[Incidence and risk factors of anastomotic leak after transanal total mesorectal excision in China: a retrospective analysis based on national database]

Objective: Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) was a very hot topic in the first few years since its appearance, but now more introspections and controversies on this procedure have emerged. One of the reasons why the Norwegian Ministry of Health stopped taTME was the high incidence of postoperative anastomotic leak. In current study, the incidence and risk factors of anastomotic leak after taTME were analyzed based on the data registered in the Chinese taTME Registry Collaborative (CTRC). Methods: A case-control study was carried out. Between November 15, 2017 and December 31, 2020, clinical data of 1668 patients undergoing taTME procedure registered in the CTRC database from 43 domestic centers were collected retrospectively. After excluding 98 cases without anastomosis and 109 cases without complete postoperative complication data, 1461 patients were finally enrolled for analysis. There were 1036 males (70.9%) and 425 females (29.1%) with mean age of (58.2±15.6) years and mean body mass index of (23.6±3.8) kg/m(2). Anastomotic leak was diagnosed and classified according to the International Study Group of Rectal Cancer (ISREC) criteria. The risk factors associated with postoperative anastomotic leak cases were analyzed. The impact of the cumulative number of taTME surgeries in a single center on the incidence of anastomotic leak was evaluated. As for those centers with the number of taTME surgery ≥ 40 cases, incidence of anastomic leak between 20 cases of taTME surgery in the early and later phases was compared. Results: Of 1461 patients undergoing taTME, 103(7.0%) developed anastomotic leak, including 71 (68.9%) males and 32 (31.1%) females with mean age of (59.0±13.9) years and mean body mass index of (24.5±5.7) kg/m(2). The mean distance between anastomosis site and anal verge was (2.6±1.4) cm. Thirty-nine cases (37.9%) were classified as ISREC grade A, 30 cases (29.1%) as grade B and 34 cases (33.0%) as grade C. Anastomotic leak occurred in 89 cases (7.0%,89/1263) in the laparoscopic taTME group and 14 cases (7.1%, 14/198) in the pure taTME group. Multivariate analysis showed that hand-sewn anastomosis (P=0.004) and the absence of defunctioning stoma (P=0.013) were independently associated with anastomotic leak after taTME. In the 16 centers (37.2%) which performed ≥ 30 taTME surgeries with cumulative number of 1317 taTME surgeries, 86 cases developed anastomotic leak (6.5%, 86/1317). And in the 27 centers which performed less than 30 taTME surgeries with cumulative number of 144 taTME surgeries, 17 cases developed anastomotic leak (11.8%, 17/144). There was significant difference between two kinds of center (χ(2)=5.513, P=0.019). Thirteen centers performed ≥ 40 taTME surgeries. In the early phase (the first 20 cases in each center), 29 cases (11.2%, 29/260) developed anastomotic leak, and in the later phase, 12 cases (4.6%, 12/260) developed anastomotic leak. The difference between the early phase and the later phase was statistically significant (χ(2)=7.652, P=0.006). Conclusion: The incidence of anastomotic leak after taTME may be reduced by using stapler and defunctioning stoma, or by accumulating experience.

[Characteristics of consonant among children with speech sound disorder]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of consonant among children with speech sound disorder (SSD) and to provide an empirical basis for the subsequent clinical evaluation and evidence-based intervention. Methods: In this retrospective research a total of 1 395 children diagnosed with SSD from the Language-Speech Clinic of the Department of Children Health Care, Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2007 to December 2018 were enrolled and underwent the phonological examination on the lexical level with picture naming, according to phoneme development in Chinese mandarin. The Chi-square trend test was applied to analyze the differences and trends of the proportion of consonant error subtypes in children of different age groups. The Chi-square test was conducted to compare the proportion of consonant error subtypes in different gender. Results: The 1 395 children diagnosed with SSD included 1 044 boys and 351 girls, with an age of (5.1±0.8) years. The occurrence of consonant errors in different locations of articulation was the highest for blade-alveolar /l/ (71.8%, 1 002/1 395) and the lowest for labial/b/(9.3%, 130/1 395). The occurrence of consonant errors of labial/p/f/, supra-dental/z/c/s/, blade-alveolar/t/l/, blade-palatal/ch/r/, velar/k/h/, and lingua-palatal/q/decreased with age (all P<0.05). The occurrence of consonant errors of labial/b/m/, supra-dental/z/c/, blade-alveolar/n/l/, blade-palatal/sh/, velar/h/, and lingua-palatal/x/were higher in boys than those in girls (10.3% (108/1 044) vs. 6.3% (22/351), 11.4% (119/1 044) vs. 6.0% (21/351), 64.8% (676/1 044) vs. 51.9% (182/351), 67.8% (708/1 044) vs. 59.8% (210/351), 16.7% (174/1 044) vs. 8.8% (31/351), 73.7% (769/1 044) vs. 66.1% (232/351), 58.0% (606/1 044) vs. 47.6% (167/351), 24.0% (251/1 044) vs. 14.2% (50/351), and 39.9% (417/1 044) vs. 27.6% (97/351); χ²=5.167, 8.533, 16.889, 7.447, 12.863, 7.412, 11.650, 14.900, and 17.099, all P<0.05). The error types of consonant were substitution, omission, and distortion. Omission was the main error type of blade-alveolar/l/(53.3%, 743/1 395), distortion was the main error type of velar/h/(11.8%, 165/1 395), and substitution was the main error type of all other consonants. Substitution with blade-palatal/ch/having the highest occurrence of error (60.2%, 840/1 395). Conclusions: The occurrence of the blade-alveolar/l/error is the highest in children with SSD, with boys demonstrating more serious articulation problems. The main error type of consonant is substitution, with blade-palatal/ch/having the highest occurrence of error. These results suggest the necessity of attending to preschoolers' articulation development. Phonological training targeting blade-alveolar/l/and blade-palatal/ch/should be carried out as early as possible.

Angular Analysis of the B^{+}→K^{*+}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decay

We present an angular analysis of the B^{+}→K^{*+}(→K_{S}^{0}π^{+})μ^{+}μ^{-} decay using 9  fb^{-1} of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. For the first time, the full set of CP-averaged angular observables is measured in intervals of the dimuon invariant mass squared. Local deviations from standard model predictions are observed, similar to those in previous LHCb analyses of the isospin-partner B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} decay. The global tension is dependent on which effective couplings are considered and on the choice of theory nuisance parameters.

Observation of a New Excited D_{s}^{+} Meson in B^{0}→D^{-}D^{+}K^{+}π^{-} Decays

Using pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1} collected with the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, the B^{0}→D^{-}D^{+}K^{+}π^{-} decay is studied. A new excited D_{s}^{+} meson is observed decaying into the D^{+}K^{+}π^{-} final state with large statistical significance. The pole mass and width, and the spin parity of the new state are measured with an amplitude analysis to be m_{R}=2591±6±7  MeV, Γ_{R}=89±16±12  MeV, and J^{P}=0^{-}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. Fit fractions for all components in the amplitude analysis are also reported. The new resonance, denoted as D_{s0}(2590)^{+}, is a strong candidate to be the D_{s}(2^{1}S_{0})^{+} state, the radial excitation of the pseudoscalar ground-state D_{s}^{+} meson.

[Etiological characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease in Yangzhou from 2015 to 2019]

To understand the prevalence and etiological characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease(HFMD) in Yangzhou, so as to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of HFMD. HFMD cases from six sentinel hospitals in Yangzhou from January 2015 to December 2019 were taken as the subject of study. The epidemiological data of HFMD were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method, the enterovirus were detected using RT-PCR method and the etiological characteristics were analyzed. The data were collected by Excel 2007 and statistically analyzed by SPSS22.0 software. A total of 1 151 positive cases were detected from all 2 129 HFMD clinical specimens collected in Yangzhou from 2015 to 2019, with a total positive rate of 54.06%, including 148 cases of EV71(6.95%), 382 cases of CA16(17.94%) and 621 cases of other enterovirus(29.17%). The difference of positive rate in different years(χ²=99.28, P<0.05), different months(χ²=92.09, P<0.05) and different districts(χ²=71.39, P<0.05)was statistically significant. Each subtype of enterovirus showed alternating prevalence in different years. The peak period of detection rate was from April to September (720 cases, 62.55%). The reported incidence for males was higher than females, with the male-female ratio of 1.58∶1 and children under six (971 cases, 84.36%) as the major attacked population. There were obvious seasonal, regional and population characteristics of HFMD in Yangzhou City from 2015 to 2019. It reminds us that surveillance of HFMD should be continually implemented, more attention should be paid to the prevention and control of key population in high-risk seasons, and the booming HFMD cases caused by other enterovirus should be emphasized especially.

Observation of Multiplicity Dependent Prompt χ_{c1}(3872) and ψ(2S) Production in pp Collisions

The production of χ_{c1}(3872) and ψ(2S) hadrons is studied as a function of charged particle multiplicity in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2  fb^{-1}. For both states, the fraction that is produced promptly at the collision vertex is found to decrease as charged particle multiplicity increases. The ratio of χ_{c1}(3872) to ψ(2S) cross sections for promptly produced particles is also found to decrease with multiplicity, while no significant dependence on multiplicity is observed for the equivalent ratio of particles produced away from the collision vertex in b-hadron decays. This behavior is consistent with a calculation that models the χ_{c1}(3872) structure as a compact tetraquark. Comparisons with model calculations and implications for the binding energy of the χ_{c1}(3872) state are discussed.

Measurement of CP Violation in the Decay B^{+}→K^{+}π^{0}

A measurement of CP violation in the decay B^{+}→K^{+}π^{0} is reported using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1} collected with the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV. The CP asymmetry is measured to be 0.025±0.015±0.006±0.003, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to an external input. This is the most precise measurement of this quantity. It confirms and significantly enhances the observed anomalous difference between the direct CP asymmetries of the B^{0}→K^{+}π^{-} and B^{+}→K^{+}π^{0} decays, known as the Kπ puzzle.

5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine may regulate the inflammatory response of human odontoblast-like cells through the NF-κB pathway

AIM

To explore the role of DNA methylation in the innate immunity of the dental pulp, this study investigated the effect of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (AZA) on lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-induced cytokine production and related intracellular signalling pathways in human odontoblast-like cells (hOBs).

METHODOLOGY

hOBs were cultured and differentiated from human dental pulp tissue, and the odontoblastic phenotype of the cells was detected using immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR and Western blotting. hOBs were pretreated with AZA and then stimulated with 10 μg mL^-1 LTA. The levels of 42 cytokines related to immunity and inflammation were examined using a cytokine antibody array and verified using qRT-PCR and ELISA. The effect of AZA on the LTA-induced NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways was explored using Western blotting. The cells were treated with the specific NF-κB inhibitor PDTC and MAPK inhibitors (the ERK inhibitor U0126, the p38 inhibitor SB203580, and the JNK inhibitor SP600125) to further confirm the role of the signalling pathways in LTA-treated hOBs. DNA immunoprecipitation-PCR was used to examine the dynamic methylation status of the gene promoters of myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) and tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in the LTA-induced hOBs. Statistical analyses of the differences between two groups were performed using Student's t-test. One-way analysis of variance (anova) or repeated-measures anova with a post hoc Dunnett's test was used to assess the differences between multiple sets of data. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

The odontoblastic markers were significantly higher in hOBs than those in human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) (P < 0.05). According to the cytokine antibody array results, hOBs pretreated with AZA had significantly increased production of several inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05), in which the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were the most dramatically increased upon LTA stimulation (P < 0.01). Furthermore, AZA resulted in the significant upregulation of p-IKKα/β, p-IκBα, p-p65, p-p38 and p-ERK in LTA-stimulated hOBs (P < 0.01). Treatment with the NF-κB pathway inhibitor suppressed both IL-6 and IL-8 expression (P < 0.05), whereas inhibitors of the MAPK pathway (SB203580 and SP600125) did not. In LTA-treated hOBs, AZA significantly increased the expression levels of TRAF6 and MyD88 (P < 0.05). AZA induced MyD88 promoter hypomethylation but did not affect TRAF6 methylation.

CONCLUSION

AZA regulated the LTA-induced inflammatory response through the NF-κB signal pathway in hOBs. This study highlights the important role of DNA methylation in the immunity defence of odontoblasts during the dental pulp immunity response to caries.

First Observation of the Decay B_{s}^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} and a Measurement of |V_{ub}|/|V_{cb}|

The first observation of the suppressed semileptonic B_{s}^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} decay is reported. Using a data sample recorded in pp collisions in 2012 with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2  fb^{-1}, the branching fraction B(B_{s}^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}) is measured to be [1.06±0.05(stat)±0.08(syst)]×10^{-4}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second one represents the combined systematic uncertainties. The decay B_{s}^{0}→D_{s}^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, where D_{s}^{-} is reconstructed in the final state K^{+}K^{-}π^{-}, is used as a normalization channel to minimize the experimental systematic uncertainty. Theoretical calculations on the form factors of the B_{s}^{0}→K^{-} and B_{s}^{0}→D_{s}^{-} transitions are employed to determine the ratio of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements |V_{ub}|/|V_{cb}| at low and high B_{s}^{0}→K^{-} momentum transfer.

[Fetal cardiac intervention and perioperative management of fetus with hypoplastic right heart syndrome]

Objective: To summarize the experience of perioperative management strategy of fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty (FPV) for hypoplastic right heart syndrome (HRHS). Methods: In the retrospective study of perioperative data, 13 fetuses of HRHS were treated with FPV in Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital from July 2018 to June 2019. Results: (1) The evaluation indexes of the right ventricle in 13 fetuses before FPV: the mean ratio of tricuspid/mitral annulus, right/left ventricular length, pulmonary/aortic annulus, and tricuspid inflow time/cardiac cycle were 0.81±0.04, 0.56±0.14, 0.69±0.06, and 0.35±0.03, respectively. (2) All pregnant mothers underwent general anesthesia. The basic fetal heart rate was (156±12) beats per minutes before FPV, and 9 fetuses showed bradycardia during the operation, and recovered to normal after drug resuscitation. On the first day after FPV, two cases had bradycardia and pregnancy was terminated. The fluctuation of systolic blood pressure of pregnant mother was less than 20%, and there was no significant difference between preoperative and intraoperative pulse pressure [(36.0±5.6) vs (35.8±6.9) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa); t=8.102, P=0.951]. (3) All cases of HRHS fetus successfully underwent FPV. The average gestational age was (27.3±0.8) weeks. The average operation time was (23.2±1.0) minutes. The ratio of tricuspid to mitral annulus (t=-2.513, P=0.022) and the ratio of right to left ventricular length (t=-3.373, P=0.003) were significantly improved at 6 weeks postoperatively. Ten fetuses were delivered, and there was no death after early intervention. (4) Of 13 pregnant women, 3 cases were nausea and vomiting on the day of FPV operation, the treatment of the symptoms was improved by tropisetron; one case had tolerable abdominal pain and improved without special treatment. Pregnant women had no major complications such as cardiac failure, abortion and death. (5) Chromosome karyotype analysis and microarray analysis of amniotic fluid was retained during the operation. No typical chromosome abnormality or other abnormal genetic diagnosis was found. Conclusions: FPV colud be used as an effective intervention measure to promote the development of right ventricle in HRHS fetuses. The scientific management of multidisciplinary professional technical team in perioperative period is particularly important to ensure the success of FPV and the safety of pregnant women and fetuses.

Irradiation resistance mechanism of the CoCrFeMnNi equiatomic high-entropy alloy

When face-centered cubic (FCC) metals and alloys with low stacking fault energy (SFE) are irradiated by high-energy particles or deformed at high speed, stacking fault tetrahedra (SFTs), which are a type of vacancy cluster defect, are often formed. Therefore, SFTs were expected to form in the CoCrFeMnNi equiatomic high-entropy alloy (HEA). However, no SFT was observed in the CoCrFeMnNi HEA with high-speed plastic deformation even after annealing at 873 K. To elucidate this mechanism, the binding energy of vacancy clusters in the CoCrFeMnNi HEA was calculated based on first principles. The binding energy of the di-vacancy cluster was positive (average of 0.25 eV), while that of the tri-vacancy cluster was negative (average of - 0.44 eV), suggesting that the possibility of formation of a tri-vacancy cluster was low. The inability to form a cluster containing three vacancies is attributed to the excellent irradiation resistance of the CoCrFeMnNi HEA. However, if an extra vacancy is added to a tri-vacancy cluster (with negative binding energy), the binding energy of the subsequent tetra-vacancy cluster may become positive. This suggests that it is possible to form vacancy clusters in the CoCrFeMnNi HEA when high-energy ion or neutron irradiation causes cascade damage.

Inhibition of SRSF3 Alleviates Proliferation and Migration of Gastric Cancer Cells by Regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signalling Pathway

This study was aimed to investigate the impact of serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3) on the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer (GC) cells. SRSF3 levels in GC tissues and cell lines were measured by Western blotting. Functional assays were used for evaluation of GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was then examined by Western blotting. SRSF3 exhibits abnormal expression for the significantly increased levels in GC. SRSF3 knockdown significantly suppressed GC progression. SRSF3 knockdown significantly inhibited activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling. Inhibition of SRSF3 alleviates proliferation and migration of GC cells, and this process is mediated by inactivation of PI3K/ AKT/mTOR signalling. Targeting SRSF3 may be a promising strategy to combat GC.

144 Use of the CRISPR/CAS 9 system to produce porcine adipose-derived stem cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein

The goal of our project is to produce porcine adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) stably expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) by using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRIPSR) technique. Fluorescent stem cells can facilitate the tracing and visualisation of stem cell migration, fusion, and participation in tissue regeneration after stem cell injection therapy, and represent a useful tool for tissue engineering research. The production of stem cells containing eGFP from ASCs using the CRISPR gene editing technique is able to reduce the time and labour requirement necessary for harvesting fluorescent cells from transgenic pigs. To generate fluorescent, edited cells, we utilised the ROSA 26 locus of pigs for insertion of the eGFP gene by homology-directed repair of Cas9-cleaved DNA at the ROSA 26 locus. The critical steps of producing stem cells expressing eGFP are (1) cloning of guide oligos into a Cas9 cutting vector and producing a repair template vector to insert GFP; (2) transfecting porcine stem cells with CRISPR plasmids; (3) cell sorting with flow cytometry to isolate colonies expressing GFP. A Rosa 26 Cas9-gRNA cutting vector was produced by cloning a guide RNA sequence into the vector backbone of plasmid pX458-GFP, and the donor vector was produced by the combination of the eGFP gene flanked with ROSA 26 genomic DNA inserted into plasmid pUC57. To isolate cells edited to contain the eGFP gene inserted into the ROSA-26 locus, we transfected 250,000 cells with a 1:1 mass mixture of Cas9-gRNA and eGFP repair plasmid using Lipofectamine STEM reagent (Invitrogen) in three trials. GFP+ cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, plated in 96-well plates, and monitored for colony growth and GFP expression. These trials produced an average of ∼70 colonies from sorting, and ∼1% GFP+ colonies. As pX458 drives expression of GFP as a marker for transfection, we hypothesised that we would potentially isolate more GFP+ edited colonies if we utilised a Cas9-gRNA cutting vector expressing mCherry and sorted for cells expressing both mCherry and GFP. This would allow enrichment of edited cells expressing GFP early after transfection, without interference of cells expressing GFP from the Cas9-gRNA vector alone. Utilising this method, we again obtained an average of ∼70 colonies from sorting, and 3% GFP+ colonies. Results were subjected to Student’s t-test. The comparisons were colonies/cell sorted and GFP+ colonies/cell sorted. All data were expressed as quadratic means+mean SE. When we compared groups, no differences were found for colonies/cell sorted: P=0.53 (1.11 E-03±9.16E-04 and 5.39 E-04±3.77 E-04, respectively, for green-green or red-green) and for GFP+ colonies/cell sorted: P=0.44 (1.94 E-05±2.15E-05 and 4.59 E-05±2.46 E-05, respectively, for green-green or red-green). In conclusion, our attempts to isolate ASC edited to express GFP have been successful, and our initial results suggest that utilising a dual fluorescent label sorting strategy does not enhance the number of GFP+ ASC colonies isolated. Future studies will verify that our GFP+ ASC retain normal stem cell properties.

Screening Accuracy of SARC-F for Sarcopenia in the Elderly: A Diagnostic Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is an age-related disease, which is characterized by a decline in muscle mass and function. It is one of the most important health issues in the elderly and often leads to a high rate and variety of adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the screening accuracy of SARC-F for sarcopenia in the elderly.

DESIGN

We conducted a meta-analysis using articles available in 6 databases including PubMed (Medline), Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), and Wanfang databases from inception to May 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged 60 years and older.

MEASUREMENTS

Sarcopenia was defined by EWGSOP2, EWGSOP, AWGS, FNIH and IWGS. Two authors independently extracted data based on predefined criteria. Where data were available we calculated pooled summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) based on different criteria using the hierarchical logistic regression modeling including bivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) modeling.

RESULTS

We included 20 studies, with the prevalence of sarcopenia ranging from 6.42% to 21.56%. The number of the literatures using EWGSOP, EWGSOP2, AWGS, IWGS and FNIH as diagnostic criteria was 13, 4, 13, 8, 7, respectively. Bivariate analysis yielded a pooled sensitivity of 32% (95%CI:19%-47%), 77% (95%CI: 49%-92%), 27% (95%CI: 16%-42%), 39% (95%CI: 27%-52%), 35% (95%CI: 23%-49%) and a pooled specificity of 86% (95%CI:77%-92%), 63% (95%CI: 43%-79%), 91% (95%CI: 85%-95%), 86% (95%CI: 76%-92%), 89% (95%CI: 81%-93%), respectively. The area under the HSROC curve were 0.68 (95%CI: 0.64-0.72), 0.75 (95%CI: 0.71-0.78), 0.73 (95%CI: 0.69-0.77), 0.67 (95%CI: 0.62-0.71), 0.70 (95%CI: 0.65-0.73), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The screening accuracy of SARC-F was various based on different diagnostic criteria. There were some limitations for SARC-F, however, considering the higher practicability and specificity for screening sarcopenia in practice, SARC-F was still an effective screening tool for sarcopenia in the elderly. And the screening accuracy of SARC-F needs further exploration when EWGSOP2 is applied as diagnostic criteria and geriatric inpatients are the target participants.

Comparing the Performance of Different Instruments for Diagnosing Frailty and Predicting Adverse Outcomes among Elderly Patients with Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To examine the diagnostic performance of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), 11-factor modified frailty index (mFI-11), and 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) for frailty defined by Frailty Phenotype (FP), as well as to compare the predictive ability of TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 for adverse outcomes in hospital among elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Hospitalization setting, Nanjing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

We recruited 259 elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery from a tertiary hospital.

MEASUREMENTS

Frailty was assessed by the FP, TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 before surgery, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to compared the diagnostic performance of TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 using FP as the reference. ROC curves were used to examine the performance of TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 in predicting adverse outcomes. The area under the curve (AUC)>0.70 was regarded as an indicator of good performance.

RESULTS

The prevalence of frailty ranged from 8.5% (mFI-11) to 45.9% (TFI). The AUCs of TFI (AUC: 0.764, p<0.001) was significantly greater than that of mFI-11 (AUC: 0.600, p=0.033) and mFI-5 (AUC: 0.600, p=0.0311) in the detection of frailty defined by FP, with quite different sensitivity and specificity at their original cutoffs. TFI and mFI-11 both had statistically significant but similarly inadequate predictive accuracy for adverse outcomes in hospital, including total complications (AUCs: 0.618; 0.621), PLOS (AUCs: 0.593; 0.639), increased hospital costs (AUCs: 0.594; 0.624), and hypoproteinemia (AUCs: 0.573; 0.600). For the mFI-5, only the predictive ability for hypoproteinemia was statistically significant, with poor accuracy (AUC: 0.592, p<0.0055).

CONCLUSION

The TFI performed slightly better than mFI-11 and mFI-5 in our study. Moreover, future studies are needed to further determine an optimal frailty instrument with great diagnostic and predictive accuracy.

Measurement of single-diffractive dijet production in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te with the CMS and TOTEM experiments

Measurements are presented of the single-diffractive dijet cross section and the diffractive cross section as a function of the proton fractional momentum loss ξ and the four-momentum transfer squared t. Both processesp p → p X andp p → X p , i.e. with the proton scattering to either side of the interaction point, are measured, whereX includes at least two jets; the results of the two processes are averaged. The analyses are based on data collected simultaneously with the CMS and TOTEM detectors at the LHC in proton-proton collisions ats = 8 Te during a dedicated run withβ ∗ = 90 m at low instantaneous luminosity and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 37.5 nb - 1 . The single-diffractive dijet cross section σ jj p X , in the kinematic region ξ < 0.1 ,0.03 < | t | < 1 Ge 2 , with at least two jets with transverse momentump T > 40 Ge , and pseudorapidity | η | < 4.4 , is 21.7 ± 0.9 (stat) - 3.3 + 3.0 (syst) ± 0.9 (lumi) nb . The ratio of the single-diffractive to inclusive dijet yields, normalised per unit of ξ , is presented as a function of x, the longitudinal momentum fraction of the proton carried by the struck parton. The ratio in the kinematic region defined above, for x values in the range - 2.9 ≤ log 10 x ≤ - 1.6 , is R = ( σ jj p X / Δ ξ ) / σ jj = 0.025 ± 0.001 (stat) ± 0.003 (syst) , where σ jj p X and σ jj are the single-diffractive and inclusive dijet cross sections, respectively. The results are compared with predictions from models of diffractive and nondiffractive interactions. Monte Carlo predictions based on the HERA diffractive parton distribution functions agree well with the data when corrected for the effect of soft rescattering between the spectator partons.

Measurement of single-diffractive dijet production in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te with the CMS and TOTEM experiments

Measurements are presented of the single-diffractive dijet cross section and the diffractive cross section as a function of the proton fractional momentum loss ξ and the four-momentum transfer squared t. Both processes p p → p X and p p → X p , i.e. with the proton scattering to either side of the interaction point, are measured, where X includes at least two jets; the results of the two processes are averaged. The analyses are based on data collected simultaneously with the CMS and TOTEM detectors at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te during a dedicated run with β ∗ = 90 m at low instantaneous luminosity and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 37.5 nb - 1 . The single-diffractive dijet cross section σ jj p X , in the kinematic region ξ < 0.1 , 0.03 < | t | < 1 Ge 2 , with at least two jets with transverse momentum p T > 40 Ge , and pseudorapidity | η | < 4.4 , is 21.7 ± 0.9 (stat) - 3.3 + 3.0 (syst) ± 0.9 (lumi) nb . The ratio of the single-diffractive to inclusive dijet yields, normalised per unit of ξ , is presented as a function of x, the longitudinal momentum fraction of the proton carried by the struck parton. The ratio in the kinematic region defined above, for x values in the range - 2.9 ≤ log 10 x ≤ - 1.6 , is R = ( σ jj p X / Δ ξ ) / σ jj = 0.025 ± 0.001 (stat) ± 0.003 (syst) , where σ jj p X and σ jj are the single-diffractive and inclusive dijet cross sections, respectively. The results are compared with predictions from models of diffractive and nondiffractive interactions. Monte Carlo predictions based on the HERA diffractive parton distribution functions agree well with the data when corrected for the effect of soft rescattering between the spectator partons.

Model-Independent Study of Structure in B^{+}→D^{+}D^{-}K^{+} Decays

The only anticipated resonant contributions to B^{+}→D^{+}D^{-}K^{+} decays are charmonium states in the D^{+}D^{-} channel. A model-independent analysis, using LHCb proton-proton collision data taken at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}, is carried out to test this hypothesis. The description of the data assuming that resonances only manifest in decays to the D^{+}D^{-} pair is shown to be incomplete. This constitutes evidence for a new contribution to the decay, potentially one or more new charm-strange resonances in the D^{-}K^{+} channel with masses around 2.9  GeV/c^{2}.

Pattern-recognition receptors in duck (Anas platyrhynchos): identification, expression and function analysis of toll-like receptor 3

1. Innate immunity provides the first line of defence against pathogenic organisms through a myriad of germline encoded receptors called pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, as an important member of PRRs, is indispensable for host defence against viral infection by recognising virus-derived RNAs. However, little is known about the structure and function of TLR3 in ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), a natural host for the avian influenza virus.2. This study cloned the full-length cDNA of duck TLR3 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The cDNA sequence of duck TLR3 was 4046 bp in length and encoded 895 amino acids. Multiple sequence alignment showed that duck TLR3 shared high similarity with that from other vertebrates.3. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis suggested that TLR3 mRNA was constitutively expressed in all tissues tested, having higher levels in the kidney, liver, breast muscle, ovary and heart. After stimulation with viral- or bacterial-mimics, including LPS, poly(I:C), pam3CSK4, FLS-1, FLA-ST and R848, the TLR3 transcript was significantly upregulated. Meanwhile, overexpression of duck TLR3 significantly promoted the transcription of IFN-β, IRF7, TRIF, Mx, STAT1 and STAT2 mRNA after stimulation with poly(I:C).4. These results suggested that TLR3 play an important role in resistance against viral and bacterial infections in ducks.

Constraints on the K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} Branching Fraction

A search for the decay K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.6  fb^{-1} and collected with the LHCb experiment during 2016, 2017, and 2018 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The observed signal yield is consistent with zero, yielding an upper limit of B(K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<2.2×10^{-10} at 90% C.L.. The limit reduces to B(K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<2.1×10^{-10} at 90% C.L. once combined with the result from data taken in 2011 and 2012.

MiR-369-3p inhibits tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma by binding to PAX6

Accepted as crucial participators in human diseases, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to play important roles in cancer progression, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study is to preliminarily elucidate the role of miR-369-3p in HCC. Here, miR-369-3p and PAX6 expressions were detected by RT-qPCR. The functional mechanism of miR-369-3p/PAX6 axis was investigated by MTT, Transwell and luciferase reporter assays. The results showed that miR- 369-3p was downregulated in HCC and was associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage in HCC patients. Functionally, miR-369-3p overexpression inhibited cell viability and motility in HCC. Furthermore, PAX6 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-369-3p, and upregulation of PAX6 exerts carcinogenesis in the development of HCC. PAX6 can weaken the inhibitory effect of miR-369-3p in HCC. In conclusion, miR-369-3p inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells by suppressing PAX6 expression.

Observation of Enhanced Double Parton Scattering in Proton-Lead Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

A study of prompt charm-hadron pair production in proton-lead collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 30  nb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb experiment. Production cross sections for different pairs of charm hadrons are measured and kinematic correlations between the two charm hadrons are investigated. This is the first measurement of associated production of two charm hadrons in proton-lead collisions. The results confirm the predicted enhancement of double parton scattering production in proton-lead collisions compared to the single parton scattering production.

[The difference of surface electromyography data processing method based on simulated manal-lifting-task]

Objective: To study the differences of different signal processing method of surface electromyography (sEMG) in judging muscle fatigue. Methods: From July to October 2019, based on the model of simulated manual lifting operation, the original sEMG signals from 13 volunteers of brachial radial muscle, brachial two-headed muscle, triangle muscle, left vertical spine muscle, right vertical spine muscle and lateral femoral muscle were collected in the operation activities. Three different electromyography signal processing methods (all signal from motion beginning to the end, peak signal and ehe specified motion signal) were used to analyze the original data in time domain (RMS) and frequency domain (MDF) , the data difference between different electromyography signal processing methods was analyzed by using Wilcoxon rank and sum test and nonlinear curve fitting method. Results: The age of the subjects of the simulated lifting operation was (24.31±2.02) years old, height (173.78±4.84) cm, weight (66.28±5.58) kg, body mass index (BMI) 21.94±1.58. The thickness of triceps skinfold was (14.08±4.86) mm, and the thickness of the skin fold under the scapula was (15.54±3.59) mm. After processing the original signal data by using different sEMG signal interception methods, the normality test, Levene's test, and the Wilcoxon test showed that, except for the MDF index of the brachial two-headed muscle, the differences in the RMS and MDF signals of the other muscles were statistically significant (P<0.016) . The all signal processing method dealed with data distribution dispersion better than other methods, and the rate of change of RMS signal slope was higher than other methods. Non-linear regression results showed that all signal processing method had low volatility in processing data, and the regression equation had a high degree of fit. Conclusion: Different electromyography signal processing methods have differences. The all signal processing method which intercepts from starting point to the end point of action cycle has the least data volatility, and electromyography time domain and frequency domain index with the highest sensitivity of time, which is suitable for the application of surface electromyography to judge muscle fatigue in dynamic and complex operations.

Association of placenta-derived extracellular vesicles with pre-eclampsia and associated hypercoagulability: a clinical observational study

OBJECTIVE

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-associated condition initiated by placental factors. We have demonstrated that placental extracellular vesicles (pcEVs) cause hypertension and proteinuria in pregnant and non-pregnant mice.

STUDY DESIGN

An observational study with both case-control and longitudinal designs.

SETTING

A single centre at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University.

POPULATION

We collected blood samples and clinical information from 54 PE patients, 33 normally pregnant women at 30-36 gestational weeks and on postpartum days 1 and 4 for the cross-sectional study, and at 22-31, 32-35 and 36-40 weeks for the longitudinal study. Non-pregnant women were also recruited.

METHODS

Blood samples were analysed using flow cytometry, coagulation tests and ELISA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was plasma pcEV and other extracellular vesicles (EVs), and their expressions of anionic phospholipids and von Willebrand factor (VWF). Secondary variables included coagulation, ADAMTS-13 and the anionic phospholipid-binding proteins.

RESULTS

Plasma pcEVs progressively increased from pregnant women during non-menstrual period (NW) to PE patients (interquartile range [IQR] for NW: 206/microlitre [116-255], normal pregnancy [NP]: 1108/microlitre [789-1969] and PE: 8487/microlitre [4991-16 752]) and predicted PE. EVs from endothelial cells, platelets and erythrocytes accounted for <10% of pcEVs. VWF became hyper-adhesive in PE patients and contributed to the pregnancy-associated hypercoagulability.

CONCLUSION

Placental, platelet- and endothelial cell-derived EVs were significantly elevated in PE patients, but only pcEVs predicted PE. These EVs played a causal role in the pregnancy-induced hypercoagulability.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Placenta-derived extracellular vesicles predict pre-eclampsia and the associated hypercoagulability.

PCAT1 promotes the proliferative and migratory potentials of ovarian cancer via targeting NEK2

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to clarify the potential role of PCAT1 in the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer (OC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Expression levels of PCAT1 and NEK2 in OC tissues and cell lines were detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Correlation between PCAT1 expression with tumor stage and prognosis of OC patients was analyzed. Knockdown or over-expression of PCAT1 and NEK2 were achieved by siRNA or lentivirus transfection, respectively. Subsequently, cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle progression and migration were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry and transwell assay, respectively. Furthermore, the protein levels of relative genes in Wnt pathway were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

PCAT1 was highly expressed in OC tissues and cell lines, especially in tumor tissues with stage III-IV compared with stage I-II. The prognosis of OC patients with higher expression of PCAT1 was significantly worse than those with lower expression. In vitro experiments confirmed that PCAT1 knockdown obviously inhibited proliferative and migratory potentials, whereas induced apoptosis of OC cells. No significant changes were observed in cell cycle progression of OC cells after knockdown or overexpression of PCAT1. Meanwhile, overexpression of PCAT1 remarkably upregulated the expression level of NEK2, which was the target gene of PCAT1. Interestingly, NEK2 knockdown could obviously suppress cell migration. Furthermore, Western blot results elucidated that PCAT1 knockdown could inhibit the protein levels of relative genes in Wnt pathway in OC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

PCAT1 was highly expressed in OC tissues than adjacent normal tissues. PCAT1 overexpression significantly promoted proliferative and migratory potentials, whereas inhibited apoptosis of OC cells through upregulating NEK2 expression via Wnt pathway.

Long non-coding RNA XIST promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by sponging miR-200b-3p

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have proved that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as an important role in many diseases. In this research, lncRNA XIST was explored to identify how it functions in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was utilized to detect XIST expression in HCC patients. Then, we conducted Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assays in vitro. Furthermore, mechanism assays and the interaction between XIST and miR-200b-3p were conducted.

RESULTS

By comparing with XIST expression in adjacent tissues, the XIST expression level was significantly higher in HCC samples. Moreover, functional assays showed that the cell growth ability of HCC cells was inhibited after XIST was silenced in vitro, and tumor formation was inhibited after XIST was silenced in vivo. Further experiments showed that miR-200b-3p was directly targeted by XIST.

CONCLUSIONS

Above results suggest that XIST could enhance the cell growth ability of HCC by targeting miR-200b-3p, which suggest that XIST may be a potential therapeutic target in HCC.

Upregulation of circHIPK3 promotes the progression of gastric cancer via Wnt/β-catenin pathway and indicates a poor prognosis

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the regulatory effect of circular RNA HIPK3 (circHIPK3) on the progression of gastric cancer (GC) by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. We aim to reveal whether the abnormal expression of circHIPK3 could predict the poor prognosis of GC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CircHIPK3 level in GC tissues and paracancerous tissues was determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Its level in GC cell lines (BGC, MGC, SGC and MKN) and gastric mucosal cell line (GES) was examined as well. The correlation between the circHIPK3 level and overall survival of GC was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Regulatory effects of circHIPK3 on the proliferative ability of GC cells were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assay, respectively. Migratory changes influenced by circHIPK3 were explored through wound healing assay. The expression levels of relative genes in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway were detected in GC cells with circHIPK3 knockdown. Finally, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor PNU-74654 was applied for detecting its influence on cellular behaviors of GC cells.

RESULTS

CircHIPK3 level was higher in GC tissues relative to paracancerous tissues. Identically, its level was higher in GC cells compared with that of GES cells. The expression level of circHIPK3 was negatively correlated to the overall survival of GC patients. Silence of circHIPK3 weakened proliferative and migratory abilities of GC cells. In addition, circHIPK3 knockdown markedly downregulated levels of WNT1, TCF4 and β-catenin. Application of PNU-74654 weakened the abilities of GC cells to proliferate and migrate.

CONCLUSIONS

CircHIPK3 promotes GC cells to proliferate and migrate by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Upregulation of circHIPK3 indicates poor prognosis of GC patients.

SHH expression in placental tissues and trophoblast cell oxidative stress injury during preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between Sonic hedgehog (SHH) protein expression levels on placental tissues and the presence of preeclampsia and to assess oxidative stress in cultured trophoblast cells from placentas of women with preeclampsia treated under different conditions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 30 pregnant women with early-onset preeclampsia (<34 weeks), 30 with late-onset preeclampsia (≥34 weeks), and 60 healthy pregnant women with early or late gestational ages for two control groups. We used ELISA tests to measure individual serum SHH levels. Also, we used real-time PCR, and Western blotting to detect Shh transcript and protein levels in placental tissues, respectively, and immunohistochemistry to localize the protein in placental tissues. We isolated trophoblast cells from placentas and cultured them in vitro under different conditions to compare oxidative stress injury and apoptosis rates between them.

RESULTS

The mean serum SHH levels in early and late preeclampsia groups were similar (p>0.05). Placentas of women with and without preeclampsia both expressed SHH protein mainly in syncytiotrophoblast cytoplasms. The mean placental SHH protein expressions in both women with early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia were significantly higher than that in the women of the late gestational age control group (p<0.05). The mean Shh mRNA abundances in early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia placentas were significantly higher than that in the late gestational age control placentas (p<0.05). The placental mitochondria oxidative stress injury was significantly higher in the preeclampsia than in the control group (p<0.05). The oxidative stress injury and apoptosis of trophoblast cells were higher in preeclampsia groups than in the late gestational age control group (p<0.05). Trophoblast cells treated with SHH serum had significantly lower oxidative stress than the same cells grown in the presence of preeclamptic serum (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of Shh in placental tissues is associated with the oxidative stress mechanism during preeclampsia.

The Junctional Epithelium Is Maintained by a Stem Cell Population

The most fundamental function of an epithelial tissue is to act as a barrier, regulating interactions between the external environment and the body. This barrier function typically requires a contiguous cell layer but since teeth penetrate the oral epithelium, a modified barrier has evolved, called the junctional epithelium (JE). In health, the JE attaches to the tooth, sealing the inside of the body against oral micro-organisms. Breakdown of the JE barrier results in periodontal ligament (PDL) disintegration, alveolar bone resorption, and ultimately tooth loss. Using lineage tracing and DNA pulse-chase analyses, we identified an anatomical location in the JE that supported both fast- and slow-cycling Wnt-responsive stem cells that contributed to self-renewal of the tissue. Stem cells produced daughter cells with an extraordinarily high rate of turnover that maintained JE integrity for 1.4 y in mice. Blocking cell proliferation via a chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) eliminated fast-cycling stem cells, which caused JE degeneration, PDL destruction, and bone resorption. Upon removal of 5-Fu, slow-cycling stem cells regenerated both the structure and barrier function of the JE. Taken together, our studies identified a stem cell population in the JE and have potential clinical implications for prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

Highly expressed long non-coding RNA FEZF1-AS1 promotes cells proliferation and metastasis through Notch signaling in prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

Growing studies indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) acted as imperative players in neoplasms initiation and progression. This research was designed to study the potential involvements of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 (FEZF1-AS1) in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real-time PCR was performed to detect the expressions of FEZF1-AS1 in PCa specimens and cell lines. Correlations between G- FEZF1-AS1 expressions and clinical characteristics and overall survivals were determined using statistical methods. The CCK-8 assays, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, transwell, and wound scratch assays were carried out to study cells viability, cells migration, and invasion. Western blot and RT-PCR were used for the determination of the influence of FEZF1-AS1 on Notch signaling pathway.

RESULTS

We found that FEZF1-AS1 expressions were distinctly reduced in human PCa tissues and cell lines compared with their non-tumor counterparts, and its higher levels were strongly associated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.012) and Angiolymphatic invasion (p=0.022). Then, Kaplan-Meier assays showed that patients with higher expressions of FEZF1-AS1 were shown to predict unfavorable overall survival. Cox proportional hazards risks assays revealed that FEZF1-AS1 acted as an independent prognostic factor for PCa. Functional investigations suggested that knockdown of FEZF1-AS1 could suppress cells proliferation, trigger late apoptosis, and inhibit cells invasion and migration. Mechanistic assays demonstrated that FEZF1-AS1 exhibited its tumor-promotive roles by activating the Notch signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggested that FEZF1-AS1 served as a tumor promoter in PCa and may develop a novel therapeutic target for PCa patients.

Long noncoding RNA DSCAM-AS1 is associated with poor clinical prognosis and contributes to melanoma development by sponging miR-136

OBJECTIVE

Accumulating evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are playing critical roles in tumorigenesis. The present study aimed to investigate the expression pattern and effects of lncRNA DSCAM-AS1 (DSCAM-AS1) that was a newly discovered lncRNA in melanoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real-time quantitative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) was performed to determine the expression of DSCAM-AS1 in melanoma tissues and cell lines. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were utilized to assess the association between the DSCAM-AS1 and overall survival of patients in melanoma patients. The CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry assays, transwell and wound scratch assays were performed to determine the biological function of DSCAM-AS1 in tumor cells behaviors. Then, DSCAM-AS1-specific miRNA was further confirmed using the dual-luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting.

RESULTS

In this research, we showed that the expression of DSCAM-AS1 was significantly upregulated in melanoma samples and cell lines. Clinical investigation indicated that higher expression of DSCAM-AS1 was associated with ulceration and advanced stage and led to significantly poorer survival time. High DSCAM-AS1 expression in melanoma was confirmed to be an independent predictor of poor survival of patients using univariate and multivariate analysis. Functional investigations revealed that knockdown of DSCAM-AS1 inhibited the ability of cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, whereas promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations indicated that DSCAM-AS1 could interact with miR-136 and negatively influence the expression of miR-136.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed that DSCAM-AS1 is a novel tumor-related molecule involved in melanoma progression as well as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

Studies of Charm Quark Diffusion inside Jets Using Pb-Pb and pp Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The first study of charm quark diffusion with respect to the jet axis in heavy ion collisions is presented. The measurement is performed using jets with p_{T}^{jet}>60  GeV/c and D^{0} mesons with p_{T}^{D}>4  GeV/c in lead-lead (Pb-Pb) and proton-proton (pp) collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The radial distribution of D^{0} mesons with respect to the jet axis is sensitive to the production mechanisms of the meson, as well as to the energy loss and diffusion processes undergone by its parent parton inside the strongly interacting medium produced in Pb-Pb collisions. When compared to Monte Carlo event generators, the radial distribution in pp collisions is found to be well described by pythia, while the slope of the distribution predicted by sherpa is steeper than that of the data. In Pb-Pb collisions, compared to the pp results, the D^{0} meson distribution for 4<p_{T}^{D}<20  GeV/c hints at a larger distance on average with respect to the jet axis, reflecting a diffusion of charm quarks in the medium created in heavy ion collisions. At higher p_{T}^{D}, the Pb-Pb and pp radial distributions are found to be similar.

Pleiotropic loci underlying bone mineral density and bone size identified by a bivariate genome-wide association analysis

Aiming to identify pleiotropic genomic loci for bone mineral density and bone size, we performed a bivariate GWAS in five discovery samples and replicated in two large-scale samples. We identified 2 novel loci at 2q37.1 and 6q26. Our findings provide insight into common genetic architecture underlying both traits.

INTRODUCTION

Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone size (BS) are two important factors that contribute to the development of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. Both BMD and BS are highly heritable and they are genetically correlated. In this study, we aim to identify pleiotropic loci associated with BMD and BS.

METHODS

We conducted a bivariate genome-wide association (GWA) analysis of hip BMD and hip BS in 6180 participants from 5 samples, followed by in silico replication in the UK Biobank study of BMD (N = 426,824) and the deCODE study of BS (N = 28,954), respectively.

RESULTS

SNPs from 2 genomic loci were significant at the genome-wide significance (GWS) level (p lt; 5 × 10^-8) in the discovery samples and were successfully replicated in the replication samples (2q37.1, lead SNP rs7575512, discovery p = 1.49 × 10^-10, replication p = 0.05; 6q26, lead SNP rs1040724, discovery p = 1.95 × 10^-8, replication p = 0.03). Functional annotations suggested functional relevance of the identified variants to bone development.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide insight into the common genetic architecture underlying BMD and BS, and enhance our understanding of the potential mechanism of osteoporosis fracture.

Genome-wide Analyses Identify a Novel Risk Locus for Nonsyndromic Cleft Palate

The 3 major subphenotypes observed in patients with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) are nonsyndromic cleft lip only (NSCLO), nonsyndromic cleft lip with palate (NSCLP), and nonsyndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO). However, the genetic architecture underlying NSCPO is largely unknown. Here we performed a 2-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) on NSCPO and replication analyses of selected variants in other NSOFCs from the Chinese Han population. We identified a novel locus (15q24.3) and a known locus (1q32.2) where variants in or near the gene reached genome-wide significance (2.80 × 10^-13 < P < 1.72 × 10^-08) in a test for association with NSCPO in a case-control design. Although a variant from 15q24.3 was found to be significantly associated with both NSCPO and NSCLP, the direction of estimated effects on risk were opposite. Our functional annotation of the risk alleles within 15q24.3 coupled with previously established roles of the candidate genes within identified risk loci in periderm development, embryonic patterning, and/or regulation of cellular processes supports their involvement in palate development and the pathogenesis of cleft palate. Our study advances the understanding of the genetic basis of NSOFCs and provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of NSCPO.

MiR-195 inhibits myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats by regulating TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling pathway

The article "MiR-195 inhibits myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats by regulating TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling pathway, by Q. Xu, X.-X. Lin, P. Liu, W. Zhang, K. Tang, Y.-S. Zhai, L.-J. Liu, W.-Y. Mei, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (18): 8087-8094-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201909_19026-PMID: 31599435" has been withdrawn from the authors. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/19026.

LncRNA PVT1 regulates gallbladder cancer progression through miR-30d-5p

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a malignant tumors that develops insidiously and rapidly. In this work, we explored the function of long non-coding RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (lncRNA PVT1) in modulating GBC development. PVT1 and miR-30d-5p expression were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship of PVT1 and miR-30d-5p was analyzed by Dual luciferase activity and Spearman correlation analysis. The effect of PVT1 on GBC progression was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assay. In GBC tissues and cell lines, upregulation of PVT1 and downregulation of miR-30d-5p were observed. PVT1 silencing suppressed cell proliferation and invasion of GBC cells. Based on the analysis of Dual luciferase activity and Spearman correlation, miR-30d-5p was confirmed as a target of PVT1, and their expression had a negative correlation in GBC tissues. Additionally, miR-30d-5p inhibitor could reverse the effects of PVT1 knockdown. These data demonstrated that PVT1 facilitated to GBC tumorigenesis by promoting cell proliferation and invasion via miR-30d-5p, indicating that PVT1 may be a potential biomarker of GBC diagnosis and treatment.

[Magnetic resonance imaging morphological study of the effects of juvenile febrile convulsions on the brain structure of medial temporal lobe epilepsy]

Objective: To investigate the effect of febrile convulsions on gray matter volume (GMV) in medial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) and its correlation with disease duration. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to collect 41 mTLE patients with a history of febrile convulsions (mTLE-FC), 42 mTLE patients with no initial precipitating injury (mTLE-noIPI), and 42 normal and age and sex matched normal controls. High-resolution T1-weighted (T(1)WI) whole brain MR scans were performed on all subjects. Voxel-based morphometry were used to obtain GMV brain maps, and the GMV differences between the three groups of subjects were compared (P<0.01, GRF corrected). Finally, Spearmen rank correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between GMV changes and the course of disease. Results: Compared with the normal control subjects, each mTLE group showed extensive GMV reduction, mainly in the affected hippocampus, thalamus, temporal lobe, and bilateral cerebellum. Further analysis found that mTLE-FC group had more significant reductions in GMV than the mTLE-noIPI group in the affected hippocampus, amygdala, inferior temporal gyrus, contralateral hippocampus, para hippocampus, and inner cingulate gyrus. At the same time, the affected amygdala and hippocampal GMV in the mTLE-FC group was significantly negatively related to the course of disease (r=-0.381, P=0.014), while the mTLE-noIPI group had no downward trend (r=0.081, P=0.611). The atrophic trend of the affected amygdala and hippocampus in patients with mTLE-FC was significantly greater than that in patients with mTLE-noIPI (P=0.029, permutation test). Conclusions: There is extensive damage to the gray matter structure of bilateral cerebral hemispheres, mainly in the hippocampus, in mTLE patients. The brain damage of mTLE patients with a history of juvenile fever convulsions is more extensive and serious, and the trend of progressive exacerbation with the course of the disease is more obvious, suggesting mTLE associated with juvenile fever convulsions may have different pathophysiological mechanisms.

[The clinical value of totally laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy for malignant gastric outlet obstruction]

Objective: To explore the clinical value of totally laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy (TLSPGJ) for malignant gastric outlet obstruction. Methods: The clinical data of 9 gastric cancer patients who underwent TLSPGJ in Department of Pancreatic and Gastric Surgery, Cancer Hospital between September 2018 and September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The mean operative blood loss of 9 cases were (13.3±5.0) ml, and the average operative time was (103.3±10.6) min. All patients received clear flow food on the first day after surgery. Postoperative first exhaust time was (3.1±0.8) days and the average postoperative hospital stay was (5.4±1.1) days. All of the 9 patients could tolerate semi-liquid food at discharge, and no postoperative complications such as bleeding or delayed gastric emptying occurred. Conclusion: TLSPGJ is an effective treatment for gastric output tract obstruction caused by malignant tumor.

Interspecies Comparison of Alveolar Bone Biology, Part I: Morphology and Physiology of Pristine Bone

INTRODUCTION

Few interspecies comparisons of alveolar bone have been documented, and this knowledge gap raises questions about which animal models most accurately represent human dental conditions or responses to surgical interventions.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to employ state-of-the-art quantitative metrics to directly assess and compare the structural and functional characteristics of alveolar bone among humans, mini pigs, rats, and mice.

METHODS

The same anatomic location (i.e., the posterior maxillae) was analyzed in all species via micro-computed tomographic imaging, followed by quantitative analyses, coupled with histology and immunohistochemistry. Bone remodeling was evaluated with alkaline phosphatase activity and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining to identify osteoblast and osteoclast activities. In vivo fluorochrome labeling was used as a means to assess mineral apposition rates.

RESULTS

Collectively, these analyses demonstrated that bone volume differed among the species, while bone mineral density was equal. All species showed a similar density of alveolar osteocytes, with a highly conserved pattern of collagen organization. Collagen maturation was equal among mouse, rat, and mini pig. Bone remodeling was a shared feature among the species, with morphologically indistinguishable hemiosteonal appearances, osteocytic perilacunar remodeling, and similar mineral apposition rates in alveolar bone.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analyses demonstrated equivalencies among the 4 species in a plurality of the biological features of alveolar bone. Despite contradictory results from older studies, we found no evidence for the superiority of pig models over rodent models in representing human bone biology.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT

Animal models are extensively used to evaluate bone tissue engineering strategies, yet there are few state-of-the-art studies that rigorously compare and quantify the factors influencing selection of a given animal model. Consequently, there is an urgent need to assess preclinical animal models for their predictive value to dental research. Our article addresses this knowledge gap and, in doing so, provides a foundation for more effective standardization among animal models commonly used in dentistry.

Measurement of CP-Averaged Observables in the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decay

An angular analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}(→K^{+}π^{-})μ^{+}μ^{-} decay is presented using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7  fb^{-1} of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. The full set of CP-averaged observables are determined in bins of the invariant mass squared of the dimuon system. Contamination from decays with the K^{+}π^{-} system in an S-wave configuration is taken into account. The tension seen between the previous LHCb results and the standard model predictions persists with the new data. The precise value of the significance of this tension depends on the choice of theory nuisance parameters.

Identification and characterization of long non-coding RNAs as competing endogenous RNAs in the cold stress response of Triticum aestivum

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in plant development and stress responses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation. It is not clear how lncRNA-mediated plant responses to cold stress and how lncRNAs, miRNAs and target mRNAs cooperate subject to the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). We interpreted the function of lncRNAs in the winter wheat cultivar Dongnongdongmai 1 (Dn1). A total of 9970 putative lncRNAs were initially identified from three Dn1 lncRNA libraries (5 °C, -10 °C and -25 °C) using high-throughput sequencing. Among the 14,626 genes detected via weighted gene co-expression network analysis, 7435 lncRNAs were co-expressed with 7191 mRNAs. We found six modules related to cold resistance in the lncRNA-mRNA weighted co-expression network, and the functions of mRNAs were similar in each module. Antioxidant systems and hormones played important roles in low-temperature responses. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that interactions between the 384 lncRNAs and 70 miRNAs were required for ceRNA activity. According to ceRNA activity, 225 lncRNAs, 60 miRNAs and 621 target mRNAs were involved in the regulatory networks of the cold stress response. Notably, a conserved region was found in the complementary regions of lncRNAs and miR164/408 but had reverse expression trends in the ceRNA network. Our results reveal possible roles of lncRNAs-mRNAs in the regulatory networks associated with tolerance to low temperature and provide useful information for more strategic use of genomic resources in wheat breeding.