[Preliminary results of biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion, decompression and pedicle screw insertion assisted with endoscopic technique for lumbar spinal stenosis combined with spondylolisthesis or instability]

Objectives: To evaluate the preliminary clinical outcomes of biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (BE-LIF), decompression and pedicle screw insertion assisted with endoscopic technique for lumbar spinal stenosis combined with spondylolisthesis or instability. Methods: The data of 9 patients with single-level lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent BE-LIF, decompression and pedicle screw insertion assisted with biportal endoscopy in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Hospital from March 1st 2022 to April 30th 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. The visual analogue scales (VAS) for pain in back and legs, and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) of all the patients were collected before operation, on the third day after operation and at the last follow-up. Moreover, the operation time, intra-operation blood loss, radiation shots for pedicle screw insertion, post-operation drainage and ambulation time were recorded. The screw position was checked with CT after the operation. Results: All the patients were female with a mean age of (70.3±8.4) years (ranged 56-84 years); the patients were followed-up for 12-16 weeks. All 9 patients had good clinical results. The VAS scores for back pain on the third day after operation and at the last follow-up were both significantly lower than that preoperatively[(2.9±0.6), (1.8±0.4) vs (6.4±1.1) points, both P<0.05]. The VAS scores for leg pain on the third day after operation and at the last follow-up were both significantly lower than that preoperatively[(1.9±0.3), (1.4±0.5) vs (7.3±1.6) points, P<0.05]. The ODI scores at last follow-up was significantly lower than that before the operation ((24.0%±6.5% vs 55.7%±12.8%, P<0.05). The intra-operative blood loss was (177±103) ml, the drainage amounts post-operation was (122±56) ml, the operation time was (207.8±32.7)min, the ambulation time was (2.3±0.5) days. The total radiation shots for pedicle screw insertion were 20-42 times, the average radiation shots per screw was (6.9±1.5) times. No severe complications or adverse events occurred. No nerve root injury or dural tear occurred in the operation, and no revision surgery needed. Conclusions: The pedicle screw insertion assisted with biportal endoscopic technique can decrease the radiation exposure with good feasibility and safety during the BE-LIF. The BE-LIF combined with the pedicle screw insertion assisted with biportal endoscopy is an effective and safe surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis with good early results.

[Association of lead exposure with stunting and underweight among children aged 3-5 years in China]

Objective: To evaluate the association of lead exposure with stunting and underweight among children aged 3-5 years in China. Methods: Data was collected from China National Human Biomonitoring (CNHBM) between January 2017 and December 2018. A total of 3 554 children aged 3-5 years were included. Demographic characteristic, lifestyle and nutritional status were collected through questionnaires. Height and weight were measured by standardized method. Stunting and underweight status were determined by calculating height for age Z-score and weight for age Z-score. Blood and urine samples were collected to detect the concentrations of blood lead, urinary lead and urinary creatinine. Children were stratified into 4 groups (Q₁ to Q₄) by quartiles of blood lead level and corrected urinary lead level, respectively. Complex sampling logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the association of the blood lead level, urinary lead level with stunting and underweight. Results: Among 3 554 children, the age was (4.09±1.06) years, of which 1 779 (80.64%) were female and 1 948 (55.84%) were urban residents. The prevalence of stunting and wasting was 7.34% and 2.96%, respectively. The M (Q₁, Q₃) for blood lead levels and urinary lead levels in children was 17.49 (12.80, 24.71) μg/L, 1.20 (0.61, 2.14) μg/g Cr, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with the lowest blood lead concentration group Q₁, the risk of stunting gradually increased in the Q₃ and Q₄ group (P_trend=0.010), with OR (95%CI) values of 1.40 (0.80-2.46) and 1.80 (1.07-3.04), respectively. Compared with the lowest urinary lead concentration group Q₁, the risk of stunting still increased in the Q₃ and Q₄ group (P_trend=0.012), with OR (95%CI) values of 1.69 (1.01-2.84) and 1.79 (1.05-3.06), respectively. The correlation between the lead exposure and underweight was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Lead exposure is positively associated with the risk of stunting among children aged 3-5 years in China.

[Mediation effect of inflammatory biomarkers on the association between blood lead levels and blood pressure changes in Chinese adults]

Objective: To investigate the role of inflammatory biomarkers in the relationship between blood lead levels and blood pressure changes. Methods: A total of 9 910 people aged 18-79 years who participated in the China National Human Biomonitoring in 2017-2018 were included in this study. A self-made questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics, lifestyle and other information, and the data including height, weight and blood pressure were determined through physical examination. Blood and urinary samples were collected for the detection of blood lead and cadmium levels, urinary arsenic levels, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Weighted linear regression models were used to evaluate the associations between blood lead, inflammatory biomarkers and blood pressure. Mediation analysis was performed to investigate the role of inflammation in the relationship between blood lead levels and blood pressure changes. Results: The median (Q₁, Q₃) age of all participants was 45.4 (33.8, 58.4)years, including 4 984 males accounting for 50.3%. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender, residence area, BMI, education level, smoking and drinking status, family history of hypertension, consumption frequency of rice, vegetables, and red meat, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood cadmium and urinary arsenic levels, there was a positive association between blood lead levels, inflammatory biomarkers and blood pressure (P<0.05). Each 2.71 μg/L (log-transformed) increase of the lead was associated with a 2.05 (95%CI: 0.58, 3.53) mmHg elevation in systolic blood pressure (SBP), 2.24 (95%CI: 1.34, 3.14) mmHg elevation in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), 0.25 (95%CI: 0.05, 0.46) mg/L elevation in hs-CRP, 0.16 (95%CI: 0.03, 0.29)×10⁹/L elevation in white blood cells, and 0.11 (95%CI: 0.02, 0.21)×10⁹/L elevation in lymphocytes, respectively. Mediation analysis showed that the levels of hs-CRP significantly mediated the association of blood lead with SBP, with a proportion about 3.88% (95%CI: 0.45%, 7.32%). The analysis also found that the levels of hs-CRP and neutrophils significantly mediated the association of blood lead with SBP, with a proportion about 4.10% (95%CI: 1.11%, 7.10%) and 2.42% (95%CI: 0.07%, 4.76%), respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that inflammatory biomarkers could significantly mediate the association of blood lead levels and blood pressure changes.

Overall survival in the OlympiA phase III trial of adjuvant olaparib in patients with germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2 and high risk, early breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The randomized, double-blind OlympiA trial compared 1 year of the oral poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, olaparib, to matching placebo as adjuvant therapy for patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 (gBRCA1/2pv) and high-risk, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, early breast cancer (EBC). The first pre-specified interim analysis (IA) previously demonstrated statistically significant improvement in invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and distant disease-free survival (DDFS). The olaparib group had fewer deaths than the placebo group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance for overall survival (OS). We now report the pre-specified second IA of OS with updates of IDFS, DDFS, and safety.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to olaparib or placebo following (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy if indicated. Endocrine therapy was given concurrently with study medication for hormone receptor-positive cancers. Statistical significance for OS at this IA required P < 0.015.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 3.5 years, the second IA of OS demonstrated significant improvement in the olaparib group relative to the placebo group [hazard ratio 0.68; 98.5% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.97; P = 0.009]. Four-year OS was 89.8% in the olaparib group and 86.4% in the placebo group (Δ 3.4%, 95% CI -0.1% to 6.8%). Four-year IDFS for the olaparib group versus placebo group was 82.7% versus 75.4% (Δ 7.3%, 95% CI 3.0% to 11.5%) and 4-year DDFS was 86.5% versus 79.1% (Δ 7.4%, 95% CI 3.6% to 11.3%), respectively. Subset analyses for OS, IDFS, and DDFS demonstrated benefit across major subgroups. No new safety signals were identified including no new cases of acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.

CONCLUSION

With 3.5 years of median follow-up, OlympiA demonstrates statistically significant improvement in OS with adjuvant olaparib compared with placebo for gBRCA1/2pv-associated EBC and maintained improvements in the previously reported, statistically significant endpoints of IDFS and DDFS with no new safety signals.

Discrimination between microcystic meningioma and atypical meningioma using whole-lesion apparent diffusion coefficient histogram analysis

AIM

To explore the value of whole-lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis in discriminating microcystic meningioma (MCM) from atypical meningioma (AM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and preoperative MRI data of 20 patients with MCM and 26 patients with AM were analysed retrospectively. Whole-lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis was performed on each patient's lesion to obtain histogram parameters, including mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis, the 1st (ADCp1), 10th (ADCp10), 50th (ADCp50), 90th (ADCp90), and 99th (ADCp99) percentiles of ADC. The differences between the ADC histogram parameters of the two tumours were compared, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic performance of statistically significant parameters in distinguishing the two tumours.

RESULTS

The mean, ADCp1, ADCp10, ADCp50, and ADCp90 of MCM were greater than those of AM, and significant differences were observed in these parameters between MCM and AM (all p<0.05). ROC analysis showed that the mean had the highest area under the curve value (AUC) in distinguishing the two tumours (AUC = 0.852), when using 120.46 × 10^-6 mm²/s as the optimal threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for discriminating the two groups were 84.6%, 75%, 80.4%, 81.5%, and 78.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Histogram analysis based on whole-lesion ADC maps was useful for discriminating between MCM from AM preoperatively, with the mean being the most promising potential parameter.

[Clinicopathological features of colorectal amphicrine carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological, immunophenotypic and molecular features of colorectal amphicrine carcinoma (AC). Methods: Eight cases of colorectal AC were collected at the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing, China from 2013 to 2020. The histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular features were analyzed. The relevant literature was reviewed. Results: There were 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 56 years (range 28-80 years). The tumor sites were as follows: 4 cases in sigmoid colon, 3 cases in rectum, and 1 case in transverse colon. Microscopically, there were three different patterns in the tumors, including nests with collagen hyperplasia, sheets of cells with scant stroma, and glandular or cribriform growth of goblet- or signet ring-like cells. The tumor cells generally had abundant cytoplasm with abundant mucin or eosinophilic granules. The nuclei were oval or irregular with fine chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. Mitotic figures were common. Neuroendocrine granules and mucin granules could be identified clearly under electron microscope. All cases showed frequent perineural and lymphovascular invasions, lymphatic metastasis, and advanced stage. Regarding immunohistochemical and specific stains, the tumor cells expressed more than two neuroendocrine markers, particularly CD56 and synaptophysin which were diffusely positive in 7 of the 8 cases. They also showed intracellular mucin in the amphicrine components which was positive for D-PAS. KRAS G12C or NRAS Q61 gene mutations were found in 2 patients. Among the six cases with complete follow-up, four of them died of the disease within three years of the diagnoses, while two were alive without known disease progression. Conclusions: Colorectal AC is a rare, distinct entity with both epithelial and neuroendocrine differentiation. It mainly occurs in the sigmoid colon and rectum. It typically has aggressive clinical courses, dismal prognosis and characteristic histological features and immunophenotype, which highlight the importance of recognizing this entity for clinicians and pathologists.

Dual In Situ Polymerization Strategy Endowing Rapid Ion Transfer Capability of Polymer Electrolyte toward Ni-Rich-Based Lithium Metal Batteries

Poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) is one of the most promising candidate electrolyte matrices for high energy batteries. However, the spherical skeleton structure obtained through the conventional method fails to build continuous Li ion transmission channels due to the slow volatilization of high boiling solvent, leading to inferior cycling performance, especially in a Ni-rich system. Herein, a novel strategy is presented to enrich the Li ion transfer paths and improve the Li ion migration kinetics. The tactic is to prepare cross-linked segments through the PVDF-HFP matrix by adopting free radical polymerization and Li salt induced ring-opening polymerization. Most significantly, the visualization of the structure of as-prepared electrolyte is innovatively realized with the combination of polarization microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectroscopy, PVDF-HFP, and cross-linked network form interconnected microstructures. Therefore, poly(glycidyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile)@poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) electrolyte presents a high ionic conductivity (1.04 mS cm^-1 at 30 °C) and a stable voltage profile for a Li/Li cell after 1200 h. After assembly with a LiNi_0.8 Co_0.15 Al_0.05 O₂ cathode, a high discharge specific capacity of 190.3 mAh g^-1 is delivered, and the capacity retention reaches 88.2% after 100 cycles. This work provides a promising method for designing high-performance polymer electrolytes for lithium metal batteries.

Properties of Daily Helium Fluxes

We present the precision measurement of 2824 daily helium fluxes in cosmic rays from May 20, 2011 to October 29, 2019 in the rigidity interval from 1.71 to 100 GV based on 7.6×10^{8} helium nuclei collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the International Space Station. The helium flux and the helium to proton flux ratio exhibit variations on multiple timescales. In nearly all the time intervals from 2014 to 2018, we observed recurrent helium flux variations with a period of 27 days. Shorter periods of 9 days and 13.5 days are observed in 2016. The strength of all three periodicities changes with time and rigidity. In the entire time period, we found that below ∼7  GV the helium flux exhibits larger time variations than the proton flux, and above ∼7  GV the helium to proton flux ratio is time independent. Remarkably, below 2.4 GV a hysteresis between the helium to proton flux ratio and the helium flux was observed at greater than the 7σ level. This shows that at low rigidity the modulation of the helium to proton flux ratio is different before and after the solar maximum in 2014.

POS0456 AUTOPHAGY-RELATED RISK LOCI IN SLE AND THEIR ROLE IN NEUTROPHILS

Background

Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with ~150 established susceptibility risk loci. Genome wide-association (GWA) studies in SLE cases and controls of Korean ancestry identified the SLE risk locus ATG16L2-P2RY2, and rs11235604 as a SLE-associated missense variant (R220W) of Autophagy Related 16 Like 2 (ATG16L2) [1]. PRDM1-ATG5 is also an SLE risk locus in European populations that is implicated in autophagy. Autophagy plays a crucial role in neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, degranulation, and limiting autoantigens in blood. Dysregulated autophagy has been implicated in SLE pathology and poor disease outcomes. The function of ATG16L2 is unknown, but evidence suggests it may function as a negative regulator of autophagosome formation [2].

Objectives

To identify autophagy-related SLE risk variants shared across different ancestry populations and define the role of ATG16L2 in SLE and autophagy.

Methods

SLE case-control GWA scans from European (7568 cases; 1082 controls), African American (4336 cases; 935 controls), Hispanic (3752 cases; 1840 controls), and Korean (1173 cases; 4213 controls) populations were imputed and SNP associations tested. Meta-analysis was performed, then Bayesian statistics were used to define a credible SNP set. Bioinformatic analyses (RegulomeDB, promoter capture Hi-C, eQTLs, etc.) further prioritized SNPs based on predicted functionality. The functional significance of autophagy SLE risk genes, ATG16L1, ATG16L,2 and ATG5, were tested by CRISPR knockout (KO) in PLB-985 cell line. CRISPR-targeted single cell clones were screened for ATG16L1, ATG16L2 or ATG5 deletion using qPCR, NanoPore sequencing, and Western blotting. Changes in autophagy were assessed by Western blotting and confocal microscopy.

Results

Transracial fine-mapping of PRDM1-ATG5 locus identified two SNP associations shared across the credible sets in all populations: rs56886418 (p=1.38x10-5) located in the intron of PRDM1 and rs77791277 (p=1.38x10-5) that tagged a group of SNPs in strong linkage disequilibrium. Cross comparison of the credible SNP sets and bioinformatic analyses of shared SNPs identified rs533733 and rs9373843 as additional likely functional variants. Bioinformatic analyses prioritized rs56886418, an eQTL for ATG5 (p=0.05) and PRDM1 (p=4.75x10-7) in blood cells positioned in a topologically associated domain (TAD) that may interact with ATG5 and PRDM1 promoters in EBV-transformed B cells. SNP rs533733 is an eQTL for ATG5 in neutrophils (p=0.006) and is in a TAD 6.4kb 3’ of PRDM1 that interacts with the ATG5 promoter region where rs9373843 (eQTL of ATG5 in neutrophils (p=0.04)) is positioned. These data suggest that risk SNPs on the PRDM1-ATG5 locus may modulate ATG5 expression and autophagy in specific cell types by modulating the local chromatin regulatory network.

To assess the roles of ATG5, ATG16L1 and ATG16L2 in autophagy, PMA/I-induced hallmarks of autophagy, LC3-I and LC3-II conversion and p62 protein aggregation, were assessed in homozygous and heterozygous ATG5, ATG16L1, or ATG16L2 CRISPR KO PLB-985 cells by Western blotting and confocal microscopy. Loss of ATG5 or ATG16L1 impaired PMA/I-induced autophagosome formation in myeloid-like and differentiated neutrophil-like PLB-985 cells. In contrast, loss of ATG16L2 elevated the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and p62 protein aggregation in both cell types, suggesting that ATG16L2 may inhibit autophagy.

Conclusion

Functional characterization of SNPs on the PRDM1-ATG5 and ATG16L2-P2RY2 loci, and the functional characterization of ATG16L2 in myeloid and neutrophil cell lines, provide new insights into the mechanisms that regulate autophagy in health and disease. Ongoing studies will focus on in vitro validation of predicted functional SNPs and will introduce ATG16L2 rs11235604 risk variant in PLB-985 cells to assess its importance in autophagy.

References

[1]Lessard CJ, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016; 68(5):1197-1209.

[2]Wible DJ, et al. Cell Discov. 2019; 5:42.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared.

GeoHealth Perspectives on Integrated, Coordinated, Open, Networked (ICON) Science

GeoHealth research both characterizes and predicts problems at the nexus of earth and human systems like climate change, pollution, and natural hazards. While GeoHealth excels in the area of integrated science, there is a need to improve coordinated and networked efforts to produce open science to enable environmental justice. There is a need to resource and empower frontline populations that are disproportionately marginalized by environmental injustice (i.e., the unequal protection from environmental harms and lack of access and meaningful engagement in decision making for a healthy environment; EPA, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice). GeoHealth practice has the opportunity to advance environmental justice or the "fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income" with respect to how research and collaboration of GeoHealth professionals supports the "development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies" that produce equal protection from environmental and health hazards and access to the decision making for a health environment (EPA, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice). Here we highlight barriers and opportunities to apply an equity-centered ICON framework to the field of GeoHealth to advance environmental justice and health equity.

[Comprehensive treatment options and influencing factors in elderly patients with breast cancer]

Objective: To investigate the treatment options for breast cancer patients aged 65 and over, and analyze the influencing factors. Methods: The clinical data of 521 elderly patients aged 65 years or older,who underwent surgery in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to December 2015, were collected. They were all female and 65-98 years old. The patients were divided into 65-74 years old group (n=353) and ≥ 75 years old group (n=168). The differences of variables including age, functional status, treatment methods, pathological characteristics, comorbidities and survival time between the two groups were compared, and the differences of comprehensive treatment methods and their impact on clinical efficacy were analyzed. Results: The main operation methods of the two groups were modified radical mastectomy [39.1% (138/353) and 33.9% (57/168), respectively], breast conserving surgery [56.9% (201/353) and 61.3% (103/353), respectively]. Among the patients choosing adjuvant therapy, there was no significant difference between the two groups except chemotherapy (all P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the choice of chemotherapy was related to age, surgical methods, pathological types, tumor burden, molecular typing, functional status and comorbidities (all P<0.05). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score and the number of comorbidities were independent factors affecting the choice of chemotherapy for breast cancer in the elderly: [ECOG score: adjusted OR=0.45 (95CI: 0.26-0.75), number of comorbidities: adjusted OR = 0.63 (95CI:0.41-0.98); all P<0.05]. The 5-year disease-free survival rate of 521 elderly patients with breast cancer was 86.3%, 5-year overall survival rate was 88.8%, and the breast cancer specific survival rate was 94.3%. Conclusions: The comprehensive treatment of breast cancer patients aged 65 and above is not affected by age, but is associated with tumor burden, pathological type, molecular typing, comorbidities and ECOG score. Among them, ECOG score and the number of comorbidities are the independent factors influencing the choice of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Proteomic profiling of Arachis hypogaea in response to drought stress and overexpression of AhLEA2 improves drought tolerance

Drought is the main factor restricting peanut growth, but the molecular mechanism underlying peanut drought tolerance remains unclear. Herein, the seedling stage of drought-resistant peanut cultivar J11 was subjected to drought stress, and its proteomic profile was systematically analysed by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ), the results of which were further complemented with our previous transcriptome results. A total of 4,018 proteins were identified by proteomic analysis, which revealed that the expression levels of 69 proteins were altered under drought stress. Among the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), 50 were upregulated, and 19 were downregulated. The most enriched metabolic pathways for these DEPs were those involving phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction. The proteomic data and previous transcriptome results revealed 44 groups of genes/proteins with the same expression trend, including a LEA (Late embryogenesis abundant) gene, AhLEA2. Our present study showed that overexpression of the AhLEA2 gene enhanced the drought resistance of transgenic Arabidopsis plants, and the activities of related antioxidant enzymes in the transgenic plants significantly changed. The AhLEA2 gene was found to be located in the cytoplasm and cell membrane by subcellular localization experiments. This work systematically analysed the differentially expressed proteins in peanut in response to drought stress, providing important candidates for further functional analysis of the stress response of peanut. Our results also indicated that AhLEA2 plays an important role in the peanut response to drought stress.

The Association between Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older People: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and cognitive dysfunction in middle-aged and older adults, so as to provide an evidence-based basis for the early prevention of cognitive dysfunction.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of relevant literature was conducted in PubMed, EMBase, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science from the inception until January 2021. Odds ratios (OR), hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects, generic inverse variance method. Meta-analysis of the included studies was performed using Review Manager 5.4.

RESULTS

A total of 10 studies on the association between sugary beverages and cognitive dysfunction in middle-aged and older adults were included, of which 3 were cross-sectional studies and the rest were cohort studies. Eight of the ten studies had results suggestive of a negative association. However, Meta-analysis results showed that the association between the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and the risk of cognitive impairment was not statistically significant (OR=1.59, 95% CI: 0.93-2.74, P=0.08); but from two studies, the hazard ratios of all-cause dementia in middle-aged and older people consuming sugar-sweetened beverages was 2.77 (95%CI: 2.24-3.43, P<0.00001); the hazard ratios of Alzheimer's disease in middle-aged and older people consuming sugar-sweetened beverages was 2.63 (95%CI: 1.70-4.05, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

There is insufficient evidence to state conclusively that sugar-sweetened beverages intake causes cognitive dysfunction in middle-aged and older adults.

Periodicities in the Daily Proton Fluxes from 2011 to 2019 Measured by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station from 1 to 100 GV

We present the precision measurement of the daily proton fluxes in cosmic rays from May 20, 2011 to October 29, 2019 (a total of 2824 days or 114 Bartels rotations) in the rigidity interval from 1 to 100 GV based on 5.5×10^{9} protons collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer aboard the International Space Station. The proton fluxes exhibit variations on multiple timescales. From 2014 to 2018, we observed recurrent flux variations with a period of 27 days. Shorter periods of 9 days and 13.5 days are observed in 2016. The strength of all three periodicities changes with time and rigidity. The rigidity dependence of the 27-day periodicity is different from the rigidity dependences of 9-day and 13.5-day periods. Unexpectedly, the strength of 9-day and 13.5-day periodicities increases with increasing rigidities up to ∼10  GV and ∼20  GV, respectively. Then the strength of the periodicities decreases with increasing rigidity up to 100 GV.

[A prospective cohort study on BMI levels and risk of acute pancreatitis]

Objective: To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) levels at different baseline on the risk of new-onset acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods: The subjects were from the Kailuan Study Cohort and divided into 3 groups according to baseline BMI levels: BMI<24 kg/m², normal weight; BMI 24-28 kg/m², overweight; BMI≥28 kg/m², obesity. The incidence of new-onset AP in these three groups was analyzed. The survival curve was plotted by Kaplan-Meier method, the cumulative incidence was calculated and tested by log-rank method. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to calculate HR of baseline BMI levels for AP. Results: A total of 123 841 subjects were included and followed up for (11.94±2.13) years, during which, 395 cases were found with AP. The incidence of AP was 2.67 per 10 000 person years in total population, and the incidences of AP were 2.20, 2.72 and 3.58 per 10 000 person-years in the normal, overweight and obesity groups, respectively. The cumulative incidences of AP was 0.32%, 0.40% and 0.49% in normal, overweight and obesity groups, respectively, which showed a significant inter-group difference by log-rank test (χ ²=13.17,P<0.01). The results of multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that obesity group (HR=1.45, 95%CI: 1.10-1.92) had a higher risk for AP compared with the normal BMI group. The subgroup analyses by age and sex showed that compared with the normal weight group,the HRs for AP in the obesity group was 1.58(95%CI:1.14-2.19) and 1.40(95%CI:1.03-1.90) among subjects younger than 60 years old and male subjects, respectively. After excluded onset AP within two years from baseline,with a control group from normal weight,the results of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that the AP in the obesity group was 1.60 (95%CI: 1.18-2.15). Conclusion: Obesity may increase the risk of developing AP, particularly among young and middle-aged men.

Lightwave-driven scanning tunnelling spectroscopy of atomically precise graphene nanoribbons

Atomically precise electronics operating at optical frequencies require tools that can characterize them on their intrinsic length and time scales to guide device design. Lightwave-driven scanning tunnelling microscopy is a promising technique towards this purpose. It achieves simultaneous sub-ångström and sub-picosecond spatio-temporal resolution through ultrafast coherent control by single-cycle field transients that are coupled to the scanning probe tip from free space. Here, we utilize lightwave-driven terahertz scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy to investigate atomically precise seven-atom-wide armchair graphene nanoribbons on a gold surface at ultralow tip heights, unveiling highly localized wavefunctions that are inaccessible by conventional scanning tunnelling microscopy. Tomographic imaging of their electron densities reveals vertical decays that depend sensitively on wavefunction and lateral position. Lightwave-driven scanning tunnelling spectroscopy on the ångström scale paves the way for ultrafast measurements of wavefunction dynamics in atomically precise nanostructures and future optoelectronic devices based on locally tailored electronic properties.

[The effects of positive end-expiratory pressure on central venous pressure in patients with different chest wall elastic resistance]

Objective: To investigate the role of chest wall elastic resistance in determining the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on central venous pressure (CVP) in patients with mechanical ventilation (MV). Methods: In this prospective study, according to the median of ratio of chest wall elastic resistance to respiratory system elastic resistance (Ers), patients were divided into high chest wall elastic resistance group (Ecw/Ers≥0.24) and low chest wall elastic resistance group [elastance of chest wall (Ecw)/Ers<0.24]. PEEP was set at 5, 10, 15 cmH₂O (1 cmH₂O=0.098 kPa) respectively. Clinical data including CVP, heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and respiratory mechanics were recorded. Results: Seventy patients receiving MV were included from November 2017 to December 2018. Clinical characteristics including age, BP, HR, baseline PEEP, the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen (P/F) and comorbidities were comparable in two groups. However, patients with high Ecw/Ers ratio presented higher body mass index (BMI) than those with low Ecw/Ers ratio[ (25.4±3.2) kg/m² vs. (23.4±3.2) kg/m², P=0.011]. As PEEP increased from 5 cmH₂O to 10 cmH₂O, CVP in high Ecw/Ers group increased significantly compared with that in low Ecw/Ers group [1.75(1.00, 2.13) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133kPa) vs. 1.50(0.50, 2.00)mmHg,P=0.038], which was the same as PEEP increased from 10 cmH₂O to 15 cmH₂O [2.00(1.50, 3.00)mmHg vs. 1.50(1.00, 2.00)mmHg,P=0.041] or PEEP increased from 5 cmH₂O to 15 cmH₂O [ 3.75(3.00,4.63)mmHg vs. 3.00(1.63, 4.00)mmHg, P=0.012]. When PEEP increased from 5 cmH₂O to 10 cmH₂O, 10 cmH₂O to 15 cmH₂O and 10 cmH₂O to 15 cmH₂O, there were significant correlations between Ecw/Ers and CVP elevation (r=0.29, P=0.016; r=0.31, P=0.011; r=0.31, P=0.01 respectively). Conclusions: In patients receiving mechanical ventilation, elevation of PEEP leads to a synchronous change of CVP, which is corelated with patients' chest wall elastic resistances.

A COVID-19 screening method based on eyes photographs and artificial intelligence

Background

SARS-CoV-2 can spread both from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Ocular manifestations due to SARS-CoV-2 have been described, being conjunctival inflammation the most common affectation. Evidence shows that conjunctivitis could be the first and/or only manifestation of COVID-19. This study aimed to develop and validate a COVID-19 screening method based on eyes photographs and artificial intelligence.

Methods

In this multicentre study, 1,200 participants were enrolled from Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center (SPHCC) Fudan University, AIMOMICS LAB and La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital (LFUPH) of Valencia (Spain). Pictures of participants' ocular surface were taken in four different positions with mobile phone cameras, and a Deep Learning System (DLS) was developed through machine learning to identify characteristic conjunctival inflammation patterns. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committees of SPHCC and LFUPH.

Results

The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated according to the results of our binary classification network. Bootstrapping with 1,000 replicates was used to estimate 95% confidence intervals of the performance metrics, with photography as the resampling unit. On the subject-level classification, the network achieved the AUC of 0.976 (95% CI 0.965-0.988) among Asian population and 0.892 (95% CI 0-763-1.000) among Caucasian population.

Conclusions

Preliminary results show that this DLS performed well in identifying probable asymptomatic COVID-19 cases through the analysis of participants' eyes pictures. This method could be an innocuous, accessible, low cost and quick COVID-19 screening method. Eventually, it could potentially contribute to pandemic control.

Key messages

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic it would be useful to have a screening method to easily and quickly detect asymptomatic individuals, in addition to using temperature control. Preliminary results show that this Deep Learning System (DLS) based on eyes pictures taken with mobile phone cameras could be an innocuous, accessible, low cost and quick COVID-19 screening method.

Erratum: Properties of a New Group of Cosmic Nuclei: Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on Sodium, Aluminum, and Nitrogen [Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 021101 (2021)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.021101.