[Clinicopathological characteristics of H3K27-altered diffuse midline glioma and evaluation of NTRK as its therapeutic target]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of H3K27-altered diffuse midline glioma (DMG), and to analyze DMG's prognostic factors, and subsequently, to study the possibility of using NTRK as a therapeutic target for DMG. Methods: A total of 232 DMG diagnosed at the Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China from July 2016 to March 2021 were collected. Their clinical, radiological and pathological features, the ratio of MGMT promoter methylation, expression of NTRK, and characteristics of NTRK gene fusion were analyzed. The prognostic values of different factors were also studied, including age, tumor location, histological grade, gene and protein expression of NTRK, and postoperative adjuvant therapy. Results: Among the 232 DMG cases, there were 8 patients with both primary and relapse tumors on the record. Thus, a total of 224 patients were analyzed, including 118 males and 106 females. There were 126 adults (>18 years of age) and 98 children (≤18 years of age). Notably, the most frequent location was thalamus (41/126, 32.5%) in adults, but brainstem (59/96, 60.2%) in children. The lesions showed T1 hypointensity or isointensity, and T2 hyperintensity. However, contrast enhancement patterns of the tumors varied, with many tumors lacking contrast-enhancing. The histological grades included grade 2 (9/224, 4.0%), grade 3 (41/224, 18.3%) and grade 4 (174/224, 77.7%). Two hundred and twenty-four DMGs were diffusely positive for H3K27M and negative for H3K27me3. The ratio of MGMT promoter methylation was low (1/45, 2.2%). One hundred and seventy-seven of the 224 cases (177/224, 79.0%) were positive for NTRK. Fifty cases were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Among them, five DMGs (positive rate, 10.0%) were NTRK fusion positive. This study showed that there were no differences between adult and pediatric DMGs in histological grading, expression of NTRK, and NTRK gene fusion. One hundred and fifty-nine patients were included in the follow-up analysis (P>0.05). During the follow-up period, 109/159 patients (69.6%) died of the disease, with a median survival time of 12 months (range 1 to 55 months). Univariate log-rank analysis showed that age, location, surgical procedure and postoperative adjuvant therapy were associated with overall survivals of the DMG patients (P<0.05). Conclusions: The prognosis of DMG is poor overall. There are differences between adult and pediatric DMGs in anatomic location and prognosis, but not in other features. NTRK1 gene fusion is detected in 10.0% of the tumors. It suggests that TRK inhibitor might be a choice for treating DMG.

Comparative analysis of R2R3-MYB transcription factors in the flower of Iris laevigata identifies a novel gene regulating tobacco cold tolerance

Breeding for flower cold resistance is a priority for flower breeding research in northern China. The identification of cold resistance genes will not only provide genetic resources for cold resistance breeding, but also form a basis for the study of plant cold resistance mechanisms. Based on the flower transcriptome of Iris laevigata, 20 R2R3-MYBs were identified and comprehensive analysis, including conservative domain, phylogenetic analyses and functional distribution, were performed for R2R3-MYBs. Expression patterns of the abiotic stress genes under cold stress were detected, the upregulated gene was genetically transformed into tobacco, and the related physiological indicators of the transgenic tobacco were measured. A novel cold resistance gene, IlMYB306, was obtained. qRT-PCR indicated that IlMYB306 was dramatically induced by cold stress and was significantly upregulated in roots. The free proline content, MDA, SOD and POD activity of the transgenic tobacco improved after cold stress, and the chlorophyll content decreased slowly. In addition, overexpression of IlMYB306 improved cold resistance of the seeds. SEM results showed leaves of transgenic tobacco had obvious folds, more grooves and bulges on the lower leaf surface. Overall, we report a novel cold resistance R2R3-MYB gene, IlMYB306, in the flower of I. laevigata, which could improve tobacco cold stress tolerance by thickening the waxy layer, increasing antioxidant activity and the content of proline.

Feedback Pinning Control of Successive Lag Synchronization on a Dynamical Network

In nature and human society, successive lag synchronization (SLS) is an important synchronization phenomenon. Compared with other synchronization patterns, the control theory of SLS is very lacking. To this end, we first introduce a complex dynamical network model with distributed delayed couplings, and design both the linear feedback pinning control and adaptive feedback pinning control to push SLS to the desired trajectories. Second, we obtain a series of sufficient conditions to achieve SLS to a desired trajectory with global stability. What is more, the control flow of SLS is given to show how to pick the pinned nodes accurately and set the feedback gains as well. Finally, since time-varying delay is common, we extend the constant time delay in SLS to be time varying. We find that the proposed pinning control schemes are still feasible if the coupling terms are appropriately adjusted. The theoretical results are verified on a neural network and the coupled Chua's circuits.

Microfluidic Microwave Sensor Loaded with Star-Slotted Patch for Edible Oil Quality Inspection

In this paper, we present a new microfluidic microwave sensor loaded with a star-slotted patch for detecting the quality of edible oil. The relative dielectric permittivity and the quality of edible oil will change after being heated at a high temperature. Therefore, the quality of edible oil can be detected by measuring the relative dielectric permittivity of edible oil. The sensor is used to determine the edible oil with different dielectric permittivity by measuring the resonance frequency offset of the input reflection coefficient, which operates at 2.68 GHz. This sensor is designed based on a resonant approach to provide the best sensing accuracy and is implemented using a substrate integrated waveguide structure combined with a pentagonal slot antenna operating at 2.3~2.9 GHz. It can detect greasy liquids with the real part of the complex permittivity ranging from two to three.

Suncheonosides E-M and Benzothioate Derivatives from the Marine-Derived Streptomyces sp. ZSN77

Thirteen new compounds, including suncheonosides E-M (1-9), four benzothioate derivatives (10-13), and one known compound (14), were identified from the marine-derived Streptomyces sp. ZSN77. Suncheonosides E-M incorporate β-d-glucose, while the reported suncheonosides (A-D) incorporate only l-rhamnose. All of the structures were determined by extensive analysis of NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. Bioactivity evaluation of these compounds showed that 6 had significant activity against PC3 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 4.1 ± 0.1 μM, while compounds 12 and 14 exhibited cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells with IC₅₀ values of 7.3 ± 0.4 and 3.9 ± 0.3 μM, respectively. In addition, compounds 1, 2, 6, 10, and 14 displayed potent in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy with inhibition of NO production in a dose-dependent manner.

Loading ferric lignin on polyethylene film and its influence on arsenic-polluted soil and growth of romaine lettuce plant

This work developed a composite (Pe-FeLs) which loaded ferric lignin on polyethylene film (PE film) by chemical modification and physico-chemically characterized by Microscope, FESEM with elemental mapping analysis, and XRD. Microscope pictures showed that chemical modification did not destroy the appearance of PE film. The FESEM images of Pe-FeLs showed the well-distributed clusters could be clearly seen and most of the particles were spherical morphology. Elemental mapping of individual element on Pe-FeLs clearly indicated the existing of iron. The XRD pattern showed the amorphous hydroxides of iron on Pe-FeLs. In arsenic solution, the total arsenic adsorption capacity of Pe-FeLs was much higher than that of ferric lignin and PE, which showed Pe-FeLs had the ability to adsorb arsenic. For making Pe-FeLs work well in the soil, a Pe-FeLs system was set up with plastic grid plate, PE film with holes, Pe-FeLs, PE film, and plastic grid plate from the upper to bottom in order. With applying Pe-FeLs system under the soil, arsenic was significantly reduced by 25.5 ~ 53.4% in heavily, moderately, and lower arsenic-polluted soils, the biomass of the romaine lettuce increased and arsenic accumulation in the romaine lettuce decreased.

[A case report of acute methyl acetate poisoning in cloth processing workshop]

This article analyzed the clinical data of a patient with occupational chemical poisoning in a fabric processing workshop in August 2020, and carried out occupational hygiene investigation and testing. The patient went to the doctor because of painless progressive vision loss in both eyes, and was clinically diagnosed with methanol poisoning optic neuropathy in both eyes. The glue, solvent, washing machine water, and curing agent used in the workshop were used for qualitative analysis of volatile organic components, and methyl acetate was all detected. Esters, the relative percentages were 42.56%, 66.67%, 46.43%, and 41.63%, respectively. Therefore, it was judged that the patient was occupational acute methyl acetate poisoning, the enterprise should strengthen the awareness of safe production and enhance the occupational hygiene knowledge and self-protection awareness of workers.

Research Progress of Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors on Digestive System Cancers

Immunotherapy represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors has gradually entered a new era of precision medicine. In view of the limited clinical benefits of immunotherapy in patients with digestive system cancers, as well as the side-effects and high treatment costs, development of biomarkers to predict the efficacy of immune therapy is a key imperative. In this article, we review the available evidence of the value of microsatellite mismatch repair, tumor mutation burden, specific mutated genes or pathways, PD-L1 expression, immune-related adverse reactions, blood biomarkers, and patient-related biomarkers in predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy against digestive system cancers. Establishment of dynamic personalized prediction models based on multiple biomarkers is a promising area for future research.

[Clinical value of routine contrast esophagram in the diagnosis of anastomotic leakage for three-incision esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis]

Objective: To examine the clinical value of routine contrast esophagram (RCE) for the diagnosis of anastomotic leakage (AL) after three-incision esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis. Methods: Clinical data of 1 022 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent McKeown three-incision esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis from January 2015 to December 2019 at Department of Minimally Invasive Esophageal Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital and Institute were analyzed retrospectively. There were 876 males and 146 females, aging(M(IQR)) 48(16) years (range: 36 to 84 years). There were 253 patients (24.8%) with neoadjuvant therapy, and 817 patients (79.9%) with minimally invasive esophagectomy. According to the diagnosis and treatment habits of the attending surgeons, 333 patients were included in the RCE group, and RCE was performed on the 7^th day postoperative, while 689 patients were included in the non-RCE group, and RCE was performed when the patients had suspicious symptoms. Taking clinical symptoms, RCE, CT, endoscopy and other methods as reference to the diagnosis of AL, the sensitivity and specificity were used to analyze and evaluate the efficacy of RCE for the diagnosis of AL. The data were compared by U test or χ² test between groups. Results: The incidence rate of AL after three-incision esophagectomy was 7.34% (75/1 022), including 30 cases in the RCE group and 45 cases in the non-RCE group (9.0%(30/333) vs. 6.5%(45/689), χ²=2.027, P=0.155). The diagnostic time of AL was 9(5) days postoperative (range: 4 to 30 days). Among them, 23 cases showed cervical leakages, 50 cases showed intro-thoracic leakages, and 2 cases both cervical and intro-thoracic leakages. The diagnostic time of patients with intro-thoracic leakages was longer than that of cervical leakages (10(4) days vs. 6(3) days, Z=-2.517, P=0.012). Among the 333 patients in the RCE group, 16 cases of RCE indicated leakages including 11 cases of true positive and 5 cases determined to be false positive, while 317 cases indicated no abnormalities including 19 cases developed leakages. The sensitivity and specificity of RCE to detect AL were 36.7%(11/30) and 98.3%(298/333), respectively. The Youden-index was 0.35, and the diagnostic accuracy was 92.8%(309/333). The positive and negative predictive value were 11/16 and 94.0%(298/317), respectively. Conclusions: Routine contrast esophagram after three-incision esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis has low sensitivity and high specificity in the diagnosis of AL. The diagnostic time of AL is the 9^th day after surgery. It is necessary to prolong the observation time clinically, and combine RCE with CT, endoscopy and other inspection methods for diagnosis.

An overview of solutions for airborne viral transmission reduction related to HVAC systems including liquid desiccant air-scrubbing

The spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 affects the health of people and the economy worldwide. As air transmits the virus, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings, enclosed spaces and public transport play a significant role in limiting the transmission of airborne pathogens at the expenses of increased energy consumption and possibly reduced thermal comfort. On the other hand, liquid desiccant technology could be adopted as an air scrubber to increase indoor air quality and inactivate pathogens through temperature and humidity control, making them less favourable to the growth, proliferation and infectivity of microorganisms. The objectives of this study are to review the role of HVAC in airborne viral transmission, estimate its energy penalty associated with the adoption of HVAC for transmission reduction and understand the potential of liquid desiccant technology. Factors affecting the inactivation of pathogens by liquid desiccant solutions and possible modifications to increase their heat and mass transfer and sanitising characteristics are also described, followed by an economic evaluation. It is concluded that the liquid desiccant technology could be beneficial in buildings (requiring humidity control or moisture removal in particular when viruses are likely to present) or in high-footfall enclosed spaces (during virus outbreaks).

[Pediatric SMARCB1/INI1-deficient poorly differentiated chordoma of the skull base: report of five cases and review of literature]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and differential diagnosis of pediatric SMARCB1/INI1-deficient poorly differentiated chordoma (PDC) of the skull base. Methods: Five cases of SMARCB1/INI1-deficient PDC were identified in 139 cases of chordoma diagnosed in Sanbo Brain Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China from March 2017 to March 2021. The clinical and imaging data of the 5 PDCs were collected. H&E and immunohistochemical staining, and DNA methylation array were used, and the relevant literatures were reviewed. Results: All 5 PDCs were located at the clivus. The average age of the patients was 6.4 years, ranging from 3 to 16 years. Three patients were female and two were male. Morphologically, in contrast with classical chordomas, they presented as epithelioid or spindle tumor cells organized in sheets or nests, with necrosis, active mitoses, and infiltration into surrounding tissue. All cases showed positivity of CKpan, EMA, vimentin and brachyury (nuclear stain), and loss of nuclear SMARCB1/INI1 expression. S-100 protein expression was not frequent (2/5). Ki-67 proliferative index was high (20%-50%). All cases had over-expressed p53. It was necessary to differentiate SMARCB1/INI1-dificient PDC from SMARCB1/INI1-dificient tumors occurring at skull base of children or the tumors with epithelial and spindle cell morphological features. The 3 PDCs with DNA methylation testing showed the methylation profiles different from the pediatric atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors. They formed an independent methylation profile cluster. The clinical prognosis of the 5 patients was poor, and the overall survival time was 2-17 months. Conclusions: PDC is a special subtype of chordoma, which often affects children and occurs in the clivus. The PDC shares epithelioid or spindle cell morphologic features which are different from the classic chordoma. Besides the typical immunohistochemical profile of chordoma, PDC also has loss of nuclear SMARCB1/INI1 expression and distinct epigenetic characteristics.