Prognostic analysis of Behçet's disease with aortic regurgitation or involvement

Background

Aortic regurgitation is the most common cardiovascular damage in Chinese patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) and is usually associated with aortic disease. These patients are easily misdiagnosed, and their prognosis is poor, even after surgical treatment. This study aimed to analyse potential factors that can improve the prognosis of BD patients with aortic regurgitation and/or aortic involvement.

Methods

Twenty-two patients with diagnosed or suspected BD as well as aortic regurgitation and/or aortic involvement in our hospital from 2012 through 2017 were collected in this study. Their clinical characteristics were listed, and the diagnosis of BD was evaluated by two different criteria sets. The influences of surgical treatment and immunosuppressive therapy (IST) on their prognosis were also explored.

Results

The diagnostic positive rate of the International Criteria for Behçet’s Disease was higher than that of the International Study Group criteria (kappa value 0.31, p < 0.05), indicating that the diagnostic consistency between the criteria sets was poor. There was no significant difference in survival between patients who had undergone ≤ 1 operation and those with ≥ 2 operations. Aortic valve replacement alone or in combination with aortic root replacement had no significant effect on the incidence of reoperation or death, but IST did significantly reduce this incidence (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of reoperation or death between preoperative and postoperative IST versus postoperative IST only.

Conclusion

IST significantly improved the prognosis of BD patients with aortic regurgitation and/or aortic involvement.

Supplementary Information

The online version of this article (10.1007/s12471-021-01567-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

222 Rn emanation measurements for the XENON1T experiment

The selection of low-radioactive construction materials is of utmost importance for the success of low-energy rare event search experiments. Besides radioactive contaminants in the bulk, the emanation of radioactive radon atoms from material surfaces attains increasing relevance in the effort to further reduce the background of such experiments. In this work, we present the 222 Rn emanation measurements performed for the XENON1T dark matter experiment. Together with the bulk impurity screening campaign, the results enabled us to select the radio-purest construction materials, targeting a 222 Rn activity concentration of 10 μ Bq / kg in 3.2 t of xenon. The knowledge of the distribution of the 222 Rn sources allowed us to selectively eliminate problematic components in the course of the experiment. The predictions from the emanation measurements were compared to data of the 222 Rn activity concentration in XENON1T. The final 222 Rn activity concentration of ( 4.5 ± 0.1 ) μ Bq / kg in the target of XENON1T is the lowest ever achieved in a xenon dark matter experiment.

Long non-coding RNA MIR155HG knockdown suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion in NSCLC by upregulating TP53INP1 directly targeted by miR-155-3p and miR-155-5p

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have proved that lncRNA MIR155 host gene (MIR155HG) is overexpressed in glioma and has elucidated its function. However, its functional role and underlying molecular mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the function and underlying mechanism of MIR155HG in NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Differentially expressed lncRNAs in NSCLC tissue were identified from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The expression of MIR155HG, miR-155-3p, miRNA-155-5p, and tumor protein p53-inducible nuclear protein 1 (TP53INP1) in NSCLC specimens and cells were quantified using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting analysis. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and transwell invasion assay were performed to evaluate cell viability and the ability of migration and invasion. Luciferase reporter assay was employed to examine whether miR-155-3p and miR-155-5p could bind to TP53INP1 in NSCLC cells. A xenograft tumor model was used to evaluate the biological function of MIR155HG in vivo.

RESULTS

Data obtained from the GEO dataset show that MIR155HG is frequently overexpressed in NSCLC tumor tissues and cell lines. Elevated MIR155HG levels were found to be associated with advanced disease stage and poor prognosis of NSCLC. Cell viability, as well as the capability of migration and invasion of NCI-H1975 and A549 cells, was markedly reduced upon MIR155HG knockdown. Mechanistically, bioinformatics analysis and functional assays confirmed that miR-155-5p and miR-155-3p, two derivatives of MIR155HG, contributed to the effect of MIR155HG in NSCLC. It was also found that miR-155-5p or miR-155-3p mimics could dramatically rescue the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion caused by siMIR155HG. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis and Luciferase reporter assays revealed that miR-155-5p and miR-155-3p mediate the effect of MIR155HG in NSCLC cells by negatively regulating the tumor suppressor TP53INP1.

CONCLUSIONS

Current findings indicate that MIR155HG/miR-155 axis facilitates NSCLC progression by downregulating TP53INP1. Therefore, the MIR155HG/miR-155 axis may be a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Roles of circ-CSPP1 on the proliferation and metastasis of glioma cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the association between circ-CSPP1 and the proliferation, invasion, and migration of glioma cancer (GC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detected circ-CSPP1 expression in GC tissues and cells. Subsequently, siRNA was transfected to suppress circ-CSPP1 expression in vitro. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining assay were performed to examine the proliferation of GC cells. Meanwhile, transwell assay was conducted to determine the invasion and migration of GC cells. Furthermore, Western blot assay was conducted to analyze the protein expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin.

RESULTS

Circ-CSPP1 expression was significantly up-regulated both in GC tissues and cells. GC cells with low expression of circ-CSPP1 showed significantly reduced proliferation, invasion, and migration abilities. In addition, up-regulated E-cadherin protein expression, along with down-regulated N-cadherin and Vimentin protein expressions were observed in GC cells with circ-CSPP1 siRNA treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Circ-CSPP1 promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells.

Podocyte Autophagy in Homeostasis and Disease

Autophagy is a protective mechanism that removes dysfunctional components and provides nutrition for cells. Podocytes are terminally differentiated specialized epithelial cells that wrap around the capillaries of the glomerular filtration barrier and show high autophagy level at the baseline. Here, we provide an overview of cellular autophagy and its regulation in homeostasis with specific reference to podocytes. We discuss recent data that have focused on the functional role and regulation of autophagy during podocyte injury in experimental and clinical glomerular diseases. A thorough understanding of podocyte autophagy could shed novel insights into podocyte survival mechanisms with injury and offer potential targets for novel therapeutics for glomerular disease.

Periostin Contributes to Immunoglobulin a Nephropathy by Promoting the Proliferation of Mesangial Cells: A Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a known cause of end-stage kidney disease, but the pathogenesis and factors affecting prognosis are not fully understood. In the present study, we carried out weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) to identify hub genes related to the occurrence of IgAN and validated candidate genes in experiments using mouse mesangial cells (MMCs) and clinical specimens (kidney tissue from IgAN patients and healthy controls). We screened the GSE37460 and GSE104948 differentially expressed genes common to both datasets and identified periostin (POSTN) as one of the five key genes using the cytoHubba plugin of Cytoscape software and by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. The top 25% of genes in the GSE93798 dataset showing variable expression between IgAN and healthy tissue were assessed by WGCNA. The royalblue module in WGCNA was closely related to creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in IgAN patients. POSTN had very high module membership and gene significance values for creatinine (0.82 and 0.66, respectively) and eGFR (0.82 and -0.67, respectively), indicating that it is a co-hub gene. In MMCs, POSTN was upregulated by transforming growth factor β1, and stimulation of MMCs with recombinant POSTN protein resulted in an increase in the level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and a decrease in that of B cell lymphoma-associated X protein, which were accompanied by enhanced MMC proliferation. POSTN gene knockdown had the opposite effects. Immunohistochemical analysis of kidney tissue specimens showed that POSTN and PCNA levels were elevated, whereas the rate of apoptosis was reduced in IgAN patients relative to healthy controls. POSTN level in the kidney tissue of IgAN patients was positively correlated with creatinine level and negatively correlated with eGFR. Thus, POSTN promotes the proliferation of MCs to promote renal dysfunction in IgAN.

Inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome attenuates apoptosis in contrast-induced acute kidney injury through the upregulation of HIF1A and BNIP3-mediated mitophagy

The pathogenetic mechanism of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), which is the third most common cause of hospital-acquired AKI, has not been elucidated. Previously, we demonstrated that renal injury and cell apoptosis were attenuated in nlrp3 knockout CI-AKI mice. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying NLRP3 inhibition-mediated attenuation of apoptosis in CI-AKI. The RNA sequencing analysis of renal cortex revealed that the nlrp3 or casp1 knockout CI-AKI mice exhibited upregulated cellular response to hypoxia, mitochondrial oxidation, and autophagy when compared with the wild-type (WT) CI-AKI mice, which indicated that NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition resulted in the upregulation of hypoxia signaling pathway and mitophagy. The nlrp3 or casp1 knockout CI-AKI mice and iohexol-treated HK-2 cells with MCC950 pretreatment exhibited upregulated levels of HIF1A, BECN1, BNIP3, and LC3B-II, as well as enhanced colocalization of LC3B with BNIP3 and mitochondria, and colocalization of mitochondria with lysosomes. Additionally, roxadustat, a HIF prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor, protected the renal tubular epithelial cells against iohexol-induced injury through stabilization of HIF1A and activation of downstream BNIP3-mediated mitophagy in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, BNIP3 deficiency markedly decreased mitophagy, and also significantly exacerbated apoptosis and renal injury. This suggested the protective function of BNIP3-mediated mitophagy in CI-AKI. This study elucidated a novel mechanism in which NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition attenuated apoptosis and upregulated HIF1A and BNIP3-mediated mitophagy in CI-AKI. Additionally, this study demonstrated the potential applications of MCC950 and roxadustat in clinical CI-AKI treatment.

Abbreviations: BNIP3: BCL2/adenovirus E1B interacting protein 3; Ctrl: control; DAPI: 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride; EGLN2/PHD1: egl-9 family hypoxia-inducible factor 2; HIF1A: hypoxia inducible factor 1, alpha subunit; H-E: hematoxylin and eosin; IL18: interleukin 18; IL1B: interleukin 1 beta; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; mRNA: messenger RNA; NFKB/NF-κB: nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells; NLRP3: NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3; NS: normal saline; PRKN/Parkin: parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase; PINK1: PTEN induced putative kinase 1; RNA: ribonucleic acid; SEM: standard error of the mean; siRNA: small interfering RNA; TEM: transmission electron microscopy; TUBA/α-tubulin: tubulin, alpha; TUNEL: terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling; VDAC: voltage-dependent anion channel; WT: wild-type

[Correlation between compassion fatigue and workplace violence in emergency department nurses]

Objective: To investigate the workplace violence and compassion fatigue of nurses in emergency department and to explore the relationship between the two. Methods: The general information questionnaire, workplace violence scale and professional quality of life scale were used to investigate 957 emergency department nurses of 28 Level II hospitals and above. Results: The scores of each dimension of the professional quality of life scale for nurses in the emergency department were: compassion satisfaction score was 29.91±7.82, the burnout score was 26.63±5.66, and the second trauma score was 23.17±5.94. The total score of compassion fatigue is 49.80±10.42. The incidence of workplace violence was 77.6%. Workplace violence was negatively correlated with compassion satisfaction (r=-0.250, P<0.01) , and positively correlated with burnout, secondary trauma, and total compassion fatigue (r=0.349、0.340、0.384, P<0.01) . Whether there is only non-physical violence in the compassion satisfaction, burnout, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue total score is not statistically significant. Conclusion: Compassion fatigue is more serious in emergency department nurses, and the incidence of workplace violence is higher. Workplace violence has a positive effect on compassion fatigue. Nursing managers should actively prevent workplace violence and improve the working environment, thus reducing empathy fatigue.

MicroRNA-155 and FOXP3 jointly inhibit the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by regulating ZEB2 expression

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to explore whether microRNA-155 and FOXP3 could regulate invasive and migratory capacities of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells by mediating Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to detect the binding condition between microRNA-155, FOXP3, and ZEB2. Protein and mRNA levels of ZEB2 in CRC cells were detected after overexpression of microRNA-155 and FOXP3 by Western blot and quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. In vitro experiments were conducted using HCT116 and SW620 cell lines. We first detected expression levels of microRNA-155, FOXP3, and ZEB2 in the normal colorectal epithelial cell line (NCM460) and CRC cell lines (HCT116 and SW620) by qRT-PCR. Protein expressions of ZEB2, E-cadherin, and vimentin in WT, LV-GFP, and LV-FOXP3 groups were detected. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were conducted to determine the regulatory effects of microRNA-155 and FOXP3 on invasive and migratory capacities of CRC cells, respectively.

RESULTS

Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay found that FOXP3 binds to the promoter and intron regions of ZEB2, and microRNA-155 binds to the 3'UTR region of wild-type ZEB2. Overexpression of FOXP3 downregulated mRNA and protein levels of ZEB2. ZEB2 was highly expressed, whereas microRNA-155 and FOXP3 were lowly expressed in HCT116 and SW620 cells than NCM460 cells. MicroRNA-155 overexpression upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated vimentin in CRC cells. Overexpression of FOXP3 and microRNA-155 inhibited invasive and migratory capacities of CRC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

MicroRNA-155 and FOXP3 can jointly regulate ZEB2 expression, thereby inhibiting the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells.

PARP inhibitors as maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Up to 70% of patients with advanced ovarian cancer have a relapse after primary therapy. New agents and approaches are urgently needed to avoid or slow down this recurrence.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the efficacy of PARP inhibitors (PARPis) as maintenance treatment in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer.

SEARCH STRATEGY

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised clinical trials (RCTs) that compared PARPis with placebo as first-line maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers extracted data. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

MAIN RESULTS

PARPis were associated with significant improvement of progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AeOC) (HR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.40-0.71; P < 0.0001). The benefit was not only in women with BRCA mutations (HR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.29-0.42; P < 0.00001) and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) (HR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.32-0.60; P < 0.00001), but also in those with nonmutated BRCA (HR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.63-0.82; P < 0.00001) and even non-HRD (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.70-0.99; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

PARP inhibitors are effective as maintenance therapy among patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer after platinum-based chemotherapy, regardless of BRCA mutation or HRD status.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

PARPis provide a significant PFS benefit as first-line maintenance therapy in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer.

Lung ultrasound B-lines and serum KL-6 correlate with the severity of idiopathic inflammatory myositis-associated interstitial lung disease

OBJECTIVE

Idiopathic inflammatory myositis-associated interstitial lung disease (IIM-ILD) significantly increases morbidity and mortality. Lung ultrasound B-lines and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) are identified as new sonographic and serum markers of ILD, respectively. The aim of our work was to assess the role of B-lines and KL-6 as markers of the severity of IIM-ILD. For this purpose, the correlation among B-lines score, serum KL-6 levels, high-resolution CT (HRCT) score, and pulmonary function tests were investigated in IIM-ILD patients.

METHODS

Thirty-eight patients with IIM-ILD underwent chest HRCT scans, lung ultrasound and pulmonary function tests (independently performed within 1 week) examination. To assess severity and extent of ILD at HRCT, the Warrick score was used. The B-lines score denoting the extension of ILD was calculated by summing the number of B-lines on a total of 50 scanning sites. Serum KL-6 levels (U/ml) was measured by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

A significant correlation was found between the B-lines score and serum KL-6 levels (r = 0.43, P < 0.01), and between the Warrick score and serum KL-6 levels (r = 0.45, P < 0.01). A positive correlation between B-lines score and the Warrick score (r = 0.87, P < 0.0001) was also confirmed. Both B-lines score and KL-6 levels inversely correlated to diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (r = -0.77, P < 0.0001 and r = -0.42, P < 0.05, respectively) and total lung capacity (r = -0.73, P < 0.0001 and r = -0.36, P < 0.05, respectively). Moreover, B-lines correlated inversely with forced vital capacity (r = -0.73, P < 0.0001), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r = -0.69, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

B-lines score and serum KL-6 levels correlate with HRCT findings and pulmonary function tests, supporting their use as measures of IIM-ILD severity.

Drp1-regulated PARK2-dependent mitophagy protects against renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction

Mitophagy is a principle mechanism to degrade damaged mitochondria through PARK2-dependent or PARK2-independent pathway. Mitophagy has been identified to play an important role in acute kidney disease, whereas its role in renal fibrosis remains ill-defined. We sought to investigate the involvement and regulation of mitophagy in renal tubular epithelial cell(RTEC) injury and renal fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO). Mitochondrial damageand mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was increased in kidney after obstruction of the left ureter. Mitophagy was increased in kidneys following UUO and HK-2 cells under hypoxia exposure, assessed by electron microscopy of mitophagosome, colocalization of MitotrackerRed-stained mitochondria and LC3 staining. The upregulation of PINK1, PARK2, and LC3 II in mitochondrial fraction was observed in the obstructed kidney and hypoxia-exposed HK-2 cells. Pink1 or Park2 gene deletion markedly increased mtROS production, mitochondrial damage, TGFβ1 expression in RTEC, and renal fibrosis in UUO. Mitochondrial recruitment of Drp1 was also induced after UUO. The Drp1 inhibitor, Mdivi-1, decreased mitochondrial PINK1, PARK2 and LC3II level, increased mtROS production both in vivo and in vitro, activated TGFβ1-Smad2/3 signaling in HK-2 cells under hypoxia and worsened renal fibrosis following UUO. The upregulation of TGFβ1 signaling in hypoxia-treated HK-2 cells due to PINK1 or PARK2 silencing, or worsened renal fibrosis after UUO due to Pink1-or Park2-KO mice was rescued by mitoTEMPO, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. The findings of this study suggest that Drp1-regulated PARK2-dependent mitophagy plays a critical role in hypoxia-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury and renal fibrosis in UUO.

Enhanced therapeutic index of an antimicrobial peptide in mice by increasing safety and activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria

The rising prevalence of antibiotic resistance underscores the urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are potentially effective therapeutics that disrupt bacterial membranes regardless of resistance to traditional antibiotics. We have developed engineered cationic AMPs (eCAPs) with broad activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, but stability remains an important concern. Therefore, we sought to enhance the clinical utility of eCAP WLBU2 in biological matrices relevant to respiratory infection. A designed substitution of d-Val for l-Val resulted in increased resistance to protease enzymatic degradation. We observed multiple gains of functions such as higher activity against bacteria in biofilm mode of growth, significantly lower toxicity to erythrocytes and white blood cells compared to WLBU2, with increased safety in mice. Direct airway delivery revealed a therapeutic index of >140 for the selected enantiomer compared to that of <35 for WLBU2. The data warrant clinical exploration by aerosolized delivery to mitigate MDR-related respiratory infection.

[Risk factors of anastomotic leakage after robotic surgery for low and mid rectal cancer]

Objective: To investigate the risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage after robotic surgery in mid-low rectal cancer. Methods: A retrospective case-control study method was conducted. Inclusion criteria: (1) 18 to 80 years old; (2) pathologically confirmed rectal cancer; (3) distance <10 cm from tumor to anal margin; (4) robotic anterior rectal resection. Patients with previous history of colorectal cancer surgery, distant metastases or other malignant tumors, undergoing emergency surgery, with severe abdominal adhesions or those receiving combined organ resection were excluded. Based on the above criteria, 636 patients undergoing robotic radical sphincter-preserving surgery for mid-low rectal cancer in Zhongshan Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were included in this study, including 398 males (62.6%) and 238 females (37.4%) with a mean age of (61.9±11.3) years. Sixty-eight cases (10.7%) received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Amony the 636 included patients, 123(19.3%) underwent natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) and 15 (2.3%) underwent preventive stoma. According to the cirteria developed by the International Rectal Cancer Research Group in 2010, the anastomotic leakage was classified as grade A (no requirement of intervention), B (requirement of intervention), and C (requirement of operation). Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between anastomotic leakage and clinicopathological factors. Factors in univariate analysis with P<0.05 were included in the multivariate analysis. Results: Anastomotic leakage occurred in 38 cases (6.0%). The grading of anastomotic leakage was grade A in 13 cases (2.0%), grade B in 19 cases (3.0%), and grade C in 6 cases (0.9%). The 3-year disease-free survival rate of patients with anastomotic leakage and without anastomotic leakage was 83.5% and 83.6% respectively (P=0.862); the 3-year overall survival rate of the two group was 85.1% and 87.5% respectively (P=0.296). The results of univariate logistic regression analysis showed that male (P=0.011), longer operation time (P=0.042), distance ≤5 cm from tumor to anal margin (P=0.012), more intraoperative blood loss (P=0.048) were associated with anastomotic leakage (all P<0.05). NOSES was not associated with anastomotic leakage (P=0.704). Multivariate analysis confirmed that male (OR=3.03, 95%CI: 1.37 to 7.14, P=0.010), operation time ≥180 minutes (OR=2.04, 95%CI: 1.03 to 3.99, P=0.040), distance ≤5 cm from tumor to anal margin (OR=2.56, 95%CI:1.28 to 5.26, P=0.008) were independent risk factors for anastomotic leakage. Conclusion: Male, short distance from tumor to anal margin, and long operation time are independent risk factors for anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing robotic mid-low rectal cancer radical surgeries. These patients need to be cautiously treated during surgery.

Umifenovir treatment is not associated with improved outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a retrospective study

Objectives

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Umifenovir (Arbidol®) is an antiviral drug being used to treat influenza in Russia and China. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of umifenovir for COVID-19.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed in a non-intensive care unit (ICU) ward in Jinyintan Hospital from 2 February 2020 to 20 March 2020. COVID-19 was confirmed by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay of pharyngeal swab specimens. The confirmed patients were divided into the umifenovir group and the control group according to the use of umifenovir. The main outcomes were the rate of negative pharyngeal swab tests for SARS-CoV-2 within 1 week after admission and the time for the virus to turn negative. The negativity time of SARS-CoV-2 was defined as the first day of a negative test if the nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 was negative for two consecutive tests.

Results

A total of 81 COVID-19 patients were included, with 45 in the umifenovir group and 36 in the control group. Baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Thirty-three out of 45 (73%) patients in the umifenovir group tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 within 7 days after admission, the number was 28/36 (78%) in the control group (p 0.19). The median time from onset of symptoms to SARS-CoV-2 turning negative was 18 days (interquartile range (IQR) 12–21) in the umifenovir group and 16 days (IQR 11–21) in the control group (p 0.42). Patients in the umifenovir group had a longer hospital stay than patients in the control group (13 days (IQR 9–17) vs 11 days (IQR 9–14), p 0.04). No deaths or severe adverse reactions were found in both groups.

Discussion

Umifenovir might not improve the prognosis or accelerate SARS-CoV-2 clearance in non-ICU patients. A randomized control clinical trial is needed to assess the efficacy of umifenovir.

Macroinfauna responses and recovery trajectories after an oil spill differ from those following saltmarsh restoration

Given the severity of injuries to biota in coastal wetlands from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWH) and the resulting availability of funding for restoration, information on impacted salt marshes and biotic development of restored marshes may both help inform marsh restoration planning in the near term and for future spills. Accordingly, we performed a meta-analysis to model a restoration trajectory of total macroinfauna density in constructed marshes (studied for ~30 y), and with a previously published restoration trajectory for amphipods, we compared these to recovery curves for total macroinfauna and amphipods from DWH impacted marshes (over 8.5 y). Total macroinfauna and amphipod densities in constructed marshes did not consistently reach equivalency with reference sites before 20 y, yet in heavily oiled marshes recovery occurred by 4.5 y post spill (although it is unlikely that macroinfaunal community composition fully recovered). These differences were probably due to initial conditions (e.g., higher initial levels of belowground organic matter in oiled marshes) that were more conducive to recovery as compared to constructed marshes. Furthermore, we found that amphipod trajectories were distinctly different in constructed and oiled marshes as densities at oiled sites exceeded that of reference sites by as much as 20x during much of the recovery period. Amphipods may have responded to the rapid increase and high biomass of benthic microalgae following the spill. These results indicate that biotic responses after an oil spill may be quantitatively different than those following restoration, even for heavily oiled marshes that were initially denuded of vegetation. Our dual trajectories for oil spill recovery and restoration development for macroinfauna should help guide restoration planning and assessment following the DWH as well as for restoration scaling for future spills.

Germline genetic patterns underlying familial rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and primary Sjögren's syndrome highlight T cell-initiated autoimmunity

OBJECTIVES

Familial aggregation of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and co-aggregation of these autoimmune diseases (ADs) (also called familial autoimmunity) is well recognised. However, the genetic predisposition variants that explain this clustering remains poorly defined.

METHODS

We used whole-exome sequencing on 31 families (9 pSS, 11 SLE, 6 RA and 5 mixed autoimmunity), followed by heterozygous filtering and cosegregation analysis of a family-focused approach to document rare variants predicted to be pathogenic by in silico analysis. Potential importance in immune-related processes, gene ontology, pathway enrichment and overlap analyses were performed to prioritise gene sets.

RESULTS

A range from 1 to 50 rare possible pathogenic variants, including 39 variants in immune-related genes across SLE, RA and pSS families, were identified. Among this gene set, regulation of T cell activation (p=4.06×10^-7) and T cell receptor (TCR) signalling pathway (p=1.73×10^-6) were particularly concentrated, including PTPRC (CD45), LCK, LAT-SLP76 complex genes (THEMIS, LAT, ITK, TEC, TESPA1, PLCL1), DGKD, PRKD1, PAK2 and NFAT5, shared across 14 SLE, RA and pSS families. TCR-interactive genes P2RX7, LAG3, PTPN3 and LAX1 were also detected. Overlap analysis demonstrated that the antiviral immunity gene DUS2 variant cosegregated with SLE, RA and pSS phenotypes in an extended family, that variants in the TCR-pathway genes CD45, LCK and PRKD1 occurred independently in three mixed autoimmunity families, and that variants in CD36 and VWA8 occurred in both RA-pSS and SLE-pSS families.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary results define common genetic characteristics linked to familial pSS, SLE and RA and highlight rare genetic variations in TCR signalling pathway genes which might provide innovative molecular targets for therapeutic interventions for those three ADs.

Light Dark Matter Search with Ionization Signals in XENON1T

We report constraints on light dark matter (DM) models using ionization signals in the XENON1T experiment. We mitigate backgrounds with strong event selections, rather than requiring a scintillation signal, leaving an effective exposure of (22±3) tonne day. Above ∼0.4  keV_{ee}, we observe <1  event/(tonne day keV_{ee}), which is more than 1000 times lower than in similar searches with other detectors. Despite observing a higher rate at lower energies, no DM or CEvNS detection may be claimed because we cannot model all of our backgrounds. We thus exclude new regions in the parameter spaces for DM-nucleus scattering for DM masses m_{χ} within 3-6  GeV/c^{2}, DM-electron scattering for m_{χ}>30  MeV/c^{2}, and absorption of dark photons and axionlike particles for m_{χ} within 0.186-1  keV/c^{2}.

Search for Light Dark Matter Interactions Enhanced by the Migdal Effect or Bremsstrahlung in XENON1T

Direct dark matter detection experiments based on a liquid xenon target are leading the search for dark matter particles with masses above ∼5  GeV/c^{2}, but have limited sensitivity to lighter masses because of the small momentum transfer in dark matter-nucleus elastic scattering. However, there is an irreducible contribution from inelastic processes accompanying the elastic scattering, which leads to the excitation and ionization of the recoiling atom (the Migdal effect) or the emission of a bremsstrahlung photon. In this Letter, we report on a probe of low-mass dark matter with masses down to about 85  MeV/c^{2} by looking for electronic recoils induced by the Migdal effect and bremsstrahlung using data from the XENON1T experiment. Besides the approach of detecting both scintillation and ionization signals, we exploit an approach that uses ionization signals only, which allows for a lower detection threshold. This analysis significantly enhances the sensitivity of XENON1T to light dark matter previously beyond its reach.

[Mediating effect of resilience on nursing occupational risk and job performance in nurses]

Objective: To analyze Nursing Occupational Risk, the relationship between resilience and job performance, and investigate the mediating effects of resilience on Nursing Occupational Risk and job performance. Methods: 406 nurses from33 clinical departments of Chengdu first-class hospital were recruited by randomsampling method. Thier Nursing Occupational Risk, resilience and job performance were interviewed by nursing occupational risk assessment questionnaire, the Scale of medical staff resilience and the job performance questionnaire, and analyze the relationship between variables. Results: The clinical nurses＇ resilience is 82.98±10.05, the clinical nurses' job performance is 145.79±23.55; here was a positive correlation between clinical nurses' resilience and job performance (P<0.05) ; three variable of resilience can explain 33.2% of the variation of clinical nurses job performance; in the highest the Nursing Occupational risk, resilience served to mediate the relationship between Nursing Occupational Risk and job performance, which was 56.77% of the total effect respective. Conclusion: resilience are closely related to job performance. Resilience plays mediating role in the relationships between Nursing Occupational Risk and job performance, three dimensions of resilience can predict nurses' job performance. Improving the resilience of nurses can effectively improve their job performance.

[Clinicopathological significance of Golgi phosphoprotein 3 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the expression of Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics of PTC and American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk of recurrence stratification. Methods: The mRNA expression level of GOLPH3 in PTC tissues and the matched adjacent noncancerous tissues from 30 cases of PTC undergoing surgical operation in Fujian Provincial Hospital between March 2017 and April 2018 was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The protein expression of GOLPH3 in PTC tissues and the matched adjacent noncancerous tissues of 135 cases of PTC between January 2013 and April 2018 was measured by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between the expression of GOLPH3 in PTC and clinicopathologic characteristics and ATA risk of recurrence stratification was analyzed. Results: The mRNA level of GOLPH3 in PTC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent noncancerous tissues (7.53±1.32 vs 3.64±1.44, P<0.001). The protein expression level of GOLPH3 in PTC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent noncancerous tissues [66(30, 95) vs 34(20, 72), P<0.001]. The expression of GOLPH3 was significantly correlated to the tumor size (P=0.026), extrathyroid invasion (P=0.016), lymph node metastasis (P=0.001) and TNM stage (P=0.027) in PTC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GOLPH3 expression was independently correlated to tumor size (OR=3.58, 95%CI: 1.19-15.46, P=0.017) and lymph node metastasis (OR=7.28, 95%CI: 2.43-10.08, P=0.002). The expression of GOLPH3 was positively correlated to ATA risk of recurrence stratification (P=0.041). Conclusions: Overexpression of GOLPH3 is associated with the development of PTC and poor prognosis in patients with PTC. Detection of GOLPH3 expression can help evaluate proliferative and metastatic potential of PTC, as well as the risk of postoperative recurrence in patients with PTC.

Multi-omics Analyses Reveal Synergistic Carbohydrate Metabolism in Streptococcus mutans-Candida albicans Mixed-Species Biofilms

Candida albicans, a major opportunistic fungal pathogen, is frequently found together with Streptococcus mutans in dental biofilms associated with severe childhood caries (tooth decay), a prevalent pediatric oral disease. However, the impact of this cross-kingdom relationship on C. albicans remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we employed a novel quantitative proteomics approach in conjunction with transcriptomic profiling to unravel molecular pathways of C. albicans when cocultured with S. mutans in mixed biofilms. RNA sequencing and iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation)-based quantitative proteomics revealed that C. albicans genes and proteins associated with carbohydrate metabolism were significantly enhanced, including sugar transport, aerobic respiration, pyruvate breakdown, and the glyoxylate cycle. Other C. albicans genes and proteins directly and indirectly related to cell morphogenesis and cell wall components such as mannan and glucan were also upregulated, indicating enhanced fungal activity in mixed-species biofilm. Further analyses revealed that S. mutans-derived exoenzyme glucosyltransferase B (GtfB), which binds to the fungal cell surface to promote coadhesion, can break down sucrose into glucose and fructose that can be readily metabolized by C. albicans, enhancing growth and acid production. Altogether, we identified key pathways used by C. albicans in the mixed biofilm, indicating an active fungal role in the sugar metabolism and environmental acidification (key virulence traits associated with caries onset) when interacting with S. mutans, and a new cross-feeding mechanism mediated by GtfB that enhances C. albicans carbohydrate utilization. In addition, we demonstrate that comprehensive transcriptomics and quantitative proteomics can be powerful tools to study microbial contributions which remain underexplored in cross-kingdom biofilms.

[Effects of n-hexane on learning and memory and the expressions of nerve growth factor mRNA and nerve growth factor receptor mRNA of brain tissue in mice exposed to N-hexane]

Objective: To Effects of n-hexane on learning and memory and the expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) mRNA of brain tissue in mice exposed to N-hexane. Methods: 40 Kunming mice were randomly divided into low-dose group, meddle-dose group, high-dose dose group and control group, with 10 mice in each group. All the groups were orally exposed to n-hexane in different doses: low-dose group with 43.5 mg/kg, middle-dose group with 86.5 mg/kg and high-dose group with 173.0 mg/kg, 1 time per day for 20 d. After the poisoning, the Y-arm test and the expressions of NGF mRNA and NGFR mRNA and the concentrations of NGF and NGFR in the brain tissues of each group were measured. Results: In the first Y-arm test, there existed a significant difference in correct reaction rate generally in all groups (P<0.05), and correct reaction rate in the middle-dose group and the high-dose group were low significantly compared with that in the control group(P<0.05). In the second Y-arm test, there existed a significant differences in total electric shock time and correct reaction rate generally in all groups (P<0.01), and the total electric shock time prolonged significantly and the correct response rate decreased significantly in 3 dose groups compared with those of the control group(P<0.05). The expression levels of NGF mRNA in brain tissues of low, meddle and high dose-groups were 0.81±0.66, 0.67±0.37 and 0.69±0.26, and the expression levels of NGFR mRNA were 1.22±0.42, 1.98±0.84 and 2.01±2.01, respectively. Compared with the control group, the expressions of NGF mRNA in the 3 dose groups decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the expression of NGFR mRNA in middle-and high-dose groups increased significantly (P<0.05). The concentrations of NGF in brain tissues of low,meddle and high dose-groups were 39.97±7.24 ng/L, 39.26±7.88 ng/L,31.70±8.21 ng/L,and the concentrations of NGFR were 17.37±6.82 ng/L,21.37±7.16 ng/L, 22.46±7.70 ng/L, respectively. Compared with the control group, the concentrations of NGF in high-dose groups decreased significantly(P<0.05), and the concentrations of NGFR in middle-and high-dose groups increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: N-hexane exposure can result in decrease of learning and memory in mice, which may be related to abnormal expression of NGF mRNA and NGFR mRNA in brain tissue.

PINK1-parkin pathway of mitophagy protects against contrast-induced acute kidney injury via decreasing mitochondrial ROS and NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) occurs in more than 30% of patients after intravenous iodinated contrast media and causes serious complications, including renal failure and mortality. Recent research has demonstrated that routine antioxidant and alkaline therapy failed to show benefits in CI-AKI patients with high risk for renal complications. Mitophagy is a mechanism of selective autophagy, which controls mitochondrial quality and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) through degradation of damaged mitochondria. The role of mitophagy and its regulation of apoptosis in CI-AKI are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that mitophagy was induced in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) during CI-AKI, both in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, contrast media-induced mitophagy was abolished when silencing PINK1 or PARK2 (Parkin), indicating a dominant role of the PINK1-Parkin pathway in mitophagy. Moreover, mitochondrial damage, mitochondrial ROS, RTEC apoptosis, and renal injury under contrast exposure were more severe in PINK1- or PARK2-deficient cells and mice than in wild-type groups. Functionally, PINK1-Parkin-mediated mitophagy prevented RTEC apoptosis and tissue damage in CI-AKI through reducing mitochondrial ROS and subsequent NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These results demonstrated that PINK1-Parkin-mediated mitophagy played a protective role in CI-AKI by reducing NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

First report of Giardia duodenalis genotypes in Zangxiang pigs from China

Giardia duodenalis is an important zoonotic intestinal protozoan of animals and humans. We collected 450 faecal specimens from four age groups (pre-weaned piglets, weaned piglets, juveniles, adults) of Zangxiang pigs from Shaanxi and Qinghai provinces, to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis at the β-giardin (bg), triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) loci using nested PCRs in the present study. A total of 28 faecal samples were positive for presence of G. duodenalis, with an overall prevalence of 6.2%. Giardia duodenalis was detected in pigs from all age groups and in both investigated provinces. Significant differences (P < 0.0001) in prevalence were observed among the four age groups with prevalence decreasing with age. Sequence analysis indicated existence of genetic diversity of G. duodenalis isolates from Zangxiang pigs, with 4, 2 and 4 haplotypes at the bg, tpi and gdh loci, respectively. Two assemblages were identified, including the zoonotic assemblage B and assemblage E, with the latter as the predominant assemblage found in both locations and all age groups except adults. The present study expanded the host range of G. duodenalis and provided fundamental data for controlling G. duodenalis infection in Zangxiang pigs.

Utilize lung ultrasound B-lines and KL-6 to monitor anti-MDA-5 antibody-positive clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease: a case report and literature review

In the past decade, lung ultrasound (LUS) B-lines and serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) antigen have been recognized as biomarkers of the connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung diseases (CTD-ILDs). Robust data have demonstrated that B-lines total numbers and KL-6 levels are correlated with high-resolution computed tomography findings, pulmonary function test, and some clinical parameters in CTD-ILDs. However, limited data are available regarding the use of these two biomarkers to follow CTD-ILDs. Herein, we report a case with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis-associated ILD, successfully treated with high-dose methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide, intravenous immunoglobulin, pirfenidone, and followed using lung ultrasound and KL-6.

Constraining the Spin-Dependent WIMP-Nucleon Cross Sections with XENON1T

We report the first experimental results on spin-dependent elastic weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) nucleon scattering from the XENON1T dark matter search experiment. The analysis uses the full ton year exposure of XENON1T to constrain the spin-dependent proton-only and neutron-only cases. No significant signal excess is observed, and a profile likelihood ratio analysis is used to set exclusion limits on the WIMP-nucleon interactions. This includes the most stringent constraint to date on the WIMP-neutron cross section, with a minimum of 6.3×10^{-42}  cm^{2} at 30  GeV/c^{2} and 90% confidence level. The results are compared with those from collider searches and used to exclude new parameter space in an isoscalar theory with an axial-vector mediator.

Molecular Typing of Cryptosporidium Species Identified in Fecal Samples of Yaks ( Bos grunniens) of Qinghai Province, China

The frequency of Cryptosporidium infection in yaks from Qinghai province, People's Republic of China, was determined from examination of 1,027 fecal samples collected from 979 adult yaks and 48 yak calves during 4 seasons from 7 geographic areas within the province. PCR amplification of extracted DNA was used to characterize the different species of Cryptosporidium oocysts isolated by fecal examination. Twenty-six (2.53%) positive samples were identified and successfully sequenced: 17 Cryptosporidium ryanae (65.38%), 8 Cryptosporidium bovis (30.77%), and 1 Cryptosporidium baileyi (3.85%). The results of the study indicate that autumn is the primary season for transmission of Cryptosporidium to susceptible yak calves given the favorable temperatures and higher altitude of Qinghai province. To our knowledge, C. baileyi, a species predominately associated with birds (avian hosts), is described for the first time in yaks.

Management and population dynamics of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella): planting regimes, crop hygiene, biological control and timing of interventions

Using an age-structured process-based simulation model for diamondback moth (DBM), we model the population dynamics of this major Brassica pest using the cropping practices and climate of Guangdong, China. The model simulates two interacting sub-populations (demes), each representing a short season crop. The simulated DBM abundance, and hence pest problems, depend on planting regime, crop hygiene and biological control. A continuous supply of hosts, a low proportion of crop harvested and long residue times between harvest and replanting each exacerbate pest levels. Biological control provided by a larval parasitoid can reduce pest problems, but not eliminate them when climate is suitable for DBM and under certain planting practices. The classic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) method of insecticide application, when pest threshold is reached, proved effective and halved the number of insecticide sprays when compared with the typical practice of weekly insecticide application.