Improved Measurement of the Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

Reactor neutrino experiments play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of neutrinos. In this Letter, the evolution of the flux and spectrum as a function of the reactor isotopic content is reported in terms of the inverse-beta-decay yield at Daya Bay with 1958 days of data and improved systematic uncertainties. These measurements are compared with two signature model predictions: the Huber-Mueller model based on the conversion method and the SM2018 model based on the summation method. The measured average flux and spectrum, as well as the flux evolution with the ^{239}Pu isotopic fraction, are inconsistent with the predictions of the Huber-Mueller model. In contrast, the SM2018 model is shown to agree with the average flux and its evolution but fails to describe the energy spectrum. Altering the predicted inverse-beta-decay spectrum from ^{239}Pu fission does not improve the agreement with the measurement for either model. The models can be brought into better agreement with the measurements if either the predicted spectrum due to ^{235}U fission is changed or the predicted ^{235}U, ^{238}U, ^{239}Pu, and ^{241}Pu spectra are changed in equal measure.

Observation of Directed Flow of Hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report here the first observation of directed flow (v_{1}) of the hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in mid-central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV at RHIC. These data are taken as part of the beam energy scan program carried out by the STAR experiment. From 165×10^{6} events in 5%-40% centrality, about 8400 _{Λ}^{3}H and 5200 _{Λ}^{4}H candidates are reconstructed through two- and three-body decay channels. We observe that these hypernuclei exhibit significant directed flow. Comparing to that of light nuclei, it is found that the midrapidity v_{1} slopes of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H follow baryon number scaling, implying that the coalescence is the dominant mechanism for these hypernuclei production in the 3 GeV Au+Au collisions.

Properties of Cosmic-Ray Sulfur and Determination of the Composition of Primary Cosmic-Ray Carbon, Neon, Magnesium, and Sulfur: Ten-Year Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

We report the properties of primary cosmic-ray sulfur (S) in the rigidity range 2.15 GV to 3.0 TV based on 0.38×10^{6} sulfur nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment (AMS). We observed that above 90 GV the rigidity dependence of the S flux is identical to the rigidity dependence of Ne-Mg-Si fluxes, which is different from the rigidity dependence of the He-C-O-Fe fluxes. We found that, similar to N, Na, and Al cosmic rays, over the entire rigidity range, the traditional primary cosmic rays S, Ne, Mg, and C all have sizeable secondary components, and the S, Ne, and Mg fluxes are well described by the weighted sum of the primary silicon flux and the secondary fluorine flux, and the C flux is well described by the weighted sum of the primary oxygen flux and the secondary boron flux. The primary and secondary contributions of the traditional primary cosmic-ray fluxes of C, Ne, Mg, and S (even Z elements) are distinctly different from the primary and secondary contributions of the N, Na, and Al (odd Z elements) fluxes. The abundance ratio at the source for S/Si is 0.167±0.006, for Ne/Si is 0.833±0.025, for Mg/Si is 0.994±0.029, and for C/O is 0.836±0.025. These values are determined independent of cosmic-ray propagation.

[Electroencephalographic microstates in vestibular schwannoma patients with tinnitus]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the biomarkers of tinnitus in vestibular schwannoma patients using electroencephalographic (EEG) microstate technology.

METHODS

The EEG and clinical data of 41 patients with vestibular schwannoma were collected. All the patients were evaluated by SAS, SDS, THI and VAS scales. The EEG acquisition time was 10-15 min, and the EEG data were preprocessed and analyzed using MATLAB and EEGLAB software package.

RESULTS

Of the 41 patients with vestibular schwannoma, 29 patients had tinnitus and 12 did not have tinnitus, and their clinical parameters were comparable. The average global explanation variances of the non-tinnitus and tinnitus groups were 78.8% and 80.1%, respectively. The results of EEG microstate analysis showed that compared with those without tinnitus, the patients with tinnitus had an increased frequency (P=0.033) and contribution (P=0.028) of microstate C. Correlation analysis showed that THI scale scores of the patients were negatively correlated with the duration of microstate A (R=-0.435, P=0.018) and positively with the frequencies of microstate B (R=0.456, P=0.013) and microstate C (R=0.412, P=0.026). Syntax analysis showed that the probability of transition from microstate C to microstate B increased significantly in vestibular schwannoma patients with tinnitus (P=0.031).

CONCLUSION

EEG microstate features differ significantly between vestibular schwannoma patients with and without tinnitus. This abnormality in patients with tinnitus may reflect the potential abnormality in the allocation of neural resources and the transition of brain functional activity.

Beam Energy Dependence of Triton Production and Yield Ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}) in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the triton (t) production in midrapidity (|y|<0.5) Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=7.7-200  GeV measured by the STAR experiment from the first phase of the beam energy scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The nuclear compound yield ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}), which is predicted to be sensitive to the fluctuation of local neutron density, is observed to decrease monotonically with increasing charged-particle multiplicity (dN_{ch}/dη) and follows a scaling behavior. The dN_{ch}/dη dependence of the yield ratio is compared to calculations from coalescence and thermal models. Enhancements in the yield ratios relative to the coalescence baseline are observed in the 0%-10% most central collisions at 19.6 and 27 GeV, with a significance of 2.3σ and 3.4σ, respectively, giving a combined significance of 4.1σ. The enhancements are not observed in peripheral collisions or model calculations without critical fluctuation, and decreases with a smaller p_{T} acceptance. The physics implications of these results on the QCD phase structure and the production mechanism of light nuclei in heavy-ion collisions are discussed.

[Identification and verification of α-11 giardin-interacting protein]

OBJECTIVE

To identify and verify the interacting protein of α-11 giardin, so as provide the experimental evidence for studies on the α-11 giardin function.

METHODS

The yeast two-hybrid cDNA library of the Giardia lambia C2 strain and the bait plasmid of α-11 giardin were constructed. All proteins interacting with α-11 giardin were screened using the yeast two-hybrid system. α-11 giardin and all screened potential interacting protein genes were constructed into pBiFc-Vc-155 and pBiFc-Vn-173 plasmids, and co-transfected into the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The interactions between α-11 giardin and interacting proteins were verified using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC).

RESULTS

The yeast two-hybrid G. lambia cDNA library which was quantified at 2.715 × 10⁷ colony-forming units (CFU) and the bait plasmid containing α-11 giardin gene without an autoactivation activity were constructed. Following two-round positive screening with the yeast two-hybrid system, two potential proteins interacting with α-11 giardin were screened, including eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (EIF5A), calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CAMKL) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-specific glutamate dehydrogenase (NADP-GDH), hypothetical protein 1 (GL50803_95880), hypothetical protein 2 (GL50803_87261) and a protein from Giardia canis virus. The α-11 giardin and EIF5A genes were transfected into the pBiFc-Vc-155 and pBiFc-Vn-173 plasmids using BiFC, and the recombinant plasmids pBiFc-Vc-155-α-11 and pBiFc-Vn-173-EIF5A were co-tranfected into MDA-MB-231 cells, which displayed green fluorescence under a microscope, indicating the interaction between α-11 giardin and EIF5A protein in cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The yeast two-hybrid cDNA library of the G. lambia C2 strain has been successfully constructed, and six potential protein interacting with α-11 giardin have been identified, including EIF5A that interacts with α-11 giardin in cells.

[Diagnostic value of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in OPBR combined with gallbladder cholesterol deposition]

Objective: To study the diagnostic value of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(LP-PL-A2) in occult pancreaticobiliary reflux(OPBR) combined with gallbladder cholesterol deposition. Methods: This was a case-control study. Forty-six patients with OPBR who underwent gallbladder surgery at Shanghai East Hospital from December 2020 to October 2021, with gallbladder cholesterol deposition as the case group and the remainder as the control group, were included for analysis of their clinical data. Results: There were 21 cases in the case group, with 10 males and 11 females, and aged (57±12) years; 25 cases in the control group, with 11 males and 14 females, and aged (56±10) years. Serum LP-PL-A2 [(551.62±128.69) U/L] was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group [(436.70±135.88) U/L] (t=-2.80,P<0.01).Univariate analysis showed that LP-PL-A2 was a risk factor for OPBR combined with gallbladder cholesterol deposition, OR(95%CI):1.007(1.002-1.012), P=0.011. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve was 0.742, P=0.005. Conclusion: LP-PL-A2 is of diagnostic value in OPBR combined with gallbladder cholesterol deposition.

[Clinical analysis of the correlation between gallbladder adenomyomatosis and occult pancreaticobiliary reflux]

Objective: To explore the association between gallbladder adenomyomatosis (GA) and occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (OPBR). Methods: A total of 81 patients with GA who underwent cholecystectomy in Shanghai East Hospital from December 2020 to January 2022 were enrolled, including 48 cases of fundal type, 28 cases of segmental type and 5 cases of diffuse type. Patient's intraoperative bile was coltected and tested for amylase. According to gallbladder bile amylase level, patients were divided into OPBR group (bile amylase>110 U/L) and the control group (bile amylase≤110 U/L). Results: Among 81 patients, 32 were male and 49 were female, and aged (49.1±13.2) years; there were 66 cases in control group, including 27 males and 39 females, and aged (50.0±12.9)years; there were 15 patients in the OPBR group, including 5 males and 10 females, and aged (45.1±14.2) years. In terms of the clinical features of the two groups, there was no significant difference (all P>0.05), except for a significant increase in biliary amylase in the OPBR group compared with the control group (P<0.001). However, the incidence of OPBR was significantly different in the three types of GA, with a lower incidence of OPBR in the fundal type (10.4%, 5/48) than in the segmental type (28.6%, 8/28) and diffuse type (2/5) (P=0.038). In addition, segmental GA was more likely to be combined with gallbladder stones (85.7%, 24/28) than fundal GA (58.3%, 28/48) and diffuse GA (3/5) (P=0.031). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed OPBR [OR (95%CI)=3.410 (1.010 to 11.513), P=0.048] and combined gallbladder stones [OR (95%CI)=2.974 (1.011 to 8.745), P=0.048] indepenclently correlated with segmental and diffuse GA. Conclusions: The incidence of OPBR is higher in segmental and diffuse GA, and gallstones and OPBR are independently associated with the occurrence of segmental and diffuse GA. These results suggest that OPBR may be the initiating factor for the occurrence and carcinogenesis of segmental and diffuse GA.

Precision Measurement of Reactor Antineutrino Oscillation at Kilometer-Scale Baselines by Daya Bay

We present a new determination of the smallest neutrino mixing angle θ_{13} and the mass-squared difference Δm_{32}^{2} using a final sample of 5.55×10^{6} inverse beta-decay (IBD) candidates with the final-state neutron captured on gadolinium. This sample is selected from the complete dataset obtained by the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment in 3158 days of operation. Compared to the previous Daya Bay results, selection of IBD candidates has been optimized, energy calibration refined, and treatment of backgrounds further improved. The resulting oscillation parameters are sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0851±0.0024, Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.466±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the normal mass ordering or Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.571±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the inverted mass ordering.

Temporal Structures in Electron Spectra and Charge Sign Effects in Galactic Cosmic Rays

We present the precision measurements of 11 years of daily cosmic electron fluxes in the rigidity interval from 1.00 to 41.9 GV based on 2.0×10^{8} electrons collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the International Space Station. The electron fluxes exhibit variations on multiple timescales. Recurrent electron flux variations with periods of 27 days, 13.5 days, and 9 days are observed. We find that the electron fluxes show distinctly different time variations from the proton fluxes. Remarkably, a hysteresis between the electron flux and the proton flux is observed with a significance of greater than 6σ at rigidities below 8.5 GV. Furthermore, significant structures in the electron-proton hysteresis are observed corresponding to sharp structures in both fluxes. This continuous daily electron data provide unique input to the understanding of the charge sign dependence of cosmic rays over an 11-year solar cycle.

[Study on the time-point distribution characteristics of the occurrence of laryngopharyngeal reflux]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of the time-point distribution of the occurrence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) by 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (24 h MII-pH) and to provide guidance for the development of individualized anti-reflux strategies for LPR patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 24 h MII-pH data from 408 patients [339 males and 69 females, aged 23-84 (55.08±11.08) years] attending the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to March 2020. The number of gas acid/weak-acid reflux, mixed gas-liquid acid/weak-acid reflux, liquid acid/weak-acid reflux and alkaline reflux events at different time points were recorded and statistically analyzed through SPSS 26.0 software. Results: A total of 408 patients were included. Based on the 24 h MII-pH, the total positive rate of LPR was 77.45% (316/408). The type of positive gaseous weak-acid reflux was significantly higher than the remaining types of LPR (χ²=297.12,P<0.001). Except the gaseous weak-acid reflux, the occurrence of the remaining types of LPR showed a tendency to increase after meals, especially after dinner. Liquid acid reflux events occurred mainly between after dinner and the following morning, and 47.11% (57/121) of them occurred within 3 h after dinner. There was a significant positive association between Reflux Symptom Index scores and gaseous weak-acid reflux(r=0.127,P<0.01), liquid acid reflux(r=0.205,P<0.01) and liquid weak-acid reflux(r=0.103,P<0.05)events. Conclusions: With the exception of gaseous weak-acid reflux events, the occurrence of the remaining types of LPR events has a tendency to increase after meals, especially after dinner. Gaseous weak-acid reflux events accounts for the largest proportion of all types of LPR events, but the pathogenic mechanisms of gaseous weak-acid reflux are needed to further investigate.

[New progress and challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of cosmetic allergy-related adverse reactions]

In China, the current standard for cosmetic adverse reactions related skin disease (GB/T 17149.1-1997) was jointly issued by the Ministry of Health and the State Bureau of Technical Supervision in 1997, cosmetic-allergic adverse reactions include allergic contact dermatitis and photo-allergic contact dermatitis according to this standard. The increasing use and changes in cosmetic ingredients or formula lead to a significant increase for the incidence of adverse reactions as the cosmetics industry is developing rapidly in the last 20 years. In the meantime, the clinical manifestations have become more diverse. In recent years, there have been many reports on the special manifestations for cosmetic allergy and allergen test, which provide a reference for the subsequent improvement of the diagnosis and prevention.

Selective removal behavior of lead and cadmium from calcium-rich solution by MgO loaded soybean straw biochars and mechanism analysis

Modified biochars has great potential for removing heavy metals from aquatic environments, but the removal of heavy metals by biochars is usually significantly affected by the co-presence of the macro amount of metal ions, such as Ca. Enhancing the ion exchange capacity of biochar by increasing its alkali metal content is a very prospective method to improve its selectivity. In this paper, MgO loaded biochar (MBC) was synthesized by co-pyrolysis of soybean straw and MgCl₂·6H₂O for selective remove Pb and Cd from calcium-rich wastewater. MBC exhibited excellent selective adsorption performance for Pb and Cd in calcium-rich wastewater due to the successful loading of MgO. The adsorption capacities of MBC for Pb and Cd were 582.57 and 167.40 mg/g, and the removal efficiency of Ca below 2.5% with an initial concentration of 800 mg/L. The ion exchange capacities of Pb and Cd enhanced almost 27 and 23 times than BC. By analyzing the results of BET, XRD, SEM-EDS, XPS and FTIR, the adsorption mechanisms of MBC were mainly including ion exchange, precipitation with minerals, and interaction with oxygen-containing functional groups. The easy preparation method and high selective adsorption capacity makes MBC an ideal alternative for efficiently selective removal Pb and Cd from calcium-rich wastewater.

Editorial: The society for environmental geochemistry and health (SEGH): 50 years and beyond

When the SEGH international board released a short editorial paper back in 2019, we described an aim to increase the membership offering, whilst improving the diversity of input regionally, by scientific discipline and to ensure greater and more regular contact across the regions from 2020 onwards. Wider aspirations described in 2019 (Watts et al. 2019) are discussed within this short communication at the end of 2021 to evaluate progress made. In particular, how the SEGH community adapted to the unprecedented circumstances that have challenged each and every one of us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020 and are likely to influence our activities for the foreseeable future.

Long non-coding RNA LINC00958 and microRNA miR-627-5p provide candidate diagnostic biomarker and participate tumor progression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective study

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is known for its high morbidity and mortality. Long non-coding RNAs and miRNA have been found to play important roles in cancer progression. However, the roles of LINC00958 and miR-627-5p in LSCC and their mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, it is important to explore its role in LSCC. The results of this study show that the expression of LINC00958 was significantly increased (p<0.001), but the expression of miR-627-5p was significantly decreased in LSCC serum specimens and cell lines (p<0.001). Silencing LINC00958 or overexpression of miR-627-5p could inhibit the proliferation (p<0.05) and migration (p<0.01) of LSCC cells. According to the results of dual luciferase reporter assay, it was known that LINC00958 could target miR-627-5p (p<0.01). ROC experiment results showed that LINC00958 was used to distinguish LSCC patients from healthy controls, OSCC patients from healthy controls and LSCC patients from OSCC patients, and the areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.970, 0.809 and 0.811, respectively. Meanwhile, we found that serum miR-627-5p could also be used to distinguish LSCC patients from healthy controls, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients from healthy controls, and LSCC patients from OSCC patients, with the AUC of 0.975, 0.870, and 0.800, respectively. Pearson analysis showed that the expression level of LNIC00958 was negatively correlated with the expression level of miR-627-5p (r= -0.725, p<0.001). Overall, The results of this study show that LINC00958 and miR-627-5p may be used as new diagnostic markers for LSCC. In addition, LINC00958/miR-627-5p axis opens a new way for the diagnosis and treatment of LSCC.

The role of TLR4-mediated MyD88/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling and pIgR intestinal expression in chicks during Salmonella enteritidis infection

To observe the effect of Salmonella enteritidis (SE)-induced inflammation on pIgR expression in jejunum and ileum. Salmonella enteritidis was orally administered to 7-day old Hyline chicks, which were killed after 1d,3d,7d and 14d. The mRNA expression of TLR4,MyD88,TRAF6,NF-κB, and pIgR was detected by real-time RT-PCR, and pIgR protein was detected by Western blotting. The TLR4 signaling pathway was activated, the mRNA expression of the pIgR in jejunum and ileum was increased, and pIgR protein in jejunum and ileum was up-regulated by SE. In SE-treated chicks,the pIgR in jejunum and ileum was up-regulated on mRNA,and protein level,associated with activation of the TRL4-mediated MyD88/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway, which identifies this as a novel pIgR-related pathway to TLR4 activation.

Impact of policy response on health protection and economic recovery in OECD and BRIICS countries during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the full reopening of the economy typically accelerated viral transmission. This study aims to determine whether policy response could contribute to the dual objective of both reducing the spread of the epidemic and revitalising economic activities.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a longitudinal study of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia, China, and South Africa (BRIICS) from the first quarter (Q1) of 2020 to the same period of 2021.

METHODS

From a health-economic perspective, this study established a framework to illustrate the following outcomes: suppression-prosperity, outbreak-stagnancy, outbreak-prosperity and suppression-stagnancy scenarios. Multinomial logistic models were used to analyse the associations between policy response with both the pandemic and the economy. The study further examined two subtypes of policy response, stringency/health measures and economic support measures, separately. The probabilities of the different scenarios were estimated.

RESULTS

Economic prosperity and epidemic suppression were significantly associated with policy response. The effects of policy response on health-economic scenarios took the form of inverse U-shapes with the increase in intensity. 'Leptokurtic', 'bimodal' and 'long-tailed' curves demonstrated the estimated possibilities of suppression-prosperity, outbreak-prosperity and suppression-stagnancy scenarios, respectively. In addition, stringency/health policies followed the inverted U-shaped pattern, whereas economic support policies showed a linear pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

It was possible to achieve the dual objective of economic growth and epidemic control simultaneously, and the effects of policy response were shaped like an inverse U. These findings provide a new perspective for balancing the economy with public health during the early stages of the pandemic.

[Clinical efficacy analysis of TMF for the treatment of hyperviremia HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with incomplete response to first-line oral antiviral nucleos(t)ide analogues]

Objective: To prospectively explore the treatment strategies for clinical difficulties in patients with hyperviremia HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B with incomplete response to first-line nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). Methods: Patients with hyperviremia HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B were treated with first-line NAs, including entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) for 48 weeks or more. Tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or TAF therapy was changed when HBV DNA remained positive and then divided into a TMF group and a TAF group. Clinical efficacy of treatment was evaluated at 24 and 48 weeks, including HBV DNA undetectable rates and virological and serological responses in both patient groups. Results: In the TMF group and the TAF groups, 30 and 26 cases completed 24-week follow-up, while 18 and 12 cases completed 48-week follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg levels between the two groups before switching to TMF/TAF therapy (P > 0.05). At 24 weeks of treatment, 19 (19/30, 63.33%) cases in the TMF group had HBV DNA negative conversion, while 14 (14/26, 53.85%) cases in the TAF group had HBV DNA negative conversion (P > 0.05). Among the patients who completed 48 weeks of follow-up, 15 (15/18, 83.33%) cases in the TMF group and 7 (7/12, 58.33%) cases in the TAF group had negative HBV DNA tests (P > 0.05). The changes in HBsAg and HBeAg levels between the two groups of patients at 24 and 48 weeks of treatment were not statistically significant compared to baseline (P > 0.05). Conclusion: TMF is effective in treating patients with hyperviremia HBeAg-positive CHB with an incomplete response to first-line NAs treatment, but there is no significant difference compared to TAF.

Effects of disorganization of retinal inner layers for Idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery: the surgical status and prognosis

BACKGROUND

To compare the surgical status in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (IERM) patients with or without disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL) and to correlate with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and clinical data.

METHODS

In 74 eyes from 74 patients with IERM treated by surgery with 12-month follow-up. According to the superficial hemorrhage, the patients were divided into group A (no macular bleeding), group B (macular parafoveal bleeding) and group C (macular foveal bleeding). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) were evaluated for presence of DRIL,central retina thickness and integrity of the inner/outer segment layer recorded at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded simultaneously. OCTA was conducted at 12 months postoperatively. Main outcome measures is correlation between DRIL and superficial hemorrhage in membrane peeling,and BCVA and OCTA outcomes postoperatively.

RESULTS

The rate of DRIL and BCVA had statistically significant differences between the three groups at the time points(baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery), respectively (P < 0.001 for all). FD-300 value (P = 0.001)and DCP in all parafoveal regions (superior: P = 0.001; inferior: P = 0.002;Nasal: P = 0.014;Tempo: P = 0.004) in eyes with DRIL were lower than those without DRIL.There was a linear regression relationship between FD-300 and postoperative BCVA (P = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

IERM Patients with DRIL have more intraoperative adverse events and limited benefits from surgery which should be considered in the decision whether to perform mebrane peeling.OCT-A provides more detailed vascular information that extends our understanding of persistent DRIL.

Measurement of Sequential ϒ Suppression in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR Experiment

We report on measurements of sequential ϒ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0%-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (R_{AA}), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) are 0.40±0.03(stat)±0.03(sys)±0.09(norm) and 0.26±0.08(stat)±0.02(sys)±0.06(norm), respectively, while the upper limit of the ϒ(3S) R_{AA} is 0.17 at a 95% confidence level. This provides experimental evidence that the ϒ(3S) is significantly more suppressed than the ϒ(1S) at RHIC. The level of suppression for ϒ(1S) is comparable to that observed at the much higher collision energy at the Large Hadron Collider. These results point to the creation of a medium at RHIC whose temperature is sufficiently high to strongly suppress excited ϒ states.

Biodegradable hollowed mesoporous SeO2 nanoplatform loaded with indocyanine green for simultaneous NIR II fluorescence imaging and synergistic breast carcinoma therapy

Contrast agents in the second window of the near-infrared region (NIR II, 1000–1700 nm) have several advantages and indocyanine green (ICG), which emits NIR II fluorescence, is clinically approved and its use has been widely investigated for in vivo imaging, specifically for delineating tumor outlines; however, insufficient tumor targeting and rapid physiological metabolism of free ICG has substantially impeded its further clinical application. Here, we constructed novel hollowed mesoporous selenium oxide nanocarriers for precise ICG delivery. After surface modification with the active tumor targeting amino acid motif, RGD (hmSeO2@ICG-RGD), the nanocarriers were preferentially targeted toward tumor cells and subsequently degraded for ICG and Se-based nanogranule release under tumor tissue extracellular pH conditions (pH 6.5). The released ICG acted as an NIR II contrast agent, highlighting tumor tissue, after intravenous administration of hmSeO2@ICG-RGD into mammary tumor-bearing mice. Importantly, the photothermal effect of ICG improved reactive oxygen species production from SeO2 nanogranules, inducing oxidative therapy. The synergistic therapeutic effects of hyperthermia and increased oxidative stress on 808 nm laser exposure induced significant tumor cell killing. Thus, our nanoplatform can generate a high-performance diagnostic and therapeutic nanoagent that facilitates in vivo tumor outline discrimination and tumor ablation.

Characterization of ovarian follicles, serum steroid hormone concentration and steroidogenic gene expression profiles in the developing ovarian follicles in White King pigeons

Paired pigeons only lay 2 eggs in a laying period, which is closely related to ovarian follicle development, but this process is not well understood. In this study, 60 pairs of 12-mo-old White King pigeons were selected and serum and follicles were collected at 4 stages of laying interval (LI), including the first (LI1), the third (LI3), the fifth (LI5), and the seventh day (LI7). Morphological results showed that paired pigeons normally had 2 preovulatory follicles and the second-largest follicle (F2) developed from LI3 and had been selected in LI5. Prehierarchical follicles were coupled and hierarchical, which was in accordance with its clutch size. The P₄ concentration increased gradually from LI1 to LI5, reaching a maximum of 30.67 ng/mL in LI5 and decreasing to 27.83 ng/mL in LI7 (P < 0.05). The levels of T in LI1 and LI5 were higher than LI3 and LI7 (P < 0.05), although there was no significant difference in E₂ in LI (P > 0.05), but it stayed at high levels. In the TCs of the largest follicle (F1), HSD3B1 mRNA and HSD17B1 mRNA levels peaked in LI7. The expression pattern of CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 was similar, increasing from LI3 to LI5 and then decreasing. In the TCs of F2, the expressions of HSD3B1 and CYP17A1 had no significant difference between LI5 and LI7 (P > 0.05), while the expression pattern of HSD17B1 and CYP19A1 was the opposite. In TCs of SF1, HSD3B1 mRNA level peaked in LI3 while CYP19A1 mRNA levels peaked in LI7. The expression of CYP17A1 had a minor change (P > 0.05) and the expression pattern of HSD17B1 was similar to F1. It was concluded that the morphological characteristics of follicles during the LI for the first time, including the number and diameter of small follicles (SFs) and hierarchical follicles in pigeon and the concentrations of steroid hormones and expressions of steroidogenic genes in TCs of different follicles could explain the growth and selection of 2 preovulatory follicles. This study facilitates further research into the regulation of ovulation and egg production in pigeons.

Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth- and Sixth-Order Net-Proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C_{5}, C_{6}) and factorial cumulants (κ_{5}, κ_{6}) of net-proton and proton number distributions, from center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) 3 GeV to 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Cumulant ratios of net-proton (taken as proxy for net-baryon) distributions generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at 3 GeV. The measured values of C_{6}/C_{2} for 0%-40% centrality collisions show progressively negative trend with decreasing energy, while it is positive for the lowest energy studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (for baryon chemical potential, μ_{B}≤110  MeV) which contains the crossover transition range. In addition, for energies above 7.7 GeV, the measured proton κ_{n}, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component (Poisson+binomial) shape of proton number distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyperorder proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, μ_{B}∼750  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV is starkly different from those at vanishing μ_{B}∼24  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and higher collision energies.

[Serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 level is positively correlated with the recurrence risk of acute ischemic cerebral infarction in hypertensive patients]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) level and the risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) recurrence in hypertensive patients.

METHODS

This retrospective case-control study was conducted among 211 hypertensive patients with AIS treated in Foshan First People's Hospital, including 35 patients with recurrence of AIS during the 1-year follow-up as confirmed by head CT/MR. In the overall patients, 60 had grade 1 hypertension (including 5 recurrent cases), 76 had grade 2 hypertension (with 11 recurrent cases), and 75 had grade 3 hypertension (with 19 recurrent cases). Univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis, trend analysis, and smooth curve fitting analysis were performed to explore the correlation between serum Lp-PLA2 level within 24 h after admission and the risk of AIS recurrence. The predictive efficacy of serum Lp-PLA2 level for AIS recurrence in different hypertension grades was evaluated using ROC curve analysis.

RESULTS

Serum Lp-PLA2 level, age, NIHSS score at admission, mRS scores at 7 days, homocysteine level and smoking status differed significantly between patients with and without AIS recurrence (P < 0.05). After adjustment for confounding factors, multivariate regression analysis showed that the highest tertile of Lp-PLA2 level was associated with a 4.13-fold increase of AIS recurrence risk compared with the lowest tertile (OR=5.13, 95% CI: 1.35-19.40), and each 1 ng/mL increase of Lp-PLA2 level was associated with a 1% increase of AIS recurrence risk (OR= 1.01, 95% CI: 1.01-1.02). Serum Lp-PLA2 level was shown to positively correlate with AIS recurrence risk, and in patients with grade 3 hypertension, its areas under the ROC curve for predicting AIS recurrence was 0.869 with a specificity of 0.893 and a sensitivity of 0.737.

CONCLUSION

Serum Lp-PLA2 concentration is an independent risk factor and potentially an effective predictor for AIS recurrence in patients with grade 3 hypertension.

PLGA nanoparticle with Amomum longiligulare polysaccharide 1 increased the immunogenicity of infectious bursal disease virus VP2 protein

1. The purpose of this study was to create ALP1-VP2-PLGA nanoparticle (AVPN) and to study the immunogenicity of AVPN. AVPN was prepared and observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopies.2. Chickens were divided into five groups and vaccinated with normal saline, VP2 protein, ALP1 and VP2 protein, AVPN or PLGA, respectively. After 28 days, the immune organ indexes were calculated; specific antibody levels in blood were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, the spleen and bursa of Fabricius were determined by HE staining, immunological cytokine mRNA levels in bursa of Fabricius were detected by qPCR andchicken body weight was determined.3. The results indicated that AVPN was a spherical nanoparticle with a diameter of about 85 nm. It increased bursal indexes and IBDV-specific antibody levels and promoted the expression of IL-2 mRNA in blood and TNF-α and IgG mRNA in bursa of Fabricius. This promoted growth.4. This study suggested that AVPN can increase immunogenicity of VP2 protein, and it could possibly be used as an IBDV subunit vaccine.

[The effect of Wendler Glottoplasty to elevate vocal pitch in transgender women]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Wendler Glottoplasty to elevate vocal pitch in transgender women. Methods: The voice parameters of pre-and 3-month post-surgery of 29 transgender women who underwent Wendler Glottoplasty in department of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery of Beijing Friendship Hospital from January, 2017 to October, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The 29 transgender women ranged in age from 19-47 (27.0±6.3) years old. Subjective evaluation was performed using Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for Male to Female (TVQ^MtF). Objective parameters included fundamental frequency (F₀), highest pitch, lowest pitch, habitual volume, Jitter, Shimmer, maximal phonation time (MPT), noise to harmonic ratio (NHR) and formants frequencies(F1, F2, F3, F4). SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistically analysis. Results: Three months after surgery, the score of TVQ^MtF was significantly decreased [(89.9±14.7) vs. (50.4±13.6), t=11.49, P<0.001]. The F₀ was significantly elevated [(152.7±23.3) Hz vs. (207.7±45.9) Hz, t=-6.03, P<0.001]. Frequencies of F1, F2 and F3 were significantly elevated. No statistical difference was observed in the frequencies of F4. The highest pitch was not significantly altered while the lowest pitch was significantly elevated [(96.8±17.7) Hz vs. (120.0±28.9) Hz, t=-3.71, P=0.001]. Habitual speech volume was significantly increased [(60.0±5.2) dB vs. (63.6±9.6) dB, t=-2.12, P=0.043]. Jitter, Shimmer, NHR and MPT were not obviously altered (P>0.05). Conclusions: Wendler Glottoplasty could notably elevate the vocal pitch, formants frequencies and degree of vocal femininity in transgender women without affecting phonation ability and voice quality. It can be an effective treatment modality for voice feminization.

Sustained intra-cartilage delivery of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist using cationic peptide and protein-based carriers

OBJECTIVE

Blocking the interleukin-1 (IL-1) catabolic cascade following joint trauma can be achieved using its receptor antagonist, IL-1Ra. However, its clinical translation for osteoarthritis therapy has been unsuccessful due to its rapid joint clearance and lack of targeting and penetration into deep cartilage layers at therapeutic concentrations. Here, we target the high negative charge of cartilage aggrecan-glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) by attaching cationic carriers to IL-1Ra. IL-1Ra was conjugated to the cartilage targeting glycoprotein, Avidin, and a short length optimally charged cationic peptide carrier (CPC+14). It is hypothesized that electro-diffusive transport and binding properties of IL-1Ra-Avidin and IL-1Ra-CPC+14 will create intra-cartilage depots of IL-1Ra, resulting in long-term suppression of IL-1 catabolism with only a single administration.

DESIGN

IL-1Ra was conjugated to Avidin or CPC+14 using site specific maleimide linkers, and confirmed using gel electrophoresis, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and mass spectrometry. Intra-cartilage transport and retention of conjugates was compared with native IL-1Ra. Attenuation of IL-1 catabolic signaling with one-time dose of IL-1Ra-CPC+14 and IL-1Ra-Avidin was assessed over 16 days using IL-1α challenged bovine cartilage and compared with unmodified IL-1Ra.

RESULTS

Positively charged IL-1Ra penetrated through the full-thickness of cartilage, creating a drug depot. A single dose of unmodified IL-1Ra was not sufficient to attenuate IL-1-induced cartilage deterioration over 16 days. However, when delivered using Avidin, and to a greater extent CPC+14, IL-1Ra significantly suppressed cytokine induced GAG loss and nitrite release while improving cell metabolism and viability.

CONCLUSION

Charge-based cartilage targeting drug delivery systems hold promise as they can enable long-term therapeutic benefit with only a single dose.

Enhanced adsorption of phosphate from pickling wastewater by Fe-N co-pyrolysis biochar: Performance, mechanism and reusability

A one-step method of preparation using a novel nitrogen (N)-doped Fe-rich biochar (N₅-CB) resulted in a maximum adsorption capacity (314.52 mg/g) compared with Fe-rich biochar (CB, 104.044 mg/g). It can be used to adsorb phosphate (P) efficiently. Additionally, the adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics indicated that the adsorption of P onto N₅-CB was mainly mediated via multilayer coverage, endothermic, spontaneous, and physical mechanisms. The main adsorption mechanisms include Fe-P precipitation, FeOP bonding, and electronic effect. Further, the highly active Fe-N_x sites and graphitic N induced by N doping were the dominant driving force underlying enhanced P adsorption. Active Fe-N_x sites resulted in a positively-charged carbon structure and P absorption via electrostatic effect. Based on the simple method of pyrolysis, N₅-CB can be used in P removal from pickling wastewater with excellent adsorption capacity and remarkable recyclability.

Intra-articular kinetics of a cartilage targeting cationic PEGylated protein for applications in drug delivery

OBJECTIVES

Cartilage targeting cationic glycoprotein Avidin was PEGylated to synthesize a multi-arm Avidin (mAv) nano-construct with high drug loading content. Here we investigate mAv biodistribution and kinetics over a 7-day period following intra-articular (IA) administration in rat knee joints.

METHODS

Labeled mAv was injected into healthy rat knees, and joint tissues (articular cartilage, menisci, ligaments, tendons, fat pad) were harvested following sacrifice at 6 h, 1, 4 and 7 days. Its IA biodistribution and retention were measured using fluorescence microscopy. Tissue localization was compared in young vs old rats by immunohistochemistry. mAv chondrotoxicity and immune response were evaluated to determine safe carrier dose limits.

RESULTS

mAv penetrated through the full thickness of rat cartilage and other joint tissues within 6 h, remaining detectable within most joint tissues over 7 days. Intra-tissue uptake correlated strongly with tissue GAG concentration, confirming the dominant role of electrostatic interactions between positively charged mAv and the negatively charged aggrecan proteoglycans. mAv was uptaken by chondrocytes and also penetrated the osteocyte lacuno-canalicular system of peri-articular bone in both young and old rats. mAv did not cause cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 300 μM but elicited a dose dependent immunogenic response.

CONCLUSIONS

mAv's ability to target a variety of joint tissues, chondrocytes, and peri-articular osteocytes without sequestration in synovial fluid makes it a versatile carrier for delivering a wide range of drugs for treating a broad class of musculoskeletal diseases. Drugs can be conjugated using simple aqueous based avidin-biotin reaction, supporting its clinical prospects.

Unveiling a Pump-Induced Magnon Mode via Its Strong Interaction with Walker Modes

We observe a power-dependent anticrossing of Walker spin-wave modes under microwave pumping when a ferrimagnet is placed in a microwave waveguide that does not support any discrete photon mode. We interpret this unexpected anticrossing as the generation of a pump-induced magnon mode that couples strongly to the Walker modes of the ferrimagnet. This anticrossing inherits an excellent tunability from the pump, which allows us to control the anticrossing via the pump power, frequency, and waveform. Further, we realize a remarkable functionality of this anticrossing, namely, a microwave frequency comb, in terms of the nonlinear interaction that mixes the pump and probe frequencies. Such a frequency comb originates from the magnetic dynamics and thereby does not suffer from the charge noise. The unveiled hybrid magnonics driven away from its equilibrium enriches the utilization of anticrossing for coherent information processing.

First Constraints on Light Sterile Neutrino Oscillations from Combined Appearance and Disappearance Searches with the MicroBooNE Detector

We present a search for eV-scale sterile neutrino oscillations in the MicroBooNE liquid argon detector, simultaneously considering all possible appearance and disappearance effects within the 3+1 active-to-sterile neutrino oscillation framework. We analyze the neutrino candidate events for the recent measurements of charged-current ν_{e} and ν_{μ} interactions in the MicroBooNE detector, using data corresponding to an exposure of 6.37×10^{20} protons on target from the Fermilab booster neutrino beam. We observe no evidence of light sterile neutrino oscillations and derive exclusion contours at the 95% confidence level in the plane of the mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2} and the sterile neutrino mixing angles θ_{μe} and θ_{ee}, excluding part of the parameter space allowed by experimental anomalies. Cancellation of ν_{e} appearance and ν_{e} disappearance effects due to the full 3+1 treatment of the analysis leads to a degeneracy when determining the oscillation parameters, which is discussed in this Letter and will be addressed by future analyses.

HSA-MIR-183-3P TARGETING ATAXIA-TELANGIECTASIA MUTATED PROTEIN REGULATION OF NF-ΚB SIGNALING PATHWAY AFFECTS CELLULAR SENESCENCE CAUSED BY DNA DAMAGE IN LUMBAR DISC DEGENERATION

Aims

To test the effect of Hsa-miR-183-3p on cell aging and disc degeneration in lumbar intervertebral disc.

Methods

This study combined clinical research with basic cell experiment, analyzing clinical data from patients with lumbar disc degeneration and traumatic lumbar spine fracture, as well as the differences in baseline data. The degree of lumbar disc injury in patients of different ages was also compared. Differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted via GEO database, and qPCR confirmation was determined by collecting cartilage endplates from two groups. ACAN, Col2A1, p16, p21, and p53 were detected by immunofluorescence, Western blot and qPCR in human nucleus pulposus cells. Changes of cell senescence were detected. The binding of Hsa-miR-183-3p to ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay.

Results

Degenerative discs showed elevated expression of hsa-miR-183-3p, which may be upregulated by TNF-α via NF-κB signaling pathway and target ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein regulation.

Conclusion

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc can be accelerated by TNF-α. Additionally, Hsa-miR-183-3p passed NF-κB signaling pathway is blocked via up-regulation of TNF-α to reduce inflammation via targeting ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein. As a result, this negative feedback mechanism may assist in maintaining a low degenerative load and preserving chronic disc degeneration.

Exploring the Associations between Alzheimer's Disease and GBM Mediated by Microglia Based on Network Analysis

Previous studies have revealed that there existed epidemic associations between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and many types of tumors, however, the inner biological mechanism connecting these diseases was not clear currently. In this study, we explored the transcriptome associations between AD and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) that both originate in the brain, using microglia as a bridge, from gene and network levels. Firstly, we extracted human scRNA sequencing datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and identified differentially expressed genes within microglia after cell annotation. It was observed that there were 11 common genes shared by AD and GBM dys-regulated genes. Next, we utilized DIAMOnD and Flow Centrality algorithms to identify microglia modules and mediating pathways connecting these two diseases based on global network topology. Among these candidate pathways, the mediating genes FURIN and BACE1 (from SPIKN5 to CSNK1A1) were not only related to the formation of amyloid beta plaques that accumulate in the brain of AD patients, but also involved in cancer biology. Furthermore, the biological explorations of mediating pathways connecting AD and GBM modules reveal inflammatory response, lipid metabolism disorder, and cell proliferation terms. Finally, novel signatures for early AD detection as well as risk models for glioma prognosis were identified based on mediating genes involved in these pathways. In conclusion, this study provided a novel network-based strategy for exploring microglia mediation between AD and GBM and identified candidate signatures for disease detection and prognosis.

Corrigendum: Biodegradable hollowed mesoporous SeO2 nanoplatform loaded with indocyanine green for simultaneous NIR II fluorescence imaging and synergistic breast carcinoma therapy

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1151148.].

[Effect of CKIP-1 on hepatocyte apoptosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]

Objective: To explore the effect and underlying mechanism of casein kinase 2 interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) on hepatocyte apoptosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Experimental study. An NAFLD cell model was established by inducing human hepatoma cell line, HepG₂ cells, with oleic acid (OA). Flag-CKIP-1 expression vector and shRNA-CKIP-1 were transfected into HepG₂ cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of CKIP-1 on the activity and apoptosis of NAFLD hepatocytes. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot. CKIP-1 knockout mice in C57BL/6 back-ground were fed with either standard or high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Apoptosis-related signal proteins in NAFLD hepatocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: After CKIP-1 was transfected into HepG₂ cells, the degree of OA induced cell liposis was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry showed that CKIP-1 reduced the apoptosis of steatotic hepatocytes. Overexpression of CKIP-1 could significantly inhibit the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and increase the expression of Bcl-2/Bax (P<0.05). Knockdown of CKIP-1 could increase the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 (P<0.05). CKIP-1 knockout could further increase the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in NAFLD mice (P<0.01,P<0.05), and further decrease the expression of Bcl-2/Bax (P<0.05). Conclusion: CKIP-1 inhibited the apoptosis of steatotic hepatocytes by up-regulating the expression of apoptosis inhibitor gene, Bcl-2/Bax, and affecting the proteases, caspase-3 and caspase-9.

Collision-System and Beam-Energy Dependence of Anisotropic Flow Fluctuations

Elliptic flow measurements from two-, four-, and six-particle correlations are used to investigate flow fluctuations in collisions of U+U at sqrt[s_{NN}]=193  GeV, Cu+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and Au+Au spanning the range sqrt[s_{NN}]=11.5-200  GeV. The measurements show a strong dependence of the flow fluctuations on collision centrality, a modest dependence on system size, and very little if any, dependence on particle species and beam energy. The results, when compared to similar LHC measurements, viscous hydrodynamic calculations, and trento model eccentricities, indicate that initial-state-driven fluctuations predominate the flow fluctuations generated in the collisions studied.

Molecular mechanisms and promising role of dihydromyricetin in cardiovascular diseases

Vine tea, a Chinese herbal medicine, is widely used in traditional Asian medicine to treat common health problems. Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is the main functional flavonoid compound extracted from vine tea. In recent years, preclinical studies have focused on the potential beneficial effects of dihydromyricetin, including glucose metabolism regulation, lipid metabolism regulation, neuroprotection, and anti-tumor effects. In addition, DMY may play a role in cardiovascular disease by resisting oxidative stress and participating in the regulation of inflammation. This review is the first review that summaries the applications of dihydromyricetin in cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, myocardial hypertrophy, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. We also clarified the underlying mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the above process. The aim of this review is to provide a better understanding and quick overview for future researches of dihydromyricetin in the field of cardiovascular diseases, and more detailed and robust researches are needed for evaluation and reference.

TSPAN4-positive migrasome derived from retinal pigmented epithelium cells contributes to the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy

BACKGROUND

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a blind-causing disease initiated by the activation of retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) primarily induced by TGF-β families. Migrasome is a recently discovered type of extracellular vesicle related to cell migration.

RESULTS

Here, we used ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo models, to investigate the characteristics and functions of migrasomes in RPE activation and PVR development. Results indicated that the migrasome marker tetraspanin-4 (TSPAN4) was abundantly expressed in human PVR-associated clinical samples. The ex vivo model PVR microenvironment is simulated by incubating brown Norway rat RPE eyecups with TGF-β1. Electron microscope images showed the formation of migrasome-like vesicles during the activation of RPE. Further studies indicated TGF-β1 increased the expression of TSPAN4 which results in migrasome production. Migrasomes can be internalized by RPE and increase the migration and proliferation ability of RPE. Moreover, TSPAN4-inhibited RPE cells are with reduced ability of initiating experimental PVR. Mechanically, TSPAN4 expression and migrasome production are induced through TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, migrasomes can be produced by RPE under PVR microenvironment. Migrasomes play a pivotal role in RPE activation and PVR progression. Thus, targeting TSPAN4 or blocking migrasome formation might be a new therapeutic method against PVR.

Exploration and validation of the prognostic value of RNA-binding proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that the dysregulation of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) is involved in the development of various cancers. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating the roles of RBPs in HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on HCC samples were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases (available at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo), and data regarding human RBPs were integrated from SONAR, XRNAX, and CARIC results. We identified modules associated with prognosis using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and performed functional enrichment analysis. Univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses were used to identify prognostic RBPs and establish a prediction model. According to the median risk score, we separated patients into high- and low-risk groups and investigated the differences in immune cell infiltration, somatic mutations, and gene set enrichment. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify prognostic factors for HCC. A nomogram was constructed, and its performance was evaluated with calibration curves.

RESULTS

Sixteen RBPs (MEX3A, TTK, MRPL53, IQGAP3, PFN2, IMPDH1, TCOF1, DYNC1LI1, EIF2B4, NOL10, GNL2, EIF1B, PSMD1, AHSA1, SEC61A1, and YBX1) were identified as prognostic genes, and a prognostic model was established. Survival analysis indicated that the model had good predictive performance and that a high-risk score was significantly related to a poor prognosis. Additionally, there were significant differences in immune cell infiltration, somatic mutations, and gene set enrichment between the high- and low-risk groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses indicated that the RBP-based signature was an independent prognostic factor for HCC. The nomogram based on 16 RBPs performed well in predicting the overall survival of HCC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The RBP-based signature is an independent prognostic factor for HCC, and this study could provide an innovative method for analyzing prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC.

Genome-wide association study for reproduction-related traits in Chinese domestic goose

1. This study measured six reproduction traits in a Sichuan white goose population (209 individuals), including fertility, qualified egg rate, plasma concentrations of progesterone (P), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL) and oestrogen (E2).2. Whole-genome resequencing data from the same goose population (209 individuals) were used in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) utilising a mixed linear model to investigate the genes and genetic markers associated with reproduction traits. The frequency of the selected SNPs and haplotypes were determined using the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) method.3. In total, 42 SNPs significantly associated with these traits were identified. A haplotype block was constructed based on five SNPs that were significantly associated with qualified egg rate, with individuals having the haplotype CCTTAAGGAA having the lowest qualified egg rate.4. In conclusion, these results provided potential markers for marker-assisted selection to improve goose reproductive performance and a basis for elucidating the genetics of goose reproduction.

[Surgical treatment strategy for difficult-reducible atlantoaxial dislocation]

Objective: To discuss the surgical strategy for difficult-reducible atlantoaxial dislocation. Methods: Clinical data of 82 patients with difficult-reducible atlantoaxial dislocation underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital from January 2018 to February 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Total of 32 men and 50 women were included, with a mean age of (41.8±12.9) years. Most cases (n=80) were treated with one-staged posterior atlantoaxial joint distraction and cage implantation, a few (n=2) underwent ventral decompression. All cases were followed up, postoperative improvement of clinical symptoms and radiology parameters were analyzed. Results: Of the patients, 80 cases (97.6%) received one-staged posterior atlantoaxial joint distraction and cage implantation; lateral facet joint bony fusion was found in 4 patients and was cut off with an osteotome. Transoral odontoidectomy was performed in 2 cases (2.4%) with fused atlanto-odontoid joint. All the patients were followed-up for (18.6±7.3) months. Postoperative CT showed complete reduction of ADI was achieved in 60 patients (75.0%). The ADI decreased significantly after the operation [(2.1±1.4) mm vs (5.0±1.5) mm, P<0.05]. The postoperative vertical distance between odontoid process and the Chamberlain line decreased significantly when compared with that before the operation [(3.9±3.8) mm vs (10.2±5.2) mm, P<0.05]. The mean JOA score at 6 months post operation improved significantly than that before the operation (13.7±1.5 vs 11.2±1.7, P<0.05). Seventy-five patients (93.8%) had atlantoaxial intra-articular bony fusion at 1 year follow-up. Conclusion: Most difficult-reducible atlantoaxial dislocations can be managed well by posterior one-staged atlantoaxial joint distraction and Cage implantation.

[Survival and prognosis analysis of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma treated with standard treatment paradigm]

Objective: To analyze the survival and prognosis of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients receiving standard first-line therapy. Methods: Data of clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with HL diagnosed in Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CHCAMS) from January 1st, 2000 to December 31st, 2018 who received standard first-line treatment were retrospectively analyzed and compared with that of HL patients who received treatment in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database in the United States during the same period. Factors associated with freedom from progression (FFP) of patients in CHCAMS were analyzed. Treatment and survival data of patients with relapsed/refractory HL (r/rHL) who had failed the standard first-line treatment during the corresponding period in CHCAMS were collected to analyze the outcomes of salvage therapy. Results: A total of 764 HL patients in CHCAMS were included in this study. The median age was 30 years (range, 14-83 years), with 424 males and 340 females. By February 26th, 2022, the patients were followed-up for a median time of 111 months(range, 0.3-262.0 months). Lymphoma-specific survival (LSS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate at 10 years for HL patients in CHCAMS was 91.7% (95%CI: 89.5%-93.9%) and 87.1% (95%CI: 84.5%-89.8%), respectively. LSS and OS rate at 10 years for HL patients from SEER database was 86.8% (95%CI: 86.3%-87.2%) and 79.0% (95%CI: 78.5%-79.5%), respectively. The unadjusted LSS and OS rate for patients in CHCAMS were higher than those for patients from SEER database (both P<0.001). No significant difference was observed in LSS and OS rate (both P>0.05) between the two groups after adjustment. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer staging system (early-stage unfavorable: HR=2.35, 95%CI: 1.13-4.89, P=0.023; advanced stage: HR=5.44, 95%CI: 2.62-11.30, P<0.001) and serum β2 microglobulin (HR=1.67, 95%CI: 1.08-2.58, P=0.021) were influencing factors of FFP for patients in CHCAMS. The complete remission rate, median progression-free survival (PFS), 5-year PFS rate and 5-year OS rate for the 116 patients with r/rHL was 37.9% (95%CI: 29.6%-47.0%), 15.0 months (95%CI: 9.9-20.1 months), 29.9% (95%CI: 20.9%-38.9%) and 62.9% (95%CI: 54.1%-71.7%), respectively. Conclusions: The outcomes of HL patients receiving standard first-line treatment are excellent. However, the therapeutic effect of HL patients who incurrs disease progression or relapse after standard first-line treatment is not satisfying.