Acute and subacute toxicity study of Aucklandia lappa Decne seed oil

Purpose: To investigate the acute and subacute toxicity of Aucklandia lappa Decne. seed oil (ALDO) in mice and rats.Methods: A single dose of 10 g ALDO/kg was administered to Kunming mice in an acute oral toxicity experiment. Their weight and feed consumption were recorded for 14 days to observe whether they had symptoms of poisoning and mortality. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were administered 0.89, 1.77 and 3.54 g/kg for 28 days, and symptoms of poisoning and mortality were monitored daily. Body weight, feedconsumption, hematology, serum biochemical parameters, relative organ weight, and histopathology of the experimental and control groups were compared.Results: The acute oral toxicity study revealed that there was no significant difference in the macroscopic results, including mortality, feed consumption and weight growth between the group dosed with 10 g ALDO/kg (p > 0.05) and the control group. In the subacute toxicity test, SD rats had a higher weight growth rate and feed utilization after doses of 0.89 g ALDO/kg (p < 0.01). However, compared with the control group (p > 0.05), there was also no significant difference in biochemical and hematological parameters, relative organ weight, or in macroscopic and histological features of both animal types. The electrolyte concentrations of Na and Cl increased at the doses of 1.77 and 3.54 g/kg (p < 0.01).Conclusion: These results suggest that ALDO is relatively safe when administered orally to rats and provide a theoretical basis for the development of new food resources.

Downregulation of lncRNA PpL-T31511 and Pp-miRn182 Promotes Hydrogen Cyanamide-Induced Endodormancy Release through the PP2C-H2O2 Pathway in Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia)

Bud endodormancy is an important, complex process subject to both genetic and epigenetic control, the mechanism of which is still unclear. The endogenous hormone abscisic acid (ABA) and its signaling pathway play important roles in the endodormancy process, in which the type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs) is key to the ABA signal pathway. Due to its excellent effect on endodormancy release, hydrogen cyanamide (HC) treatment is considered an effective measure to study the mechanism of endodormancy release. In this study, RNA-Seq analysis was conducted on endodormant floral buds of pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) with HC treatment, and the HC-induced PP2C gene PpPP2C1 was identified. Next, software prediction, expression tests and transient assays revealed that lncRNA PpL-T31511-derived Pp-miRn182 targets PpPP2C1. The expression analysis showed that HC treatment upregulated the expression of PpPP2C1 and downregulated the expression of PpL-T31511 and Pp-miRn182. Moreover, HC treatment inhibited the accumulation of ABA signaling pathway-related genes and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Furthermore, overexpression of Pp-miRn182 reduced the inhibitory effect of PpPP2C1 on the H₂O₂ content. In summary, our study suggests that downregulation of PpL-T31511-derived Pp-miRn182 promotes HC-induced endodormancy release in pear plants through the PP2C-H₂O₂ pathway.

Core-shell NaErF4@NaYF4 upconversion nanoparticles qualify as a NIR speckle wavemeter for a visible CCD

Speckle patterns have been widely employed as a method for precisely determining the wavelength of monochromatic light. In order to achieve higher wavelength precision, a variety of optical diffusing waveguides have been investigated with a focus on their wavelength sensitivity. However, it has been a challenge to find a balance among the cost, compactness, precision, and stability of the waveguide. In this work, we designed a compact cylindrical random scattering waveguide (CRSW) as the light diffuser by mixing TiO₂ particles and ultra-violate adhesive. In the CRSW, speckle patterns are generated by input light scattering off TiO₂ particles multiple times. Additionally, a thin layer of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) was sprayed on the end face of CRSW to allow near-infrared (NIR) light to be converted to visible light, breaking the imaging limitations of visible cameras in the NIR range. We, then, further designed a convolution neural network (CNN) to recognize the wavelength of the speckle patterns with excellent robustness and ability to transfer learning. This resulted in the achievement of a high wavelength precision of 20 kHz (∼0.16 fm) at around 1550 nm with a temperature resistance of ±2 °C. Our results demonstrate a low-cost, compact, and simple NIR wavemeter, which is capable of ultra-high wavelength precision and good temperature stability. It has significant value for applications in high-speed and high-precision laser wavelength measurements.

[Comparison of different evaluation systems for assessing disease severity and treatment efficacy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the practicability and clinical value of different evaluation systems for assessing disease severity and treatment efficacy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 28 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD admitted to our hospital between November, 2020 and January, 2021. All the patients were assessed with percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1% pred), COPD assessment test (CAT), modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC), baseline dyspnea index (BDI), clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ), St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), BODE index, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at admission and with CAT, mMRC, transition dyspnea index (TDI), CCQ, SGRQ, and HDRS at 1 month after discharge. The correlations among FEV1% pred, CAT, mMRC, BDI, CCQ, SGRQ, BODE and HDRS at admission were analyzed. We also compared the TDI and scores of CAT, mMRC, CCQ, SGRQ, and HDRS at 1 month after discharge among the patients using single (n=8), dual (n=10) or triple inhaled medications (n=10) after discharge.

RESULTS

Among these patients, FEV1% pred was moderately correlated with SGRQ and BDI (r=-0.66, r=0.61; P < 0.01), and CCQ activity score was closely correlated with mMRC, SGRQ activity score and BDI (r=0.82, r=0.92, r=-0.89; P < 0.01). SGRQ activity score was closely correlated with mMRC and BDI (r=0.84, r=-0.91; P < 0.01), and SGRQ symptom score was closely correlated with BODE (r=0.80, P < 0.01). SGRQ impact score was moderately correlated with HDRS (r=0.57, P < 0.01). In all the 28 patients, all the evaluation scores except for CCQ mental score and HDRS improved significantly after treatment (P < 0.05). At 1 month after discharge, CCQ total score decreased significantly in single therapy group (P < 0.05); CAT, mMRC, CCQ and SGRQ improved obviously in dual therapy group (P < 0.05); CCQ and SGRQ scores decreased significantly in triple therapy group (P < 0.05); the TDI did not differ significantly among the 3 groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

For patients with COPD, BDI and TDI are recommended over mMRC for assessing dyspnea. CAT, CCQ and SGRQ allow sensitive assessment of the treatment efficacy to serve as routine evaluation tests, and among them SGRQ is the most comprehensive and is thus recommended when sufficient time is allowed. BODE is relatively complex but highly valuable for predicting the patients'survival outcomes. HDRS is recommended for routine screening of depression in patients with COPD.

Genome-wide analysis of long noncoding RNAs affecting floral bud dormancy in pears in response to cold stress

The versatile role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in plant growth and development has been established, but a systematic identification and analysis of lncRNAs in the pear has not been reported. Bud dormancy is a crucial and complicated protective mechanism for plants in winter. The roles of lncRNAs in the dormancy process remain largely unclear. In this study, we induced pear floral buds to enter into different dormant statuses by simulating four different chilling accumulation conditions. Then, a time series of RNA-seq analysis was performed and we identified 7594 lncRNAs in Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm. F.) Nakai that have not been identified. The sequence and expression of the lncRNAs were confirmed by PCR analysis. In total, 6253 lncRNAs were predicted to target protein-coding genes including 692 cis-regulated pairs (596 lncRNAs) and 13,158 trans-regulated pairs (6181 lncRNAs). Gene Ontology analysis revealed that most of lncRNAs' target genes were involved in catalytic activity, metabolic processes and cellular processes. In the trend analysis, 124 long-term cold response lncRNAs and 80 short-term cold response lncRNAs were predicted. Regarding the lncRNA-miRNA regulatory networks, 59 lncRNAs were identified as potential precursors for miRNA members of 20 families, 586 lncRNAs were targets of 261 pear miRNAs and 53 lncRNAs were endogenous target mimics for 26 miRNAs. In addition, three cold response lncRNAs, two miRNAs and their target genes were selected for expression confirmed. The trend of their expression was consistent with the predicted relationships among them and suggested possible roles of lncRNAs in ABA metabolic pathway. Our findings not only suggest the potential roles of lncRNAs in regulating the dormancy of pear floral buds but also provide new insights into the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in plants.

[A real-world study of 176 cases with aplastic anemia treated in outpatient]

目的

探索真实世界门诊治疗再生障碍性贫血（AA）患者的诊断流程、治疗及疗效。

方法

评估2018年1月至2019年12月门诊治疗176例AA患者的诊断流程、治疗方案及疗效。

结果

患者出现症状至首次就诊中位时间7（5～120）个月，就诊原因包括出血（52.3%）、贫血（51.7%）、感染（6.8%）。诊断流程中168例（95.5%）患者完成髂骨骨髓穿刺（骨穿），仅22例（17.1%）完善了多部位骨穿（胸骨分类）；骨髓活检完成率85.1%（143/168）；只有59.5%（100/168）和58.9%（99/168）完成了骨髓流式免疫分型及染色体核型分析；86例（48.5%）完成阵发性睡眠性血红蛋白尿（PNH）克隆筛查；造血祖细胞培养检查完成率最低，仅45例（26.8%）。环孢素A（CsA）联合雄激素及左旋咪唑为最常见治疗方案，总计77例（43.8%），其次为CsA联合雄激素45例（25.6%），单用CsA者24例（13.6%），单用雄激素者16例（9.1%），14例（7.9%）患者确诊后选择中药或未治疗。根据门诊复诊频率将176例患者分为复诊规律组（每年≥4次）130例（73.9%）和复诊欠规律组（每年<4次）46例（26.1%）。复诊规律组6个月有效率较高（52.5%对28.0%，P＝0.005），12个月高质量缓解率更好（40.7%对16.7%，P＝0.027），24个月复发率更低（4.4%对36.4%，P＝0.001）。

结论

真实世界治疗的AA患者诊断流程需重视多部位骨穿检查并完成PNH克隆筛查、流式免疫分型、染色体核型分析及造血祖细胞培养检查；门诊规律复诊患者可获得高质量缓解，复发率低，推荐每年至少复诊4次。

Definition and review on a category of long non-coding RNA: Atherosclerosis-associated circulating lncRNA (ASCLncRNA)

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the most common cardiovascular system diseases which seriously affects public health in modern society. Finding potential biomarkers in the complicated pathological progression of AS is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of AS. Studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be widely involved in the regulation of many physiological processes, and have important roles in different stages of AS formation. LncRNAs can be secreted into the circulatory system through exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. Recently, increasing studies have been focused on the relationships between circulating lncRNAs and AS development. The lncRNAs in circulating blood are expected to be new non-invasive diagnostic markers for monitoring the progression of AS. We briefly reviewed the previously reported lncRNA transcripts which related to AS development and detectable in circulating blood, including ANRIL, SENCR, CoroMarker, LIPCAR, HIF1α-AS1, LncRNA H19, APPAT, KCNQ1OT1, LncPPARδ, LincRNA-p21, MALAT1, MIAT, and UCA1. Further researches and a definition of atherosclerosis-associated circulating lncRNA (ASCLncRNA) were also discussed.

Correlations of the expression of γδ T cells and their co-stimulatory molecules TIGIT, PD-1, ICOS and BTLA with PR and PIBF in the peripheral blood and decidual tissues of women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion

Semi-allogeneic embryos are not rejected by the maternal immune system due to maternal-fetal immune tolerance. Progesterone (P) receptor (PR)-expressing γδ T cells are present in healthy pregnant women. In the presence of P, these cells secrete an immunomodulatory protein called progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF), which can facilitate immune escape and is important in preventing embryonic rejection. This work investigated the correlations of the expression of γδ T cells and their co-stimulatory molecules T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) and B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) with progesterone receptor (PR) and progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) in peripheral blood and decidual tissue in women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) and normal pregnant (NP) women. We confirmed that γδ T cell proportions and PIBF expression in the peripheral blood and decidua of URSA women decreased significantly, while PR expression in decidua decreased. However, TIGIT, PD-1, ICOS and BTLA expression in γδ T cells in peripheral blood did not change, while TIGIT and PD-1 expression in γδ T cells in decidua increased significantly. Under the action of PHA-P (10 µg/ml), co-blocking of TIGIT (15 µg/ml) and PD-1 (10 µg/ml) antibodies further induced γδ T cell proliferation, but PIBF levels in the culture medium supernatant did not change. At 10^-10 M P, γδ T cells proliferated significantly, and PIBF concentrations in the culture medium supernatant increased. γδ T cells co-cultured with P, TIGIT and PD-1 blocking antibodies showed the most significant proliferation, and PIBF concentrations in the culture medium supernatant were the highest. These results confirm that P is necessary for PIBF production. The TIGIT and PD-1 pathways participate in γδ T cell proliferation and activation and PIBF expression and play important roles in maintaining pregnancy.

Light quality affects the proliferation of in vitro cultured plantlets of Camellia oleifera Huajin

Background

Camellia oleifera is an important oil-yielding woody plant native to China. Tea oil extracted from the seeds is rich in health-beneficial compounds. Huajin is a high-yielding elite variety of C. oleifera, with large fruits and remarkable resilience, widely cultivated in southern China; however, its seedling quality tends to be uneven. At present, techniques such as grafting, and cuttings are primarily adopted to propagate C. oleifera. These approaches are susceptible to environmental constraints owing to the long growth period, resulting in the lack of C. oleifera seedlings. Methods to make the cultivation more economical are warranted; this can be facilitated by tissue culture technology to provide good-quality seedlings in a short time.

Methods

In vitro cultured plantlets of C. oleifera Huajin were exposed to red light (RL), blue light (BL), red:blue light at a 4:1 ratio (R4:B1), and red:blue light at a 1:4 ratio (R1:B4); white light (WL) was used as the control treatment. To investigate the influence of light spectral quality on the proliferation coefficient, photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins, plant height, leaf shape, Rubisco enzyme activity, and stomata and leaf anatomical features.

Results

The highest proliferation coefficient was observed under combined red and blue (4:1) light. In addition, this treatment resulted in the second highest chlorophyll content, the thickest palisade and spongy tissues, and consequently, the thickest leaves. The same treatment resulted in the second highest stomatal density, albeit concomitantly with the smallest average stomatal length and width.

Discussion

These results indicate that high-quality propagation of Huajin shoots can be achieved by culturing the plants in vitro under a combination of red and blue (4:1) lights. Previous studies have shown that red and blue lights improve rooting and transplanting rates of tissue culture seedlings. Hence, future research should focus on the effect of light quality on rooting and transplanting of tissue culture plantlets of Huajin and its specific molecular mechanisms.

The effect of Clostridium tyrobutyricum Spo0A overexpression in the intestine of mice

Clostridium tyrobutyricum shows probiotic properties and can affect the composition of gut microbiota and regulate the intestinal immune system. Compared with other probiotics, this spore-producing bacterium shows unparalleled advantages in commercial production. In addition to being resistant to extreme living environments for extended periods, its endophytic spores are implicated in inhibiting cancer cell growth. We speculated that C. tyrobutyricum spores can also promote gut health, which mean it can maintain intestinal homeostasis. To date, the beneficial effects of C. tyrobutyricum spores on gut health have not been reported. In this study, a Spo0A-overexpressing C. tyrobutyricum strain was developed to increase spore production, and its probiotic effects on the gut were assessed. Compared with the wild-type, the engineered strain showed significantly increased sporulation rates. Mice administered with the engineered strain exhibited enhanced intestinal villi and the villus height/crypt depth ratio, weight gain and improved Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio to facilitate intestinal homeostasis. This study demonstrated for the first time that enhanced spore production in C. tyrobutyricum can improve intestinal homeostasis, which is advantageous for its commercial application in food and pharmaceutical industry.

AB0691 CHARACTERIZATION OF DIFFERENT GROUPS WITH IMAGING AND NON-IMAGING FINDINGS OF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS COMBINE WITH HIP LESION IN WESTERN CHINESE

Background:

Hip joint lesion are the main cause of disability in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis(AS) in western China. Seriously affect the quality of life of patients.The early clinical characteristics of hip joint disease are not typical, the disease is insidious, and the radiological diagnosis is delayed.The main prevention is early screening and early diagnosis.

Objectives:

This study attempted to find out the main characteristics and related factors in different groups of AS combine with hip joint lesion in western China.

Methods:

A-First evaluation:How many patients have 1) active SIJ changes on MRI. 2) chronic SIJ changes (each for erosion, clerosis, ankylosis, or any of those) on MRI. 3) a combination of active changes and chronic changes (each for erosion, sclerosis, ankylosis, or any of those) on MRI. 4) active hip changes on MRI. 5) chonic hip changes (erosion, effusion any of those) on MRI. 6) a combination of active changes and chronic hanges (erosion, effusion any of those) on MRI. B-Then, combination SIJ / hip. 7) active SIJ changes on MRI and in parallel active hip changes on MRI. 8) chronic (see above) SIJ changes on MRI and in parallel active hip changes on MRI. 9) chronic (see above) SIJ changes on MRI and in parallel chronic (see above) hip changes on MRI. 10) chronic (see above) SIJ changes on MRI and in parallel any (active or chronic) hip changes on MRI. C-Then, characterization of these groups with non-imaging findings. Characteristics of groups 7-10 above, for age, sex, Disease duration, Hip pain, Joint pain, enthesitis, Diarrhea, uveitis, ASDAS-CRP, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, Pat. Global, CRP, ESR, Harris Score, HLA-B27.

Results:

Retrospective analysis total 558 SpA patients (mean age 29, mean duration 5 years). 1) HIP-Active+Chronic group (N=288, AS=151) vs SIJ+HIP-Active group (N=241, AS=138): hip pain (p<0.0001), diarrhea (p<0.0001), joint pain (p<0.0001) and BASFI (p<0.05); 2) HIP-Active+Chronic(N=117, AS=58) vs SIJ-Chronic+HIP-Active group (N=214, AS=134): hip pain(p<0.0001), joint pain (p<0.0001), enthesitis (p<0.0001), ASDAS-CRP (p<0.05) and ESR (p<0.05); 3) SIJ-Active+Chronic group (N=204, AS=125) vs SIJ-Chronic+HIP-Active group (N=214, AS=134): hip pain (p<0.0001), joint pain (p<0.0001); 4) SIJ-Active+Chronic group (N=204, AS=125) vs SIJ+HIP-Chronic group (N=72, AS=40):hip pain (p<0.0001), Pat. Global (p<0.05); 5) SIJ+HIP-Active group (N=241, AS=138) vs SIJ-Chronic+HIP-Active group (N=214, AS=134): HLA-B27 positive (Chi-square, df, 24.98, 4) (p<0.0001); 6) SIJ+HIP-Chronic group (N=72, AS=40) vs SIJ-Chronic+HIP-Active/Chronic group (N=228, AS=144): Pat. Global (p<0.05), ESR (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Hip joint lesion are closely related to sacroiliac joint lesion and HLA-B27 positive in AS. Hip pain is the main clinical manifestation of hip joint lesion in AS. Hip joint lesion may lead to function declines, disease activity in AS.

References:

[1]Vander C B, Munoz-Gomariz E, Font P, et al. Hip involvement in ankylosing spondylitis:epidemiology and risk factors associated with hip replacement surgery[J]. Rheumatology (Oxford), 2010,49(1):73-81.

[2]Sieper J, Rudwaleit M, Baraliakos X, et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) handbook: a guide to assess spondyloarthritis[J]. Ann Rheum Dis, 2009,68 Suppl 2:i1-i44.

[3]Ward M M, Deodhar A, Akl E A, et al. American College of Rheumatology/Spondylitis Association of America/Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network 2015 Recommendations for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis[J]. Arthritis Rheumatol, 2016,68(2):282-298.

Disclosure of Interests:

Qing Han: None declared, Zhaohui Zheng: None declared, Kui Zhang: None declared, Zheng Yu: None declared, Fengfan Yang: None declared, Qiang Liang: None declared, Ping Zhu: None declared, Xenofon Baraliakos Grant/research support from: Grant/research support from: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen

SAT0563 SINGLE-PHOTON EMISSION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY-COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IS EQUIVALENT TO MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF SPONDYLOARTHRITIS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background:

SpA has historically been a difficult clinical diagnosis, especially early diagnosis. Two imaging techniques that address this problem are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography (SPECT-CT). Their accuracies have not been adequately compared.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study is to compare the sensitivities and specificities of SPECT-CT and MRI in SpA.

Methods:

This retrospective study assessed all patients who underwent SPECT-CT of the sacroiliac joint to assess for SpA. The results of SPECT-CT were compared against MRI for all patients in the cohort who underwent an MRI within 4 weeks of the SPECT-CT. A diagnosis of SpA in the discharge summary was considered the reference standard, and was based on a combination of clinical scenario, response to therapy, imaging,, patient history or lab index.

Results:

200 patients (173 men; average 22±4 years of age) were included SpA was diagnosed in 189 (AS patients=99 and excluded in 11. SPECT-CT and MRI had similar (P >0 .05;k ¼ 0.74) sensitivities (0.94 vs 0.94),specificities (1.00 vs 1.00),positive predictive values (1.00 vs 1.00),negative predictive values (0.94 vs 0.80),and accuracies (0.97 vs 0.95) when compared to the reference standard.

Conclusion:

Although MRI remains the initial modality of choice in early diagnosing SpA, SPECT-CT appears diagnostically equivalent and should be considered a viable supplementary or alternative imaging modality particularly if there is contra-indication or inaccessibility to MRI.

References:

[1]Taurog J D, Chhabra A, Colbert R A. Ankylosing Spondylitis and Axial Spondyloarthritis[J]. N Engl J Med, 2016,375(13):1303.

[2]van der Linden S, Valkenburg H A, Cats A. Evaluation of diagnostic criteria for ankylosing spondylitis. A proposal for modification of the New York criteria[J]. Arthritis Rheum, 1984,27(4):361-368.

[3]Ward M M, Deodhar A, Gensler L S, et al. 2019 Update of the American College of Rheumatology/Spondylitis Association of America/Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network Recommendations for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis[J]. Arthritis Rheumatol, 2019,71(10):1599-1613.

[4]Boonen A, Sieper J, van der Heijde D, et al. The burden of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis[J]. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 2015,44(5):556-562.

[5]Sieper J, Rudwaleit M, Baraliakos X, et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) handbook: a guide to assess spondyloarthritis[J]. Ann Rheum Dis, 2009,68 Suppl 2:i1-i44.

[6]Bermo M, Behnia S, Fair J, et al. Review of Extraskeletal Activity on Tc-99m Methylene Diphosphonate Bone Scintigraphy and Value of Cross-Sectional and SPECT-CT Imaging Correlation[J]. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol, 2018,47(5):324-332.

[7]Ward M M, Deodhar A, Akl E A, et al. American College of Rheumatology/Spondylitis Association of America/Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network 2015 Recommendations for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis[J]. Arthritis Rheumatol, 2016,68(2):282-298.

[8]Abdelhafez Y G, Hagge R J, Badawi R D, et al. Early and Delayed 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT Findings in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis[J]. Clin Nucl Med, 2017,42(11):e480-e481.

Figure 1.

An 20-years-old man with 5 years of low back pain and spine malformation. (A) SPECT-CT showed an abnormal concentration of radioactivity in SIJ. (B–C) In SIJ, MRI showed a high signal on T1-WI, and a high signal on STIR.

Figure 2.

An 37-year-old man with 20 years of low back pain and spine malformation. (A) SPECT-CT showed an abnormal concentration of radioactivity in SIJ. (B–C) In SIJ, MRI showed a high signal on T1-WI, and a low signal on STIR.

Disclosure of Interests:

Qing Han: None declared, Zhaohui Zheng: None declared, Kui Zhang: None declared, Zheng Yu: None declared, Fengfan Yang: None declared, Qiang Liang: None declared, Ping Zhu: None declared, Xenofon Baraliakos Grant/research support from: Grant/research support from: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen

THU0526 MEASUREMENT OF RADIOLOGICAL JOINT WIDTH IS THE KEY IN ASSESSING HIP INVOLVEMENT OF HIPS IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Background:

Hip involvement is one of the most disabling complications of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Frequently, arthroplasty is necessary by the time symptoms appear.

Objectives:

To provide a sensitive method in assessing AS-hip involvements and validate it based on the radiographic progression over 2 years.

Methods:

Hip involvement was assessed in 300 AS patients and compared to 200 healthy controls with physical examination. Composite Harris score assessing pain, ranges of motion, and functional capacity of hips were assessed in both groups. Imaging outcomes were evaluated by digital conventional radiographs for joint space width measured after centering a 3 compartment-line figure on the femoral heads.

Results:

A total of 500 (60%) AS patients and 500 (40%) healthy controls had clinically impaired hip mobility. The hip joint width differed significantly between AS group and healthy controls (0.93±0.54, range 5.41-0.35vs 4.83±0.74, range 6.72-3.56, P<0.0001). Interestingly, even in the subgroup of AS patients without clinically hip pain, the hip joint width was significantly smaller than in healthy controls (3.29±0.66, range 5.4-2.1 vs 4.83±0.74, range 6.72-3.56, P<0.0001). We then evaluated the MRI images of the same 300 subjects. First, we evaluated the 200 control subjects to establish a threshold. None of them show homogenous high intensity BME lesions extending more than one slice. we examine the MRI of the 300 AS patients. Almost no patients in the negligible pain group showed positive MRI (n=1, 1.2%). Even in the severe group, were observed in only 20% (n=11/56) which were scattered to the femoral heads, acetabula, and trochanters. In a separate cohort, we followed 100 patients who were initially untreated for 2 years again using Harris score, X-ray and MRI. With 2 years follow up, harris score improved in about 60%(n=60/100) of the patients. Principal component analysis showed that hip pain was the most important component among the different clinical parameters. Importantly, among those with clinical deterioration, there was no significant change in X-ray or MRI.

Conclusion:

Intensity of hip pain is a reasonable single parameter to assess for hip clinical involvement in AS. The higher the hip pain, the narrower the hip joint width. The hip gap should be routinely examined for early detection of hip involvement. Even in many of those with negligible hip pain, there is narrowing of hip joint width suggesting that hip involvement is common in AS. Hip disease progresses very slowly over 2 years.

References:

[1]KIRSTEN MACKAY, CHRISTOPHER MACK, SINEAD BKOPHY.et al. THE BATH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITTS RADIOLOGY INDEX (BASRI): A New, Validated Approach to Disease Assessment.[J] ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM. l998(41), pp 2263-2270.

[2]MacKay K, Brophy S, Mack C, Doran M, Calin A.The development and validation of a radiographic grading system for the hip in ankylosing spondylitis: the bath ankylosing spondylitis radiology hip index. [J] J Rheumatol. 2000 Dec;27(12):2866-72.

[3]Julie C, Baker-LePain, Nancy E. Lane.Relationship between joint shape and the development of osteoarthritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol. [J] 2010; 22(5): 538–543.

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Acknowledgments:

Professor David Yu

Disclosure of Interests:

Qing Han: None declared, Zhaohui Zheng: None declared, Kui Zhang: None declared, Zheng Yu: None declared, Fengfan Yang: None declared, Qiang Liang: None declared, Ping Zhu: None declared, Xenofon Baraliakos Grant/research support from: Grant/research support from: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen

[Treatment of Chilomastix mesnili infection with traditional Chinese medicine: a case report]

This paper reports a case with Chilomastix mesnili infections, and summarizes the diagnosis and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine.

A51 UTILIZING MUCIN-DERIVED SUGARS CONFERS A FITNESS ADVANTAGE TO THE ENTERIC PATHOGEN CITROBACTER RODENTIUM THAT PROMOTES INTESTINAL COLONIZATION

Background

Citrobacter rodentium is an enteric murine pathogen used to model the human diarrheal pathogens. Following inoculation, C. rodentium colonizes the mouse cecum where it expands and ultimately spreads to the distal colon. During this process, C. rodentium has to compete with commensal microbes for available nutrients. Moreover, to spread throughout the gut, and infect the intestinal epithelium, C. rodentium has to cross through, and or dwell within the intestinal mucus layer which is composed of the heavily glycosylated protein Muc2. Muc-2 is glycosylated and coated by 5 distinct terminal sugar residues: galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, fucose, and sialic acid. Many commensal microbes have the ability to cleave and free these sugars from the Muc2 protein, releasing them for their own consumption, however pathogens appear to exploit this process. While studies have indicated that C. rodentium uses these terminal sugar residues as a nutritional source, their relative importance in the pathogenic strategy of C. rodentium (and other gut pathogens) remains unclear

Aims

Investigate the role played by mucin sugar residues in controlling C. rodentium pathogenesis

Methods

Deletions of agaW, nagE, mglB, galP, fucK, and nanT were generated on the chromosome of C. rodentium (Strepr) by overlap extension PCR. Growth assays were performed to examine the growth kinetics of mutants C. rodentium in minimal (M9) media supplemented with one of the 5 mucin sugars or M9 with whole mucin as control. Specific pathogen free (SPF) C57BL/6 mice, or germfree C57BL/6 mice were orally gavaged with wildtype C. rodentium (Strepr) or one of ΔagaW, ΔnagE, ΔmglB, ΔgalP, ΔfucK, or ΔnanT strains. Mice were euthanized at 6 days post-infection, and the cecum, colon, and spleen were collected and histologically scored for pathology and intestinal and systemic bacterial burden. Stool samples were collected throughout the 6 days to quantify C. rodentium burdens

Results

Growth assays confirmed that the specific sugar transporter/kinase mutant C. rodentium strains grew normally when placed in media supplemented with whole mucin, or with most sugars, only showing overt defects in growth when solely supplemented with the sugar for which they were impaired. Several of the C. rodentium mutants including ΔnanT showed overt defects in colonization/infection of SPF C57BL/6 mice, but their pathogenesis was normalized in germfree mice, or in mice treated with the antibiotic streptomycin at each day post-infection. These findings indicate that the impact of mucin sugar utilization on C. rodentium virulence is microbiota-dependent

Conclusions

C. rodentium uses mucin sugars as nutrient source in the mouse gut, and an inability to use these sugars impairs their ability to infect their hosts in a microbiota dependent manner

Funding Agencies

CAG, CCC, CIHR, NRC

Comparison of Different Slice Thicknesses in Computed Tomography for Labyrinthine Fistula Evaluation

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of different slice thicknesses in computed tomography for labyrinthine fistula evaluation and to determine the appropriate slice thickness.

METHODS

A total of 258 patients who underwent mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty for chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma from 2010 to 2014 were reviewed. The radiological diagnoses were compared with intraoperative findings. Sensitivity and specificity of 2.0-, 1.5-, 1.0-, and 0.75-mm-thick computed tomographic (CT) images for the evaluation of labyrinthine fistulae were calculated. Cohen's κ coefficient was also calculated.

RESULTS

The sensitivities of 2.0-, 1.5-, 1.0-, and 0.75-mm-thick CT images for the evaluation of labyrinthine fistulae were 76.9, 86.5, 90.4, and 93.3% (observer 1) and 67.3, 76.0, 79.8, and 87.5% (observer 2), respectively. The specificities of 2.0-, 1.5-, 1.0-, and 0.75-mm-thick CT images for labyrinthine fistula evaluation were 96.1, 94.8, 95.5, and 95.5% (observer 1) and 99.4, 97.4, 95.5, and 94.8% (observer 2), respectively. Cohen's κ coefficients were 0.790, 0.788, 0.876, and 0.911 in 2.0-, 1.5-, 1.0-, and 0.75-mm-thick CT images, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The sensitivity of CT for labyrinthine fistula evaluation increases with decreasing slice thickness, while the specificity does not improve.

Cell-free Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA test in pleural effusion for tuberculous pleurisy: a diagnostic accuracy study

OBJECTIVES

Tuberculous pleurisy (TP) diagnosis remains difficult, with the sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) and mycobacterial culture (culture) only about 30-50%. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of a cell-free Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA test (cf-TB) in pleural effusion for TP.

METHODS

Adults (≥18 years) with suspected TP presenting with pleural effusion were consecutively recruited, and pleural effusion specimens were prospectively collected in Beijing Chest Hospital, Beijing, China. After centrifuging pleural effusion, sediments were used for culture, Xpert and T-SPOT.TB assay, whereas supernatants were used for cf-TB and adenosine deaminase assay. The diagnostic performance was assessed against a composite reference standard.

RESULTS

From June 2015 to December 2018, we prospectively evaluated 286 adults with suspected TP. One hundred twenty-two participants were classified as definite TP based on the prespecified composite reference standard. The cf-TB produced a sensitivity of 79.5% (97/122, 95% confidence interval (CI) 72.4- 86.7) for definite TP, which was superior to Xpert (38.5% (29.9-47.2); 47/122; p < 0.001) and culture (27.1% (19.2-34.9); 33/122; p < 0.001). With pleural effusion Xpert and/or culture as the reference standard, cf-TB showed 96.6% (57/59, 95% CI 92.0-100.0) sensitivity, which was also significantly higher than Xpert (79.7%, 95% CI 69.4-89.9; 47/59; p 0.004) and culture (55.9%, 95% CI: 43.3-68.6; 33/59; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The cf-TB clearly showed improved sensitivity compared with Xpert and culture. We recommend cf-TB as the first-line test for TP diagnosis.

Study on Antibacterial and Quorum-Sensing Inhibition Activities of Cinnamomum camphora Leaf Essential Oil

Many essential oils (EOs) regulate the quorum-sensing (QS) system of pathogens and inhibit the virulence expression. Interference with QS can potentially reduce bacterial multidrug resistance and aid the biological control of bacterial disease. In the present work, the antibacterial and anti-QS activities of Cinnamomum camphora leaf EO were investigated. A total of 23 chemical components with relative levels ≥0.11%, including a large number of terpene compounds, were identified in C. camphora leaf EO by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The principal component was linalool, followed by eucalyptol, with relative levels of 51.57% and 22.07%, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and antibacterial activity of C. camphora EO were examined, and P. aeruginosa and E. coli ATCC25922 showed the highest and lowest sensitivity to C. camphora EO, respectively. Tests of QS inhibitory activity revealed that C. camphora EO significantly decreased the production of violacein and biofilm biomass in C. violaceum, with the maximum inhibition rates of 63% and 77.64%, respectively, and inhibited the biofilm formation and swarming movement, independent of affecting the growth of C. violaceum. Addition of C. camphora EO also resulted in downregulation of the expression of the acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) synthesis gene (cviI) and transcription regulator (cviR), and inhibited the expression of QS-regulated virulence genes, including vioA, vioB, vioC, vioD, vioE, lasA, lasB, pilE3, and hmsHNFR. Collectively, the prominent antibacterial activity and anti-QS activities clearly support that C. camphora EO acts as a potential antibacterial agent and QS inhibitor in the prevention of bacterial contamination.

Lateral Posterior Choroidal Collateral Anastomosis Predicts Recurrent Ipsilateral Hemorrhage in Adult Patients with Moyamoya Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Choroidal collateral anastomosis is associated with hemorrhage recurrence in patients with Moyamoya disease. However, the relationship between recurrent ipsilateral hemorrhage and choroidal collateral anastomosis subtypes (anterior choroidal artery anastomosis, lateral posterior choroidal artery anastomosis, and medial posterior choroidal artery anastomosis) is unclear. This study aimed to assess this potential association in adult patients with Moyamoya disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients angiographically diagnosed with Moyamoya disease who underwent conservative treatment between January 2008 and December 2018 were included in this retrospective study. Two readers assessed the angiographic images to identify choroidal collateral anastomosis subtypes, and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate the risk of recurrent hemorrhage associated with each subtype.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients (mean age = 45.2 years) were included in this study. During 52.4 ± 37.0 months of follow-up, recurrent ipsilateral hemorrhage occurred in 48.7% (19/39) of patients. Patients with recurrent hemorrhage had a higher prevalence of choroidal collateral (94.8% versus 60.0%; P = .02) and lateral posterior choroidal artery (78.9% versus 25.0%; P < .01) anastomoses than those without recurrent hemorrhage. Lateral posterior choroidal artery anastomosis was associated with recurrent hemorrhage before (hazard ratio = 6.66; 95% CI, 2.18-20.39; P < .01) and after (hazard ratio = 5.78; 95% CI, 1.58-21.13; P < .01) adjustments were made for age, sex, and other confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Choroidal collateral anastomosis is responsible for most cases of recurrent hemorrhage in adult patients with Moyamoya disease; lateral posterior choroidal artery anastomosis is a significant risk factor for these recurrent events.

Orientationally ordered states of a wormlike chain in spherical confinement

One of the basic characteristics of a linear dsDNA molecule is its persistence length, typically of order 50 nm. The DNA chain inflicts a large energy penalty if it is bent sharply at that length scale. Viruses of bacteria, known as bacteriophages, typically have a dimension of a few tens of nanometers. Yet, it is known that a bacteriophage actively packages viral DNA inside the capsid and ejects it afterwards. Here, adopting a commonly used polymer model known as the wormlike chain, we answer an idealized question: Placing a linear DNA molecule inside a spherical cavity, what ordered states can we derive from known tools in statistical physics? Solving the model in a rigorous field-theory framework, we report a universal phase diagram for four orientationally ordered and disordered states, in terms of two relevant physical parameters.

Conversion of human and mouse fibroblasts into lung-like epithelial cells

Cell lineage conversion of fibroblasts to specialized cell types through transdifferentiation may provide a fast and alternative cell source for regenerative medicine. Here we show that transient transduction of fibroblasts with the four reprogramming factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc) in addition to the early lung transcription factor Nkx2-1 (also known as Ttf1), followed by directed differentiation of the cells, can convert mouse embryonic and human adult dermal fibroblasts into induced lung-like epithelial cells (iLEC). These iLEC differentiate into multiple lung cell types in air liquid interface cultures, repopulate decellularized rat lung scaffolds, and form lung epithelia composed of Ciliated, Goblet, Basal, and Club cells after transplantation into immune-compromised mice. As proof-of-concept, differentiated human iLEC harboring the Cystic Fibrosis mutation dF508 demonstrated pharmacological rescue of CFTR function using the combination of lumacaftor and ivacaftor. Overall, this is a promising alternative approach for generation of patient-specific lung-like progenitors to study lung function, disease and future regeneration strategies.

Increase in CFC-11 emissions from eastern China based on atmospheric observations

The recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer relies on the continued decline in the atmospheric concentrations of ozone-depleting gases such as chlorofluorocarbons¹. The atmospheric concentration of trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11), the second-most abundant chlorofluorocarbon, has declined substantially since the mid-1990s². A recently reported slowdown in the decline of the atmospheric concentration of CFC-11 after 2012, however, suggests that global emissions have increased^3,4. A concurrent increase in CFC-11 emissions from eastern Asia contributes to the global emission increase, but the location and magnitude of this regional source are unknown³. Here, using high-frequency atmospheric observations from Gosan, South Korea, and Hateruma, Japan, together with global monitoring data and atmospheric chemical transport model simulations, we investigate regional CFC-11 emissions from eastern Asia. We show that emissions from eastern mainland China are 7.0 ± 3.0 (±1 standard deviation) gigagrams per year higher in 2014-2017 than in 2008-2012, and that the increase in emissions arises primarily around the northeastern provinces of Shandong and Hebei. This increase accounts for a substantial fraction (at least 40 to 60 per cent) of the global rise in CFC-11 emissions. We find no evidence for a significant increase in CFC-11 emissions from any other eastern Asian countries or other regions of the world where there are available data for the detection of regional emissions. The attribution of any remaining fraction of the global CFC-11 emission rise to other regions is limited by the sparsity of long-term measurements of sufficient frequency near potentially emissive regions. Several considerations suggest that the increase in CFC-11 emissions from eastern mainland China is likely to be the result of new production and use, which is inconsistent with the Montreal Protocol agreement to phase out global chlorofluorocarbon production by 2010.