Emerging role of m6A methylation modification in ovarian cancer

m6A (N6-methyladenosine) methylation, a well-known modification in tumour epigenetics, dynamically and reversibly fine tunes the entire process of RNA metabolism. Aberrant levels of m6A and its regulators, which can predict the survival and outcomes of cancer patients, are involved in tumorigenesis, metastasis and resistance. Ovarian cancer (OC) ranks first among gynaecological tumours in the causes of death. At first diagnosis, patients with OC are usually at advanced stages owing to a lack of early biomarkers and effective targets. After treatment, patients with OC often develop drug resistance. This article reviews the recent experimental advances in understanding the role of m6A modification in OC, raising the possibility to treat m6A modification and its regulators as promising diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for OC.

CRF-CRFR1 system within the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex are involved in consolation deficits under acute restraint stress in mandarin voles

Consolation is a complex empathic behavior that has recently been observed in some socially living rodents. Despite the growing body of literature suggesting that stress affects some simple form of empathy, the relationship between stress and consolation remains largely understudied. Using monogamous mandarin voles, we found that an acute restraint stress exposure significantly reduced consolation-like behaviors and induced anxiety-like behaviors. Along with these behavioral changes, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) neurons were activated within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and prelimbic cortex (PrL) but not within the infralimbic cortex (IL). Chemogenetic activation of CRF neurons in the ACC and PrL, recaptured acute stress-induced behavioral dysfunctions. We further observed that intracellular PKA and PKC signaling pathways mediate CRF-induced behavioral dysfunctions, but they work in a regional-specific, sex-biased manner. Together, these results suggest that the local CRF-CRFR1 system within the ACC and PrL is involved in the consolation deficits and anxiety induced by acute stress.

Different baseline physical activity predicts susceptibility and resilience to chronic social defeat stress in mice: Involvement of dopamine neurons

Physical inactivity, the fourth leading mortality risk factor worldwide, is associated with chronic mental illness. Identifying the mechanisms underlying different levels of baseline physical activity and the effects of these levels on the susceptibility to stress is very important. However, whether different levels of baseline physical activity influence the susceptibility and resilience to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), and the underlying mechanisms in the brain remain unclear. The present study segregated wild-type mice into low baseline physical activity (LBPA) and high baseline physical activity (HBPA) groups based on short term voluntary wheel running (VWR). LBPA mice showed obvious susceptibility to CSDS, while HBPA mice were resilient to CSDS. In addition, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) was lower in LBPA mice than in HBPA mice. Furthermore, activation of TH neurons in the VTA of LBPA mice by chemogenetic methods increased the levels of VWR and resilience to CSDS. In contrast, inhibiting TH neurons in the VTA of HBPA mice lowered the levels of VWR and increased their susceptibility to CSDS. Thus, this study suggests that different baseline physical activities might be mediated by the dopamine system. This system also affects the susceptibility and resilience to CSDS, possibly via alteration of the baseline physical activity. This perspective on the neural control and impacts on VWR may aid the development of strategies to motivate and sustain voluntary physical activity. Furthermore, this can maximize the impacts of regular physical activity toward stress-reduction and health promotion.

C-reactive protein-to-serum albumin ratio as a novel predictor of long-term outcomes in coronary artery disease patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention: analysis of a real-world retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

C-reactive protein (CRP) has been proposed as a contributor to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and inflammatory reactions, which are associated with a decrease in serum albumin, and it has been reported that the CRP-to-serum albumin ratio (CAR) can predict CAD severity in inpatient ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients. However, the relationship between the CAR and long-term adverse outcomes in CAD patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still unknown.

METHODS

A total of 3561 CAD patients enrolled in the Outcomes and Risk Factors of Patients with Coronary Heart Disease after PCI: an investigation based on case records and follow-up (CORFCHD-ZZ), a retrospective cohort study conducted from January 2013 to December 2017, and 1630 patients meeting the study inclusion criteria were divided into two groups based on the CAR (CAR < 0.186; n = 1301 and CAR ≥ 0.186; n = 329). The primary outcome was long-term mortality, including all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality. The average follow-up time was 37.59 months.

RESULTS

We found that there were significant differences between the two groups in the incidences of ACM (P < 0.001) and cardiac mortality (P  = 0.003). Cox multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that CAR was an independent predictor of ACM [hazard ratio, 2.678; (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.568-4.576); P < 0.001] and cardiac mortality (hazard ratio, 2.055; 95% CI, 1.056-3.998; P = 0.034) in CAD patients after PCI.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that the CAR is an independent and novel predictor of long-term adverse outcomes in CAD patients who have undergone PCI.

Association of hemoglobin glycation index with prognosis of coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention: A retrospective cohort study

AIMS

To analyze the association between hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) and the long-term prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Predicted glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level was calculated using an established formula and HGI represented the difference between laboratory measured HbA1c and predicted HbA1c. A total of 1780 patients were stratified into three subgroups (HGI < -0.4, -0.4 ≦ HGI < 0.12 and HGI ≧ 0.12). The primary endpoints included all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM). The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs).

RESULTS

ACM occurred in 54 patients: 22 (3.7) in the low-HGI subgroup, 8 (1.3) in the moderate-HGI subgroup and 24 (4.1) in the high-HGI subgroup (p = .012). After adjusting for the traditional clinical prognostic factors, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that patients in both the low and high HGI subgroups had significantly increased risk of ACM as compared with patients in the moderate HGI subgroup (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.979, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.865-13.297, p = .001 and HR = 2.918, 95% CI: 1.075-7.922, p = .036). However, we did not find significant differences in the incidence of CM, MACEs and MACCEs.

CONCLUSION

HGI can predicts risk for long-term mortality in patients undergoing PCI. This index could be helpful for the effective clinical management of the CAD population.

Prognostic Nutritional Index as a Novel Predictor of Long-Term Prognosis in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) has been reported to be correlated with long-term outcomes after gastrointestinal tumor surgery. However, to our knowledge, only a few studies have shown that the PNI is related to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between the PNI and long-term outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

This was retrospective observational study. A total of 3561 patients with CAD after PCI were retrospectively enrolled in the CORFCHD-ZZ study from January 2013 to December 2017. The patients (3519) were divided into three groups according to PNI tertiles: the first tertile (PNI < 47.12, n = 1173), the second tertile (47.12 ≤ PNI < 51.50, n = 1185), and the third tertile (PNI ≥ 51.50, n = 1161). The mean follow-up time was 37.59 ± 22.24 months. The primary endpoint long-term mortality, including all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM).Secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs).

RESULT

In our study, the incidences of ACM in the first, second, and third tertiles were 3.8%, 1.8% and 1.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). The incidences of CM occurring in the first, second, and third tertiles were 1.7%, 3.1% and 2.1%, respectively (P < 0.001).There was statistically significant different in primary endpoints incidence. MACEs occurred in 139 patients (11.8%) in the first tertile, 121 patients(11.1%) in the second tertile and 123 patients(10.8%) in the third tertile(P = 0.691). MACCEs occurred in 183 patients (15.6%) in the first tertile, 174 patients(14.7%) in the second tertile and 160 patients(13.85%) in the third tertile(P = 0.463).There was no statistically significant different in secondary endpoints incidence. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that elevated PNI was significantly related to long-term CM (log rank, P < 0.001) and long-term ACM (log-rank, P < 0.001). Cox regression analyses suggested that compared with the patients in the first tertile, the risk of ACM was decreased to 60.9% (HR = 0.609, 95% CI: 0.398-0.932, P = 0.029) in the second tertile and 40.3%(HR = 0.403, 95% CI: 0.279-0.766, P = 0.003) in the third tertile, while the risk of CM was decreased to 58.8%(HR = 0.588, 95% CI: 0.321-0.969, P = 0.038) in the second tertile and 46.6%(HR = 0.466, 95% CI: 0.250-0.870, P = 0.017) in the third tertile. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that the PNI was an independent predictor of long-term ACM and CM.

CONCLUSION

Our finding shown that PNI is an independent predictor in CAD patients after PCI，the higher the PNI, the less occurring adverse event. Therefore，PNI may be an new biomarker to predict long-term outcome of CAD patients after PCI.

A Correlation Between Monocyte to Lymphocyte Ratio and Long-Term Prognosis in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease After PCI

Monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) has been confirmed as a novel marker of poor prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease (CAD). However, the prognosis value of MLR for patients with CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) needs further studies. In present study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between MLR and long-term prognosis in patients with CAD after PCI. A total of 3,461 patients with CAD after PCI at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included in the analysis. According to the cutoff value of MLR, all of the patients were divided into 2 groups: the low-MLR group (<0.34, n = 2338) and the high-MLR group (≥0.34, n = 1123). Kaplan–Meier curve was performed to compare the long-term outcome. Multivariate COX regression analysis was used to assess the independent predictors for all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality and MACCEs. Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that the high MLR group had significantly increased all-cause mortality (ACM) [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.366, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.366-3.650, p = 0.001] and cardiac mortality (CM) (HR = 2.379, 95%CI: 1.611-3,511, p < 0.001) compared to the low MLR group. And high MLR was also found to be highly associated with major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) (HR = 1.227, 95%CI: 1.003-1.500, p = 0.047) in patients with CAD undergoing PCI. MLR was an independent predictor of ACM, CM and MACCEs in CAD patients who underwent PCI.

A Predictive Scoring System Based on Inflammatory and Tumor Markers for Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Curative Resection

Purpose

Inflammation is closely associated with prognosis in gastric cancer (GC). We aimed to assess the predictive value of existing inflammatory and tumor markers in GC, to establish a systemic score based on valuable predictors for early risk stratification of patients, and to create a nomogram for individual risk prediction.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 401 GC patients who underwent curative gastrectomy from 2007 to 2016.

Results

Through univariate and multivariate survival analysis, age (>60 years), depth of invasion (pT3–4), lymph node invasion (pN1–3), histologic classification (poor), adjuvant chemotherapy (no), albumin fibrinogen ratio (AFR) (<13.33), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) (>27 U/mL) independently indicated inferior disease-free survival (DFS). In addition, depth of invasion, lymph node invasion, histologic classification, adjuvant chemotherapy, AFR, and CA19-9 were incorporated in the prediction of cancer-specific survival (CSS). A combined AFR and CA19-9 prognostic score (CACPS) was established. Lower AFR (<13.33) and higher CA19-9 (>27 U/mL) were allocated 1 point each in the CACPS (range, 0–2). CACPS can be used as an independent predictor for DFS and CSS in multivariate analysis (for DFS: CACPS 1: HR=2.039, 95% CI: 1.357–3.065, P=0.001; CACPS 2: HR=2.419, 95% CI: 1.397–4.186, P=0.002; for CSS: CACPS 1: HR=2.035, 95% CI: 1.292–3.205, P=0.002; CACPS 2: HR=2.255, 95% CI: 1.252–4.059, P=0.007), with a higher CACPS indicating poor survival according to Kaplan–Meier curves (both P<0.001). Moreover, a nomogram for DFS and CSS was generated using the significant characteristics in the multivariate analysis, which exhibited high accuracy (for DFS: C-index=0.743, 95% CI: 0.698–0.788; for CSS: C-index=0.766, 95% CI: 0.718–0.814) versus tumor–node–metastasis staging (for DFS: C-index=0.692, 95% CI: 0.650–0.734; for CSS: C-index=0.720, 95% CI: 0.675–0.764).

Conclusion

Preoperative CACPS exhibited high accuracy in predicting prognosis for GC patients who underwent curative resection.

Comprehensive evaluation of medullary thyroid carcinoma before surgery

BACKGROUND

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare disease, but it exhibits more aggressive behaviors. The aim of this study was to improve the diagnostic accuracy of MTC before surgery by analyzing the clinical and ultrasonic data of patients with MTC.

METHODS

The study included 71 patients (96 lesions) with histopathologically proven MTC between April 2011 and September 2016 in the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. The clinical characteristics and sonographic findings were retrospectively reviewed and compared between the ultrasonic correct diagnosis group and the ultrasonic misdiagnosis group with the t test or Mann-Whitney U test for quantitative parameters and the χ test or Fisher exact test for qualitative parameters.

RESULTS

Compared with the ultrasonic correct diagnosis group, the proportion of the cystic change in the ultrasonic misdiagnosed group was high (25.0% vs. 4.2%), the uncircumscribed margin and irregular shape proportions were low (20.8%, 58.3% vs. 74.7%, 87.3%), calcification was relatively rare (20.8% vs. 56.3%), and rich vascularity was relatively rare (25.0% vs. 78.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

In the case of atypical MTC, such as cystic change, circumscribed margin, regular shape, no calcification, no rich vascularity, and normal cervical lymph nodes, MTC is easily misdiagnosed as benign by ultrasound. Therefore, ultrasound, cytology and serum calcitonin should be comprehensively evaluated for a preoperative diagnosis of MTC.

Association of Derived Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio With Prognosis of Coronary Heart Disease After PCI

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic role of derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after PCI.

Methods: A total of 3,561 post-PCI patients with CHD were retrospectively enrolled in the CORFCHD-ZZ study from January 2013 to December 2017. The patients (3,462) were divided into three groups according to dNLR tertiles: the first tertile (dNLR < 1.36; n = 1,139), second tertile (1.36 ≥ dNLR < 1.96; n = 1,166), and third tertile(dNLR ≥ 1.96; n = 1,157). The mean follow-up time was 37.59 ± 22.24 months. The primary endpoint was defined as mortality (including all-cause death and cardiac death), and the secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs).

Results: There were 2,644 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 838 patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) in the present study. In the total population, the all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM) incidence was significantly higher in the third tertile than in the first tertile [hazard risk (HR) = 1.8 (95% CI: 1.2–2.8), p = 0.006 and HR = 2.1 (95% CI: 1.23–3.8), p = 0.009, respectively]. Multivariate Cox regression analyses suggested that compared with the patients in the first tertile than those in the third tertile, the risk of ACM was increased 1.763 times (HR = 1.763, 95% CI: 1.133–2.743, p = 0.012), and the risk of CM was increased 1.763 times (HR = 1.961, 95% CI: 1.083–3.550, p = 0.026) in the higher dNLR group during the long-term follow-up. In both ACS patients and CCS patients, there were significant differences among the three groups in the incidence of ACM in univariate analysis. We also found that the incidence of CM was significantly different among the three groups in CCS patients in both univariate analysis (HR = 3.541, 95% CI: 1.154–10.863, p = 0.027) and multivariate analysis (HR = 3.136, 95% CI: 1.015–9.690, p = 0.047).

Conclusion: The present study suggested that dNLR is an independent and novel predictor of mortality in CHD patients who underwent PCI.

Long-term dual antiplatelet-induced intestinal injury resulting in translocation of intestinal bacteria into blood circulation increased the incidence of adverse events after PCI in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of long-term (>18 months) dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A total of 3205 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after PCI from CORFCHD-PCI, a retrospective cohort study (Identifier: ChiCTR-ORC-16010153), were divided into two groups: monotherapy of aspirin or clopidogrel group (SAPT group, n = 2188 and DAPT group, n = 1017) according to whether to discontinue DAPT 18 months after PCI. After propensity matching analysis (PSM), we included 1017 patients in the DAPT group and 1017 patients in the SAPT group. All the patients were followed-up for at least 18 months and the longest follow-up time is 120 months. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). The secondary endpoints were the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACEEs) and bleeding events. We also selected 178 patients for detection of claudin-3 and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein and 58 patients for 16s RNA sequencing of whole blood.

RESULTS

The incidences of MACEs (13.9% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.001) and MACCEs (16.3% vs.10.0%, p < 0.001) were significantly increased in the DAPT group compared to the SAPT group. We also found DAPT increased the bleeding events compared to SAPT (4.6% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.048). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that in the DAPT group, cumulative risk of MACCEs increased 1.797 times (HR = 1.797, 95%CI: 1.429-2.226, p < 0.001), MACEs increased 1.737 times (HR = 1.737, 95%CI: 1.360-2.218, p < 0.001) and the bleeding events increased 2.129 times (HR = 2.129, 95%CI: 1.388-3.266, p = 0.001) compared to the SAPT group. We also found the plasma concentrations of claudin-3 and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) were significantly higher in patients in the DAPT group compared with patients in the SAPT group (both p < 0.001). Correspondingly, the abundance of blood intestinal bacteria in the DAPT group was significantly increased compared to that in the SAPT group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, high-throughput metabolomics analysis suggested that serum level of ceramide (d18:1/16:0) and Neu5Ac was significantly increased in the DAPT group compared to the SAPT group (both p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that long-term dual antiplatelet therapy longer than 18 months significantly increases the incidence of both ischemic events and bleeding events after PCI. This preliminary study also indicates that long-term DAPT causes intestinal injury, which induces translocation of intestinal bacteria into the bloodstream.

Role of Adrenomedullin 2/Intermedin in the Pathogenesis of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Adrenomedullin 2 (AM2; also known as intermedin) is a member of the adrenomedullin (AM) peptide family. Similarly to AM, AM2 partakes in a variety of physiological activities. AM2 has been reported to exert protective effects on various organ disorders; however, its significance in the eye is unknown. We investigated the role of AM2 in ocular diseases. The receptor system of AM2 was expressed more abundantly in the choroid than in the retina. In an oxygen-induced retinopathy model, physiological and pathologic retinal angiogenesis did not differ between AM2-knockout (AM2-/-) and wild-type mice. In contrast, in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization, a model of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, AM2-/- mice had enlarged and leakier choroidal neovascularization lesions, with exacerbated subretinal fibrosis and macrophage infiltration. Contrary to this, exogenous administration of AM2 ameliorated the laser-induced choroidal neovascularization-associated pathology and suppressed gene expression associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress, including that of VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, CD68, CTGF, and p22-phox. The stimulation of human adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE) cell line 19 cells with TGF-β2 and TNF-α induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas AM2 expression was also elevated. The induction of EMT was suppressed when the ARPE-19 cells were pretreated with AM2. A transcriptome analysis identified 15 genes, including mesenchyme homeobox 2 (Meox2), whose expression was significantly altered in the AM2-treated group compared with that in the control group. The expression of Meox2, a transcription factor that inhibits inflammation and fibrosis, was enhanced by AM2 treatment and attenuated by endogenous AM2 knockout in the early phase after laser irradiation. The AM2 treatment of endothelial cells inhibited endothelial to mesenchymal transition and NF-κB activation; however, this effect tended to be canceled following Meox2 gene knockdown. These results indicate that AM2 suppresses the neovascular age-related macular degeneration-related pathologies partially via the upregulation of Meox2. Thus, AM2 may be a promising therapeutic target for ocular vascular diseases.

The crystal structure of 5-bromopicolinic acid monohydrate, C6H6BrNO3

C6H6BrNO3, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 7.0407(5) Å, b = 7.1597(6) Å, c = 8.3808(7) Å, α = 75.844(4)°, β = 94.562(4)°, γ = 76.306(4)°, V = 373.61(5) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0205, wR ref(F2 ) = 0.0527, T = 150(2) K.

ADS Score as a Novel Predictor of Outcomes in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives: A novel AFR– albumin-derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) score (ADS) were reported to associate with clinical outcome in various malignancies, However, the relation between the ADS score and outcomes in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been investigated.

Methods: Three thousand five hundred and sixty-one patients were divided into two groups according to ADS score: low group (ADS score <2; n = 2,682) and high group (ADS score ≥ 2; n = 879). Overall, there were 133 all-cause mortality (ACM) during the following up. The incidence of ACM in the low group is 2.7% (72/2,682) and high group is 6.9% (61/879). The ACM incidence was significantly higher in high group compared to that in the low group (P < 0.001). Cardiac mortality (CM) occurred in 82 patients: 44(1.6%) in the low group and 38 (4.3%) in the high group. There was significant difference in the CM incidence between the low group and high group (P < 0.001). Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) occurred in 520 patients: 366 (13.6%) in the low group and 154 (17.5%) in the high group. There was significant difference in the MACCE incidence between the low group and high group (P = 0.005). Major adverse cardiac and events (MACE) occurred in 395 patients: 281(10.5%) in the low group and 114 (13.0%) in the high group. There was significant difference in the MACE incidence between the low group and high group (P = 0.041). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that ADS score was independently correlated with the ACM [adjusted HR = 2.031 (1.357–3.039), P = 0.001]; CM [adjusted HR = 1.883 (1.127–3.147), P = 0.016]; MACCE [adjusted HR = 1.352 (1.096–1.668), P = 0.005], and MACE [adjusted HR = 1.260 (0.987–1.608), P = 0.063].

Conclusion: The present study indicated that the ADS score was associated with long-term mortality, the MACCE, and the MACE in CAD patients underwent PCI.

[Comparison of antibiotics and saline irrigation with tube drainage in the treatment of postoperative abdominal and pelvic infectious effusion]

Objective: To compare the efficiency of saline irrigation, antibiotics irrigation and high-concentration antibiotics perfusion with tube drainage in the treatment of infectious effusion. Methods: Clinical and sonographic features of abdominal and pelvic infectious effusion of 64 patients with malignant tumor collected from September 2013 to September 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The changes of effusion size and temperature, catheterization time were evaluated in saline irrigation group and antibiotics irrigation group. The catheterization time was compared between antibiotics irrigation group and high-concentration antibiotics perfusion group. Results: The effective rates of the saline irrigation group and the antibiotics irrigation group were 68.6% and 86.8%, respectively, and the times of catheterization were 11.9±8.4 days and 7.8±4.8 days, respectively, with significantly statistical difference (both P<0.05). However, the effective rates of the antibiotics irrigation group and the high concentration antibiotic perfusion group were 86.8% and 100.0%, respectively (P=0.067), while the times of catheterization were 7.8±4.8 days and 3.6±3.1 days, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: The antibiotic irrigation with tube drainage, especially the high concentration perfusion is more effective than saline in the treatment of abdominal and pelvic infection effusion.

High-resolution quantitative trait locus mapping for rice grain quality traits using genotyping by sequencing

Rice is a major food crop that sustains approximately half of the world population. Recent worldwide improvements in the standard of living have increased the demand for high-quality rice. Accurate identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for rice grain quality traits will facilitate rice quality breeding and improvement. In the present study, we performed high-resolution QTL mapping for rice grain quality traits using a genotyping-by-sequencing approach. An F₂ population derived from a cross between an elite japonica variety, Koshihikari, and an indica variety, Nona Bokra, was used to construct a high-density genetic map. A total of 3,830 single nucleotide polymorphism markers were mapped to 12 linkage groups spanning a total length of 2,456.4 cM, with an average genetic distance of 0.82 cM. Seven grain quality traits-the percentage of whole grain, percentage of head rice, percentage of area of head rice, transparency, percentage of chalky rice, percentage of chalkiness area, and degree of chalkiness-of the F₂ population were investigated. In total, 15 QTLs with logarithm of the odds (LOD) scores >4 were identified, which mapped to chromosomes 6, 7, and 9. These loci include four QTLs for transparency, four for percentage of chalky rice, four for percentage of chalkiness area, and three for degree of chalkiness, accounting for 0.01%-61.64% of the total phenotypic variation. Of these QTLs, only one overlapped with previously reported QTLs, and the others were novel. By comparing the major QTL regions in the rice genome, several key candidate genes reported to play crucial roles in grain quality traits were identified. These findings will expedite the fine mapping of these QTLs and QTL pyramiding, which will facilitate the genetic improvement of rice grain quality.

[A normative study of speech development in Mandarin-speaking infants and children]

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the development of speech ability in Mandarin-speaking infants and children with normal hearing using MUSS and to provide a normal value control for the evaluation of speech ability in children with hearing loss. Methods: From September 2012 to January 2023, a total of 256 infants and children aged 1-60 months in Mandarin language environment participated in this study. 200 infants and children aged from 1 to 60 months were finally included, whose hearing was considered normal according to the history collection, high-risk registers for hearing loss and hearing screening. All infants and children were divided into 10 groups with 20 infants or children in each group. They were: 1 month, 2-3 months, 4-6 months, 7-9 months, 10-12 months, 13-18 months, 19-24 months, 25-36 months, 37-48 months, and 49-60 months. Using SPSS 19.0 software for data analysis, we calculated regression equations based on fitting curves. Results: The language ability of infants and children with normal hearing increased with age and reached ceiling at 56.5months.The regression equation was: score=-0.009 3×(age) 2+2.179×(age)+6.718 6, r2=0.85; age=0.003 9×(score) 2+0.148 4×(score)+2.708, r2=0.85. Conclusions: The speech ability of infants and children with normal hearing shows an increasing trend with age. Scores of different speech skills can be predicted according to their age. Age can also be predicted according to their scores of different speech skills.

[Definition of severe pulmonary tuberculosis: a scoping review]

Objective: To clarify the definition of severe pulmonary tuberculosis and its inclusion criteria by summarizing and analyzing the studies of severe pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods: A systematic search of Medline (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, Embase, CNKI, WanFang database, and CBM database was conducted to collect studies published between 2017 and 2022 on patients with severe pulmonary TB. Searches were performed using a combination of subject terms and free words. The search terms included: tuberculosis, severe, serious, intensive care, critical care, respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, hospitalization, respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure, pulmonary heart disease, and pneumothorax. The definitions and inclusion criteria for severe pulmonary TB in the included studies were extracted. Results: A total of 19 981 studies were identified and 100 studies were finally included, involving 8 309 patients with severe pulmonary TB. A total of 8 (8.00%) studies explicitly mentioned the definition of severe pulmonary TB, and 53 (53.00%) studies clearly defined the inclusion criteria for patients with severe pulmonary TB. A total of 5 definitions and 30 inclusion criteria were extracted. A total of 132 dichotomous variables and 113 continuous variables were included in the outcome indicators related to patients with severe pulmonary TB of concern in the studies. Conclusions: The definition and diagnostic criteria for severe TB are unclear, and there is an urgent need to develop a clear definition and diagnostic criteria to guide clinical practice.

[Relationships among the periodontal biotype characteristics in the maxillary anterior]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlation among gingival thickness (GT), underlying alveolar bone thickness (BT), and other periodontal biotype characteristics in the maxillary anterior.

METHODS

A total of 40 young volunteers with healthy periodontal were involved in this research. The periodontal probe was previously used to divide the gingiva from thick to thin. Two records were measured by cone beam CT (CBCT) GT, which was measured at the cement-enamel junction level; and BT, which was measured at 3 locations: 1, 3, 5 mm below the alveolar crest. Oral and gypsum measurements were used to analyze the associations of the crown width/crown length ratio (CW/CL), the keratinized mucosa width (KM), and the free gingival margin curvature.

RESULTS

Significant difference in the GT was observed between the thick and thin biotypes, which were divided by periodontal probe (P<0.01). Difference was observed in each periodontal biotype characteristic between the thick (GT≥1 mm) and thin biotypes (GT<1 mm) (P<0.05). BT was positively associated with GT (r=0.293, P=0.001), CW/CL (r=0.273, P=0.003), KM (r=0.291, P=0.001), and free gingival margin curvature (r=0.290, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The transparency of the probing in the sulcus could analyze the GT qualitatively. The thick and thin biotypes have different periodontal biotype characteristics. Compared with individuals with thick biotype, those with thin biotype are susceptible to risk dental aesthetic.

Inhibition of Cardiomyogenesis in Embryocarcinoma Cells Induced by Long-Term High Level of Glucose

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Cardiac myocytes constitute the first differentiated cell type during mammalian heart formation with the ability to beat spontaneously and rhythmically. Hyperglycemia is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease in pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM). However, the impact that hyperglycemia has on cardiac progenitors or on precursors differentiation remains poorly understood. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether hyperglycemia affects cardiomyogenesis of embryocarcinoma cells.

METHODS

P19CL6 cells differentiation induced by 1% DMSO was evaluated under either normal glucose (5.6 mmol/L) or high level of glucose concentrations (20 mmol/L or 40 mmol/L). To investigate the effect of long-term high level of glucose on cardiomyocytes differentiation, sarcomeric α-actinin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1 (PGC-1α), transcription factor GATA4 and Nkx2.5 were assessed by qRT-PCR analysis, western blot and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

We observed that long-term high level of glucose markedly reduced P19CL6 cells differentiation into cardiomyocytes. The change in PGC-1α expression was consistent with changes in cardiac muscle myosin expression after exposure to 20 mmol/L or 40 mmol/L of glucose. On the other hand, the high level of glucose concentration profoundly decreased both GATA4 and Nkx2-5 expressions from day 6 to day 12 after differentiation, which was induced by 1% DMSO.

CONCLUSION

Our results elucidate that the effect resulting from the long-term exposure of cardiac progenitors to high level of glucose is associated with decreased expression of GATA4 and Nkx2.5, providing a novel mechanism by which high glucose is able to affect cell differentiation.

[Variations of peripheral blood autoantibody, immunoglobuliln, and complement levels in patients with non-lactational mastitis and their clinical significances]

OBJECTIVE

To detect the variations in peripheral blood levels of autoantibodies, immunoglobulilns and complements in patients with non-lactational mastitis and investigate whether non-lactational mastitis is an autoimmune disease with immune dysfunction.

METHODS

Seven-eight patients with non-lactational mastitis treated in our hospital between September 2013 and May 2015 and 88 healthy women (control) were examined for peripheral blood levels of antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-histone antibody (AHA), immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and complements (C3, C4, and total complements).

RESULTS

s Of the 78 patients with non-lactational mastitis, 50 (64.10%) were positive of ANA showing mainly the granular and cytoplasmic granular fluorescence patterns, and the positivity rate was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.000). Twenty-eight (36.00%) of the patients were positive of AHA, a rate significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.000). The levels of IgA, IgM, C4, and total complements levels were all significantly elevated in the patients compared with those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with non-lactational mastitis have abnormal changes in peripheral blood levels of immunoglobulins and complements with high positivity rates for ANA and AHA, indicating that non-lactational mastitis is an autoimmune disease with immune dysfunction.

Correlation between metastasis-associated gene 1 expression and tumor-associated macrophages in non-small cell lung cancer

The role of metastasis-associated gene 1 (MTA1) in the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been proved, but its role in the tumor microenvironment is still insufficient. The study was performed to explore the correlation between MTA1 and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in NSCLC. The expression profile data of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) were downloaded from TCGA database. The tumor-infiltrating immune cells in each LUAD and LUSC patient were estimated using the CIBERSORT method. Then, the online TIMER database containing multiple algorithms was used to analyze the relationship between MTA1 and TAMs. Besides, correlations between MTA1 and TAMs markers were also explored. Additionally, the immunohistochemistry staining of MTA1 protein and CD206 was performed in 75 NSCLC tissue specimens. Associations of MTA1 and CD206 with the clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed, as well as the correlation between MTA1 and CD206. Based on different algorithms, MTA1 expression was correlated with the distribution of infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and negatively correlated with tumor immune-stromal score. MTA1 was associated with TAMs markers according to TCGA database. In 75 NSCLC tissue specimens, the positive rate of MTA1 was 60.00% (45/75), which of CD206 was 42.67% (32/75). The MTA1 expression was significantly correlated with T stage, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage. The CD206 expression was significantly correlated with T stage, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and tumor type. Additionally, we found that MTA1 was positively correlated with CD206 in NSCLC and LUSC. In NSCLC, MTA1 expression was correlated with the infiltrations of different types of macrophages and the expression of TAMs' markers, as well as the M2-TAMs marker CD206, suggesting that MTA1 promoting tumor metastasis may mediate the infiltration of different types of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment.

The age, NT-proBNP, and Ejection Fraction Score as a Novel Predictor of Clinical Outcomes in CAD Patients After PCI

Background

Previous evidences have been proved that age, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and ejection fraction are tightly associated with the long-term outcomes in patients suffered from coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the prognosis value of age, NT-proBNP, and ejection fraction (ABEF) score in CAD patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

Observational cohort methodology was used in this study which enrolled totally 3561 patients. And the patients were followed up regularly for 37.59 ± 22.24 months. Patients were classed into three groups based on the tertiles of ABEF sore: first tertile (<5.06, n = 831), second tertile (5.06-6.25, n = 839), and third tertile (≥ 6.25, n = 834). The ABEF score was calculated as follows: age (years)/ejection fraction (%) + NT-proBNP (NT-proBNP<177pg/mL was 1, 177≤NT-proBNP≥524pg/mL was 2 and NT-proBNP > 524pg/mL is 3). The association between ABEF score and adverse prognosis, including all-cause death (ACD), cardiac death (CD), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), in patients who underwent PCI was analyzed.

Results

According to the risk category of ABEF score, the incidences of ACD (P < .001), CD (P < .001) and MACCEs (P = .021) among the three groups showed significant differences. Multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that the respective risks of ACD and CD were increased 3.013 folds (hazard risk [HR] = 4.013 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.922-8.378], P < .001) and 4.922 folds ([HR] = 5.922 [95% [CI]: 2.253-15.566], P < .001) in the third tertile compared with those in the first tertile. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses showed that the cumulative risks of ACD,CD and MACCEs in patients with the high ABEF score tended to increase.

Conclusion

The present study indicated ABEF score was a novel biomarker suitable for predicting adverse prognosis in patients after PCI, which may be used for early recognition and risk stratification.