[Seasonality and etiological characteristics of infectious diarrhea in outpatients of 18 or above-year-old in Shanghai, 2014-2017]

Objective: To understand the seasonality and etiological characteristics of infectious diarrhea in adults from Shanghai. Methods: Adult patients with diarrhea who had visited the enteric disease clinics in 22 hospitals that carrying on the Diarrhea Comprehensive Surveillance sentinel programs in Shanghai during 2014-2017, were surveyed. Stool specimens were collected according to the different intervals of sampling and detected for 12 bacteria and 5 viruses. Concentration ratio and circular distribution method were used for data analysis. Results: From 2014 to 2017, a total of 9 573 stool specimens were collected from the targeted diarrhea patients ≥18 years old (n=96 067), through the Shanghai Diarrhea Comprehensive Surveillance program. The positive rate of detection was 46.44%. Seasonal peaks of infectious diarrhea were both seen in summer (bacteria peak, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, etc.) and in winter (virus peak, Norovirus, etc.). Both bacterial and viral infections presented seasonal concentration (Raleigh's test P<0.001) but more obvious with bacterial infection. Viral infection accounted for 60.19% of the cause of infectious diarrhea. The top five predominant pathogens appeared as Norovirus, Rotavirus, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Salmonella spp.. Conclusions: Among the adult outpatients with infectious diarrhea in Shanghai, obvious seasonality was seen, with peaks in both summer and winter. Viral infection with Norovirus in particular, appeared as the predominant source of infection. Active, continuous and comprehensive diarrhea-related surveillance programs would be able to monitor the changing dynamic of pathogen spectrum, and lead to the adoption of targeted preventive measures.

[Pathogenic characteristics of hospitalized severe acute respiratory infections in Shanghai, China, 2015-2017]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological and pathogenic characteristics of hospitalized severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in Shanghai, China. Methods: From 2015 to 2017, one Tertiary hospital and one Secondary hospital were chosen as the surveillance sites. Two respiratory tract specimens per case were collected from SARI cases aged 15 years and older. One specimen was tested for 22 respiratory pathogens by RT-PCR, and the other specimen was cultured for 6 respiratory bacteria. Results: A total of 287 SARI cases were enrolled for sampling and lab testing. 70.73% of the cases were aged 60 years and older, with 41.46% (119/287) were positive for at least one pathogen. Influenza virus was the predominant pathogen, accounting for 17.77% (51/287) of all SARI cases. Human rhinovirus/Enterovirus and Coronavirus were both accounting for 7.32% (21/287), followed by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (5.57%, 16/287). The positive rates of parainfluenza virus, bocavirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumo virus were all less than 5%. Bacterial strains were identified in seven SARI cases, including Klebsiella pneumoniae (3 strains), Staphylococcus aureus (2 strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae (1 strain) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1 strain). Two or Three pathogens were co-detected from 40 cases, accounting for 33.61% of 119 positive cases. The most common co-detected pathogens were influenza virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (10 cases). Influenza cases peaked in winter-spring and summer. Mycoplasma pneumoniae peaked in winter-spring season and overlapped with influenza. The positive rates of pathogens were not significantly different between different age groups. Conclusions: Various respiratory pathogens can be detected from SARI cases aged 15 years and older. Influenza virus was the predominant pathogen and the co-detection of influenza virus with Mycoplasma pneumoniae the most common one.

[Epidemiologic characteristics of Norovirus among adult patients with infectious diarrhea, in Shanghai, 2013-2018]

Objective: To investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of Norovirus among adult patients suffering from infectious diarrhea in Shanghai, so as to provide evidence for developing related strategies on prevention and control of the disease. Methods: Diarrheal outpatients were monitored at the 'Intestinal clinic' from 22 hospitals involved in the sentinel surveillance program in Shanghai. Information on demographic and epidemiologic features of the patients was collected while data and clinical, fecal specimens were collected and sent to the district CDC for Norovirus detection. Positive rates of Norovirus were also compared in various populations and seasons during 2013-2018. Multivariate logistic regression model was adopted to fit into the comparisons between non-Norovirus and Norovirus groups. Results: 19.28% of the 12 083 diarrheal cases were found to have carried the Norovirus, with GⅡgroup the most commonly identified genotype. Rates of detection was seen higher in males (20.78%) than in females (17.73%). 30-44 year-old were found having the highest positive rate (21.51%). The positive rates were found the highest (23.60%) in the year of 2015. All the above shown differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Diarrheal patients affected with Norovirus would present watery stool (75.94%) and vomiting (35.84%). Data from the multivariate logistic analysis showed that factors as: being males, 30-44 years old, officials/clerks, in winter season and with histories of travelling etc., were related to higher risks on Norovirus infection. Conclusions: Infectious diarrhea caused by Norovirus occurred all year round, with seasonal peaks seen in winter and spring, in Shanghai. Specific prevention and control measures should be taken on Norovirus- caused infectious diarrhea, according to the difference on age, gender and season.

The impact of SLE on health-related quality of life assessed with SF-36: a systemic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessed with SF-36 and explore factors associated with HRQoL in SLE patients.

METHODS

A random-effect meta-analysis was performed to calculate extracted data. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to distinguish sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 36 articles were finally included in this meta-analysis, including 6510 patients. The pooled mean scores of SF-36 physical component summary and mental component summary were 46.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): 43.09-49.10) and 50.37 (95% CI: 47.78-52.87), respectively. Spearman's correlation analysis found that mean age, proportion of female participants, and publication decades were negatively associated with some of the SF-36 domains. Sample size and SLEDAI were positively associated with some of the SF-36 domains. Patients with SLE have lower HRQoL in comparison to the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

SLE has a significant impact on HRQoL, which proves that the necessity of improving HRQoL in SLE patients cannot be ignored. Measuring HRQoL should be considered as an indispensable part of the overall evaluation of health conditions of SLE patients.

Interference illumination of three nonzero-order beams for LCOS-based structured illumination microscopy

To avoid the need for a mask and polarisation-adjusting devices, and to solve the problem of low fringe contrast caused by the reflected light along with 0th-order diffraction beam, this paper presents an illumination method using three nonzero-order diffraction beams in liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS)-based structured illumination microscopy. Here, a LCOS-based spatial light modulator (SLM) is used to diffract the collimated light and a rotating frosted film is used to reduce the spatial coherence of the laser; then, the fringe is produced by adjusting the SLM angle to allow three nonzero-order diffraction beams to interfere on the sample surface. Interference fringes with high contrast in all directions can be obtained without considering polarisation control and the removal of the 0th-order diffraction beam, which demonstrates that the optical setup is simple and easy to control. We carried out experiments on a photolithographic pattern on a silicon chip, and the resolution after reconstruction is 210 nm, reaching the theoretical resolution at our experiment condition and nearly half of the Rayleigh resolution limit (100× objective, NA = 0.8), which is 406 nm. LAY DESCRIPTION: SIM has been widely applied in imaging of biological sample owing to its advantage of super-resolution. Commonly the structured illumination is produced by interfering two or three diffractive beams and the fringe contrast affects the reconstruction result directly. In this study about liquid-crystal-on-silicon based structured illumination microscopy (LCOS-based SIM), we presents an illumination method using three nonzero-order diffractive beams. Our method can avoid the need for a mask and the polarisation-adjusting devices, because three-beam interference can reduce the influence of polarisation on the fringe contrast. Besides, 0th-order beam is not used, because reflected light still exists even the grey level of the picture-pixels uploaded to spatial light modulator are all 0, which means the 0th-order beam will bring obvious noise. Using our method, interference fringe with high contrast in all directions can be obtained at a relatively high utilisation rate of laser intensity without considering the control of polarisation. Our setup is simple and easy to control, because the adjustment of the deflection angle of the spatial light modulator can realise the removal of the zero diffraction order. We have analysed and discussed the reasons why the interference of three nonzero-order beams can avoid the influence of polarisation and amplitude. The experiments carried out on a photolithographic pattern on silicon chip showed that the resolution after reconstruction is 210 nm, reaching the half of the Rayleigh resolution limit (100× objective, NA=0.8), which is 406 nm.

Multiple parametric nanoscale measurements with high sensitivity based on through-focus scanning optical microscopy

High-throughput through-focus scanning optical microscopy (TSOM) involves defocusing along the optical axis and capturing a series of defocus images and is useful in optical nanoscale measurement. However, TSOM is usually affected by its optical and mechanical noises. In this study, the issue of sensitivity and application in three-dimensional (3D) multiple parameter measurement of TSOM is investigated. First, a TSOM system with objective scanning and its relative simulation algorithm are proposed. Second, based upon the system and algorithm, an experiment on an isolated Au line is performed and the corresponding matching library is established. Comparing the experimental TSOM image and simulated TSOM images of the library, 3D multiple parameter results of the Au line are extracted. Third, the precision of the system is analysed through a fidelity test particular for through-focus images. According to this study, the system is robust to the optical and mechanical noises and hence could be useful in 3D multiple parametric measurement and high-volume nanomanufacturing.

[Associations between milk intake at breakfast and nutritional status of students attending the Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students in 2016]

Objective: To investigate the association between milk intake at breakfast and nutritional status of students attending the Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students (NIPRCES) in 2016, and to provide basic data for improving the nutritional status of the poor rural pupils. Methods: Using the multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method, 22 315 students from grade three to nine from primary and junior high schools were randomly selected from the 50 key counties under the monitor programs, in 22 provinces of NNIPRCS. Questionnaire was used. Among all the students, with equal number of genders, morning fasting height and weight were measured by trained investigators. Status of nutrition was classified as malnutrition, normal, overweight/obesity, by age-specific height and BMI. Multivariate linear and logistic regression methods were used to analyze the relationship between milk consumption and the status of nutrition of the students. Results: Only 31.4% of the students that were on the monitoring programs would drink milk at breakfast. Proportions of milk intake at breakfast were higher in students from the western regions, in lower grades and in girls (P<0.05). The proportions of malnutrition and overweight/obesity were 11.0% and 10.0% respectively. After controlling factors as gender, age, ethnicity, region of residency and types of parental employment, students who drank milk at breakfast showed an average height of 0.4 cm taller than those who did not drink milk (P=0.001). However, no significant relationships were noticed between milk intake at breakfast and weight, malnutrition or overweight/obesity. Conclusion: Milk intake at breakfast seemed associated with the height of the students under study, suggesting that this program can be promoted, especially in students from the poor rural areas.

[Expression and distribution of programmed death receptor 1 and T cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 in breast cancer microenvironment and its relationship with clinicopathological features]

Objective: To explore the expression and distribution of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 (TIM-3) in breast cancer microenvironment and analyze the their correlation with the clinicopathological features. Methods: The specimens of tumor tissue and adjacent tissues from 30 patients with infiltrative breast cancer who were diagnosed as breast cancer from June 2016 to May 2017 in The First Hospital of Jiaxing were collected, and the specimen were divided into two parts along the center. After embedding and cryosectioning, the expression and distribution of PD-1 and TIM-3 protein in tumor tissues were observed by immunofluorescence staining. Another part of the specimen was cut and digested, and non-continuous density gradient centrifugation was used to extract tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in TILs. Meanwhile, the protein expression was determined by Western blotting. The relationship between the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 and pathological parameters of breast cancer was analyzed with correlation analysis. Results: Immunofluorescence results showed that more PD-1 and TIM-3 positive cells were observed in the tumor tissues compared with the tumor-adjacent tissues. The qRT-PCR showed that the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 mRNA in TILs were both significantly higher than those in paracancerous tissues (3.09±0.38 vs 1.26±0.23, 3.42±0.31 vs 1.57±0.29, t=4.16, 4.37, both P<0.05). At the protein level, the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in tumor tissue lymphocytes(0.66±0.08, 0.80±0.11) was significantly higher than those in cancerous tissues(0.10±0.01, 0.26±0.02) (t=6.79, 4.57, both P<0.05). There were significant differences in the expression of PD-1, TIM-3 mRNA in the TILs between the different tumor histological grades, tumor sizes, lymph node metastasis (t=2.22-2.99, all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in tumor tissues (r=0.616, P<0.01). Conclusions: In the breast cancer microenvironment, PD-1, TIM-3-mediated signaling pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer, it provides a new basis for the combination therapy of breast cancer.

Microwave ablation combined with doxorubicin enhances cell death via promoting reactive oxygen species generation in breast cancer cells

PURPOSE

To evaluate the mechanism for enhancing cell death induced by microwave ablation (MWA) combined with doxorubicin treatment in breast cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different temperatures of heat treatment were used to mimic the tumor affected by sublethal heat during MWA in vitro. Breast cancer cells were treated at 43°C and 45°C, with or without doxorubicin. Cell viability, apoptosis, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated in MDA-MB-231 and SUM-1315 cells. Nude mice breast cancer models were randomly divided into control, MWA, doxorubicin, and combined treatment groups. Tumor apoptosis and DNA damage were evaluated in these groups.

RESULTS

The combined group had lower cell viability than the heat or doxorubicin group (all P<0.05), and enhanced apoptosis rate was observed in the combined group compared to others (all P<0.01) in MDA-MB-231 and SUM-1315. Increased capase3 (all P<0.01) and decreased Bcl-Xl (all P<0.01) were detected after combined therapy compared to single treated group in vitro. The raisedCaspase3 and DNA damage marker histone H2A.X induced by combined treatment were also approved in the nude mice models. Combined treatment promoted ROS generation compared to doxorubicin or MWA treatment (all P < 0.01). NF-κB expression in the combined group was higher than that of the single treatment group (all P<0.05). N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, partly restrained the combined treatment induced cell proliferation inhibition, Caspase3 and NF-κB compared to doxorubicin treatment (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

MWA combined with doxorubicin promote cell death via ROS induced cell apoptosis and DNA damage. Increasing ROS has potential for improving the efficiency of combined treatment.

Identification of the first homozygous POLG mutation causing non-syndromic ovarian dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the genetic cause of non-syndromic ovarian dysfunction in a patient from a consanguineous family.

METHODS

This study examined a patient with irregular menstrual cycles and abnormal oocytes. The patient had undergone irregular hormone replacement therapy over 3 years to adjust the menstrual cycle and improve ovarian function. Prior to ovarian stimulation in our hospital, 3 months of androgen and regular hormone therapy were used as an intervention method. No follicular development was detected in the subsequent three cycles using letrozole treatment. The patient then received a constantly adjusted dose of menotropins, but produced only one oocyte.

RESULTS

Whole-exome sequencing analysis identified the first homozygous POLG mutation (c.2890C > T; p.R964C) associated with ovarian dysfunction. Sanger sequencing was used to validate. In silico analysis suggested that the p.R964C mutation was pathogenic. Conservation analysis demonstrated that R964 was an important site for the DNA polymerase function of POLG.

CONCLUSIONS

Biallelic mutations in POLG may be associated with ovarian dysfunction. This study has improved our understanding of POLG-related genetic mutations in ovarian dysfunction, and the mode of inheritance of certain sequence variants. This information will assist genetic counseling and precision medicine in the future.

Wnt5a suppresses inflammation-driven intervertebral disc degeneration via a TNF-α/NF-κB-Wnt5a negative-feedback loop

OBJECTIVE

This study was to investigate the molecular role of Wnt5a on inflammation-driven intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD).

METHODS

The expression of Wnt5a was analyzed in human nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues with immunohistochemical staining. The effects of Wnt5a on matrix production were assessed by RT-qPCR and western blotting. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), promoter deletion assay, and promoter binding site mutant were used to reveal the molecular role of Wnt5a in TNF-α-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. The regulatory effects of TNF-α on Wnt5a were investigated with pharmachemical inhibitors and siRNA experiment.

RESULTS

The expression of Wnt5a was elevated in moderately degenerated human NP tissue with similar expression pattern of TNF-α. In NP cells, Wnt5a significantly increased aggrecan and collagen II expression. Inhibition of JNK or interfering Sox9 gene expression significantly suppressed Wnt5a-induced matrix production. AP-1(JunB) binding sites were located in Sox9 promoter and mutation of these sites sabotaged Wnt5a-induced Sox9 up-regulation and subsequent matrix genes expression. Notably, Wnt5a, which was induced by TNF-α, on the other way round suppressed TNF-α-NF-κB (p65) signaling and subsequent MMPs expression. In vivo studies with MR imaging confirmed the protective role of Wnt5a in IVDD.

CONCLUSIONS

Wnt5a, which can be induced by TNF-α, increased matrix production in a Sox9-dependent manner through the activation of JNK-AP1 (JunB) signaling, and antagonized TNF-α-induced up-regulation of MMPs through the inhibition of NF-κB signaling. It indicates that Wnt5a suppresses IVDD through a TNF-α/NF-κB-Wnt5a negative-feedback loop.

Limits on Light Weakly Interacting Massive Particles from the First 102.8 kg×day Data of the CDEX-10 Experiment

We report the first results of a light weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) search from the CDEX-10 experiment with a 10 kg germanium detector array immersed in liquid nitrogen at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory with a physics data size of 102.8 kg day. At an analysis threshold of 160 eVee, improved limits of 8×10^{-42} and 3×10^{-36}  cm^{2} at a 90% confidence level on spin-independent and spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon cross sections, respectively, at a WIMP mass (m_{χ}) of 5  GeV/c^{2} are achieved. The lower reach of m_{χ} is extended to 2  GeV/c^{2}.

[Epidemiological and etiological surveillance study of infectious diarrhea in Shanghai in 2013-2015]

Objective: To analyze the pathogen spectrum and epidemiological characters of infectious diarrhea cases in Shanghai from July 2013 to June 2015. Methods: From July 2013 to June 2015, using multi-stage sampling to select 22 hospitals as adult diarrhea surveillance sentinels, and 3 district central hospitals together with Shanghai municipal children's hospital as children diarrhea surveillance sentinels. A total of 6 267 diarrhea cases were sampled. The demographic characters, main clinical manifestations and signs of cases were investigated, and stool specimens were collected to conduct the bacteria culture and virus nucleic acid detection. The difference of positive rate of bacteria and virus in different seasons, and age difference of relevant pathogens were compared. Results: Among 6 267 cases, 3 262 (52.05%) were male, and most of them were in 50-69 years group (1 999 cases, 31.90%) and 30-49 years group (1 691 cases, 26.98%). Totally, 2 783 positive specimens were detected out of 6 267 specimens with the positive rate being 44.41%. A total of 7 kinds of bacteria and 5 kinds of viruses were detected. The positive rate for bacterium was 12.61%(790 cases), mainly being vibrio parahaemolyticus (256 cases), diarrheagenic E.coli (239 cases) and salmonella (209 cases). The positive rate for virus was 31.80% (1 993 cases), mainly being norovirus (1 172 cases) and rotavirus (546 cases). The positive rates of viruses in winter of 2013 and 2014 were 57.89%(429 cases) and 62.14%(522 cases) respectively, higher than those of bacterium in the same periods which were 2.43% (18 cases) and 2.86% (24 cases) respectively. The positive rates of bacterium in summer of 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 14.56% (97 cases), 25.29%(258 cases) and 21.21% (49 cases), also higher than those of viruses in the same periods which were 7.51% (50 cases), 8.43%(86 cases) and 11.69% (27 cases) respectively, all of the above differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The cases of 50-69 years group had the highest positive rate of pathogen, which was 47.57% (951/1 999). Secondly was those of 30-49 years group with 47.13% (797/1 691). Positive rate of pathogen for cases of 0-2 years group was 35.74% (213/596). Conclusion: The pathogen spectrumes of infectious diarrhea in Shanghai are mainly vibrio parahaemolyticus, diarrheagenic E.coli, salmonella, norovirus and rotavirus. The summer and winter season peak was obvious. Specific etiological surveillance and control strategies should be strengthened aiming at focus groups including children and the elderly in different seasons.

Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Risk in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Insights From the DCCT/EDIC Study

Background

Hyperglycemia leading to increased oxidative stress is implicated in the increased risk for the development of macrovascular and microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results

A random subcohort of 349 participants was selected from the DCCT / EDIC (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications) cohort. This included 320 controls and 29 cardiovascular disease cases that were augmented with 98 additional known cases to yield a case cohort of 447 participants (320 controls, 127 cases). Biosamples from DCCT baseline, year 1, and closeout of DCCT , and 1 to 2 years post‐ DCCT ( EDIC years 1 and 2) were measured for markers of oxidative stress, including plasma myeloperoxidase, paraoxonase activity, urinary F 2α isoprostanes, and its metabolite, 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α . Following adjustment for glycated hemoblobin and weighting the observations inversely proportional to the sampling selection probabilities, higher paraoxonase activity, reflective of antioxidant activity, and 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α , an oxidative marker, were significantly associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (−4.5% risk for 10% higher paraoxonase, P <0.003; −5.3% risk for 10% higher 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α , P =0.0092). In contrast, the oxidative markers myeloperoxidase and F 2α isoprostanes were not significantly associated with cardiovascular disease after adjustment for glycated hemoblobin. There were no significant differences between DCCT intensive and conventional treatment groups in the change in all biomarkers across time segments.

Conclusions

Heightened antioxidant activity (rather than diminished oxidative stress markers) is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk in type 1 diabetes mellitus, but these biomarkers did not change over time with intensification of glycemic control.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL : https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifiers: NCT 00360815 and NCT 00360893.

Integrated analysis of long noncoding RNA-associated competing endogenous RNA network in periodontitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical and complex roles in regulating various biological processes of periodontitis. This bioinformatic study aims to construct a putative competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network by integrating lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA expression, based on high-throughput RNA sequencing and microarray data about periodontitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from 1 miRNA and 3 mRNA expression profiles were obtained to construct the lncRNA-associated ceRNA network. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and pathway analysis were performed using the Gene Ontology website and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed based on the Search Tool for the retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins. Transcription factors (TFs) of differentially expressed genes were identified based on TRANSFAC database and then a regulatory network was constructed.

RESULTS

Through constructing the dysregulated ceRNA network, 6 genes (HSPA4L, PANK3, YOD1, CTNNBIP1, EVI2B, ITGAL) and 3 miRNAs (miR-125a-3p, miR-200a, miR-142-3p) were detected. Three lncRNAs (MALAT1, TUG1, FGD5-AS1) were found to target both miR-125a-3p and miR-142-3p in this ceRNA network. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified several hub genes, including VCAM1, ITGA4, UBC, LYN and SSX2IP. Three pathways (cytokine-cytokine receptor, cell adhesion molecules, chemokine signaling pathway) were identified to be overlapping results with the previous bioinformatics studies in periodontitis. Moreover, 2 TFs including FOS and EGR were identified to be involved in the regulatory network of the differentially expressed genes-TFs in periodontitis.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that 6 mRNAs (HSPA4L, PANK3, YOD1, CTNNBIP1, EVI2B, ITGAL), 3 miRNAs (hsa-miR-125a-3p, hsa-miR-200a, hsa-miR-142-3p) and 3 lncRNAs (MALAT1, TUG1, FGD5-AS1) might be involved in the lncRNA-associated ceRNA network of periodontitis. This study sought to illuminate further the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of periodontitis through constructing an lncRNA-associated ceRNA network.

Enhanced antitumor efficacy through microwave ablation in combination with immune checkpoints blockade in breast cancer: A pre-clinical study in a murine model

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of microwave ablation (MWA) in combination with immune checkpoints blockade in the treatment of breast cancer using the 4T1 tumor-bearing mice model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We treated tumor-bearing mice with MWA, programmed cell death protein1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) blockade (P+C), MWA plus PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade (combination therapy), or no-treatment. Survival time was evaluated with the Kaplan-Meyer method comparing survival curves by log-rank test. On day 15 after MWA, five mice from the combination therapy group received tumor rechallenge with 4T1 or CT26 cells and the volumes of rechallenge tumor were calculated every 5 days. Immune cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, and the concentrations of plasma interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The combination therapy significantly prolonged tumor-bearing mice survival compared to no-treatment group, P+C group or MWA group (P<0.001, P<0.001 and P=0.01, respectively) and protected most surviving mice from 4T1 tumor rechallenge (P=0.002) but not CT26 tumor rechallenge (P=0.905). Both local and systemic CD8+ T-cell responses were induced by MWA (all P<0.05) and further augmented by subsequent administration of PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade (all P<0.05). Plasma IFN-γ concentrations were significantly elevated in the combination therapy group compared to no-treatment group, P+C group or MWA group (P<0.001, P<0.001 and P=0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSION

MWA combined with immune checkpoints blockade could synergistically enhance antitumor efficacy with augmented specific immune responses, and the combination therapy is a promising approach to treat breast cancer.

First Search for Nontensorial Gravitational Waves from Known Pulsars

We present results from the first directed search for nontensorial gravitational waves. While general relativity allows for tensorial (plus and cross) modes only, a generic metric theory may, in principle, predict waves with up to six different polarizations. This analysis is sensitive to continuous signals of scalar, vector, or tensor polarizations, and does not rely on any specific theory of gravity. After searching data from the first observation run of the advanced LIGO detectors for signals at twice the rotational frequency of 200 known pulsars, we find no evidence of gravitational waves of any polarization. We report the first upper limits for scalar and vector strains, finding values comparable in magnitude to previously published limits for tensor strain. Our results may be translated into constraints on specific alternative theories of gravity.

Prospects for observing and localizing gravitational-wave transients with Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA

We present possible observing scenarios for the Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA gravitational-wave detectors over the next decade, with the intention of providing information to the astronomy community to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We estimate the sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals, and study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source. We report our findings for gravitational-wave transients, with particular focus on gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary neutron star systems, which are the most promising targets for multi-messenger astronomy. The ability to localize the sources of the detected signals depends on the geographical distribution of the detectors and their relative sensitivity, and [Formula: see text] credible regions can be as large as thousands of square degrees when only two sensitive detectors are operational. Determining the sky position of a significant fraction of detected signals to areas of 5-[Formula: see text] requires at least three detectors of sensitivity within a factor of [Formula: see text] of each other and with a broad frequency bandwidth. When all detectors, including KAGRA and the third LIGO detector in India, reach design sensitivity, a significant fraction of gravitational-wave signals will be localized to a few square degrees by gravitational-wave observations alone.

[Observation of clinical and electrophysiological features in patients with distal myasthenia gravis]

Objective: To explore the clinical and electrophysiological features and prognosis of distal myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods: Data of MG patients in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from October 2016 to March 2017 were reviewed, including thorough neurological examinations, nerve conduction studies, repetitive nerve stimulations (RNS) and needle electromyographies. Distal MG patients were included and were analyzed as to their clinical and electrophysiological features and response to treatments. Results: Four patients (7.7%) could be classified as distal type among 52 definitely diagnosed MG patients. They had initial symptoms at age 36 to 64 and developed distal limb muscle weakness in the first month to 6 years after the onset of this disease. Hand muscles were preferentially involved in a non-uniform way. And one patient also had leg weakness on his tibialis anterior muscles. RNS showed a more significant decrement at slow rates in distal muscles, compared with proximal muscles. The baseline compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) of the distal affected muscles presented with slightly decreased or fluctuating amplitudes. Their weakness of ocular, bulbar, proximal and distal limb muscles improved generally after administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or steroids plus acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Electrophysiological reexaminations revealed increased baseline CMAPs, reduced decrement on RNS, and relief of myogenic changes on needle electromyography. Conclusions: Relatively prominent distal limb muscle weakness can be found in a minority of MG patients. Besides profound decrement on slow rate RNS, the involved distal muscles may have a characteristic decreased baseline CMAP, sometimes with a diurnal fluctuation. Distal MG responds well to regular treatments. Its short-term prognosis seems similar to that of common MG with proximal predominance.

[The localization diagnosis of patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone-dependent Cushing's syndrome in adolescence]

Objective: To elucidate the clinical characteristics and localization diagnosis of patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS) in adolescence. Methods: The clinical data, laboratory examination and localization diagnosis from 35 patients aged less than 18 years old with adolescent CS who were treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1990 and March 2012 were analyzed. Results: There were 29 cases of Cushing's disease (CD) and 6 cases of ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS). Compared to patients with EAS, those with CD were older at diagnosis[(15.2±2.7) vs (12.8±4.4) years], and had longer disease course[(1.9±1.5) vs (0.7±0.3) years]and higher serum potassium[(3.8±0.6) vs (2.5±0.7) mmol/L], however the plasma ACTH level[(15.4±14.9) vs (42.5±22.7) pmol/L]was lower (all P<0.05). If the cut-off of the ratio of 24-hour urine free cortisol (24 h UFC) after low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) to before LDDST was 0.65, the sensibility to diagnose CD was 70.8%, and the specificity was 100%. If the cut-off of the 24 h UFC ratio after high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST) to before HDDST was 0.54, the sensibility to diagnose CD was 91.7%, and the specificity was 100%. If the cut-off of the plasma ACTH ratio of inferior petrosal vein[bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS)]to peripheral vein was 2, only 6 CD patients (6/8) met it. Conclusion: The study suggested that HDDST was more meaningful in the localization diagnosis of patients with ACTH-dependent CS in adolescence.

CCR2- and CCR2+ corneal macrophages exhibit distinct characteristics and balance inflammatory responses after epithelial abrasion

Macrophages are distributed throughout the body and are crucial for the restoration of damaged tissues. However, their characteristics in the cornea and roles in the repair of corneal injures are unclear. Here we show that corneal macrophages can be classified as CCR2^- macrophages, which already exist in the cornea at embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) and are similar to yolk sac-derived macrophages, microglia, in phenotype and gene expression, and CCR2⁺ macrophages, which do not appear in the cornea until E17.5. At a steady state, CCR2^- corneal macrophages have local proliferation capacity and are rarely affected by monocytes; however, following corneal epithelial abrasion, most CCR2^- corneal macrophages are replaced by monocytes. In contrast, CCR2⁺ macrophages are repopulated by monocytes under both a steady-state condition and following corneal wounding. Depletion of CCR2⁺ macrophages decreases corneal inflammation after epithelial abrasion, whereas depletion of CCR2^- macrophages increases inflammation of the injured cornea. Loss of either cell type results in a delay in corneal healing. These data indicate that there are two unique macrophage populations present in the cornea, both of which participate in corneal wound healing by balancing the inflammatory response.

Pathogenic role of ADGRG2 in CBAVD patients replicated in Chinese population

Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is an important cause of obstructive azoospermia and male infertility worldwide. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations are the main pathogenic cause, although a proportion of cases are still unexplained. Recently, adhesion G protein-coupled receptor G2 (ADGRG2) gene, a novel pathogenic gene for CBAVD was identified. We did a single population replication study in Chinese CBAVD patients to replicate its role in CBAVD developing. In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing in 18 unrelated CBAVD patients and identified two missense variants in two patients (c.G1709A, p.C570Y; and c.A2968G, p.K990E). Both variants were predicted to be deleterious and highly conserved in silico. The p.C570Y variant is located in the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) proteolysis site domain, which is functionally necessary for autoproteolysis, while the p.K990E variant is in the N-terminal fragment that may regulate activity of the adhesion GPCR. We did not find any potential pathogenic CFTR variants, implying the ADGRG2 variants are the genetic cause in these patients. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first two ADGRG2 variants to be identified in Chinese CBAVD patients, which further validate the disease-causing role of ADGRG2 in this congenital defect.