XPG gene polymorphisms and glioma susceptibility: a two-centre case-control study

Background: Glioma, the most common tumour in children next to leukaemia, is difficult to treat, with a poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. Xeroderma pigmentosum group G (XPG) plays a key role in the nucleotide excision repair pathway, which may modulate individual susceptibility to developing cancer. We hypothesized links between XPG variants and glioma in children.Methods: We tested our hypothesis in a study comparing 171 glioma cases with 228 age and sex matched controls, determining XPG polymorphisms rs2094258 C > T, rs751402 C > T, rs2296147 T > C, rs1047768 T > C, rs873601 G > A by standard molecular genetic methods.Results: rs2094258 C > T was associated with a decreased glioma risk, but carrying the rs1047768 C or rs873601 A allele brought an increased risk. Subjects carrying 5 risk genotypes had a significantly increased glioma risk at an adjusted odds ratio of 1.97 (95% confidence Interval 1.26-3.08)(p = 0.003) when compared with those carrying 0-4 risk genotypes. Furthermore, children with 5 risk genotypes had a higher glioma risk when aged >60 months, were more likely to be male, and with subtypes of astrocytic tumours, and low-grade clinical stage, when compared to those with 0-4 risk genotypes. Preliminary functional exploration suggested that rs2094258 is linked with the expression of its surrounding genes in the expression quantitative trait locus analysis.Conclusion: Certain variants of XPG are risk factors for paediatric glioma, and so may be useful in early diagnosis.

[Active screening of intestinal carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in high-risk patients admitted to the hematology wards and its effect evaluation]

目的

观察血液科肠道碳青霉烯类耐药的肠杆菌科细菌（CRE）主动筛查患者CRE定植、感染的特征，并评价主动筛查结合加强干预在血液科患者CRE感染预防控制中的效果。

方法

以2017年3月至2019年12月血液内科接受化疗或免疫抑制治疗且预期会出现粒细胞缺乏（粒缺）的患者为研究对象，进行至少3个时间点（治疗前、治疗后粒缺期、粒缺伴发热期）的肠道CRE筛查，以2016年12月至2017年2月血液内科未开展肠道CRE主动筛查的、接受化疗或免疫抑制治疗的115例患者为历史对照组，两组患者均进行CRE感染实时监测，CRE筛查阳性者均采取接触隔离措施，CRE筛查阳性者出现发热或者感染症状时启动针对CRE联合抗生素治疗。

结果

主动筛查患者CRE定植率为16.46%（66/401）；病种分布上，以急性白血病定植率最高，为23.03%（26/113）。66例筛查阳性患者中，其中第1次筛查阳性患者为27例，占40.9%（27/66），第2次筛查阳性患者为15例，占22.7%（15/66），第3次及以后筛查阳性患者为24例，占36.4%（24/66）。CRE定植病原菌中耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌（CRKP）最多，占54.55%（36/66）。主动筛查患者CRE感染率（2.49%）及死亡率（50.00%）低于历史对照组的11.30%及69.23%；干预期间10例CRE血流感染患者病原菌种类与前期主动筛查病原菌完全相同，符合率为100.0%。

结论

血液科病房急性白血病患者CRE定植率最高，CRKP是CRE定植、感染的主要病原菌，提高筛查频率可以显著提高筛查阳性率，采取主动筛查并及早干预能有效降低血液科患者CRE发生率及死亡率，CRE筛查阳性病原菌与后续CRE感染病原菌符合率高。恶性血液病患者肠道CRE筛查可以对后期CRE血流感染起到预警以及优化抗菌药物使用的作用。

[Research progress in pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis]

Pneumoconiosis is an occupational lung disease that is mainly caused by diffuse fibrosis of lung tissue due to long-term inhalation of productive dust during occupational activities and retention in the lungs. Macrophages, epithelial cells and other cells can release a large number of cytokines, such as transforming growth factor-β, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, etc. These cytokines can participate in pathologies such as local injury, inflammatory response, and pulmonary fibrosis. This article reviews the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis in order to provide a basis for further research.

[Association between lifestyle-related factors and colorectal adenoma]

Objective: To explore the association between lifestyle-related factors and colorectal adenoma. Methods: Based on the Screening Project of Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in Jiashan county Zhejiang province, from August 2012 to March 2018, information gathered through records on questionnaire and colonoscopic diagnosis were collected from participants with positive results during the primary screening stage. According to the findings of colonoscopy, 11 232 controls without any colorectal diseases and 3 895 cases with colorectal adenoma were included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between lifestyle-related factors and colorectal adenoma. Results: After adjusting for possible confounding factors, results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking, alcohol drinking and obesity were positively related to the risk of colorectal adenoma, with ORs (95%CIs) as 1.38 (1.24-1.54), 1.37 (1.24-1.51) and 1.38 (1.20-1.59) respectively. However, regular aspirin intake was negatively related with the risk of colorectal adenoma (OR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.53-0.80). After stratified by sex and age, data showed that the associations between smoking, alcohol drinking and colorectal adenoma were statistically significant in males, and the association between regular aspirin intake and colorectal adenoma was also statistically significant in older participants (aged 60 years and older). Conclusion: Smoking, alcohol drinking, regular aspirin intake and obesity were associated with colorectal adenoma.

Sugar in Beverage and the Risk of Incident Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the association between sugar in beverage and dementia, Alzheimer Disease (AD) dementia and stroke.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study were based on the US community-based Framingham Heart Study (FHS). Sugar in beverage was assessed between 1991 and 1995 (5th exam). Surveillance for incident events including dementia and stroke commenced at examination 9 through 2014 and continued for 15-20 years.

RESULTS

At baseline, a total of 1865 (63%) subjects consumed no sugar in beverage, whereas 525 (18%) subjects consumed it in 1-7 servings/week and 593 (29%) in over 7 servings/week. Over an average follow-up of 19 years in 1384 participants, there were 275 dementia events of which 73 were AD dementia. And 103 of 1831 participants occurred stroke during the follow-up nearly 16 years. After multivariate adjustments, individuals with the highest intakes of sugar in beverage had a higher risk of all dementia, AD dementia and stroke relative to individuals with no intakes, with HRs of 2.80(95%CI 2.24-3.50) for all dementia, 2.55(95%CI 1.55-4.18) for AD dementia, and 2.11(95%CI 1.48-3.00) for stroke. And the same results were shown in the subgroup for individuals with median intakes of sugar in beverage.

CONCLUSION

Higher consumption of sugar in beverage was associated with an increased risk of all dementia, AD dementia and stroke.

Antifungal activity screening for mint and thyme essential oils against Rhizopus stolonifer and their application in postharvest preservation of strawberry and peach fruits

AIMS

With a goal to identify specific essential oils that can control postharvest Rhizopus rot on strawberry and peach fruits, we performed screening for 26 essential oils based on their antifungal activity against Rhizopus stolonifer in vitro and investigated the underlying mechanism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mentha spicata (Ms), Mentha piperita (Mp), Thymus vulgaris CT carvacrol (Tc) and Thymus vulgaris CT thymol (Tt) exhibited strong inhibition on R. stolonifer growth in the screening. These essential oils increased plasma membrane permeability of R. stolonifer and resulted in the outflow of intercellular electrolyte, nucleic acid, protein and soluble sugar. Morphology of R. stolonifer mycelia was greatly altered by these essential oils. Hyphae treated by these essential oils exhibited high accumulation of superoxide anion and malonaldehyde. Combination of these essential oils in commercial package reduced Rhizopus rot on strawberry and peach fruits, with Mp showing the strongest efficiency.

CONCLUSION

Ms, Mp, Tc and Tt essential oils inhibited R. stolonifer growth by targeting its plasma membrane and reduced Rhizopus rot on strawberry and peach fruits.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provides potential applications of natural plant extract, as alternatives to tradition fungicides, to control postharvest decay on fruits and vegetables.

[Prevalence and influence factors of job burnout among hospital staffs-a cross-sectional study]

Objective: To explore the influencing factors of job burnout of medical staff and provide reference for the formulation of intervention measures. Methods: From November to December, 2018, a questionnaire survey was conducted among medical staff in a general hospital by using the research design of the current situation survey. A total of 1193 questionnaires were distributed and 939 questionnaires were returned, with a recovery rate of 78.7%, including 891 valid questionnaires and an effective recovery rate of 94.9%. Social support rating scale (SSRs) was used to evaluate social support, and Maslach Burnout Scale (MBI-GS) was used to evaluate job burnout. Single factor analysis was performed by chi square test and Fisher exact probability method. To explore the influencing factors of job burnout by using disordered multi classification logistic. Results: The average age was (27.47 ± 4.22) years old, female accounted for 71.5% (637/891) . The total physical examination rate of job burnout was 46.6%. The scores of emotional exhaustion, cynicism and decreased sense of achievement were (10.10±3.75) , (6.14±3.43) , (17.91±4.13) respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, compared with the non detected job burnout, the young, working for 1-3 years, average sleep ≤6 hours, and poor social support were more likely to have mild job burnout (OR=0.91, 0.40, 2.25, 2.38, P<0.05) ; female, high night shift frequency in the past year, average sleep ≤6 h. Those with poor social support were more likely to have moderate to severe job burnout (OR=1.59, 2.94, 4.01, 2.40, 3.66, P<0.05) . Conclusion: Corresponding measures should be taken to reduce job burnout and improve work efficiency.

MicroRNA-22 targets FMNL2 to inhibit melanoma progression via the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition

OBJECTIVE

Melanoma is regarded as one common malignancy in skin cancers, and there is growing evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in the oncogenesis of tumors. This study aimed to investigate the roles and mechanism of miR-22 in melanoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to detect the expressions of miR-22 and mRNA. The functions of miR-22 in melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion were investigated with functional assays, including MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) and transwell assay. Western blots were utilized to examine the protein expressions. Luciferase reporter analysis was conducted to confirm the interactions between formin-like 2 (FMNL2) and miR-22 in melanoma cells. FMNL2 expression levels in melanoma tissues were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays.

RESULTS

The qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated significant decreased miR-22 expressions in melanoma tissues. Decreased miR-22 in melanoma tissues were correlated with adverse clinicopathologic features and poor prognosis. Functional assays indicated that upregulation inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, invasion and migration capacities. Luciferase reporter assays showed that FMNL2 was targeted by miR-22 in melanoma cells. Western blots indicated that miR-22 exerted anti-tumor functions by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed that miR-22 served as a tumor suppressor in melanoma progression, implying that miR-22 may function as a novel therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for melanoma treatments.

SNHG7 mediates cisplatin-resistance in non-small cell lung cancer by activating PI3K/AKT pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to clarify the function of long noncoding ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs) small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 (SNHG7) in cisplatin-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to explore the potential mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

SNHG7 expression in NSCLC and para-cancerous tissues was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Meanwhile, the correlation between SNHG7 expression with clinical stage and cisplatin-resistance in NSCLC patients was analyzed. After transfection of si-SNHG7 or p-complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (pcDNA)-SNHG7, changes in cellular behaviors of A549/DDP cells were evaluated, including cell viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion and cell cycle. The regulatory effects of SNHG7 on the expressions of genes were determined by qRT-PCR as well. Furthermore, Western blot was conducted to determine the protein expressions of drug-resistance genes minimal residual disease1 (MRD1), P-glycoprotein (P-gp), BCRP and relative genes in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway.

RESULTS

Compared with adjacent normal tissues, SNHG7 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues. Moreover, SNHG7 expression was significantly higher in advanced-stage NSCLC patients than those in early-stage. SNHG7 level remained significantly higher in DDP-resistant NSCLC tissues and cell lines as well. Knockdown of SNHG7 remarkably enhanced cisplatin-resistance in NSCLC cells, manifesting as decreased cell viability, migratory and invasive rates, DNA synthesis capacity, and promoted apoptosis. Meanwhile, SNHG7 knockdown down-regulated the mRNA levels of matrix metalloprotein2 (MMP2), MMP7 and MMP9 in vitro. After SNHG7 knockdown, the expressions of drug-resistant and relative genes in the PI3K/AKT pathway were notably down-regulated.

CONCLUSIONS

SNHG7 induces the development of cisplatin-resistance in NSCLC through upregulating MRD1 and BCRP via PI3K/AKT pathway.

Observation of compact ferrimagnetic skyrmions in DyCo3 film

Owing to the experimental discovery of magnetic skyrmions stabilized by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya and/or dipolar interactions in thin films, there is a recent upsurge of interest in magnetic skyrmions with antiferromagnetic spins in order to overcome the fundamental limitations inherent with skyrmions in ferromagnetic materials. Here, we report on the observation of compact ferrimagnetic skyrmions for the class of amorphous alloys consisting of 4f rare-earth and 3d transition-metal elements with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, using a DyCo₃ film, that are identified by combining X-ray magnetic scattering, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, and Hall transport technique. These skyrmions, with antiparallel aligned Dy and Co magnetic moments and a characteristic core radius of about 40 nm, are formed during the nucleation and annihilation of the magnetic maze-like domain pattern exhibiting a topological Hall effect contribution. Our findings provide a promising route for fundamental research in the field of ferrimagnetic/antiferromagnetic spintronics towards practical applications.

Influence of post-core material and cement peculiarities on stress of post-cores under ultrasonic vibration: a three-dimensional finite element analysis

AIM

To analyse the effect of post-core, and cement materials and thickness of the cement lute on the stress in post-core systems under ultrasonic vibration at different frequencies and amplitudes using three-dimensional finite element analysis.

METHODOLOGY

Eight three-dimensional finite element models of a maxillary central incisor with post-cores were established. Two post-core materials (Au and Ni-Cr alloys), two cements (glass ionomer (GI) and zinc phosphate (ZP)) and two cement layer thicknesses (50 and 150 μm) were considered. Vibration loads were applied near the neck on the buccal side of the core at frequencies of 10-40 kHz and amplitudes of 10-50 μm. The maximum shear stress of the cement layer and maximum principal stress of the roots and their distributions were investigated.

RESULTS

The stresses on cements and roots increased with an increase in the frequency and amplitude of the vibration load and elastic modulus of the cements, and decreased with increasing thickness of the cement layer and elastic modulus of the post-core. Maximum cement stress was observed on the contralateral upper part of the loading side, whereas the maximum root stress was found on the ferrule where the load was applied.

CONCLUSIONS

In this simulated model, the frequency and amplitude of ultrasound needed to remove a post-core were positively related to the elastic modulus of the post-core and thickness of the cement layer and negatively related to the elastic modulus of the cements.

Display of quintuple glucagon-like peptide 1 (28-36) nonapeptide on Bacillus subtilis spore for oral administration in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

AIMS

To develop an oral delivery system of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) (28-36) for treating type-2 diabetes, B.S-GLP-1(28-36), a recombinant Bacillus subtilis spores transformed with a plasmid vector encoding five consecutive GLP-1 (28-36) nonapeptides with an enterokinase site was constructed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

GLP-1(28-36) nonapeptide was successfully expressed on the surface of B. subtilis spores and validated by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The therapeutic effect of oral administration of B.S-GLP-1(28-36) spores was evaluated in type 2 diabetic model mice. The efficacy of recombinant spores was examined for a period of 13 weeks after oral administration in diabetic mice. At the end of the sixth week, diabetic mice with oral administration of BS-GLP-1(28-36) spores showed decreased blood glucose levels from 2·4 × 10^{- 2}  mol l^-1 to 1·7 × 10^{- 2}  mol l^-1 . By the ninth week, the mean fasting blood glucose level in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group 30 min after injection of pyruvate. At the end of the 10th week of oral administration, the blood glucose of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group after intraperitoneal injection of glucose. By the 12th week, fasting blood glucose level and fasting insulin level were measured in all mice, the results showed that the recombinant spores increased the insulin sensitivity of mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of pathological observation showed that the recombinant spores also had a certain protective effect on the liver and islets of mice, and the content of GLP-1(28-36) in the pancreas of the experimental group was increased.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results of this study revealed that GLP-1(28-36) nonapeptides can reduce blood glucose and play an important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

A combination of three probiotic strains for treatment of acute diarrhoea in hospitalised children: an open label, randomised controlled trial

Acute diarrhoea continues to be a leading cause of morbidity, hospitalisation, and mortality worldwide, and probiotics have been proposed as a complementary therapy in the treatment of acute diarrhoea. The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of three combined probiotic strains, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, as an adjunct to rehydration therapy in treatment of acute watery diarrhoea in hospitalised children. Eligible diarrheal children were randomised into intervention group (IG, n=96, conventional treatment for diarrhoea in combination with probiotics) and control group (CG, n=98, conventional treatment for diarrhoea without probiotics). The primary assessments of this study were duration of diarrhoea and hospital stay and improvement in diarrhoea symptoms. Significantly more children in the IG showed improvements in diarrhoea (defined as a decrease of stool frequency to no more than four times per day and an improved stool consistency within 24-48 h after the treatment) than those in the CG (96.9 vs 79.6%, P<0.05). Children supplemented with the mixed strains had a 22.5 h shorter (121.4±13.7 h vs 143.9±19.8 h) mean duration of diarrhoea and 1.2 d shorter hospital stays (5.1±1.2 d vs 6.3±1.4 d) than children only receiving the rehydration therapy (P<0.05). The prevalence of constipation of children in the IG (3.1%) was markedly lower (P<0.05) than that of children in the CG (13.3%) after treatment. In conclusion, the mixture of three probiotic strains given to children aged 1-3 years resulted in shorter durations of diarrhoea and hospitalisation and a higher percentage of improved children.

A targeted metabolomic profiling of plasma acylcarnitines in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

OBJECTIVE

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a common liver disorder caused by lipid accumulation and insulin resistance (IR). Acylcarnitines have become a new biomarker of IR. However, their roles in NAFLD are still poorly studied. Thus, we performed a targeted metabolomic analysis to study the level of plasma acylcarnitines in patients with NAFLD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The levels of 34 plasma acylcarnitines were measured by a targeted metabolomic approach in NAFLD patients (n = 50) and in healthy control subjects (n = 50) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Detailed demographic and clinical characteristics of all subjects were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The clinical presentation of IR was identified in the NAFLD group but not in the healthy control group. Significant differences were found in the levels of several short-, medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines. A high degree of correlation (r>0.7) was found between even-numbered-carbon long-chain acylcarnitines in NAFLD patients. The area under the receiver operator characteristic of long-chain acylcarnitines, especially C20 (AUC=0.952), C16:1 (AUC=0.949) and C14:1OH (AUC=0.944) acylcarnitines, was greater in NAFLD patients than in healthy control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The accumulation and disorders of acylcarnitines are associated with NAFLD. A positive correlation between even-numbered-carbon long-chain acylcarnitines was found, and these even-numbered-carbon long-chain acylcarnitines. could be used as potential novel screening markers for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Biological and Cognitive Markers of Presenilin1 E280A Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease: A Comprehensive Review of the Colombian Kindred

The study of individuals with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease affords one of the best opportunities to characterize the biological and cognitive changes of Alzheimer's disease that occur over the course of the preclinical and symptomatic stages. Unifying the knowledge gained from the past three decades of research in the world's largest single-mutation autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease kindred - a family in Antioquia, Colombia with the E280A mutation in the Presenilin1 gene - will provide new directions for Alzheimer's research and a framework for generalizing the findings from this cohort to the more common sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease. As this specific mutation is virtually 100% penetrant for the development of the disease by midlife, we use a previously defined median age of onset for mild cognitive impairment for this cohort to examine the trajectory of the biological and cognitive markers of the disease as a function of the carriers' estimated years to clinical onset. Studies from this cohort suggest that structural and functional brain abnormalities - such as cortical thinning and hyperactivation in memory networks - as well as differences in biofluid and in vivo measurements of Alzheimer's-related pathological proteins distinguish Presenilin1 E280A mutation carriers from non-carriers as early as childhood, or approximately three decades before the median age of onset of clinical symptoms. We conclude our review with discussion on future directions for Alzheimer's disease research, with specific emphasis on ways to design studies that compare the generalizability of research in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease to the larger sporadic Alzheimer's disease population.

Association of IL1R2 rs34043159 with sporadic Alzheimer's disease in southern Han Chinese

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between IL1R2 rs34043159 and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the Chinese population.

METHODS

A total of 500 AD patients and 500 healthy controls were recruited. The SNaPshot technique was used to detect IL1R2 rs34043159.

RESULTS

The dominant and recessive models of IL1R2 rs34043159 were associated with AD with or without adjustment of age, gender and education [dominant model, P = 0.019, odds ratio (OR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.89, adjusted; recessive model, P = 0.011, OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.51-0.92, adjusted]. The recessive model of IL1R2 rs34043159 was associated with early-onset AD (EOAD) with or without adjustment of age, gender and education (recessive model, P = 0.038, OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37-0.97, adjusted). The additive model was associated with late-onset AD (LOAD) (P = 0.041). The dominant model of IL1R2 rs34043159 was associated with LOAD with or without adjustment of age, gender and education (dominant model, P = 0.005, OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.17-2.44, adjusted).

CONCLUSION

An association between the dominant and recessive model of IL1R2 rs34043159 and AD was found. The recessive model of IL1R2 rs34043159 was associated with EOAD. The additive and dominant models of IL1R2 rs34043159 were associated with LOAD.

Identification of human temporomandibular joint fibrocartilage stem cells with distinct chondrogenic capacity

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed to identify the residence of human fibrocartilage stem cells (hFCSCs), characterize their stem cell properties and investigate the functional mechanisms which regulate fibrocartilage stem cells (FCSCs) toward chondrogenic differentiation during cartilage homeostasis and repairing.

METHODS

Cytological characteristics of hFCSCs and human orofacial mesenchymal stem cells (hOFMSCs) were analyzed. Chondrogenic potential of hFCSCs was compared with hOFMSCs both in vitro and in vivo. Regulatory role of SOX9 during FCSCs chondrogenesis was studied by shRNA interference in vitro, and by GFP⁺ FCSCs treatment in rat condylar cartilage defect model. SOX9 expression was also examined in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) patients' cartilage surface.

RESULTS

hFCSCs exhibited typical mesenchymal stem cell characteristics, with significantly stronger chondrogenic capability compared to hOFMSCs. Moreover, hFCSCs showed remarkably increased expression of SOX9. During cartilage pellet culture, there was stronger SOX9 expression in hFCSCs than hOFMSCs. SOX9 shRNA interference downregulated chondrogenic capability of hFCSCs in vitro, as well as disrupting migration and chondrogenic differentiation of GFP⁺ FCSCs toward mature chondrocytes in rat condylar cartilage defect. Of note, SOX9 expression was also found suppressed in the condylar superficial zone of TMJOA patients.

CONCLUSION

We found the existence of FCSCs in human TMJ cartilage, and characterized their distinct stem cell features. SOX9 is essential for hFCSCs chondrogenic differentiation, and a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory role of SOX9 in hFCSCs would be important for exploring potential intervention strategy of condylar cartilage degradation during TMJ disorders.

0682 Evaluation Of An Incentive-based Intervention To Improve 90-day Adherence In Pap-naive Patients

Introduction

Although PAP therapy is the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, adherence to treatment is suboptimal. Without sustained therapy adherence, patients are at risk of serious negative health outcomes. The objective of this study was to test whether a digitally delivered monetary and social reward program helped patients new to PAP therapy. Financial incentive schemes are effective in helping patients adhere to difficult medication or therapy plans. Additionally, there is an abundance of evidence that social support is a critical component to long-term health behavior change.

Methods

This prospective, randomized, single site pilot is evaluating the effectiveness of an app-based intervention in helping patients adhere to PAP therapy. The financial incentive design leverages loss aversion, and the social incentive design leverages the strength of close ties and variable reinforcement. The primary endpoint is mean PAP usage at 3 months. Secondary endpoints include Medicare compliance, change in functional status, and baseline scores of perceived disease severity, claustrophobia, coping skills, and health literacy as moderators of the intervention’s effectiveness. Study recruitment is ongoing, with an expected sample size of 150 subjects.

Results

Of the 132 subjects enrolled, 56% are male, 61% are Caucasian, and 65% are married. The mean age is 49.6 ± 12.0 years and mean BMI is 32.4 ± 8.4 kg/m2. Additional demographics such as income level, education level, and number of children along with the primary and secondary endpoints will be presented. A subgroup analysis of the primary endpoint will be generated for subjects identified as strugglers within the first 3 days of usage.

Conclusion

The results of this study will provide insight into methods such as financial and social incentives delivered via a smartphone on initial compliance with PAP therapy, as well as provide more information on the behavioral change associated with beginning PAP therapy.

Support

ResMed

0126 Local Slow Wave Sleep and Post-Stroke Brain Repair

Introduction

Recent evidence suggests that slow wave sleep (SWS) is important for synaptic plasticity and brain repair following stroke. Previous studies described a progressive increase in whole cortex and contralesional regional delta power during sleep after stroke, suggesting a global increase in SWS. However, these studies did not distinguish between the effects of global vs. local SWS. We hypothesized that local changes in SWS delta power would parallel changes in the functional remapping and circuit repair.

Methods

To study SWS in living mice we used Thy-1-GCaMP6f mice (n=12), serially imaged (baseline, 24 hours, weeks 1, 4,) during sleep following photothrombotic stroke of the left forepaw somatosensory cortex (S1FP). An optical fluorescence imaging system (OFI) was used to image whole-cortex neuronal activity. The evolution of local delta activity was compared across three ROIs: 1) infarct, 2) perilesional remapped, and 3) perilesional non-remapped left.

Results

The photothrombotic infarct encompassed the left S1FP stimulus map, resulting in significant attenuation of S1FP evoked responses at week 1; however, a small region of activation was retained in posterior left S1FP (peri-lesional remapped). The infarct region demonstrated a decrease in delta power during sleep; however, the perilesional region of future remapping exhibited a rebound in focal delta power at 1 week after an initial decline at 24 hours. In the perilesional non-remapped area delta power decreased, but did not increase until week 4. We also observed an early wide-spread increase in delta power at 24 hours and week 1 that decreased on week 4.

Conclusion

With the high spatial resolution of OFI, we find that SWS is disrupted throughout the brain following focal ischemia. These data suggest that local SWS selectively increases in the region of remapping prior to repair of that circuit and that local SWS may play a role in brain repair following stroke.

Support

AASM Foundation #183-PA-18, #201-BS-18

[Epidemiological investigation on clinical characteristics of 801 inpatients with chronic wounds]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of 801 inpatients with chronic wounds. Methods: The medical records of patients with chronic wounds who were admitted to the General Hospital of Southern Theater Command of PLA (hereinafter referred to as the author's unit) from January 2013 to December 2017, including gender, occupation, wound type, age, department distribution, recovery status, recovery time, hospitalization time, hospitalization cost, treatment method, clinical outcome, and medical expenses were retrospectively analyzed. Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test, Fisher's exact probability test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: Of 245 037 inpatients admitted to the author's unit within 5 years, 801 (3.3‰) patients with chronic wounds met the inclusion criteria. The composition ratio of chronic wound patients during the 5 years was 2.4‰ (106/44 230)-3.9‰ (191/49 342). Among chronic wound patients, there were 527 males and 274 females, with manual labor, retired, and unemployed patients accounted for a large proportion. The main type of chronic wound was unhealed wound after surgery, accounting for 28.2% (226/801), followed by diabetic wound, accounting for 22.7% (182/801) and traumatic wound, accounting for 16.5% (132/801). There was statistically significant difference in gender distribution of patients with different types of chronic wounds (χ(2)=28.236, P<0.05). The main types of wound in male patients were unhealed wound after surgery, diabetic wound, and traumatic wound, while the main types of wound in female patients were diabetic wound and unhealed wound after surgery. There was statistically significant difference in the age group distribution of patients with different types of chronic wounds (P<0.01). Patients aged 41-60 years had a high incidence of unhealed wound after surgery and traumatic wound, and patients aged 61-80 years had a high incidence of diabetic wound. Patients with chronic wounds in department of orthopedics had the highest recovery rate, followed by comprehensive department. There were statistically significant differences in hospitalization time and hospitalization cost of patients with chronic wounds admitted to different departments (χ(2)=47.390, 107.390, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in cure status and cure time of patients with chronic wounds admitted to different departments (χ(2)=7.163, 15.510, P>0.05). Patients treated with surgery in combination with drug had higher recovery rates than patients given other treatment methods. There was no statistically significant difference in the cure rate of patients with different treatment methods (χ(2)=7.600, P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in cure time, hospitalization cost, and hospitalization time of patients given different treatment methods (χ(2)=38.067, 130.520, 130.890, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in hospitalization cost and hospitalization time of patients with different clinical outcomes (χ(2)=2.070, 5.790, P>0.05). The total medical cost of 801 patients with chronic wounds was about 47 million yuan, of which the total hospitalization cost per capita was 50, 725 yuan, with a minimum of 1 164 yuan and a maximum of about 1.16 million yuan per capita, and with drug and materials costs accounted for high proportions of the total cost. Conclusions: Patients with chronic wounds in the author's unit are mainly physical labor and middle-aged and elderly people, with more male patients than female patients. The main type of wound is unhealed wound after surgery, which brings serious economic burden to the patients and the society. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the public knowledge about chronic wounds and improve the awareness of prevention and treatment.

Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of antipseudomonal bacteriophage therapy in rats: a proof-of-concept study

OBJECTIVES

Pan-drug-resistant (PDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the three top-priority pathogens identified by the WHO, and bacteriophages have been investigated as an alternative therapy. However, knowledge on the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of phage therapy is sparse, limiting its clinical applications. This study aimed to evaluate the PK/PD of the antipseudomonal phage øPEV20 in vivo following intravenous administration.

METHODS

Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were given øPEV20 as a single intravenous bolus of ~6, 9 and 11-log₁₀PFU/rat. Arterial blood was sampled over 72 h. At 72 h, the animals were killed and multiple tissues were harvested for biodistribution studies. A PK model was developed using the importance sampling algorithm and deterministic simulations with a PD model were performed.

RESULTS

A three-compartment model with non-linear clearance described the exposure of øPEV20 in blood. Model evaluation indicated that the model was robust and parameter estimates were accurate. The median (standard error) values of model-predicted PK parameters for V_C, V_P1, V_P2, Q₁, Q₂, V_m and K_m were 111 mL/rat (8.5%), 128 mL/rat (4.97%), 180 mL/rat (4.59%), 30.4 mL/h/rat (19.2%), 538 mL/h/rat (4.97%), 4.39 × 10¹⁰ PFU/h/rat (10.2%) and 1.64 × 10⁷ PFU/mL/rat (3.6%), respectively. The distribution of øPEV20 was not homogeneous; there was preferential accumulation in the liver and spleen. Deterministic simulations with a PD model confirmed the importance of the host immune system in facilitating phage-mediated bacterial elimination.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a robust PK model to describe the disposition of phages in healthy rats. This model may have significant potential in facilitating future preclinical and clinical PK/PD investigations.

[AMG-102 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulating c-Met/PI3K/Akt pathway]

Objective: To investigate the effects of c-Met inhibitor AMG-102 on the proliferation and apoptosis of laryngeal squamous carcinoma Hep-2 cells and the underlying mechanism. Methods: Laryngeal squamous carcinoma cell line Hep-2 cells were treated with 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L AMG-102, respectively. The proliferation activities of Hep-2 cells were detected by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT). The apoptotic rate of Hep-2 cells was detected by flow cytometry analysis and Hoechst staining. The mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-related genes were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase Chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the protein expressions of c-Met/PI3K/AKT pathway were detected by western blot. Results: Compared with the control group, the proliferation rates of Hep-2 cells treated with 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L AMG-102 for 24 hours were (89.8±1.1)%, (79.8±1.0)% and (69.1±1.2)%, respectively; for 48 hours were (76.8±2.0)%, (60.2±1.1)% and (49.8±1.2)%, respectively; for 72 hours were (50.1±2.0)%, (41.5±1.1)% and (33.6±1.0), respectively, with significant differences (all P<0.05). The apoptotic rates of Hep-2 cells treated with 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L AMG-102 for 48 hours were (16.09±1.53)%, (27.51±2.02)% and (36.57±1.42)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than (3.62±0.10) % in the control group (all P<0.05). After treated with 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L AMG-102 for 48 hours, the relative expression levels of Bcl-2 mRNA in Hep-2 cells were 0.58±0.13, 0.38±0.12 and 0.20±0.13, respectively; the relative protein expression of p-Met were 80.0±3.8, 50.6±4.2 and 28.5±1.3, respectively; the relative protein expression of p-PI3K were 87.1±0.9, 54.2±1.2 and 21.0±1.2, respectively; the relative protein expression of p-AKT were 98.7±5.6, 56.9±3.2 and 32.2±4.3, respectively; which were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of Bax mRNA were 1.78±0.13, 2.37±0.14 and 3.05±0.13, respectively, and the relative expression levels of caspase-3 mRNA were 1.98±0.14, 2.47±0.14 and 3.15±0.13, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: c-Met inhibitor AMG-102 could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of laryngeal squamous carcinoma Hep-2 cells by regulating the c-Met/PI3K/Akt pathway.

[Disparity of minnesota multiphasic personality inventory between positions and its relationship with job burnout in a general hospital]

Objective: To explore the difference of personality characteristics of physicians, nurses, medical skills and administrative personnel in a general hospital and its influence on job burnout. Methods: Employee entered the hospital before 2018 were enrolled in the current study and the position was classified as physicians, nurses, medical technician and administrative staff. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was completed by the employee at the time of entering the hospital. Status of job burnout was assessed in 2018 using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) . Results: Physicians have a higher rate of paranoia than others (P<0.05) , and administrative staff and medical technician have a slightly higher score than the other two categories of people (P<0.05) , and administrators lie at a higher rate than others (P<0.05) . Further analysis found that personality traits did not have a significant association with job burnout at the time of entry. Conclusion: The administrative and medical staff is slightly more irritable, the administrative staff lying slightly higher score, the staff after the entry of job burnout is not affected by the personality characteristics of the onboarding.

[Effect of c-Met inhibitor AMG-102 on radiosensitivity in laryngeal squamous carcinoma cells]

Objective: To investigate the effect of c-Met inhibitor AMG-102 on proliferation and radiosensitivity in laryngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Methods: The effects of AMG-102 on proliferation and radiosensitivity of laryngeal squamous carcinoma cell lines Hep-2 and KBV200 were detected by 3-(4, 5-dimethy-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and colony formation assay, respectively. The apoptosis of Hep-2 and KBV200 cells was detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of c-Met, phospho-Met (p-Met), cleaved caspase-3 and Akt/p-Akt, Erk/p-Erk were detected by Western blot. Specific small interfering RNA targeting c-Met or plasmid of c-Met were transfected into Hep-2 and KBV200 cells to investigate the cell sensitivity to AMG-102. Results: Compared with KBV200 cells, Hep-2 cells were more sensitive to AMG-102 with IC(50) of 14 and 9 μmol/L, respectively. The relative expression levels of c-Met and p-Met proteins in Hep-2 cells were 194.48±0.57 and 177.76±1.53, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in KBV200 cells (171.24±1.00 and 115.37±0.56, respectively, P<0.001 for both). Exogenous hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was added to increase the expression level of p-Met protein in KBV200 cells. The results showed that AMG-102 significantly reduced the expression of p-Met in KBV200 cells treated with HGF (P<0.001). Compared with the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group, AMG-102 treatment combined with radiotherapy significantly increased the radiosensitivity of Hep-2 cells (SER=1.28, P<0.001). However, AMG-102 had little effect on the radiosensitivity of KBV200 cells (SER=1.18, P=0.002). Compared with the 4 Gy radiotherapy alone group and the 5 μmol/L of AMG-102 alone treatment group, the apoptosis rate of Hep-2 cells in the combined treatment group was significantly increased. Meanwhile, the expression level of cleaved caspase-3 protein was also markedly increased. However, there were no significant changes in the apoptotic rate and cleaved caspase-3 expression in each treatment group of KBV200 cells. Compared with DMSO treatment group, the expression levels of p-Met, p-Akt and p-Erk were significantly decreased in the 4 Gy radiotherapy group, 5 μmol/L of AMG-102 treatment group and combined treatment group of Hep-2 cells. And the levels of p-Met, p-Akt and p-Erk in the combined treatment group were significantly lower than those in the 4 Gy radiotherapy alone group and 5 μmol/L of AMG-102 treatment alone group. By contrast, in KBV200 cells, the expression of p-Met, p-Akt and p-Erk in each group was not changed. The relative expression of p-Met in Hep-2 cells before and after radiotherapy at 30 min, 1 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h were 99.89±0.61, 138.62±1.00, 163.07±5.00, 87.80±1.85, 90.67±0.65 and 94.09±1.41, respectively. The level of p-Met was slightly increased after radiotherapy at 30 min and 1 h (P<0.001 for all), whereas it was significantly decreased from 4 h to 24 h after radiotherapy (P<0.05 for all). By contrast, the expression of p-Met in KBV200 cells did not change with time after radiotherapy (P>0.05). The sensitivity of Hep-2 cells to AMG-102 was decreased after silencing of c-Met, while the sensitivity of KBV200 cells to AMG-102 was not significantly changed (P>0.05). Moreover, the radiosensitivity of Hep-2 cells in c-Met knockdown group had a slightly increasing trend (SER=1.07, P=0.068). After the treatment with 10 μmol/L of AMG-102, the proliferation rate of c-Met ectopically expressed KBV200 cells was 60.05%±3.23%, It was significantly lower than that of the blank control 90.08%±1.04% and siRNA negative control (90.12%±1.01%, P<0.001). The results suggested that the overexpression of c-Met in KBV200 cells increased the radiosensitivity to AMG-102, whereas depletion of c-Met resulted in resistance to AMG-102 in Hep-2 cells. Furthermore, the radiosensitivity of KBV200 cells that overexpressed c-Met showed a decreased trend (SER=0.7, P=0.005). Conclusions: c-Met inhibitor AMG-102 has a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of c-Met overexpressing laryngeal squamous carcinoma cells, leading to increased radiosensitivity. It suggests that molecular targeted therapy against c-Met receptor is more effective in c-Met overexpressed subtype of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Association between Skeletal Muscle Strength and Dysphagia among Chinese Community-Dwelling Elderly Adults

OBJECTIVES

Swallowing disorder is a health burden for the elderly in China. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dysphagia and to test the association between skeletal muscle strength and swallowing problems among community-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Community-dwelling Chinese elderly in China.

PARTICIPANTS

3361 adults aged 65 years or above were involved, among which 1740 (51.8%) were female, with average age of 72.64 (Standard deviation, SD=6.10) years old.

MEASUREMENTS

Handgrip strength (HGS) was used to evaluate skeletal muscle strength. Dysphagia assessment was performed using the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) and the 30mL water swallow test (WST). Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between skeletal muscle strength and dysphagia, and covariates as age, gender, material status, etc. were adjusted.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dysphagia were 5.5% and 12.9%, screened by EAT-10 and 30mL WST respectively. Participants with dysphagia showed lower HGS (21.73 ± 9.20 vs. 25.66 ± 11.32, p<0.001, by EAT-10; 20.26 ± 9.88 vs. 26.22 ± 11.28, p<0.001, by WST). The adjusted model suggested that muscle strength is a protective factor for swallowing disorders (adjusted OR=0.974, 95%CI: 0.950-0.999, by EAT-10; adjusted OR=0.952, 95%CI: 0.933-0.972, by WST). Subgroup analyses of WST found the effects were significant among participants aged in 70-74 years group and ≥75 years group, rather than those aged under 70.

CONCLUSION

Dysphagia was significantly associated with skeletal muscle strength among the community-dwelling elderly population. Effective interventions should be taken to manage the decline of muscle strength for the older adults, especially early prevention before 70 years old.

Vacuolar protein sorting 4 is required for silkworm metamorphosis

Vacuolar protein sorting 4 (Vps4) not only functions with its positive regulator vacuolar protein sorting 20-associated 1 (Vta1) in the multivesicular body (MVB) pathway but also participates alone in MVB-unrelated cellular processes. However, its physiological roles at the organism level remain rarely explored. We previously identified their respective homologues Bombyx mori Vps4 (BmVps4) and BmVta1 from the silkworm, a model organism for insect research. In this study, we performed fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot to globally characterize the transcription and protein expression profiles of BmVps4 and BmVta1 during silkworm development and in different silkworm tissues and organs. The results showed that they were significantly up-regulated in metamorphosis, adulthood and embryogenesis relative to larval stages, and displayed a roughly similar tissue-and-organ specificity for transcriptions in silkworm larvae. Importantly, BmVps4 was down-regulated during the early period of the fifth instar, reaching the lowest level of transcription on Day 6, then up-regulated from Day 7 to the wandering, spinning and pupal stages, and down-regulated again in adulthood. Moreover, knocking down BmVps4 by RNA interference significantly inhibited silk gland growth, shortened spinning time, prolonged pupation, reduced pupal size and weight, and increased moth wing defects. Together, our data demonstrate the critical and broad requirements for BmVps4 in silkworm metamorphosis.