHAASO-KM2A

We report the discovery of an extended very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray source around the location of the middle-aged (207.8 kyr) pulsar PSR J0622+3749 with the Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). The source is detected with a significance of 8.2σ for E>25  TeV assuming a Gaussian template. The best-fit location is (right ascension, declination) =(95.47°±0.11°,37.92°±0.09°), and the extension is 0.40°±0.07°. The energy spectrum can be described by a power-law spectrum with an index of -2.92±0.17_{stat}±0.02_{sys}. No clear extended multiwavelength counterpart of the LHAASO source has been found from the radio to sub-TeV bands. The LHAASO observations are consistent with the scenario that VHE electrons escaped from the pulsar, diffused in the interstellar medium, and scattered the interstellar radiation field. If interpreted as the pulsar halo scenario, the diffusion coefficient, inferred for electrons with median energies of ∼160  TeV, is consistent with those obtained from the extended halos around Geminga and Monogem and much smaller than that derived from cosmic ray secondaries. The LHAASO discovery of this source thus likely enriches the class of so-called pulsar halos and confirms that high-energy particles generally diffuse very slowly in the disturbed medium around pulsars.

Observation of a prethermal discrete time crystal

Extending the framework of statistical physics to the nonequilibrium setting has led to the discovery of previously unidentified phases of matter, often catalyzed by periodic driving. However, preventing the runaway heating that is associated with driving a strongly interacting quantum system remains a challenge in the investigation of these newly discovered phases. In this work, we utilize a trapped-ion quantum simulator to observe the signatures of a nonequilibrium driven phase without disorder-the prethermal discrete time crystal. Here, the heating problem is circumvented not by disorder-induced many-body localization, but rather by high-frequency driving, which leads to an expansive time window where nonequilibrium phases can emerge. Floquet prethermalization is thus presented as a general strategy for creating, stabilizing, and studying intrinsically out-of-equilibrium phases of matter.

Ultrahigh-energy photons up to 1.4 petaelectronvolts from 12 γ-ray Galactic sources

The extension of the cosmic-ray spectrum beyond 1 petaelectronvolt (PeV; 10¹⁵ electronvolts) indicates the existence of the so-called PeVatrons-cosmic-ray factories that accelerate particles to PeV energies. We need to locate and identify such objects to find the origin of Galactic cosmic rays¹. The principal signature of both electron and proton PeVatrons is ultrahigh-energy (exceeding 100 TeV) γ radiation. Evidence of the presence of a proton PeVatron has been found in the Galactic Centre, according to the detection of a hard-spectrum radiation extending to 0.04 PeV (ref. ²). Although γ-rays with energies slightly higher than 0.1 PeV have been reported from a few objects in the Galactic plane^3-6, unbiased identification and in-depth exploration of PeVatrons requires detection of γ-rays with energies well above 0.1 PeV. Here we report the detection of more than 530 photons at energies above 100 teraelectronvolts and up to 1.4 PeV from 12 ultrahigh-energy γ-ray sources with a statistical significance greater than seven standard deviations. Despite having several potential counterparts in their proximity, including pulsar wind nebulae, supernova remnants and star-forming regions, the PeVatrons responsible for the ultrahigh-energy γ-rays have not yet been firmly localized and identified (except for the Crab Nebula), leaving open the origin of these extreme accelerators.

Measurement of the Cosmic Ray Helium Energy Spectrum from 70 GeV to 80 TeV with the DAMPE Space Mission

The measurement of the energy spectrum of cosmic ray helium nuclei from 70 GeV to 80 TeV using 4.5 years of data recorded by the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is reported in this work. A hardening of the spectrum is observed at an energy of about 1.3 TeV, similar to previous observations. In addition, a spectral softening at about 34 TeV is revealed for the first time with large statistics and well controlled systematic uncertainties, with an overall significance of 4.3σ. The DAMPE spectral measurements of both cosmic protons and helium nuclei suggest a particle charge dependent softening energy, although with current uncertainties a dependence on the number of nucleons cannot be ruled out.

Optimal strategy for antiplatelet therapy after coronary drug-eluting stent implantation in high-risk "TWILIGHT-like" patients with diabetes mellitus

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Chinese College of Cardiovascular Physicians, CS Optimizing Antithrombotic Research Fund (Grant No. BJUHFCSOARF201801-01), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2018YFC1315602), the Beijing Municipal Health Commission (Grant No. 2020-1-4032), the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (Grant No. 2016-I2M-1-009), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81870277).

Background

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are known to be at high-risk for both ischemic and bleeding complications post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The ischemic benefit versus bleeding risk associated with extended dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in high-risk "TWILIGHT-like" patients with diabetes mellitus after PCI has not been established.

Methods

All consecutive high-risk patients fulfilling the "TWILIGHT-like" criteria undergoing PCI from January 2013 through December 2013 were identified from prospective Fuwai PCI Registry. High-risk "TWILIGHT-like" patients were defined by at least 1 clinical and 1 angiographic feature based on TWILIGHT trial selection criteria. The present analysis evaluated 3425 diabetics patients with concomitant high-risk angiographic features who were event-free at 1 year after PCI. Median follow-up was 2.4 years. The primary effectiveness endpoint was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (termed major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events) and primary safety endpoint was clinically relevant bleeding according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, 3, or 5.

Results

On inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis, prolonged-term (>1-year) DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel decreased the risk of primary effectiveness endpoint compared with shorter (≤1-year) DAPT (1.8% vs. 4.3%; hazard ratio [HR]IPTW: 0.381; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.252-0.576; P < 0.001) and reduced cardiovascular death (0.1% vs. 1.8%; HRIPTW: 0.056 [0.016-0.193]). Prolonged DAPT was also associated with a reduced risk of definite/probable stent thrombosis (0.2% vs. 0.7%; HRIPTW: 0.258 [0.083-0.802]), and non-significantly lower rate of myocardial infarction (0.5% vs. 0.8%; HRIPTW: 0.676 [0.275-1.661]). There was no significant difference between groups in clinically relevant bleeding (1.1% vs. 1.1%; HRIPTW: 1.078 [0.519-2.241]; P = 0.840). Similar results were observed in multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Conclusion

Among high-risk PCI patients with diabetes mellitus without an adverse event through 1 year, extending DAPT > 1-year significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events without an increase in clinically relevant bleeding, suggesting that such high-risk diabetic patients may be good candidates for long-term DAPT.

Abstract Figure.

Silencing of long non-coding RNA LINC00958 inhibits head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression and AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by targeting miR-106a-5p

OBJECTIVE

The long non-coding RNA LINC00958 acts as an oncogenic regulator in many human tumors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role and potential molecular biological mechanisms of LINC00958 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Aberrantly expressed LINC00958 was screened out of TCGA database. The quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine LINC00958 and miR-106a-5p expression. Cellular biological behaviors were investigated using CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and transwell assays. Xenograft mouse models were established to determine the role of LINC00958 in HNSCC growth in vivo. The interaction between LINC00958 and miR-106a-5p was validated by Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay. Additionally, the underlying pathways affected by LINC00958 were measured by Western blot.

RESULTS

LINC00958 expression was upregulated in HNSCC tissues and cells. High LINC00958 level was correlated with the poor prognosis of HNSCC patients. Functional assays showed that the knockdown of LINC00958 inhibited HNSCC malignant phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-106a-5p was a potential target of LINC00958, and its expression was negatively regulated by LINC00958 in HNSCC. LINC00958 could activate AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which was mediated by miR-106a-5p.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results suggest that LINC00958 acts as an oncogenic role in HNSCC and activates AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by sponging miR-106a-5p. LINC00958 may serve as a potential target for HNSCC diagnosis and treatment.

Long-term ischemic and bleeding risk with extended dual antiplatelet therapy after PCI in patients with 2018 ESC/EACTS myocardial revascularization guideline-endorsed high thrombotic risk features

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Beijing Municipal Health Commission (Grant number: 2020–1-4032)

Background

The ischemic/bleeding trade-off of continuing dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) beyond 1 year after PCI for patients with high thrombotic risk (HTR) as endorsed by 2018 ESC/EACTS myocardial revascularization guidelines remain unknown. We sought to evaluate the benefits and harms of DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel beyond 1 year versus ≤ 1-year DAPT on long-term clinical outcomes after PCI with DES among ESC/EACTS guideline-endorsed HTR patients that are event-free at 1 year follow-up, using a prospective, real-world registry.

Methods

Patients undergoing coronary stenting between January 2013 and December 2013 from the prospective Fuwai registry were defined as HTR if they met at least 1 ESC/EACTS guideline-endorsed HTR criteria with at least 1 of the following characteristics: diffuse (lesion length ≥ 20 mm) multivessel disease in diabetic patients, CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min), ≥ 3 stents implanted, ≥ 3 lesions treated, bifurcation with 2 stents implanted, total stent length > 60 mm, treatment of CTO, and history of STEMI. A total of 4578 patients who were at HTR and were events free at 1 year after the index procedure were evaluated. The primary efficacy outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke).

Results

Median follow-up period was 2.4 years. > 1-year DAPT with clopidogrel and aspirin significantly reduced the risk of MACCE compared with ≤ 1-year DAPT (1.9% vs. 4.6%; hazard ratio (HR): 0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.27–0.54; P < 0.001), driven by a reduction in all-cause death (0.2% vs. 3.0%; HR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.03–0.15). Cardiac death and definite/ probable stent thrombosis also occurred less frequently in prolonged DAPT group. Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding occurred similarly between both groups (1.1% vs. 0.9%; HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.58–2.13; P = 0.763). Similar results were found using multivariable Cox model, propensity score-matched, and inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis.

Conclusions

Among patients with ESC-endorsed HTR who were free from major ischemic or bleeding events 1 year after coronary stenting, continued DAPT beyond 1 year might offer better effectiveness in terms of atherothrombotic events and comparable safety in terms of clinically relevant bleeding compared with ≤ 1-year DAPT. ESC-HTR criteria is an important parameter to take into account in tailoring DAPT prolongation.

Simvastatin relieves myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats through hedgehog signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of simvastatin (Sim) on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats and to elucidate the possible underlying mechanism. Our findings might help to provide a certain reference for the clinical prevention and treatment of myocardial I/R injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into three groups using a random number table, including: Sham group (n=20), I/R group (n=20) and I/R + Sim group (n=20). The I/R injury model was successfully established in rats via ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), followed by reperfusion. Before operation, the rats in I/R + Sim group were administered with Sim at 10 mg/kg/d through oral gavage for 7 d. Cardiac ejection fraction (EF) (%) and fractional shortening (FS) (%) of rats in each group were detected using echocardiography. 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed to measure the myocardial infarction (MI) area in each group. Collagen deposition in myocardial tissues of rats in each group was detected by Masson's trichrome staining. The apoptosis level of myocardial cells and fibroblasts in myocardial tissues of rats in each group were evaluated via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in myocardial tissues of rats in each group was determined using fluorescent probes. Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to measure the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in myocardial tissues of rats in each group. Furthermore, the effects of Sim on the hedgehog signaling pathway-associated proteins were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTS

Sim significantly alleviated I/R-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats and increased EF (%) and FS (%) (p<0.05). Meanwhile, it also evidently mitigated the MI caused by I/R and reduced the infarction area (p<0.05). According to the Masson's trichrome staining results, I/R + Sim group exhibited remarkably declined myocardial interstitial collagen deposition compared with I/R group (p<0.05). ROS-sensitive fluorescent staining showed that Sim notably reversed the increase of ROS expression and the decrease of myocardial oxidative stress induced by I/R (p<0.05). Finally, Western blotting results revealed that Sim dramatically restrained the protein expressions of sonic hedgehog (SHH), patched 1 (PTC1) and glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Sim can significantly relieve myocardial I/R injury in rats. The possible underlying mechanism may be related to its inhibition on the hedgehog signaling pathway.

[Effects of interpregnancy interval on pregnancy outcomes of subsequent pregnancy: a multicenter retrospective study]

Objective: To explore the effects of interpregnancy interval (IPI) on pregnancy outcomes of subsequent pregnancy. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in 21 hospitals in China. Information of age, height, pre-pregnancy weight, IPI, history of diseases, complications of pregnancy, gestational age of delivery, delivery mode, and pregnancy outcomes of the participants were collected by consulting medical records of pregnant women who had two consecutive deliveries in the same hospital during 2011 to 2018. The participants were divided into 4 groups according to IPI:<18 months, 18-23 months, 24-59 months and ≥60 months. According to the WHO's recommendation, with the IPI of 24-59 months group as a reference, to the effects of IPI on pregnancy outcomes of subsequent pregnancy were analyzed. Stratified analysis was further carried out based on age, history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), macrosomia, and premature delivery, to explore the differences in the effects of IPI on pregnancy outcomes among women with different characteristics. Results: A total of 8 026 women were included in this study. There were 423, 623, 5 512 and 1 468 participants in <18 months group, 18-23 months group, 24-59 months group and ≥60 months group, respectively. (1) The age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), history of cesarean section, GDM, gestational hypertension and cesarean section delivery rate of <18 months group, 18-23 months group, 24-59 months group and ≥60 months group were gradually increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). (2) After adjusting for potential confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, the risk of premature delivery, premature rupture of membranes, and oligohydramnios were increased by 42% (OR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.07-1.88, P=0.015), 46% (OR=1.46, 95%CI: 1.13-1.88, P=0.004), and 64% (OR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.13-2.38, P=0.009) respectively for women in the IPI≥60 months group. No effects of IPI on other pregnancy outcomes were found in this study (P>0.05). (3) After stratified by age and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months would significantly increase the risk of oligohydramnios for women with advanced age (OR=2.87, 95%CI: 1.41-5.83, P=0.004); and <18 months could increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes for women under the age of 35 (OR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.04-2.43, P=0.032). Both the risk of premature rupture of membranes (OR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.18-2.13, P=0.002) and premature delivery (OR=1.52, 95%CI: 1.07-2.17, P=0.020) were significantly increased in the IPI≥60 months group. After stratified by history of GDM and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months would lead to an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage for women with a history of GDM (OR=5.34, 95%CI: 1.45-19.70, P=0.012) and an increased risk of premature rupture of membranes for women without a history of GDM (OR=1.44, 95%CI: 1.10-1.90, P=0.009). After stratified by history of macrosomia and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months could increase the proportion of cesarean section for women with a history of macrosomia (OR=4.11, 95%CI: 1.18-14.27, P=0.026) and the risk of premature rupture of membranes for women without a history of macrosomia (OR=1.46, 95%CI: 1.12-1.89, P=0.005). After stratified by history of premature delivery and adjusted for confounding factors, compared with women in the IPI of 24-59 months group, IPI≥60 months would significantly increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes for women without a history of premature delivery (OR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.13-1.92, P=0.004). Conclusions: Both IPI≥60 months and <18 months would increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. Healthcare education and consultation should be conducted for women of reproductive age to maintain an appropriate IPI when they plan to pregnant again, to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy.

Linc-ROR promotes mesenchymal stem cells chondrogenesis and cartilage formation via regulating SOX9 expression

OBJECTIVE

The present study is to characterize the role of long intergenic non-coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (linc-ROR) in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) chondrogenesis, cartilage formation and OA development.

METHODS

Linc-ROR expression pattern in articular cartilage tissue sample from OA patients were studied by real-time PCR. Linc-ROR lentivirus mediated BMSCs were constructed. In vitro micromass cultured BMSCs chondrogenesis or in vivo MeHA hydrogel encapsulated BMSCs cartilage formation activity were studied. Linc-ROR associating miRNAs which repressed SOX9 expression were characterized by luciferase assay, real-time PCR and Western blot. Linc-ROR was co-transfected with miRNAs into BMSCs to study its rescue effect on SOX9 expression and chondrogenesis activity.

RESULTS

Linc-ROR was down-regulated in articular cartilage tissue from OA patients and was positively correlated with the expression level of SOX9 (R² = 0.43). Linc-ROR expression was upregulated during BMSCs chondrogenesis. Linc-ROR ectopic expression significantly promoted in vitro BMSCs chondrogenesis and in vivo cartilage formation activities as revealed by safranin O, alcian blue and COL II staining. The mRNA expression level of chondrogenesis markers including COL II, SOX9 and ACAN were increased, and the hypertrophy markers MMP13 and COL X were decreased upon linc-ROR overexpression in BMSCs. Linc-ROR functioned as a miRNA sponge for miR-138 and miR-145. Both miR-138 and miR-145 suppressed BMSCs chondrogenesis activity and SOX9 expression, while co-expression of linc-ROR displayed a rescuing effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, linc-ROR modulated BMSCs chondrogenesis differentiation and cartilage formation by acting as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-138 and miR-145 and activating SOX9 expression. Linc-ROR could be considered as a new diagnostic and therapeutic target for OA treatment.

Effect of miR-223 on thrombophlebitis rats through regulating Toll-like receptor signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of the micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-223 on the thrombophlebitis rats by regulating the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rat model of thrombophlebitis was established, and miR-223 was silenced or overexpressed through lentiviral transfection. The rats were divided into miR-223 inhibitors group (Inhibitors group), miR-223 mimics group (Mimics group), and normal group (Control group). The transfection efficiency of miR-223 in venous tissues was detected via Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), the hemorheological indexes plasma viscosity (PV) and hematocrit (HCT) were observed, and the content of the serum inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β) were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, the fibrinolytic indexes plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) and the tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) were detected, the morphological changes in the venous tissues were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the gene and protein expressions of the TLR signaling pathway were detected via RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

The expression of miR-223 was significantly increased in the Mimics group (p<0.05) and significantly decreased in the Inhibitors group (p<0.05). The high-shear and low-shear whole blood viscosity and HCT in the Inhibitors group were significantly higher than those in the Mimics group (p<0.05). The levels of serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-β in the Inhibitors group were remarkably higher than those in the Mimics group (p<0.05). The Inhibitors group had a remarkably lower level of t-PA (p<0.05) and a remarkably higher level of PAI than the Mimics group (p<0.05). Besides, the inferior vena cava wall shed and disappeared due to complete necrosis in the Inhibitors group. In the Mimics group, the vascular lumen was slightly expanded, and the vascular wall had intact contour. It was found in the gene detection that the mRNA levels of TLR2, myeloid differential protein-88 (MyD88) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were evidently increased in the Inhibitors group, and the significant increases in the protein levels of TLR2 and MyD88 were also observed in the protein detection.

CONCLUSIONS

The overexpression of miR-223 can inhibit the TLR signaling pathway, thereby promoting the recovery of thrombophlebitis rats.

Importance of immunohistochemical evaluation of developmentally regulated myosin heavy chains in human muscle biopsies

Our retrospective immunohistochemical study of normal quadriceps muscle biopsies shows that embryonic myosin heavy chains are down-regulated by, or soon after, birth. Fetal myosin heavy chains are down-regulated by 4-6 months. Thus the presence of an appreciable number of fibres with embryonic myosin heavy chains at birth or of fetal myosin heavy chains after 6 months of age suggests a delay in maturation or an underlying abnormality. Regenerating fibres in dystrophic muscle often co-express both embryonic and fetal myosin heavy chains but more fibres with fetal than embryonic myosin heavy chains can occur. Embryonic myosin heavy chains are a useful marker of regeneration but effects of denervation, stress, disuse, and fibre maintenance also have to be taken into account. In neurogenic disorders fibres with embryonic myosin heavy chains are rare but fetal myosin heavy chain expression is common, particularly in 5q spinal muscle atrophy. Nuclear clumps in denervated muscle show fetal and sometimes embryonic myosin heavy chains. Developmentally regulated myosins are useful for highlighting the perifascicular atrophy in juvenile dermatomyositis. Our studies highlight the importance of baseline data for embryonic and fetal myosin heavy chains in human muscle biopsies and the importance of assessing them in a spectrum of neuromuscular disorders.

[A single-arm prospective study on induction chemotherapy and subsequent comprehensive therapy for advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: report of 260 cases in a single center]

Objective: To study the significance of induction chemotherapy and subsequent comprehensive therapy for overall survival rate (OS) and larynx dysfunction-free survival rate (LDFS) in patients with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Patients who met the inclusion criteria with the diagnoses of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma between 2011 and 2017 received 2 or 3 cycles of TPF regimen induction chemotherapy. Patients who attained complete response (CR) received radical chemotherapy. Patients who attained partial response (PR) and the reduction of tumor volume was more than 70% were defined as large PR and received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. When the tumor volume reduction of PR patients was less than 70%, they were defined as small PR. (CR+large PR) group was defined as effective group. Patients who did not reach CR and large PR were defined as uneffective group and underwent radical surgery and received adjuvant radiotherapy as appropriate after the surgery. The end points of the study were OS, progression-free survival (PFS) and LDFS. Chi-square (χ(2)) test was used for correlation analysis. Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method with a Log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards model was used for univariate and multivariate survival analysis. Results: A total of 260 patients were enrolled in the study. The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 83 months, with an average of 24.7 months. The 3-year and 5-year OS rate was 46.0% and 32.6%, respectively. The 3-year and 5-year PFS rate was 41.0% and 26.6%, respectively. The 3-year and 5-year LDFS rate was 37.9% and 24.8%, respectively. Poor outcome of induction chemotherapy, advanced N stage, strong positive Ki-67 immunohistochemistry (all P<0.001) were negative prognostic factors. The advanced clinical stage was positively related to the poor outcome of induction chemotherapy (P=0.015). There was no significant difference in OS and PFS between the large PR group and the small PR group (all P>0.005). Conclusion: TPF regimen induction chemotherapy and subsequent comprehensive therapy for patients with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma may improve the quality of life of patients, with high OS rate and LDFS rate.

Measurement of single-diffractive dijet production in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te with the CMS and TOTEM experiments

Measurements are presented of the single-diffractive dijet cross section and the diffractive cross section as a function of the proton fractional momentum loss ξ and the four-momentum transfer squared t. Both processesp p → p X andp p → X p , i.e. with the proton scattering to either side of the interaction point, are measured, whereX includes at least two jets; the results of the two processes are averaged. The analyses are based on data collected simultaneously with the CMS and TOTEM detectors at the LHC in proton-proton collisions ats = 8 Te during a dedicated run withβ ∗ = 90 m at low instantaneous luminosity and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 37.5 nb - 1 . The single-diffractive dijet cross section σ jj p X , in the kinematic region ξ < 0.1 ,0.03 < | t | < 1 Ge 2 , with at least two jets with transverse momentump T > 40 Ge , and pseudorapidity | η | < 4.4 , is 21.7 ± 0.9 (stat) - 3.3 + 3.0 (syst) ± 0.9 (lumi) nb . The ratio of the single-diffractive to inclusive dijet yields, normalised per unit of ξ , is presented as a function of x, the longitudinal momentum fraction of the proton carried by the struck parton. The ratio in the kinematic region defined above, for x values in the range - 2.9 ≤ log 10 x ≤ - 1.6 , is R = ( σ jj p X / Δ ξ ) / σ jj = 0.025 ± 0.001 (stat) ± 0.003 (syst) , where σ jj p X and σ jj are the single-diffractive and inclusive dijet cross sections, respectively. The results are compared with predictions from models of diffractive and nondiffractive interactions. Monte Carlo predictions based on the HERA diffractive parton distribution functions agree well with the data when corrected for the effect of soft rescattering between the spectator partons.

Measurement of single-diffractive dijet production in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te with the CMS and TOTEM experiments

Measurements are presented of the single-diffractive dijet cross section and the diffractive cross section as a function of the proton fractional momentum loss ξ and the four-momentum transfer squared t. Both processes p p → p X and p p → X p , i.e. with the proton scattering to either side of the interaction point, are measured, where X includes at least two jets; the results of the two processes are averaged. The analyses are based on data collected simultaneously with the CMS and TOTEM detectors at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te during a dedicated run with β ∗ = 90 m at low instantaneous luminosity and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 37.5 nb - 1 . The single-diffractive dijet cross section σ jj p X , in the kinematic region ξ < 0.1 , 0.03 < | t | < 1 Ge 2 , with at least two jets with transverse momentum p T > 40 Ge , and pseudorapidity | η | < 4.4 , is 21.7 ± 0.9 (stat) - 3.3 + 3.0 (syst) ± 0.9 (lumi) nb . The ratio of the single-diffractive to inclusive dijet yields, normalised per unit of ξ , is presented as a function of x, the longitudinal momentum fraction of the proton carried by the struck parton. The ratio in the kinematic region defined above, for x values in the range - 2.9 ≤ log 10 x ≤ - 1.6 , is R = ( σ jj p X / Δ ξ ) / σ jj = 0.025 ± 0.001 (stat) ± 0.003 (syst) , where σ jj p X and σ jj are the single-diffractive and inclusive dijet cross sections, respectively. The results are compared with predictions from models of diffractive and nondiffractive interactions. Monte Carlo predictions based on the HERA diffractive parton distribution functions agree well with the data when corrected for the effect of soft rescattering between the spectator partons.

Association between caveolin-1 and stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Caveolin-1 plays critical roles in regulating signal transduction and cholesterol trafficking in cells. However, the relationship between caveolin-1 and stroke remains less reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we reviewed information from seventeen studies to get the qualitative evidence of the influence of the caveolin-1 on stroke and collected data from three of the seventeen studies to conduct meta-analysis. The original studies classified participants into two groups with stroke group and control group, respectively. The random-effect model was used in the meta-analysis with the standardized mean difference (SMD) as the measure indicator.

RESULTS

Our data showed that the SMD (95% confidence intervals, CIs) between the control group and the stroke group was -0.5449 [-2.3344, 1.0000]. For the subgroup analysis, The SMD (95% confidence intervals, CIs) between the control group and the ischemic stroke group was -1.4589 [-5.0129, 2.0951], and between the control group and the hemorrhagic stroke group was 0.3438 [-0.4140, 1.1017].

CONCLUSIONS

Although the differences are not statistically significant between the two groups, the high level of caveolin-1 are associated with the stroke, which may remedy the stroke. Besides, an opposite result was observed for the association of the caveolin-1 on the ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. To confirm this association, further studies are necessary.

Autologous stem cell transplantation for untreated transformed indolent B-cell lymphoma in first remission: an international, multi-centre propensity-score-matched study

High-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) are used as consolidation in first remission (CR1) in some centres for untreated, transformed indolent B-cell lymphoma (Tr-iNHL) but the evidence base is weak. A total of 319 patients with untreated Tr-iNHL meeting prespecified transplant eligibility criteria [age <75, LVEF ≥45%, no severe lung disease, CR by positron emission tomography or computed tomography ≥3 months after at least standard cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone with rituximab (R-CHOP) intensity front-line chemotherapy] were retrospectively identified. Non-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma transformations were excluded. About 283 (89%) patients had follicular lymphoma, 30 (9%) marginal-zone lymphoma and six (2%) other subtypes. Forty-nine patients underwent HDC/ASCT in CR1, and a 1:2 propensity-score-matched cohort of 98 patients based on age, stage and high-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC, BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (HGBL-DH) was generated. After a median follow-up of 3·7 (range 0·1-18·3) years, ASCT was associated with significantly superior progression-free survival [hazard ratio (HR) 0·51, 0·27-0·98; P = 0·043] with a trend towards inferior overall survival (OS; HR 2·36;0·87-6·42; P = 0·1) due to more deaths from progressive disease (8% vs. 4%). Forty (41%) patients experienced relapse in the non-ASCT cohort - 15 underwent HDC/ASCT with seven (47%) ongoing complete remission (CR); 10 chimeric antigen receptor-modified T-cell (CAR-T) therapy with 6 (60%) ongoing CR; 3 allogeneic SCT with 2 (67%) ongoing CR. Although ASCT in CR1 improves initial duration of disease control in untreated Tr-iNHL, the impact on OS is less clear with effective salvage therapies in this era of CAR-T.

Long noncoding RNA LSINCT5 is upregulated and promotes the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Long stress-induced noncoding transcripts 5 (LSINCT5) has been reported to be upregulated in several human cancers and related to poor prognosis. However, its involvement in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains largely unknown. We aim to evaluate the expression and putative role of LSINCT5 on the progression of ESCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LSINCT5 expression was first examined in the ESCC cell lines using RT-qPCR, and the next-generation RNA-Seq technology was employed to analyze and functionally annotate the differential gene expression before and after LSINCT5 knockdown in ESCC was made. Based on the functional annotation results, the effects of LSINCT5 knockdown on cell growth, migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were assessed in the ESCC cell lines. Finally, the expression and clinicopathological significance of LSINCT5 in ESCC and corresponding nontumor tissues were further explored using RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

The RT-qPCR results showed that LSINCT5 expression was significantly upregulated in the ESCC cell lines. The differential gene expression analysis by next-generation RNA-Seq showed that 138 genes were up-regulated, and 227 genes were downregulated after LSINCT5 was knocked down in the ECA 109 cells. In addition, the functional annotation revealed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly functionally involved in tight junctions, ECM-receptor interactions, and MAPK signaling pathway. Further in vitro studies indicated that the knockdown of LSINCT5 significantly suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in ESCC cells. Finally, a comparative study of paired ESCC and corresponding nontumor tissues showed that LSINCT5 was upregulated in the ESCC tissues, and the increased LSINCT5 expression was related to late clinical stages, large tumor sizes, and lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that LSINCT5 is upregulated in ESCC and may act as an oncogene promoting the progression of ESCC.

Studies of Charm Quark Diffusion inside Jets Using Pb-Pb and pp Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The first study of charm quark diffusion with respect to the jet axis in heavy ion collisions is presented. The measurement is performed using jets with p_{T}^{jet}>60  GeV/c and D^{0} mesons with p_{T}^{D}>4  GeV/c in lead-lead (Pb-Pb) and proton-proton (pp) collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The radial distribution of D^{0} mesons with respect to the jet axis is sensitive to the production mechanisms of the meson, as well as to the energy loss and diffusion processes undergone by its parent parton inside the strongly interacting medium produced in Pb-Pb collisions. When compared to Monte Carlo event generators, the radial distribution in pp collisions is found to be well described by pythia, while the slope of the distribution predicted by sherpa is steeper than that of the data. In Pb-Pb collisions, compared to the pp results, the D^{0} meson distribution for 4<p_{T}^{D}<20  GeV/c hints at a larger distance on average with respect to the jet axis, reflecting a diffusion of charm quarks in the medium created in heavy ion collisions. At higher p_{T}^{D}, the Pb-Pb and pp radial distributions are found to be similar.

Clinical and immunologic features among COVID-19-affected mother-infant pairs: antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detected in breast milk

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remains threatening to women and children, but clinical evidence regarding women during pregnancy, puerperium and lactation is limited. We assessed clinical and immunologic features of and breastfeeding advice provided to mother–infant pairs. This observational analysis was conducted in a tertiary-care centre in Wuhan, China. Pregnant patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who delivered during hospitalization were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and serial specimens of the mother–infant pairs were examined, supplemented with follow-ups regarding recovery and breastfeeding. Fourteen pregnant patients had live births and recovered well; four patients continued breastfeeding while taking precautions. No neonatal infections were observed. No infants developed COVID-19 during breastfeeding. Common maternal symptoms were fever (11/14, 78.1%) and cough (6/14, 42.9%). A pregnancy-specific symptom was abnormal foetal movement, which was noticed by three patients (21.4%). The mean virus shedding time was 9 days (standard deviation, 6 days; range, 1–22 days). The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome was not detected in breast milk or maternal vaginal secretions. Immunologic assay revealed seroconversion of IgM on day 8 after onset and IgG on day 28. Both IgM and IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in breast milk, cord blood and neonatal serum. The study results suggest that passive acquisition of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is available by ingesting breast milk. Breastfeeding has a low risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 or escalating maternal disease, so continuing breastfeeding with prudent precautions is encouraged.

Correction to: Review of global neurosurgery education: Horizon of Neurosurgery in the Developing Countries

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s41016-020-00194-1.].

Study of central exclusive production in proton-proton collisions at s = 5.02 and 13TeV

Central exclusive and semiexclusive production of pairs is measured with the CMS detector in proton-proton collisions at the LHC at center-of-mass energies of 5.02 and 13TeV. The theoretical description of these nonperturbative processes, which have not yet been measured in detail at the LHC, poses a significant challenge to models. The two pions are measured and identified in the CMS silicon tracker based on specific energy loss, whereas the absence of other particles is ensured by calorimeter information. The total and differential cross sections of exclusive and semiexclusive central production are measured as functions of invariant mass, transverse momentum, and rapidity of the system in the fiducial region defined as transverse momentum and pseudorapidity . The production cross sections for the four resonant channels , , , and are extracted using a simple model. These results represent the first measurement of this process at the LHC collision energies of 5.02 and 13TeV.

Efficient Ground-State Cooling of Large Trapped-Ion Chains with an Electromagnetically-Induced-Transparency Tripod Scheme

We report the electromagnetically-induced-transparency (EIT) cooling of a large trapped ^{171}Yb^{+} ion chain to the quantum ground state. Unlike conventional EIT cooling, we engage a four-level tripod structure and achieve fast sub-Doppler cooling over all motional modes. We observe simultaneous ground-state cooling across the complete transverse mode spectrum of up to 40 ions, occupying a bandwidth of over 3 MHz. The cooling time is observed to be less than 300  μs, independent of the number of ions. Such efficient cooling across the entire spectrum is essential for high-fidelity quantum operations using trapped ion crystals for quantum simulators or quantum computers.

Mixed higher-order anisotropic flow and nonlinear response coefficients of charged particles in PbPb collisions at s NN = 2.76 and 5.02 TeV

Anisotropies in the initial energy density distribution of the quark-gluon plasma created in high energy heavy ion collisions lead to anisotropies in the azimuthal distributions of the final-state particles known as collective anisotropic flow. Fourier harmonic decomposition is used to quantify these anisotropies. The higher-order harmonics can be induced by the same order anisotropies (linear response) or by the combined influence of several lower order anisotropies (nonlinear response) in the initial state. The mixed higher-order anisotropic flow and nonlinear response coefficients of charged particles are measured as functions of transverse momentum and centrality in PbPb collisions at nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energies s NN = 2.76 and 5.02 TeV with the CMS detector. The results are compared with viscous hydrodynamic calculations using several different initial conditions, as well as microscopic transport model calculations. None of the models provides a simultaneous description of the mixed higher-order flow harmonics and nonlinear response coefficients.

Review of global neurosurgery education: Horizon of Neurosurgery in the Developing Countries

Globally, the discipline of neurosurgery has evolved remarkably fast. Despite being one of the latest medical specialties, which appeared only around hundred years ago, it has witnessed innovations in the aspects of diagnostics methods, macro and micro surgical techniques, and treatment modalities. Unfortunately, this development is not evenly distributed between developed and developing countries. The same is the case with neurosurgical education and training, which developed from only traditional apprentice programs in the past to more structured, competence-based programs with various teaching methods being utilized, in recent times. A similar gap can be observed between developed and developing counties when it comes to neurosurgical education. Fortunately, most of the scholars working in this field do understand the coherent relationship between neurosurgical education and neurosurgical practice. In context to this understanding, a symposium was organized during the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) Special World Congress Beijing 2019. This symposium was the brain child of Prof. Yoko Kato—one of the eminent leaders in neurosurgery and an inspiration for female neurosurgeons. Invited speakers from different continents presented the stages of development of neurosurgical education in their respective countries. This paper summarizes the outcome of these presentations, with particular emphasis on and the challenges faced by developing countries in terms of neurosurgical education and strategies to cope with these challenges.

Measurement of differential cross sections and charge ratios for t-channel single top quark production in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 Te

A measurement is presented of differential cross sections for t-channel single top quark and antiquark production in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13Te by the CMS experiment at the LHC. From a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 , events containing one muon or electron and two or three jets are analysed. The cross section is measured as a function of the top quark transverse momentum ( p T ), rapidity, and polarisation angle, the charged lepton p T and rapidity, and the p T of the W  boson from the top quark decay. In addition, the charge ratio is measured differentially as a function of the top quark, charged lepton, and W  boson kinematic observables. The results are found to be in agreement with standard model predictions using various next-to-leading-order event generators and sets of parton distribution functions. Additionally, the spin asymmetry, sensitive to the top quark polarisation, is determined from the differential distribution of the polarisation angle at parton level to be 0.440 ± 0.070 , in agreement with the standard model prediction.

Serum level of CCL2 predicts outcome of patients with pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers worldwide with a five-year survival rate of less than 5%. Chronic pancreatitis showed increased risk to develop pancreatic cancer, in which chronic inflammation of the pancreas may play a critical role. Cytokines play an indispensable role in inflammatory reaction and tumorigenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cytokines were associated with survival and poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

In this study, we examined levels of some important cytokines in the serum of 68 patients with pancreatic cancer, including CCL2, CCL17, CXCL-1, CXCL-5, G-CSF, GM-CSF, TGF-β and IFN-γ.

RESULTS

We found that high level of serum CCL2 was strongly associated with poor survival and prognosis, but no significant association with other clinicopathological features, including gender, age, location and TNM staging. For other cytokines, no significant correlation with poor survival and prognosis was found.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that serum level of CCL2 may serve as a potential marker for predicting the outcome of patients with pancreatic cancer.

A multi-dimensional search for new heavy resonances decaying to boosted W W , W Z , or Z Z boson pairs in the dijet final state at 13 Te

A search in an all-jet final state for new massive resonances decaying to W W , W Z , or Z Z boson pairs using a novel analysis method is presented. The analysis is performed on data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 77.3 fb - 1 recorded with the CMS experiment at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13  Te . The search is focussed on potential narrow-width resonances with masses above 1.2  Te , where the decay products of each W or Z boson are expected to be collimated into a single, large-radius jet. The signal is extracted using a three-dimensional maximum likelihood fit of the two jet masses and the dijet invariant mass, yielding an improvement in sensitivity of up to 30% relative to previous search methods. No excess is observed above the estimated standard model background. In a heavy vector triplet model, spin-1 Z ' and W ' resonances with masses below 3.5 and 3.8   Te , respectively, are excluded at 95% confidence level. In a bulk graviton model, upper limits on cross sections are set between 27 and 0.2 fb for resonance masses between 1.2 and 5.2   Te , respectively. The limits presented in this paper are the best to date in the dijet final state.

[Analysis for potential targeting genes of TPF regimen induction chemotherapy in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To analyze the differentially expressed genes related to the chemosensitivity with the TPF regimen for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and to measure potential functional targeting genes expressions. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with primary hypopharyngeal cancer who underwent induction chemotherapy with TPF from January 2013 to December 2017 in Beijing Tongren Hospital were enrolled for microarray analysis, including 28 males and 1 female, aged from 43 to 73 years old. Among them, 16 patients were sensitive to chemotherapy while 13 patients were non-sensitive. Illumina Human HT-12 Bead Chip was applied to analyze the gene expressions and online bioinformatics analysis was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes. Reverse transcription and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression of potential functional genes of TPF induction chemotherapy in 43 samples, 29 from original patients and 14 from additional patients. Graphpad prism 7.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 1 381 significantly differentially expressed genes were screened out. By GO analysis, up-regulated genes included sequestering in extracellular matrix, chemokine receptor binding and potassium channel regulator activity; down-regulated genes included regulation of angiogenesis, calcium ion binding and natural killer cell activation involved in immune response. With KEGG database analysis, down-regulated pathways included ECM-receptor interaction and peroxisome and up-regulated pathways included Glutathione metabolism and PPAR signaling pathway. The expressions of CD44 and IL-6R were significantly different and appeared biologically significant. CD44 was significantly upregulated in insensitive tissues (0.54±0.06) compared with sensitive tissues (0.33±0.04)(P<0.01). IL-6R was significantly downregulated in insensitive tissues (0.44±0.03) compared with sensitive tissues. (0.68±0.03) (P<0.01). Conclusion: CD44 and IL-6R may be potentially functional genes of TPF induction chemotherapy in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

[The effect of peroxiredoxin 2 on transforming growth factor-β1-induced fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis]

Objective: To investigate the effect of peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2) overexpression on fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) . Methods: Fibroblasts were randomly divided into control group (DMEM medium) , TGF-β1 group (5 μg/L TGF-β1) , negative control group (treated with 5 μg/L TGF-β1 and transfected with empty lentiviral vector) , and Prx2 group (treated with 5 μg/L TGF-β1 and transfected with Prx2 overexpression lentiviral vector) . MTT assay was used to measure cell proliferation, immunofluorescence assay was used to measure the expression of 8-OHdG, and Western blot was used to measure the expression of p-JNK, p-P38, collagen type I, collagen type III, and Prx2. SPSS 18.0 was used for statistical analysis. The continuous data were expressed as mean±standard deviation; an analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results: Lentiviral transfection was performed successfully, and the Prx2 group had a significant increase in the protein expression of Prx2 (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the TGF-β1 group had a significant increase in the proliferation ability (P<0.05) , and compared with the TGF-β1 group, the Prx2 group had a significant reduction in the proliferation ability (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the TGF-β1 group had significant increases in the expression of 8-OHdG, p-JNK, p-P38, collagen type I, and collagen type III (P<0.05) ; compared with the TGF-β1 group, the negative control group had no significant changes in the expression of 8-OHdG, p-JNK, p-P38, collagen type I, and collagen type III (P>0.05) , while the Prx2 group had significant reductions in the above parameters (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Prx2 overexpression inhibits fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis induced by TGF-β1 through inhibiting reactive oxygen species and activating the JNK and P38 pathways.

Empirical prediction model based process optimization for droplet size and spraying angle during pharmaceutical fluidized bed granulation

The objective of this study was to predict the droplet size and the spraying angle during the process of binder atomization in pharmaceutical fluidized bed granulation using an empirical model. The effects of the binder viscosity, the atomization pressure, and the spray rate on the droplet size and the spraying angle were investigated using a response surface central composite design and analysis of variance. Prediction models for droplet size and spraying angle were then established using stepwise regression analysis and were validated by comparing the measured and predicted values. The results showed that the droplet size model and the spraying angle model were well established, with an R² of 0.93 (p < 0.0001) and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 10.10, and an R² of 0.82 (p < 0.0001) and an RMSE of 3.69, respectively. The error between the measured and predicted values of the droplet size and the spraying angle were less than 10%, indicating that the established models were accurate. The results of the present study were significant in predicting the droplet size and spraying angle in the process of pharmaceutical fluidized bed granulation.

Search for direct pair production of supersymmetric partners to the τ lepton in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

A search is presented for τ slepton pairs produced in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13TeV . The search is carried out in events containing two τ leptons in the final state, on the assumption that each τ slepton decays primarily to a τ lepton and a neutralino. Events are considered in which each τ lepton decays to one or more hadrons and a neutrino, or in which one of the τ leptons decays instead to an electron or a muon and two neutrinos. The data, collected with the CMS detector in 2016 and 2017, correspond to an integrated luminosity of 77.2fb - 1 . The observed data are consistent with the standard model background expectation. The results are used to set 95% confidence level upper limits on the cross section for τ slepton pair production in various models for τ slepton masses between 90 and 200GeV and neutralino masses of 1, 10, and 20GeV . In the case of purely left-handed τ slepton production and decay to a τ lepton and a neutralino with a mass of 1GeV , the strongest limit is obtained for a τ slepton mass of 125GeV at a factor of 1.14 larger than the theoretical cross section.

Role of imaging biomarkers for prognostic prediction in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive tumours. PDAC has a poor prognosis; therefore, it is necessary to perform further risk stratification. Identifying prognostic factors before treatment might help to implement suitable and personalised treatment for individuals and avoid side effects. Conventional staging systems and tumour biomarkers are fundamental to establish prognosis; however, they have obvious limitations. Novel imaging biomarkers extracted from advanced imaging techniques offer opportunities to evaluate underlying tumour physiological characteristics, such as mutational status, cellular composition, local microenvironment, tumour metabolism, and biological behaviour. Thus, imaging biomarkers might help the decision making of oncologists and surgeons. The present review discusses the functions of imaging biomarkers for prognostic prediction in patients with PDAC and their potential value for further translation in clinical practice.

Measurement of electroweak production of a W boson in association with two jets in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 Te

A measurement is presented of electroweak (EW) production of a W boson in association with two jets in proton-proton collisions ats = 13 Te . The data sample was recorded by the CMS Collaboration at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 . The measurement is performed for the ℓ ν jj final state (with ℓ ν indicating a lepton-neutrino pair, and j representing the quarks produced in the hard interaction) in a kinematic region defined by invariant massm jj > 120 Ge and transverse momentap T j > 25 Ge . The cross section of the process is measured in the electron and muon channels yieldingσ EW ( W jj ) = 6.23 ± 0.12 (stat) ± 0.61 (syst) pb per channel, in agreement with leading-order standard model predictions. The additional hadronic activity of events in a signal-enriched region is studied, and the measurements are compared with predictions. The final state is also used to perform a search for anomalous trilinear gauge couplings. Limits on anomalous trilinear gauge couplings associated with dimension-six operators are given in the framework of an effective field theory. The corresponding 95% confidence level intervals are - 2.3 < c W W W / Λ 2 < 2.5 Te - 2 , - 8.8 < c W / Λ 2 < 16 Te - 2 , and - 45 < c B / Λ 2 < 46 Te - 2 . These results are combined with the CMS EW Zjj analysis, yielding the constraint on the c W W W coupling: - 1.8 < c W W W / Λ 2 < 2.0 Te - 2 .

[Sugar-sweetened beverages consumption in midlife and risk of late-life cognitive impairment in Chinese adults]

Objective: To evaluate whether midlife consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), including juices and soft drinks, were associated with late-life cognitive impairment in Chinese adults. Methods: Follow up was conducted for participants from Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population-based prospective cohort, for 16-23 (mean 20) years. The information about their SSBs consumption were collected at baseline survey from 1993 to 1998 by using a validated food frequency questionnaire and their cognition status were evaluated by using a Singapore-modified Mini-Mental State Examination Scale in the 3(rd) follow-up visit during 2014- 2016. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the ORs and 95%CIs. Results: A total of 16 948 participants were included in the analysis and 2 443 of them were identified as cognitive impairment using education-specific cutoffs. Sex, age, ancestral home, education level, physical activity level, total diet fiber intake level, BMI, alcohol drinking were significantly associated with cognitive impairment (P<0.05). After adjusted the above variables, potential dietary variables and disease status, no significant association was observed between SSBs consumption and cognitive impairment (P>0.05). Compared with those who never or hardly ever drank soft drinks, no significant differences in cognitive impairment risk were observed for those who drank soft drinks 2 or more times a week (OR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.77-1.08), those who drank 1 time a week (OR=1.00, 95%CI:0.82-1.23) and those who drank 1-3 times a month (OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.80-1.09) (trend P=0.306). Compared with those who never or hardly ever drank juices, no significant differences in cognitive impairment risk were observed for those who drank juices 2 or more times a week (OR=1.03, 95%CI:0.88-1.20), those who drank 1 time a week (OR=0.96, 95%CI: 0.82-1.12) and those who drank 1-3 times a month (OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.82-1.08) (trend P=0.930). No significant interactions were found with age, sex, and BMI status. Conclusion: SSBs consumption in midlife was not significantly associated with risk of late-life cognitive impairment in Singaporean Chinese adults with relatively low consumption levels. Further researches are needed to verify the results.