Frequency-specific directed interactions between whole-brain regions during sentence processing using multimodal stimulus

Neural oscillations subserve a broad range of speech processing and language comprehension functions. Using an electroencephalogram (EEG), we investigated the frequency-specific directed interactions between whole-brain regions while the participants processed Chinese sentences using different modality stimuli (i.e., auditory, visual, and audio-visual). The results indicate that low-frequency responses correspond to the process of information flow aggregation in primary sensory cortices in different modalities. Information flow dominated by high-frequency responses exhibited characteristics of bottom-up flow from left posterior temporal to left frontal regions. The network pattern of top-down information flowing out of the left frontal lobe was presented by the joint dominance of low- and high-frequency rhythms. Overall, our results suggest that the brain may be modality-independent when processing higher-order language information.

[Evaluation of spinopelvic alignment according to Roussouly classification can predict the occurrence of adjacent segment disease after lumbar fusion]

Objective: To investigate the correlation of spinopelvic alignment according to Roussouly classification on the occurrence of adjacent segment disease (ASD) in the patients undergoing fusion surgery for lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study. Clinical data of 166 consecutive patients who had undergone lumbar fusion between January 2009 and January 2019 in the Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University were retrospectively reviewed. There were 59 males and 107 females, with an average age of (58.6±9.5) years (ranged 41-78 years). Fusion length averagely spanned (1.7±0.7) levels (ranged 1-3 levels). The patients were classified by both "theoretical" (based on pelvic incidence (PI)) and "current"(based on sacral slope (SS)) Roussouly types. The patients were classified as "matched" if their "current" shape matched the "theoretical" type and otherwise as "unmatched". Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the variables recruited from univariate analyses was performed to identify the factors independently associated with the development of ASD after lumbar fusion. Results: The average follow-up duration after initial surgery was (49.2±20.7) months (ranged 25 to 134 months). Thirty (18.1%, 30/166) patients were diagnosed as ASD. Postoperatively, two thirds of the patients who suffered ASD after surgery were unmatched, while 36.8% (50/136) of the patients without ASD had unmatched type. Univariate analyses showed that older age, more fusion levels, float fusion, pre-and postoperative worse spinopelvic alignment, and postoperative unmatched Roussouly type were identified as risk factors of ASD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified postoperative Roussouly type mismatch (OR=3.310, 95%CI: 1.282-8.545, P=0.013), old age (OR=1.074, 95%CI: 1.019-1.131, P=0.008) and postoperative SS (OR=0.928, 95%CI: 0.865-0.995, P=0.036) as the independent risk factors of development of ASD after lumbar fusion. Conclusion: A significant association between postoperative sagittal malalignment and occurrence of ASD is detected, the evaluation of sagittal alignment by Roussouly classification could help predict the occurrence of ASD.

Predictive value of bone mineral density for postoperative efficacy and factors influencing treatment outcomes in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the value of bone mineral density (BMD) in predicting postoperative efficacy in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), and to analyze the influencing factors of short-term outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinical data, including general data, perioperative indicators, and postoperative follow-up information, were collected from patients undergoing THA from July 2018 to June 2020 at Jiangsu Taizhou People's Hospital for retrospective analysis. Using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) at 12 months after THA as the therapeutic effect evaluation index, the BMD levels of patients with different therapeutic effects were compared, and the correlation of BMD with therapeutic efficacy was analyzed. Furthermore, the influencing factors of postoperative efficacy were discussed by using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

The HHS scores of 194 patients undergoing THA improved markedly at postoperative month 12 compared with the preoperative values (p<0.05), with a treatment excellent and good rate of 79.90% (155/194). The BMD level varied greatly among patients with different curative effects (p<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis identified a significant positive correlation between BMD values and HHS scores in patients undergoing THA. THA patients with different body mass index (BMI), surgical approach, occult blood loss, postoperative complications, length change of the affected limb, postoperative exercise time, and BMD had statistically significant differences in the excellent and good rate of clinical efficacy (p<0.05). According to the multivariate Logistic regression analysis, BMI, surgical approach, length change of the affected limb, and BMD were independent factors influencing the postoperative excellent and good rate of efficacy in THA patients (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative BMD levels are strongly correlated with postoperative efficacy improvement in patients undergoing THA. BMD is an independent influencing factor of excellent and good postoperative efficacy in patients undergoing THA, and increasing the BMD is conducive to improving outcomes in such patients.

Identification of common sequence motifs shared exclusively among selectively packed exosomal pathogenic microRNAs during rickettsial infections

We previously reported that microRNA (miR)23a and miR30b are selectively sorted into exosomes derived from rickettsia-infected endothelial cells (R-ECExos). Yet, the mechanism remains unknown. Cases of spotted fever rickettsioses have been increasing, and infections with these bacteria cause life-threatening diseases by targeting brain and lung tissues. Therefore, the goal of the present study is to further dissect the molecular mechanism underlying R-ECExos-induced barrier dysfunction of normal recipient microvascular endothelial cells (MECs), depending on their exosomal RNA cargos. Infected ticks transmit the rickettsiae to human hosts following a bite and injections of the bacteria into the skin. In the present study, we demonstrate that treatment with R-ECExos, which were derived from spotted fever group R parkeri infected human dermal MECs, induced disruptions of the paracellular adherens junctional protein VE-cadherin, and breached the paracellular barrier function in recipient pulmonary MECs (PMECs) in an exosomal RNA-dependent manner. We did not detect different levels of miRs in parent dermal MECs following rickettsial infections. However, we demonstrated that the microvasculopathy-relevant miR23a-27a-24 cluster and miR30b are selectively enriched in R-ECExos. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that common sequence motifs are shared exclusively among the exosomal, selectively-enriched miR23a cluster and miR30b at different levels. Taken together, these data warrant further functional identification and characterization of a monopartition, bipartition, or tripartition among ACA, UCA, and CAG motifs that guide recognition of microvasculopathy-relevant miR23a-27a-24 and miR30b, and subsequently results in their selective enrichments in R-ECExos.

Extending Conjugation of Linear Cyanostilbene Derivatives via a Pyridine Moiety for Multi-Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescence Organogels

In the design of effective gelators with aggregation-induced emission behavior, amide and cholesterol moieties are generally used to provide multiple driving forces for gelation. In this work, a series of linear cyanostilbene gelators with a pyridine moiety and different lengths of the alkoxyl group, i.e., CSpy-Cn, have been synthesized through nucleophilic substitution and Knoevenagel reaction. The direct connection of pyridine extends the conjugation of the cyanostilbene moiety, while the alkoxyl group can regulate the solubility of the compounds so that the compounds can serve as gelators for common solvents such as acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, and ethanol at ultra-low concentrations. At the same time, the cyanostilbene group makes the compounds undergo photoisomerization and emit fluorescence under UV light, while the pyridine group can serve as an acid-base responsive group due to easy protonation. The gels can respond to temperature, light, and organic acid/base. The fluorescence intensity and color can reversibly change during the gel-sol transitions. Finally, a thin film based on the CSpy-C8 xerogel has been prepared and utilized as a multi-stimuli-responsive fluorescence display for information storage and anti-counterfeiting.

Rhythm vs. Rate Control in Patients with Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common complication after cardiac surgery; it is associated with morbidity and mortality. We undertook this review to compare the effects of rhythm vs. rate control in this population.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL to March 2023. We included randomized trials and observational studies comparing rhythm to rate control in cardiac surgery patients with POAF. We used a random-effects model to meta-analyze data and rated the quality of evidence using GRADE.

RESULTS

From 8,110 citations, we identified 8 randomized trials (990 patients). Drug regimens used for rhythm control included amiodarone in four trials, other class III anti-arrhythmics in one trial, class I anti-arrhythmics in four trials and either a class I or III anti-arrhythmic in one trial. Rhythm control compared to rate control did not result in a significant difference in length of stay (mean difference -0.8 days; 95% CI -3.0 to +1.4, I² = 97%), AF recurrence within 1 week (130 events; risk ratio [RR] 1.1; 95%CI 0.6-1.9, I² = 54%), AF recurrence up to 1 month (37 events; RR 0.9; 95%CI 0.5-1.8, I² = 0%), AF recurrence up to 3 months (10 events; RR 1.0; 95%CI 0.3-3.4, I² = 0%) or mortality (25 events; RR 1.6; 95%CI 0.7-3.5, I² = 0%). Effect measures from seven observational studies (1428 patients) did not differ appreciably from those in randomized trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Although atrial fibrillation is common after cardiac surgery, limited low-quality data guide its management. Limited available evidence suggests no clear advantage to either rhythm or rate control. A large-scale randomized trial is needed to inform this important clinical question.

Genome-wide identification of SrbHLH transcription factors highlights its potential role in rebaudioside A (RA) biosynthesis in Stevia rebaudiana

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a valuable medicinal plant and an essential source of natural sweetener, steviol glycosides (SGs), with rebaudioside A (RA) being one of the main components of SGs. bHLH transcription factors play a crucial role in plant development and secondary metabolism. In this study, 159 SrbHLH genes were identified from the S. rebaudiana genome, and each gene was named based on its chromosome location. The SrbHLH proteins were then clustered into 18 subfamilies through phylogenetic analysis. The analysis of conserved motifs and gene structure further supported the classification of the SrbHLH family. Chromosomal location and gene duplication events of SrbHLH genes were also studied. Moreover, based on the RNA-Seq data of different tissues of S. rebaudiana, 28 SrbHLHs were co-expressed with structural genes involved in RA biosynthesis. The expression pattern of candidate SrbHLH genes were confirmed by qPCR. Finally, dual luciferase reporter assays (DLAs) and subcellular localization analysis verified SrbHLH22, SrbHLH111, SrbHLH126, SrbHLH142, and SrbHLH152 are critical regulators of RA biosynthesis. This study provides new insights into the function of SrbHLHs in regulating SGs biosynthesis and lays the foundation for future applications of SrbHLH genes in molecular breeding of S. rebaudiana.

Dissecting the effect of ileal faecal diversion on the intestine using single-cell sequencing

BACKGROUND

Although ileal faecal diversion is commonly used in clinical settings, complications accompany it. Elucidating the intestinal changes caused by ileal faecal diversion will help resolve postoperative complications and elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of associated intestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease (CD). Therefore, our study aimed to provide new insights into the effects of ileal faecal diversion on the intestine and the potential mechanisms.

METHODS

Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on proximal functional and paired distal defunctioned intestinal mucosae from three patients with ileal faecal diversion. We also performed in vitro cellular and animal experiments, tissue staining and analysed public datasets to validate our findings.

RESULTS

We found that the epithelium in the defunctioned intestine tended to be immature, with defective mechanical and mucous barriers. However, the innate immune barrier in the defunctioned intestine was enhanced. Focusing on the changes in goblet cells, we demonstrated that mechanical stimulation promotes the differentiation and maturation of goblet cells through the TRPA1-ERK pathway, indicating that the absence of mechanical stimulation may be the main cause of defects in the goblet cells of the defunctioned intestine. Furthermore, we found obvious fibrosis with a pro-fibrotic microenvironment in the defunctioned intestine and identified that monocytes may be important targets for faecal diversion to alleviate CD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the different transcription landscapes of various cell subsets and the potential underlying mechanisms within the defunctioned intestine, when compared to the functional intestine, based on the background of ileal faecal diversion. These findings provide novel insights for understanding the physiological and pathological roles of the faecal stream in the intestine.

Target genes of N6-methyladenosine regulatory protein ALKBH5 are associated with prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) exhibits high fatality rates, and effective treatments are lacking. The expression of the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulatory protein ALKBH5 is associated with lung cancer. To identify new therapeutic targets for LUAD, we screened target genes of ALKBH5 and analyzed their potential mechanisms of action.

Methods

LUAD samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used to analyze the expression of ALKBH5 and screen for genes with correlated expression. Intersection of the genes upregulated in cells with ALKBH5 silencing with the genes significantly associated with ALKBH5 were defined as ALKBH5 target genes. STRING was used to evaluate interactions between the target genes, and the relationship between ALKBH5 target gene expression and LUAD patient prognosis was analyzed using the R package Survminer. Target genes were evaluated by functional enrichment analyses.

Results

ALKBH5 was highly expressed in LUAD tissues and was significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Fifteen ALKBH5 target genes were identified, primarily enriched in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, transcriptional coregulator activity, and cell activation involved in the immune response. Upregulation of ZNF777, TCOF1, CPLX2, and ABL1 was associated with a poor prognosis, whereas upregulation of ZER1, VPS53, and RRBP1 was associated with a good prognosis.

Conclusions

This study provides potential therapeutic targets for LUAD and a basis for further studies on the mechanism underlying the effects of ALKBH5.

[Comparison of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring between patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis]

Objective: To compare the intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) results between patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to analyze the influence of congenital spinal deformity on IONM in AMC patients, thus to evaluate the efficiency of IONM in AMC patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study. The clinical data of 19 AMC patients underwent correction surgery from July 2013 to January 2022 in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. There were 13 males and 6 females with a mean age of (15.2±5.6) years, and the average Cobb angle of main curve was 60.8°±27.7°. And 57 female AIS patients of similar age and curve type with the AMC patients during the same period were selected as the control group, with an average age of (14.6±4.4) years and a mean Cobb angle of 55.2°±14.2°. The latency and amplitude of samatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and transcranial electric motor evoked potentials (TCeMEPs) were compared between the two groups. The difference in IONM data between AMC patients with and without congenital spinal deformity was also evaluated. Results: The success rates of SSEPs and TCeMEPs were 100% and 14/19 for AMC patients, 100% and 100% for AIS patients. The SSEPs-P40 latency, SSEPs-N50 latency, SSEPs-amplitude, TCeMEPs-latency, TCeMEPs-amplitude showed no significant difference between AMC patients and AIS patients (P>0.05 for all). The side-difference of TCeMEPs-amplitude showed an increasing trend in AMC patients when compared with that in AIS patients, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups [(147.0±185.6) μV vs (68.1±311.4) μV, P=0.198]. The SSEPs-amplitude value was (1.4±1.1) μV on concave side in AMC patients with congenital spinal deformity, and it was (2.6±1.2) μV on concave side in AMC patients without congenital spinal deformity (P=0.041). The SSEPs-amplitude value was (1.4±0.8) μV on convex side in AMC patients with congenital spinal deformity, and it was (2.6±1.3) μV on convex side in AMC patients without congenital spinal deformity (P=0.028). Conclusions: The values of SSEPs-P40 latency, SSEPs-N50 latency, SSEPs-amplitude, TCeMEPs-latency and TCeMEPs-amplitude are similar in AMC and AIS patients. The SSEPs-amplitude of AMC patients with congenital spinal deformity is lower than that of AMC patients without congenital spinal deformity.

Neutrophil-Related Gene Expression Signatures in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Implications for Disease Characteristic and Identification of Diagnostic Hub Genes

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease with unclear etiology and a poor prognosis. Although the involvement of neutrophils in IPF pathogenesis has been suggested, the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) using immune infiltration analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and consensus cluster analysis. Neutrophil-related genes and hub genes related to neutrophils were identified and differentially expressed between IPF patients and healthy controls. We also validated the expression differences of hub genes in a bleomycin-induced mice model.

Results

Immune infiltration analysis revealed a significantly decreased percentage of neutrophils in the lung tissue of IPF patients compared with healthy controls (P<0.001) in both the train and validation sets. Neutrophil-related genes in IPF were identified by WGCNA, and functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway and correlated with lung disease, consistent with DEGs between IPF and healthy controls. Eight hub genes related to neutrophils were identified, including MMP16, ARG1, IL1R2, PROK2, MS4A2, PIR, and ZNF436. Consensus cluster analysis revealed a low neutrophil-infiltrating cluster that was correlated with IPF (P<0.001), and a principal component analysis-generated score could distinguish IPF patients from healthy controls, with an area under the curve of 0.930 in the train set and 0.768 in the validation set. We also constructed a diagnostic model using hub genes related to neutrophils, which showed a reliable diagnostic value with an area under the curve of 0.955 in the train set and 0.995 in the validation set.

Conclusion

Our findings provide evidence of a low neutrophil-infiltrating characteristic in the IPF microenvironment and identify hub genes related to neutrophils that may serve as diagnostic biomarkers for the disease.

[Circular RNA hsa_circ_0087893 participates in intraventricular hemorrhage occurrence and progression possibly as a competitive endogenous RNA in preterm infants]

OBJECTIVE

To screen for differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the serum of preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and explore the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism of circRNAs in IVH in these infants.

METHODS

Fifty preterm infants (gestational age of 28 to 34 weeks) admitted in our department between January, 2019 and January, 2020 were enrolled in this study, including 25 with a MRI diagnosis of IVH and 25 without IVH. Serum samples were collected from 3 randomly selected infants from each group for profiling differentially expressed circRNAs using circRNA array technique. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analyses were performed to reveal the function of the identified circRNAs. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed to identify the co-expression network of hsa_circ_ 0087893.

RESULTS

A total of 121 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified in the infants with IVH, including 62 up-regulated and 59 down-regulated circRNAs. GO and pathway analyses showed that these circRNAs were involved in multiple biological processes and pathways, including cell proliferation, activation and death, DNA damage and repair, retinol metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, cell adhesion molecules. Among these circRNAs, hsa_circ_0087893 was found to have significant down-regulation in IVH group and co-express with 41 miRNAs and 15 mRNAs (such as miR-214-3p, miR-761, miR-183-5p, AKR1B1, KRT34, PPP2CB, and HPRT1).

CONCLUSION

The circRNA hsa_circ_0087893 may function as a ceRNA and play an important role in the occurrence and progression of IVH in preterm infants.

[Advances in clinical characteristics of talaromycosis combined with other opportunistic infections]

Talaromycosis (TSM) is an opportunistic deep mycosis prevalent in southeast Asia and southern China, affecting HIV-positive, anti-interferon-gamma autoantibody-positive and other immunodeficiency hosts. These hosts are often co-infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis, non-tuberculosis mycobacteria, bacteria, fungi, viruses and other opportunistic infections. The clinical characteristics and the pathogenic spectrum of TSM with opportunistic infections vary with different immune states. The rates of misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis and mortality are high. This review summarized the clinical characteristics of TSM with opportunistic infections in order to improve the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment.

A screening strategy for bioactive components of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang regulating spleen-qi deficiency based on "endobiotics-targets-xenobiotics" association network

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang is a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula that has been prevalent in China for over 700 years to treat spleen-qi deficiency related diseases, such as gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. However, the bioactive components responsible for regulating spleen-qi deficiency remain unclear and have puzzled many researchers.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The current study focuses on efficacy evaluation of regulating spleen-qi deficiency and screening the bioactive components of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effects of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang were evaluated through blood routine examination, immune organ index, and biochemical analysis. Metabolomics was utilized to analyze the potential endogenous biomarkers (endobiotics) in the plasma, and the prototypes (xenobiotics) of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang in the bio-samples were characterized using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Then, these endobiotics were used as "bait" to predict targets based on network pharmacology and to screen potential bioactive components from the absorbed prototypes in the plasma by constructing an "endobiotics-targets-xenobiotics" association network. Further, the anti-inflammatory activities of representative compounds (calycosin and nobiletin) were validated through poly(I:C)-induced pulmonary inflammation mice model.

RESULTS

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang exhibited immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities in spleen-qi deficiency rat, as supported by the observation of increased levels of D-xylose and gastrin in serum, an increase in the thymus index and number of lymphocytes in blood, as well as a reduction in the level of IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, plasma metabolomic analysis revealed a total of 36 Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang related endobiotics, which were mainly enriched in primary bile acids biosynthesis, the metabolism of linoleic acid, and the metabolism of phenylalanine pathways. Meanwhile, 95 xenobiotics were characterized in plasma, urine, small intestinal contents, and tissues of spleen-qi deficiency rat after Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang treatment. Using an integrated association network, six potential bioactive components of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang were screened. Among them, calycosin was found to significantly reduce the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, increase the number of lymphocytes, while nobiletin dramatically decreased the levels of CXCL10, TNF-α, GM-CSF, and IL-6.

CONCLUSION

Our study proposed an available strategy for screening bioactive components of BYZQT regulating spleen-qi deficiency based on "endobiotics-targets-xenobiotics" association network.

[Fibroma of tendon sheath: a clinicopathological and genetic analysis of 134 cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotypes and molecular genetics of fibroma of tendon sheath (FTS). Methods: One hundred and thirty-four cases of FTS or tenosynovial fibroma diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China from January 2008 to April 2019 were selected. The clinical and histologic features of these cases were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed on the above cases. Results: There were a total of 134 cases of FTS, including 67 males and 67 females. The patients' median age was 38 years (ranged from 2 to 85 years). The median tumor size was 1.8 cm (ranged from 0.1 to 6.8 cm). The most common site was the upper extremity (76/134, 57%). Follow-up data was available in 28 cases and there was no detectable recurrence. Classic FTS (114 cases) were well-defined and hypocellular. A few spindle-shaped fibroblasts were scattered in the dense collagenous sclerotic stroma. Characteristically elongated slit-like spaces or thin-walled vessels were observed. Most of cellular FTSs (20 cases) were well-defined and the area with increased cellularity of the spindle cells coexisted with classic FTS. There were occasional mitotic figures, but no atypical mitotic figures. Immunohistochemistry was performed in 8 cases of classic FTS and most cases were positive for SMA (5/8). Immunohistochemistry was also performed in 13 cases of cellular FTS and showed 100% positive rate for SMA. FISH was conducted on 20 cases of cellular FTS and 32 cases of classical FTS. USP6 gene rearrangement was found in 11/20 of cellular FTS. Among 12 cases of CFTS with nodular fasciitis (NF)-like morphological feature, 7 cases showed USP6 gene rearrangement. The rearrangement proportion of USP6 gene in cellular FTS without NF-like morphological features was 4/8. By contrast, 3% (1/32) of the classic FTS showed USP6 gene rearrangement. RT-PCR was performed in those cases with detected USP6 gene rearrangement and sufficient tissue samples for RT-PCR. The MYH9-USP6 fusion gene was detected in 1 case (1/8) of the cellular FTSs, while no target fusion partner was detected in the classic FTS. Conclusions: FTS is a relatively rare benign fibroblastic or myofibroblastic tumor. Our study and recent literature find that some of the classic FTS also show USP6 gene rearrangements, suggesting that classical FTS and cellular FTS are likely to be at different stages of the same disease (spectrum). FISH for USP6 gene rearrangement may be used as an important auxiliary diagnostic tool in distinguishing FTS from other tumors.

Circulating exosomes from Alzheimer's disease suppress VE-cadherin expression and induce barrier dysfunction in recipient brain microvascular endothelial cell

Background

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown is a component of the progression and pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). BBB dysfunction is primarily caused by reduced or disorganized tight junction or adherens junction proteins of brain microvascular endothelial cell (BMEC). While there is growing evidence of tight junction disruption in BMECs in AD, the functional role of adherens junctions during BBB dysfunction in AD remains unknown. Exosomes secreted from senescent cells have unique characteristics and contribute to modulating the phenotype of recipient cells. However, it remains unknown if and how these exosomes cause BMEC dysfunction in AD.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the potential roles of AD circulating exosomes and their RNA cargos in brain endothelial dysfunction in AD.

Methods

We isolated exosomes from sera of five cases of AD compared with age- and sex-matched cognitively normal controls using size-exclusion chromatography technology. We validated the qualities and particle sizes of isolated exosomes with nanoparticle tracking analysis and atomic force microscopy. We measured the biomechanical natures of the endothelial barrier of BMECs, the lateral binding forces between live BMECs, using fluidic force miscopy. We visualized the paracellular expressions of the key adherens junction protein VE-cadherin in BMEC cultures and a 3D BBB model that employs primary human BMECs and pericytes with immunostaining and evaluated them using confocal microscopy. We also examined the VE-cadherin signal in brain tissues from five cases of AD and five age- and sex-matched cognitively normal controls.

Results

We found that circulating exosomes from AD patients suppress the paracellular expression levels of VE-cadherin and impair the barrier function of recipient BMECs. Immunostaining analysis showed that AD circulating exosomes damage VE-cadherin integrity in a 3D model of microvascular tubule formation. We found that circulating exosomes in AD weaken the BBB depending on the RNA cargos. In parallel, we observed that microvascular VE-cadherin expression is diminished in AD brains compared to normal controls.

Conclusion

Using in vitro and ex vivo models, our study illustrates that circulating exosomes from AD patients play a significant role in mediating the damage effect on adherens junction of recipient BMEC of the BBB in an exosomal RNA-dependent manner. This suggests a novel mechanism of peripheral senescent exosomes for AD risk.

Recent Progress in Metal Phosphorous Chalcogenides: Potential High-Performance Electrocatalysts

Since the discovery of graphene, research on the family of 2D materials has been a thriving field. Metal phosphorous chalcogenides (MPX₃ ) have attracted renewed attention due to their distinctive physical and chemical properties. The advantages of MPX₃ , such as tunable layered structures, unique electronic properties, thermodynamically appropriate band alignments and abundant catalytic active sites on the surface, make MPX₃ material great potential in electrocatalysis. In this review, the applications of MPX₃ electrocatalysts in recent years, including hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, and oxygen reduction reaction, are summarized. Structural regulation, chemical doping and multi-material composite that are often effective and practical research methods to further optimize the catalytic properties of these materials, are introduced. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for electrocatalytic applications of MPX₃ materials are discussed. This report aims to advance future efforts to develop MPX₃ and related materials for electrocatalysis.

Bacterial antibiotic resistance among cancer inpatients in China: 2016-20

BACKGROUND

The incidence of infections among cancer patients is as high as 23.2-33.2% in China. However, the lack of information and data on the number of antibiotics used by cancer patients is an obstacle to implementing antibiotic management plans.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance in Chinese cancer patients to provide a reference for the rational use of antibiotics.

DESIGN

This was a 5-year retrospective study on the antibiotic resistance of cancer patients.

METHODS

In this 5-year surveillance study, we collected bacterial and antibiotic resistance data from 20 provincial cancer diagnosis and treatment centers and three specialized cancer hospitals in China. We analyzed the resistance of common bacteria to antibiotics, compared to common clinical drug-resistant bacteria, evaluated the evolution of critical drug-resistant bacteria and conducted data analysis.

FINDINGS

Between 2016 and 2020, 216 219 bacterial strains were clinically isolated. The resistance trend of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem was relatively stable and did not significantly increase over time. The resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to all antibiotics tested, including imipenem and meropenem, decreased over time. In contrast, the resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii strains to carbapenems increased from 4.7% to 14.7%. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) significantly decreased from 65.2% in 2016 to 48.9% in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

The bacterial prevalence and antibiotic resistance rates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, S. aureus and MRSA were significantly lower than the national average.

[Latent period and incubation period with associated factors of COVID-19 caused by Omicron variant]

Objective: To estimate the latent period and incubation period of Omicron variant infections and analyze associated factors. Methods: From January 1 to June 30, 2022, 467 infected persons and 335 confirmed cases in five local Omicron variant outbreaks in China were selected as the study subjects. The latent period and incubation period were estimated by using log-normal distribution and gamma distribution models, and the associated factors were analyzed by using the accelerated failure time model (AFT). Results: The median (Q₁, Q₃) age of 467 Omicron infections including 253 males (54.18%) was 26 (20, 39) years old. There were 132 asymptomatic infections (28.27%) and 335 (71.73%) symptomatic infections. The mean latent period of 467 Omicron infections was 2.65 (95%CI: 2.53-2.78) days, and 98% of infections were positive for nucleic acid detection within 6.37 (95%CI: 5.86-6.82) days after infection. The mean incubation period of 335 symptomatic infections was 3.40 (95%CI: 3.25-3.57) days, and 97% of them developed clinical symptoms within 6.80 (95%CI: 6.34-7.22) days after infection. The results of the AFT model analysis showed that compared with the group aged 18~49 years old, the latent period [exp(β)=1.36 (95%CI: 1.16-1.60), P<0.001] and incubation period [exp(β)=1.24 (95%CI: 1.07-1.45), P=0.006] of infections aged 0~17 year old were also prolonged. The latent period [exp(β)=1.38 (95%CI: 1.17-1.63), P<0.001] and the incubation period [exp(β)=1.26 (95%CI: 1.06-1.48), P=0.007] of infections aged 50 years old and above were also prolonged. Conclusion: The latent period and incubation period of most Omicron infections are within 7 days, and age may be the influencing factor of the latent period and incubation period.

High-field magnetization and electronic spin resonance study in the twisted honeycomb latticeα-Mn2V2O7

We report the single-crystal growth of Mn₂V₂O₇and the results of magnetic susceptibility, high-field magnetization up to 55 T and high-frequency electric spin resonance (ESR) measurements for its low-temperatureαphase. Two antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering at 17.5 K and 3 K and obvious magnetic anisotropy are observed inα-Mn₂V₂O₇upon cooling. In pulsed high magnetic fields, the compound reaches the saturation magnetic moment of ∼10.5μ_Bfor each molecular formula at around 45 T after two undergoing AFM phase transitions atH_c1≈ 16 T,H_c2≈ 34.5 T forH//[11-0] andH_sf1= 2.5 T,H_sf2= 7 T forH//[001]. In these two directions, two and seven resonance modes are detected by ESR spectroscopy, respectively. Theω₁andω₂modes ofH//[11-0] can be well described by two-sublattice AFM resonance mode with two zero-field gaps at 94.51 GHz and 169.28 GHz, indicating a hard-axis feature. The seven modes forH//[001] are partially separated by the critical fields ofH_sf1andH_sf2, displaying the two signs of spin-flop transition. The fittings ofω_c1andω_c2modes yield zero-field gaps at 69.50 GHz and 84.73 GHz forH//[001], confirming the axis-type anisotropy. The saturated moment and gyromagnetic ratio indicate the Mn²⁺ion inα-Mn₂V₂O₇is in a high spin state with orbital moment completely quenched. A quasi-one-dimensional magnetism with a zig-zag-chain spin configuration is suggested inα-Mn₂V₂O₇, due to the special neighbor interactions caused by a distorted network structure with honeycomb layer.

Chemically Welding Silver Nanowires toward Transferable and Flexible Transparent Electrodes in Heaters and Double-Sided Perovskite Solar Cells

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are important materials for flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs). However, the loose stacking of nanowire junctions greatly affects the electric conductivity across adjacent nanowires. Soldering can effectively reduce the wire-wire contact resistance of AgNWs by epitaxially depositing nanosolders at the junctions, but the process normally needs to be performed with high energy consumption. In this work, we proposed a simple room-temperature method to achieve precise welding of junctions by adjusting the wettability of the soldered precursor solution on the surfaces of AgNWs. The nanoscale welding at nanowire cross junctions forms efficient conductive networks. Furthermore, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was used to improve the stability of FTEs by wrapping the rGO around the AgNW surface. The obtained FTE shows a figure-of-merit (FoM) of up to 439.3 (6.5 Ω/sq at a transmittance of 88%) and has significant bending stability and environmental and acidic stability. A flexible transparent heater was successfully constructed, which could reach up to 160 °C within a short response time (43 s) and exhibit excellent switching stability. When laminating this FTE onto half perovskite solar cells as the top electrodes, the obtained double-side devices achieved power conversion efficiencies as high as 16.15% and 13.91% from each side, pointing out a convenient method for fabricating double-sided photovoltaic devices.

Global Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy in Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing globally. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness in adults with T2D; however, the global burden of DR in pediatric T2D is unknown. This knowledge can inform retinopathy screening and treatments to preserve vision in this population.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the global prevalence of DR in pediatric T2D.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science, and the gray literature (ie, literature containing information that is not available through traditional publishing and distribution channels) were searched for relevant records from the date of database inception to April 4, 2021, with updated searches conducted on May 17, 2022. Searches were limited to human studies. No language restrictions were applied. Search terms included diabetic retinopathy; diabetes mellitus, type 2; prevalence studies; and child, adolescent, teenage, youth, and pediatric.

STUDY SELECTION

Three teams, each with 2 reviewers, independently screened for observational studies with 10 or more participants that reported the prevalence of DR. Among 1989 screened articles, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria for the pooled analysis.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Two independent reviewers performed the risk of bias and level of evidence analyses. The results were pooled using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was reported using χ2 and I2 statistics.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcome was the estimated pooled global prevalence of DR in pediatric T2D. Other outcomes included DR severity and current DR assessment methods. The association of diabetes duration, sex, race, age, and obesity with DR prevalence was also assessed.

RESULTS

Among the 27 studies included in the pooled analysis (5924 unique patients; age range at T2D diagnosis, 6.5-21.0 years), the global prevalence of DR in pediatric T2D was 6.99% (95% CI, 3.75%-11.00%; I2 = 95%; 615 patients). Fundoscopy was less sensitive than 7-field stereoscopic fundus photography in detecting retinopathy (0.47% [95% CI, 0%-3.30%; I2 = 0%] vs 13.55% [95% CI, 5.43%-24.29%; I2 = 92%]). The prevalence of DR increased over time and was 1.11% (95% CI, 0.04%-3.06%; I2 = 5%) at less than 2.5 years after T2D diagnosis, 9.04% (95% CI, 2.24%-19.55%; I2 = 88%) at 2.5 to 5.0 years after T2D diagnosis, and 28.14% (95% CI, 12.84%-46.45%; I2 = 96%) at more than 5 years after T2D diagnosis. The prevalence of DR increased with age, and no differences were noted based on sex, race, or obesity. Heterogeneity was high among studies.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, DR prevalence in pediatric T2D increased significantly at more than 5 years after diagnosis. These findings suggest that retinal microvasculature is an early target of T2D in children and adolescents, and annual screening with fundus photography beginning at diagnosis offers the best assessment method for early detection of DR in pediatric patients.

[Association of greenness exposure with waist circumference and central obesity in Chinese adults aged 65 years and over]

Objective: To examine the association of greenness exposure with waist circumference (WC) and central obesity in older adults in China. Methods: Based on the cross-sectional data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey in 2017-2018, 14 056 participants aged 65 years and over were included. Demographic characteristics, lifestyle, WC, and other information were collected through a questionnaire and physical examination. Based on the satellite monitoring data of moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) provided by NASA, the annual mean of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) within a radius of 1 000 meters was obtained as the measurement value of greenness exposure. Multivariate linear regression model, multivariate logistic regression model, and restricted cubic splines (RCS) model were used to analyze the association and dose-response relationship between greenness exposure and WC and central obesity in older adults in China. Results: A total of 14 056 participants were enrolled with a median age of 84.0 years [IQR: 75.0-94.0 years]. About 45.0% (6 330) of them were male and 48.6% (5 853) were illiterate. There were 10 964 (78.0%) participants from rural. The mean of WC was (84.4±10.8) cm. Central obesity accounted for 60.2% (8 465), and the NDVI range was (-0.06, 0.78). After adjusting for confounding factors, the multivariate linear regression model showed that the change value of WC in the urban group [β (95%CI):-0.49 (-0.93, -0.06)] was smaller than that in the rural [-0.78 (-0.98, -0.58)] for every 0.1 unit increase in NDVI (Pinteraction=0.022). Compared with the Q1 group in NDVI, WC of Q2 and Q3 groups in rural decreased, and the β (95%CI) values were-1.74 (-2.5, -0.98) and-2.78 (-3.55, -2.00), respectively. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of central obesity decreased for urban and rural older adults with an increase of 0.1 unit in NDVI, and the OR (95%CI) values were 0.87 (0.80, 0.95) and 0.86 (0.82, 0.89), respectively (Pinteraction=0.284). Compared with the Q1 group in NDVI, the risk of central obesity in the Q2 and Q3 groups in rural was lower, and the OR (95%CI) values were 0.68 (0.58, 0.80) and 0.57 (0.49, 0.68), respectively. The results of the multivariate regression model with RCS showed that there was a non-linear association of NDVI with WC (Pnonlinear=0.006) and central obesity (Pnonlinear=0.025). Conclusion: Greenness exposure is negatively associated with WC and central obesity in older adults in China.