COMPUTATIONAL EXPLORATION OF GERONTOLOGY-RELATED TOPICS SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM TWITTER

Twitter, a popular Internet social media platform, has become a significant medium for sharing information and ideas about various topics, including aging and older adults. While studies have been conducted to examine stigma or perception about specific diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and seizure on Twitter, there has been little effort to identify general themes of Twitter posts related to aging and older adults. This exploratory study attempts to answer this need by conducting a topic analysis of posts shared on Twitter posts about aging and older adults in English. We collected 328,568 English posts from Twitter posted between 07/01/18 and 07/31/18 using 19 English keywords referring to older adults. We analyzed this whole dataset as well as a subset of posts explicitly including aging-related hashtags, such as #olderadults. We used data mining methods (including Latent Dirichlet Allocation) in computing environment MATLAB to discover topics emerging from these two sets. Among posts with explicit aging-related hashtags, the most recurrent topics were family (relation with children and grandchildren, commemoration), community (resources, looking after older adults), health (disease-specific, public health, home care, formal and informal caregivers), politics and policies (insurance/pension, new laws), and news involving older adults (e.g., crimes on/by older adults). The analysis of the larger dataset additionally uncovered posts promoting pornography featuring older females and posts sharing general Internet content featuring older adults (e.g., YouTube videos). We also share the methodological challenges we encountered and practical recommendations for gerontological researchers interested in using social media data to inform new research.

Functional regeneration of tendons using scaffolds with physical anisotropy engineered via microarchitectural manipulation

Structural and hierarchical anisotropy underlies the structure-function relationship of most living tissues. Attempts to exploit the interplay between cells and their immediate environment have rarely featured macroscale, three-dimensional constructs required for clinical applications. Furthermore, compromises to biomechanical robustness during fabrication often limit the scaffold's relevance in translational medicine. We report a polymeric three-dimensional scaffold with tendon-like mechanical properties and controlled anisotropic microstructures. The scaffold was composed of two distinct portions, which enabled high porosity while retaining tendon-like mechanical properties. When tenocytes were cultured in vitro on the scaffold, phenotypic markers of tenogenesis such as type-I collagen, decorin, and tenascin were significantly expressed over nonanisotropic controls. Moreover, highly aligned intracellular cytoskeletal network and high nuclear alignment efficiencies were observed, suggesting that microstructural anisotropy might play the epigenetic role of mechanotransduction. When implanted in an in vivo micropig model, a neotissue that formed over the scaffold resembled native tendon tissue in composition and structure.

High-quality thulium iron garnet films with tunable perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by off-axis sputtering - correlation between magnetic properties and film strain

Thulium iron garnet (TmIG) films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) were grown on gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) (111) substrates by off-axis sputtering. High-resolution synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction studies and spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (Cs-corrected STEM) images showed the excellent crystallinity of the films and their sharp interface with GGG. Damping constant of TmIG thin film was determined to be 0.0133 by frequency-dependent ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements. The saturation magnetization (Ms) and the coercive field (Hc) were obtained systematically as a function of the longitudinal distance (L) between the sputtering target and the substrate. A 170% enhancement of PMA field (H⊥) was achieved by tuning the film composition to increase the tensile strain. Moreover, current-induced magnetization switching on a Pt/TmIG structure was demonstrated with an ultra-low critical current density (jc) of 2.5 × 106 A/cm2, an order of magnitude smaller than the previously reported value. We were able to tune Ms, Hc and H⊥ to obtain an ultra-low jc of switching the magnetization, showing the great potential of sputtered TmIG films for spintronics.

Clinicopathological features and outcome of type 3 gastric neuroendocrine tumours

BACKGROUND

With the widespread use of endoscopy, small and low-grade type 3 gastric neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are increasingly being detected. The clinicopathological features, biological behaviour and appropriate treatment strategy for these NETs remain unclear.

METHODS

Patients with biopsy-proven gastric NET and a normal fasting serum gastrin level were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Clinicopathological features and long-term outcome of local resection for type 3 NETs were reviewed retrospectively and compared according to tumour grade.

RESULTS

Some 32 patients with type 3 gastric NETs were included (25 patients with NET grade G1, 5 with G2 and 2 with G3). Pathological tumour size was 2·0 cm or less in 30 patients. All tumours were well differentiated, even G3 lesions, and all tumours but one were confined to the submucosal layer. G1 NETs were significantly smaller and had a significantly lower lymphovascular invasion rate than G2 and G3 NETs. Twenty-two patients with a G1 NET without lymphovascular invasion were treated with wedge or endoscopic resection. After a median follow-up of 59 (range 6-102) months, no patient with a G1 NET of 1·5 cm or smaller developed recurrence and one patient with a G1 NET larger than 1·5 cm had recurrence in a perigastric lymph node. Among seven patients with a G2 or G3 NET, two had lymph node metastasis and one had liver metastases.

CONCLUSION

Low-grade type 3 gastric NET has non-aggressive features and a favourable prognosis. Wedge or endoscopic resection may be a valid option for patients with type 3 gastric G1 NET no larger than 1·5 cm without lymphovascular invasion.

Strongly exchange-coupled and surface-state-modulated magnetization dynamics in Bi2Se3/yttrium iron garnet heterostructures

Harnessing the spin–momentum locking of topological surface states in conjunction with magnetic materials is the first step to realize novel topological insulator-based devices. Here, we report strong interfacial coupling in Bi₂Se₃/yttrium iron garnet (YIG) bilayers manifested as large interfacial in-plane magnetic anisotropy (IMA) and enhancement of damping probed by ferromagnetic resonance. The interfacial IMA and damping enhancement reaches a maximum when the Bi₂Se₃ film approaches its two-dimensional limit, indicating that topological surface states play an important role in the magnetization dynamics of YIG. Temperature-dependent ferromagnetic resonance of Bi₂Se₃/YIG reveals signatures of the magnetic proximity effect of T_C as high as 180 K, an emerging low-temperature perpendicular magnetic anisotropy competing the high-temperature IMA, and an increasing exchange effective field of YIG steadily increasing toward low temperature. Our study sheds light on the effects of topological insulators on magnetization dynamics, essential for the development of topological insulator-based spintronic devices.

Understanding the effects of topological insulators on magnetization dynamics of adjacent magnetic materials is essential for novel spintronic devices. Here, Fanchiang et al. report thickness dependence of interfacial in-plane magnetic anisotropy and damping enhancement in Bi₂Se₃/yttrium iron garnet (YIG) bilayers, indicating an important role of topological surface states in the magnetization dynamics of YIG.

Barriers to Physical and Mental Health: Understanding the Intersecting Needs of Cambodian and Latino Residents in Urban Communities

A community needs assessment was conducted to explore barriers and facilitators to good physical and mental health among Cambodian and Latino residents in an urban community in Southern California. Thirty-six Cambodians and 29 Latinos completed the interviewer-facilitated survey administered door-to-door, and another 20 Cambodian and 18 Latino residents participated in focus groups. Crime, limited knowledge of positive health behaviors, lack of access to affordable healthcare, and lack of access to safe spaces for recreational activities were identified as threats to good health. Participant recommendations to support health in the community included increasing police presence to improve safety and reduce violence, and increasing opportunities/locations for physical exercise. While differences between Cambodian and Latino residents exist, the identified threats and suggested improvements were primarily associated with environmental factors, highlighting the need for systems level approaches that recognize the relationship between community context and health.

The recycling endosome protein RAB-10 promotes autophagic flux and localization of the transmembrane protein ATG-9

Macroautophagy/autophagy involves the formation of an autophagosome, a double-membrane vesicle that delivers sequestered cytoplasmic cargo to lysosomes for degradation and recycling. Closely related, endocytosis mediates the sorting and transport of cargo throughout the cell, and both processes are important for cellular homeostasis. However, how endocytic proteins functionally intersect with autophagy is not clear. Mutations in the DAF-2/insulin-like IGF-1 (INSR) receptor at the permissive temperature result in a small increase in GFP::LGG-1 foci, i.e. autophagosomes, but a large increase at the nonpermissive temperature, allowing us to control the level of autophagy. In a RNAi screen for endocytic genes that alter the expression of GFP::LGG-1 in daf-2 mutants, we identified RAB-10, a small GTPase that regulates basolateral endocytosis. Loss of rab-10 in daf-2 mutants results in more GFP::LGG-1-positive foci at the permissive, but less GFP::LGG-1 or SQST-1::GFP foci at the nonpermissive temperature. As previously reported, loss of rab-10 alone resulted in an increase of GFP:LGG-1 foci. Exposure of rab-10 mutant animals to chloroquine, a known inhibitor of autophagic flux, failed to increase the number of GFP::LGG-1 foci. Moreover, colocalization between LMP-1::tagRFP and GFP::LGG-1 (the lysosome and autophagosome reporters) was decreased in daf-2; rab-10 dauers at the nonpermissive temperature. Intriguingly, RAB-10 was required to maintain the normal size of GFP::ATG-9-positive structures in daf-2 mutants at both the permissive and nonpermissive temperature. Finally, we found that RAB-10 GTPase cycling was required to control the size of GFP::ATG-9 foci. Collectively, our data support a model where rab-10 controls autophagic flux by regulating autophagosome formation and maturation.

[Distribution and drug resistance of pathogens at hematology department of Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2015: results from a multicenter, retrospective study]

Objective: To describe the distribution and drug resistance of pathogens at hematology department of Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2015 to provide reference for empirical anti-infection treatment. Methods: Pathogens were from hematology department of 26 tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2015. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or agar dilution method. Collection of drug susceptibility results and corresponding patient data were analyzed. Results: The separated pathogens amounted to 4 306. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 64.26%, while the proportions of gram-positive bacteria and funguses were 26.99% and 8.75% respectively. Common gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia coli (20.48%) , Klebsiella pneumonia (15.40%) , Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.50%) , Acinetobacter baumannii (5.04%) and Stenotropho-monas maltophilia (3.41%) respectively. CRE amounted to 123 (6.68%) . Common gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (4.92%) , Staphylococcus hominis (4.88%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (4.71%) respectively. Candida albicans were the main fungus which accounted for 5.43%. The rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia resistant to carbapenems were 3.5%-6.1% and 5.0%-6.3% respectively. The rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to tobramycin and amikacin were 3.2% and 3.3% respectively. The resistant rates of Acinetobacter baumannii towards tobramycin and cefoperazone/sulbactam were both 19.2%. The rates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia resistant to minocycline and sulfamethoxazole were 3.5% and 9.3% respectively. The rates of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis resistant wards vancomycin were 0, 6.4% and 1.4% respectively; also, the rates of them resistant to linezolid were 1.2%, 0 and 1.6% respectively; in addition, the rates of them resistant to teicoplanin were 2.8%, 14.3% and 8.0% respectively. Furthermore, MRSA accounted for 39.15% (83/212) . Conclusions: Pathogens were mainly gram-negative bacteria. CRE accounted for 6.68%. The rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia resistant to carbapenems were lower compared with other antibacterial agents. The rates of gram-positive bacteria resistant to vancomycin, linezolid and teicoplanin were still low. MRSA accounted for 39.15%.

Idarubicin-intensified haploidentical HSCT with GvHD prophylaxis of ATG and basiliximab provides comparable results to sibling donors in high-risk acute leukemia

We designed a novel haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) system using idarubicin (IDA) intensified conditioning regimens and combination of antithymocyte globulin and basiliximab for GvHD prophylaxis. The outcomes of 110 high-risk acute leukemia patients undergoing haplo-HSCT were compared with 69 contemporaneous high-risk patients receiving HLA-matched sibling transplantation using uniform IDA-intensified regimens. The relapse incidence of haplo-HSCT was 23.4%, and 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) achieved 62.9%, 59.1%, respectively. The cumulative incidences of II-IV and III-IV aGvHD were 28.6 and 14.3%, while limited and extensive cGvHD were 19.4, 13.8%. All these results were equivalent to those of concurrent identical sibling transplantation. Three-year OS and DFS for patients in advance stage reached 48.5, 47.3%. Furthermore, the relapse, 3-year OS of positive minimal residual disease (MRD) patients did not differ from negative MRD patients (18.9% vs 11.5%, 63.6% vs 69.6%), indicating our intensified haplo-HSCT technique could circumvent the dismal prognosis of MRD. These data provide reinforcing evidence that our haplo-HSCT system could dramatically improve the survival of high-risk acute leukemia with low relapse and acceptable transplantation-related mortality, and might be a promising therapeutic option for high-risk patients.

[A multi-center clinical observation on safety and efficacy of a plasma derived coagulator factor Ⅷ for treatment of patients with hemophilia A]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of homemade plasma derived coagulation factor Ⅷ in patients with hemophilia A.

METHODS

Patients with congenital hemophilia A who met the inclusive and exclusive criteria were enrolled in the study after informed consent. The doses of factor Ⅷ were calculated according to the weight, disease severity etc. FⅧ activity and infusion efficacy value at 10 min and 60 min after infusion were recorded, as well as adverse events and validity rating according to the improvement of clinical syndromes. Viral infections including HBV, HCV, HIV and FⅧ inhibitor were determined after 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 65 patients were enrolled in this study, all of whom were evaluable for drug safety. Treatment efficacy was evaluated in 60 patients and 57 cases completed the trial finally. In this 57 cases, most (52/57) subjects were of middle and severe hemophilia A mainly characterized by joint bleeding. Overall response rate of acute bleeding events was classified as "excellent" (70.00%) or "better" (30.00%). The non-responder was 0. FⅧ activity and infusion efficiency value of first administration after 10 min and 60 min improved significantly [10 min: (123.66±47.54)%; 60 min: (108.05±43.24)%]. The incidence of adverse events was 1.54%. Neither allergic reaction nor reactivation of HBV, HCV, HIV was detected after treatment of 3 and 6 months. No FⅧ inhibitor negative patients converted to positive during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This homemade plasma derived coagulation factor Ⅷ is safe and effective for the treatment of acute bleeding in patients with hemophilia A.

Late sodium current block for drug-induced long QT syndrome: Results from a prospective clinical trial

Drug-induced long QT syndrome has resulted in many drugs being withdrawn from the market. At the same time, the current regulatory paradigm for screening new drugs causing long QT syndrome is preventing drugs from reaching the market, sometimes inappropriately. In this study, we report the results of a first-of-a-kind clinical trial studying late sodium (mexiletine and lidocaine) and calcium (diltiazem) current blocking drugs to counteract the effects of hERG potassium channel blocking drugs (dofetilide and moxifloxacin). We demonstrate that both mexiletine and lidocaine substantially reduce heart-rate corrected QT (QTc) prolongation from dofetilide by 20 ms. Furthermore, all QTc shortening occurs in the heart-rate corrected J-Tpeak (J-Tpeak c) interval, the biomarker we identified as a sign of late sodium current block. This clinical trial demonstrates that late sodium blocking drugs can substantially reduce QTc prolongation from hERG potassium channel block and assessment of J-Tpeak c may add value beyond only assessing QTc.

In-situ atomic layer deposition of tri-methylaluminum and water on pristine single-crystal (In)GaAs surfaces: electronic and electric structures

The electronic structure of single-crystal (In)GaAs deposited with tri-methylaluminum (TMA) and water via atomic layer deposition (ALD) is presented with high-resolution synchrotron radiation core-level photoemission and capacitance-voltage (CV) characteristics. The interaction of the precursor atoms with (In)GaAs is confined at the topmost surface layer. The Ga-vacant site on the GaAs(111)A-2 × 2 surface is filled with Al, thereby effectively passivating the As dangling bonds. The As-As dimers on the GaAs(001)-2 × 4 surface are entirely passivated by one cycle of TMA and water. The presumed layerwise deposition fails to happen in GaAs(001)-4 × 6. In In0.20Ga0.80As(001)-2 × 4, the edge row As atoms are partially bonded with the Al, and one released methyl then bonds with the In. It is suggested that the unpassivated surface and subsurface atoms cause large frequency dispersions in CV characteristics under the gate bias. We also found that the (In)GaAs surface is immune to water in ALD. However, the momentary exposure of it to air (less than one minute) introduces significant signals of native oxides. This indicates the necessity of in situ works of high κ/(In)GaAs-related experiments in order to know the precise interfacial atomic bonding and thus know the electronic characteristics. The electric CV measurements of the ALD-Al2O3 on these (In)GaAs surfaces are correlated with their electronic properties.

Identified differently expressed genes in renal cell carcinoma by using multiple microarray datasets running head: differently expressed genes in renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes and analysis biological processes related to renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed using the Rank Product package of Gene Expression Omnibus datasets of renal cell carcinoma. Then Gene Ontology enrichment analyses and pathway analysis were performed based on Gene Ontology website and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Protein-protein interaction network was constructed used Cytoscape software.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 1992 differentially expressed genes Rank Product package of renal cell carcinoma, 840 of them were not involved in individual DEGs. Gene Ontology enrichment analyses showed that those 840 genes enriched in terms such as response to hormone stimulus, endogenous stimulus, biological adhesion, and cell proliferation. Pathway analysis showed that significant pathways included pyruvate metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, complement and coagulation cascades and so on. Protein-protein interaction network indicated that MT2A, MYC, CENPF and NEK2 has high degree which participated many interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study displayed genes that were consistently differentially expressed in renal cell carcinoma, and the biological pathways, protein-protein interaction network associated with those genes.