[Increased risk of cardiovascular disease in elderly population with carotid plaque and low ankle brachial index]

Objective: To investigate whether the co-presence of carotid plaques and low ankle-brachial index (ABI) might increase the risks of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event in elderly population. Methods: It was a prospective study. Participants from the elderly cohort of the Kailuan Study, who completed a carotid sonography and ABI examination, were included in this study. Participants underwent physical examinations between 2010 and 2011 and were divided into 3 groups: no carotid plaque and ABI>0.9 group (n=526), carotid plaque and ABI>0.9 group (n=1 067), and carotid plaques and ABI≤0.9 group (n=49). Follow up ended on the 31 December 2016. The incidence of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event was compared between the 3 groups, the relationship between carotid plaque and low ABI with ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event was analyzed. Results: A total of 1 642 participants were included (age, (67.1±6.4) years). There were 1 028 males (62.6%) and 1 028 females(37.4%). The average follow-up time was 5.41 years, the incidence of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event in the 3 group was 2.1%(11/526), 5.5%(59/1 067), and 12.2%(6/49),respectively; the incidence of myocardial infarction in the 3 group was 0.2%(1/526), 1.6%(17/1 067), 10.2%(5/49), respectively; the incidence of cerebral infarction in the 3 group was 1.9%(10/526), 3.9%(42/1 067) and 2.0%(1/49), respectively. Multivariate Cox risk proportional regression analysis showed that compared with the group without carotid plaque and ABI>0.9, the HR values (95%CI) of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event in the group with carotid plaque and ABI>0.9, carotid plaques and ABI≤0.9 group were 3.52 (1.49-8.35), 7.16(2.11-24.26) respectively, after adjusting for sex,age,systolic blood pressure,fast blood glucose,body mass index,total cholesterol,smoke,alcohol consumption and lipid-lowering medication and antihypertensive medication. Conclusions: Co-presence of carotid plaques and low ankle-brachial index may further increase the risk of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event among elderly population in this cohort.

[Impact of systolic blood pressure on outcome of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation]

Objective: To investigate the impact of different levels of systolic blood pressure on all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Patients with AF or atrial flutter diagnosed by 12 lead electrocardiogram during physical examination of Kailuan Group employees from July 2006 to December 2017 or previously diagnosed with AF in an inpatient setting at a level 2A hospital or above were eligible for the study. Baseline clinical characteristics including age, gender, systolic blood pressure were collected. According to the level of systolic blood pressure, patients were divided into systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)group, 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg group, and systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg group. The time of first diagnosis with AF was defined as the start of follow-up and the final follow-up ended at December 2018. Primary endpoint was all-cause death. Related information was obtained through the social security system or inpatient medical records. The cause of death was defined according to the International Classification of Diseases disease (ICD-10) codes by professional medical stuffs. Multifactorial Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the relative risk ratios for the occurrence of death in different systolic blood pressure level groups. The relationship between systolic blood pressure levels and mortality in the patients with AF was analyzed by using natural spline function curves. Results: A total of 1 721 patients with AF were enrolled (average age=(67.0±9.0) years), patients were followed up for (6.3±3.8) years. 544 out of 1 721 patients with AF died during the follow-up period (31.61%). The cumulative incidence rate of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death was 26.13%, 25.59%, 36.96% and 14.86%, 11.87%, 19.76% respectively in the systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg, 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg and systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg groups. The cumulative incidence rate of all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death was significantly higher in the group with systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg than in 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg group (P<0.05). Compared with 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg group, multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models showed that the HRs (95%CI) for all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death were 1.47 (1.20 to 1.79) and 1.69 (1.27 to 2.26) for the group with systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg (P<0.05). In contrast, the HRs (95%CI) for all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death in the systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg group were 0.99 (0.73-1.35) and 1.24 (0.82-1.89), respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The natural spline curve showed that there was a "U" relationship between systolic blood pressure levels and all cause death and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death in this patient cohort. Systolic blood pressure greater than or less than 123 mmHg was associated with increased risk of death of AF patients in this cohort. Conclusion: Compared with systolic blood pressure<120 mmHg and systolic blood pressure≥140 mmHg group, the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death is the lowest in AF patients with 120 mmHg ≤ systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg in this cohort.

Amphibian regeneration and mammalian cancer: Similarities and contrasts from an evolutionary biology perspective: Comparing the regenerative potential of mammalian embryos and urodeles to develop effective strategies against human cancer

Here we review and discuss the link between regeneration capacity and tumor suppression comparing mammals (embryos versus adults) with highly regenerative vertebrates. Similar to mammal embryo morphogenesis, in amphibians (essentially newts and salamanders) the reparative process relies on a precise molecular and cellular machinery capable of sensing abnormal signals and actively reprograming or eliminating them. As the embryo's evil twin, tumor also retains common functional attributes. The immune system plays a pivotal role in maintaining a physiological balance to provide surveillance against tumor initiation or to support its initiation and progression. We speculate that susceptibility to cancer development in adult mammals may be determined by the loss of an advanced regenerative capability during evolution and believe that gaining mechanistic insights into how regenerative capacity linked to tumor suppression is postnatally lost in mammals might illuminate an as yet unrecognized route to cancer treatment.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells as cellular immunotherapy in transplantation and autoimmune diseases

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells, which have been characterized for their immunosuppressive capacity through multiple mechanisms. These cells have been extensively studied in the field of tumor immunity. Emerging evidence has highlighted its essential role in maintaining immune tolerance in transplantation and autoimmunity. Because of their robust immune inhibitory activities, there has been growing interest in MDSC-based cellular therapy. Various pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that the adoptive transfer of MDCS represented a promising therapeutic strategy for immune-related disorders. In this review, we summarize relevant studies of MDSC-based cell therapy in transplantation and autoimmune diseases and discuss the challenges and future directions for clinical application of MDSC-based cell therapy.

Cellular viability and death biomarkers enables the evaluation of ocular irritation using the bovine corneal opacity and permeability assay

The BCOP assay is used in the identification of chemicals that cause no ocular irritation or serious damage. However, this method has not been found to adequately discriminate between mild from moderate ocular irritation (category 2A/2B), based upon the animal data. In this study, we aimed to establish methods for discerning ocular irritation by chemicals. We used the BCOP assay and the fluorescence staining methods based on biomarkers for cellular viability and death. The potential for ocular irritation by 12 chemicals from different UN GHS categories was assessed by the BCOP assay. Cryosections of bovine corneas were obtained. The necrotic nucleus was TUNEL labeled, cytoplasmic f-actin was stained by phalloidin while the nucleus was stained by DAPI. The depth of injury (DOI) was then measured. According to BCOP assay, in vivo data of Draize eye test and DOI, the results showed that category NC irritants caused ≤ 10 % epithelial DOI, irritants of category 2B caused >10 % epithelial DOI and showed no stromal damage, while category 2A showed damage to the stroma. Based on these results, the GHS prediction model could distinguish between GHS 2A and 2B. Authenticating the viability of BCOP by DOI measurements can provide a more reliable basis for classifying ocular irritants.

microRNAs expression profiles in Schistosoma japonicum of different sex 14 and 28 days post-infection

Different miRNAs are involved in the life cycles of Schistosoma japonicum. The aim of this study was to examine the expression profile of miRNAs in individual S. japonicum of different sex before and after pairing (18 and 24 dpi). The majority of differential expressed miRNAs were highly abundant at 14 dpi, except for sja-miR-125b and sja-miR-3505, in both male and female. Moreover, it was estimated that sja-miR-125b and sja-miR-3505 might be related to laying eggs. sja-miR-2a-5p and sja-miR-3484-5p were expressed at 14 dpi in males and were significantly clustered in DNA topoisomerase III, Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 and L-serine/L-threonine ammonia-lyase. Target genes of sja-miR-2d-5p, sja-miR-31- 5p and sja-miR-125a, which were expressed at 14 dpi in males but particularly females, were clustered in kelch-like protein 12, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, class I, and heat shock protein 90 kDa beta. Predicted target genes of sja-miR-3483-3p (expressed at 28 dpi in females but not in males) were clustered in 26S proteasome regulatory subunit N1, ATPdependent RNA helicase DDX17. Predicted target genes of sja-miR-219-5p, which were differentially expressed at 28 dpi in females but particularly males, were clustered in DNA excision repair protein ERCC-6, protein phosphatase 1D, and ATPase family AAA domaincontaining protein 3A/B. Moreover, at 28 dpi, eight miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in females compared to males. The predicted target genes of these miRNAs were significantly clustered in heat shock protein 90 kDa beta, 26S proteasome regulatory subunit N1, and protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1. To sum up, differentially expressed miRNAs may have an essential role and provide necessary information on clarifying this trematode's growth, development, maturation, and infection ability to mammalian hosts in its complex life cycle, and may be helpful for developing new drug targets and vaccine candidates for schistosomiasis.

Synthesis and biological activities of novel trifluoromethylpyridine amide derivatives containing sulfur moieties

A series of trifluoromethylpyridine amide derivatives containing sulfur moieties (thioether, sulfone and sulfoxide) was designed and synthesized. Their antibacterial activities against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), Ralstonia solanacearum (R. solanacearum) and insecticidal activities against P. xylostella were evaluated. Notably, the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of sulfone-containing compound F10 is 83 mg L-1 against Xoo, which is better than that of commercial thiodiazole copper (97 mg L-1) and bismerthiazol (112 mg L-1). Thioether-containing compounds E1, E3, E5, E6, E10, E11 and E13 showed much higher activities against R. solanacearum with the EC50 value from 40 to 78 mg L-1, which are much lower than that of thiodiazole copper (87 mg L-1) and bismerthiazol (124 mg L-1). Generally, most of the sulfone-containing compounds and sulfoxide-containing compounds showed higher activities against Xoo than that of the corresponding thioether-containing compound, but most of the thioether-containing compounds contributed higher antibacterial activities against R. solanacearum. Furthermore, title compounds E3, E11, E24 and G2 showed good insecticidal activities of 75%, 70%, 70% and 75%, respectively.

Analyzing One Cell at a TIME: Analysis of Myeloid Cell Contributions in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment

Tumor-mediated regulation of the host immune system involves an intricate signaling network that results in the tumor's inherent survival benefit. Myeloid cells are central in orchestrating the mechanisms by which tumors escape immune detection and continue their proliferative programming. Myeloid cell activation has historically been classified using a dichotomous system of classical (M1-like) and alternative (M2-like) states, defining general pro- and anti-inflammatory functions, respectively. Explosions in bioinformatics analyses have rapidly expanded the definitions of myeloid cell pro- and anti-inflammatory states with different combinations of tissue- and disease-specific phenotypic and functional markers. These new definitions have allowed researchers to target specific subsets of disease-propagating myeloid cells in order to modify or arrest the natural progression of the associated disease, especially in the context of tumor-immune interactions. Here, we discuss the myeloid cell contribution to solid tumor initiation and maintenance, and strategies to reprogram their phenotypic and functional fate, thereby disabling the network that benefits tumor survival.

[Total cholesterol and the risk of primary liver cancer in Chinese males: a prospective cohort study]

Objective: To investigate the association between total cholesterol (TC) and primary liver cancer in Chinese males. Methods: Since May 2006, all the male workers, including the employees and the retirees in Kailuan Group were recruited in the Kailuan male dynamic cohort study. Information about demographics, medical history and TC levels was collected at the baseline interview, as well as information on newly-diagnosed primary liver cancer cases during the follow-up period. A total of 110 612 males were recruited in the cohort by 31 December 2015. TC levels were divided into four categories by quartile (<4.27, 4.27-4.90, 4.90-5.56 and ≥5.56 mmol/L), with the first quartile group serving as the referent category. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the association between TC levels and primary liver cancer risk. Results: By December 31, 2015, a follow-up of 861 711.45 person-years was made with a median follow-up period of 8.83 years. During the follow-up, 355 primary liver cancer cases were identified. Compared with the first quartile, the HR of incident primary liver cancer among participants with the second, third and highest quartile TC levels were 0.76 (95%CI: 0.58-1.01), 0.59 (95%CI: 0.43-0.79), and 0.36 (95%CI: 0.25-0.52), respectively after adjusting for age, educational level, income level, smoking status, drinking status, body mass index, and HBsAg status (P_{for trend}<0.001). Subgroup analyses found that the association between TC levels and primary liver cancer was robust (all P_{for trend}<0.05). The results didn't change significantly after exclusion of newly-diagnosed cases within the first 2 years, males with history of cirrhosis or subjects who took antihyperlipidemic drugs, participants with higher TC levels had a lower risk of primary liver cancer (all P_{for trend}<0.05) and HR(95%CI) of incident primary liver cancer among participants with the highest quartile TC levels were 0.41 (0.28-0.61), 0.36 (0.25-0.53) and 0.38 (0.26-0.54), respectively. Conslusion: In this large prospective study, we found that baseline TC levels were inversely associated with primary liver cancer risk, and low TC level might increase the risk of primary liver cancer.

[A cohort study on the association between resting heart rate and the risk of new-onset heart failure]

Objective: To prospectively explore the relationship between resting heart rate (RHR) and risk of new-onset heart failure. Methods: It was a prospective cohort study. People who attended the physical examination of Kailuan Group Company in 2006 and with complete electrocardiography (ECG) recordings were eligible for this study. A total of 88 879 participants aged 18 years old or more who were free of arrhythmia, a prior history of heart failure and were not treated with β-blocker were included. Participants were divided into 5 groups according to the quintiles of RHR at baseline (Q(1) group, 40-60 beats/minutes (n=18 168) ; Q(2) group, 67-70 beats/minutes (n=18 970) ; Q(3) group, 71-74 beats/minutes (n=13 583) ; Q(4) group, 75-80 beats/minutes (n=22 739) ; and Q(5) group,>80 beats/minutes (n=15 419) ) .The general clinical data and laboratory test results were collected. The outcome was the first occurrence of heart failure at the end of follow-up (December 31, 2016) .We used Cox regression model to examine the association between RHR and the risk of new-onset heart failure. Hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox regression modeling. Results: Among the included patients 68 411 participants were male, mean age was (51.0±12.3) years old, and RHR was (74±10) beats/minutes. Statistically significant differences among the RHR quintiles were found for the following variables: age, gender, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, body mass index, the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, education status, physical activity, smoking status, drinking status, history of diabetes, history of hypertension and history of use antihypertensive drugs (all P<0.01) . Higher RHR was linked with higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension history, and higher systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and FBG levels (all P<0.01). After a mean follow-up of 9.5 years, the incidence of new-onset heart failure in Q(1), Q(2), Q(3), Q(4) and Q(5) groups was 1.60%(290/18 168), 1.36%(258/18 970), 1.80%(245/13 583), 1.76%(400/22 739) and 2.35%(362/15 419),respectively (P<0.01) . The person-year incidence of heart failure in Q(1), Q(2), Q(3), Q(4) and Q(5) groups was 1.7, 1.5, 1.9, 1.9 and 2.6 per 1 000 person-years respectively. Compared with the Q(2) group, multivariate analysis with adjustment for major traditional cardiovascular risk factors showed that HRs of Q(3),Q(4),and Q(5) group were 1.23 (95%CI 1.03-1.48, P<0.05) , 1.19 (95%CI 1.01-1.41, P<0.05) , 1.39 (95%CI 1.18-1.65, P<0.01) , respectively. In the absence of hypertension, diabetes, smoking and acute myocardial infarction, the Cox regression model showed that compared with Q(2) group, the HR of new-onset heart failure in Q(5) group was 1.58 (95%CI 1.02-2.45, P<0.05) . Conclusion: Increased RHR is associated with increased risk of new-onset heart failure in this cohort.

Mathematical prediction of clinical outcomes in advanced cancer patients treated with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy

We present a mechanistic mathematical model of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy to address the oncological need for early, broadly applicable readouts (biomarkers) of patient response to immunotherapy. The model is built upon the complex biological and physical interactions between the immune system and cancer, and is informed using only standard-of-care CT. We have retrospectively applied the model to 245 patients from multiple clinical trials treated with anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies. We found that model parameters distinctly identified patients with common (n = 18) and rare (n = 10) malignancy types who benefited and did not benefit from these monotherapies with accuracy as high as 88% at first restaging (median 53 days). Further, the parameters successfully differentiated pseudo-progression from true progression, providing previously unidentified insights into the unique biophysical characteristics of pseudo-progression. Our mathematical model offers a clinically relevant tool for personalized oncology and for engineering immunotherapy regimens.

Parasitological and molecular detection of human fascioliasis in a young man from Guizhou, China

A 24-year-old man born in Guizhou province was diagnosed with obstructive jaundice and bile duct stones in 2013. Four living trematodes were found during laparotomy and cholecystectomy. Based on the morphology and molecular genetics analysis of internal transcribed spacer and pcox1 genes of the flatworm specimens, the trematodes from the patient were confirmed to be Fasciola hepatica. This report provided the clinical and molecular diagnosis information on human fascioliasis, which is an emerging sanitary problem still ignored in China. Human fascioliasis constantly occurs due to climatic changes and frequency of human travel. Therefore, it deserves more attention from physicians working in both developing and developed countries.

[Analysis of influencing factors of ureteral anastomotic stenosis following urinary diversion after laparoscopic radical cystectomy]

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors of ureteroenteric strictures (UES) in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical cystectomy plus urinary diversion (UD). Method: A total of 412 patients who underwent UD after radical prostatectomy from January 2008 to December 2016 were retrospectively included in this study. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), diversion type, time to diagnosis of UES, duration of ureteral stent, postoperative complications, including urinary tract infections, ureteroenteric leakage and UES were collected. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to describe time to developing UES. Prognostic factors of UES were analyzed using COX proportional hazard regression model. Result: Median follow-up time was 37 (IQR 17-120) months. A total of 59 patients (70 sides) developed UES, including 34 cases on the left side, 14 cases on the right side and 11 cases on both sides, following UD after radical cystectomy. The median time to diagnosis of UES was 7 (IQR 4-11) months. The total incidence of UES was 14.3%. The incidence of UES was 10.9%, 13.3% and 14.1% at 1, 3 and 5 years after UD, respectively. Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis demonstrated that BMI≥25kg·m(-2) (P=0.008), ureteroenteric leakage (P=0.001) and urinary tract infections (P=0.037) were the independent risk factors associated with UES following UD after radical cystectomy. Conclusion: The incidence rate of UES following UD after radical cystectomy was relatively high, which occurs more common on the left side. Obese patients, combined with ureteroenteric leakage, urinary tract infection after UD, are more likely to develop into UES.

[Progress in epidemiologic research of association between anthropometric indicators and risk for gastric cancer]

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancer. Studies have been conducted to evaluate the association between anthropometric indicators and gastric cancer, but the results were inconsistent. Therefore, a literature retrieval was conducted by using PubMed and Wanfang databases to summarize the latest research progress in the cohort study of the association between anthropometric indicators and the risk for gastric cancer. It was found that both general obesity and abdominal obesity might increase the risk for gastric cancer, while the association between underweight and gastric cancer needs further study. This paper summarizes the progress in the cohort study of association between anthropometric indicators for the risk for gastric cancer in order to provide evidence for the prevention and control of gastric cancer.

[Application of diffusion tensor imaging combined with virtual reality three-dimensional reconstruction in the operation of gliomas involved eloquent regions]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the values of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and virtual reality (VR) techniques in design surgery program of gliomas near eloquent regions.

METHODS

In this study, 35 cases were retrospectively analyzed with gliomas involved language areas or rolandic regions operated in Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University Third Hospital from January 2015 to January 2019. Surgery programs were performed by Dextroscope virtual reality system. The pre-operative data, such as the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA) and DTI was transferred into the VR computer for restitution,Tumors, neural fiber tracts and blood vessels were reconstructed to simulate operation and design individual surgical plan. Neurological function was evaluated 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after operation.

RESULTS

Virtual reality three-dimensional images of the 35 cases were successfully achieved, including neural fiber tracts,blood vessels and the lesions. The displacement and destruction of fiber tracts, the anatomic relationship between tumor and important fiber bundle, artery and vein could be shown clearly. Surgical simulation and surgery program of VR of the 35 patients were successfully performed. The 3D images obtained from virtual reality near to the real surgery. Ten of the 35 cases were defined as rolandic regions tumors, 14 of the 35 cases were defined as language areas tumors and 11 of the 35 cases involved both language areas and rolandic regions. Complete resection of enhancing tumor (CRET) was achieved in 30 cases (85.7%), subtotal resection in 5 cases (14.3%), neurological function improved in 34 cases (97.1%) after operation,and 1 case had no improvement compared with that before(2.9%). Thirteen cases without neurological deficit pre-operation, showed transient neurological deficit ,which were recovered about 10 days post-operation, 12 of 22 cases with pre-operative neurologic deficit, improved one week postoperation, 9 of 22 cases with pre-operative neurologic deficit improved one month after operation, the rest 1 case was recurrent with glioblastoma with aggravated hemiplegia symptom after operation, who died of cerebral hernia 2 months later.

CONCLUSION

Dextroscope virtual reality system can clearly expose and quantify the 3D anatomic relationship of tumors, neural fiber tracts and blood vessels surrounding gliomas near eloquent regions, which is helpful to design the best individualized surgery program, to improve surgical effect.

[Association between resting heart rate trajectory pattern and risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases]

Objective: To examine whether the long-term resting heart rate (RHR) pattern can predict the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs). Methods: This prospective cohort study included 63 040 participants who took part in the health examination in 2006 and one of the health examinations on 2008 or 2010 and were free of myocardial infarction, stroke, arrhythmia, cancer and not treated with β-recepter blocker. The outcomes were the first occurrence of myocardial infarction and stroke during the follow up ended on December 31, 2015. RHRs were measured in 2006, 2008, and 2010. We used latent mixture modeling SAS Proc procedure to identify RHR trajectories. We identified 4 distinct RHR trajectory patterns based on the data derived from 2006 and on the pattern change during 2006 to 2010 (low-stable, moderate-stable, moderate-increasing, elevated-decreasing). Collected the general clinical data of the patients. Cox regression model was used to determine the association between RHR trajectory patterns and the risk of CVDs during follow up. Hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox regression modeling. Results: There were statistical significance among the 4 distinct RHR trajectory patterns on the following variables: age, gender, smoking status, drinking status, physical activity, education status, history of use antihypertensive drugs, history of hypertension,history of diabetes, body mass index, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (all P<0.01). The moderate-increasing pattern experienced the highest risk of developing stroke and CVDs among all 4 patterns. The cumulative incidence of cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage and CVDs in the order of low-stable trajectory, moderate-stable trajectory and moderate-increasing trajectory. The cumulative incidences of cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage and CVDs in elevated-decreasing trajectory group were significantly lower than those in moderate-increasing trajectory group, but higher than those in moderate-stable trajectory group. Compared to the low-stable pattern, adjusted HR was 1.3 (95%CI 1.0-1.6) for the moderate-increasing pattern after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusion: Our study finds that individuals with moderate-increasing RHR trajectory pattern are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular and CVDs.

[Association between sleep duration and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity]

Objective: To investigate the association between sleep duration and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Methods: A cross-sectional study method was used to observe 38 604 employees of Kailuan Group who participated in the physical examination and the baPWV test from January 2010 to July 2018. The age was (51.6±11.1) years old. There were 72.4% (27 955/38 604) male participants. According to the sleep duration, subjects were divided into 5 groups including ≤ 5 hours group (3 762 cases),>5 hours and ≤6 hours group (9 585 cases),>6 hours and ≤7 hours group (12 604 cases), >7 hours and ≤8 hours group (11 921 cases) and >8 hours group (732 cases). Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between sleep duration and the baPWV. Results: The age was (51.6±11.1) years old. There were 72.4% (27 955/38 604) male participants. The prevalence of baPWV≥14 m/s in ≤ 5 hours group, >5 hours and ≤6 hours group, >6 hours and ≤7 hours group, >7 hours and ≤8 hours group, and >8 hours group was 63.5% (2 389/3 762), 58.9% (5 645/9 585), 55.0% (6 926/12 604), 53.3% (6 356/11 921) and 54.8% (401/732) respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors including age, gender, smoking, drinking, physical exercise, snoring, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, body mass index≥24 kg/m(2), mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and C-reactive protein, the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the OR were 1.48 (95%CI 1.29-1.70, P<0.01) and 1.18 (95%CI 1.07-1.30, P<0.01) respectively for baPWV≥14 m/s in ≤ 5 hours and >5 hours and ≤6 hours group when compared with >7 hours and ≤ 8 hours group. Conclusion: Short sleep duration is associated with elevated baPWV in mid-aged Chinese population.

Search for K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] and K_{L}→π^{0}X^{0} Decays at the J-PARC KOTO Experiment

A search for the rare decay K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] was performed. With the data collected in 2015, corresponding to 2.2×10^{19} protons on target, a single event sensitivity of (1.30±0.01_{stat}±0.14_{syst})×10^{-9} was achieved and no candidate events were observed. We set an upper limit of 3.0×10^{-9} for the branching fraction of K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] at the 90% confidence level (C.L.), which improved the previous limit by almost an order of magnitude. An upper limit for K_{L}→π^{0}X^{0} was also set as 2.4×10^{-9} at the 90% C.L., where X^{0} is an invisible boson with a mass of 135  MeV/c^{2}.

High performance and high power circularly polarized horn antenna for K-band microwave processing systems

A single-ridged K-band circularly polarized horn antenna offering excellent performance has been developed by improving the polarization conversion and manufacturing complexity. The numerical and experimental results are consistent showing the return loss of this antenna to be less than -20 dB and the axial ratio at the boresight direction to be less than 0.7 dB in the frequency range from 23.5 GHz to 24.5 GHz. In addition, the gain of this antenna is higher than 20 dB. The newly designed circularly polarized horn antenna has a simple structure and outperforms many existing circular polarization devices in high-power operations.

[Association between total cholesterol and risk of lung cancer incidence in men: a prospective cohort study]

Objective: To assess the association and intensity of baseline TC level with the incidence of lung cancer in men in China. Methods: Since May 2006, all the male workers, including the employees and the retirees in Kailuan Group were recruited in the Kailuan male dynamic cohort study. Information about demographics, medical history, anthropometry and TC level were collected at the baseline interview, as well as the information of newly-diagnosed lung cancer cases during the follow-up period. According to guidelines for blood lipids in Chinese adults and the distribution in the population, TC level was classified into five groups as followed: <160, 160-, 180-, 200- and ≥240 mg/dl, with the second quintile group (160- mg/dl) serving as the referent category. Cox proportional hazards regression model and restricted cubic spline (RCS) model were used to evaluate the association and the nonlinear association between baseline TC level and the risk of lung cancer in the men. Results: By December 31, 2014, for the 109 884 men, a follow up of 763 819.25 person-years was made with a median follow-up period of 7.88 years. During the follow up, 808 lung cancer cases were identified. After adjustment for age, education level, income level, smoking status, alcohol consumption level, history of dust exposure, FPG level and BMI, HR (95%CI) of lung cancer for men with lower TC level (<160 mg/dl) and higher TC level (≥240 mg/dl) were 1.34 (1.04- 1.72) and 1.45 (1.09-1.92), respectively, compared with men with normal TC level (160- mg/dl). The results didn't change significantly after exclusion of newly diagnosed cancer cases within 2 years of follow up and subjects with the history of hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: Our results showed that TC might be associated with higher risk of lung cancer. Men with lower TC level or higher TC level had higher risk for lung cancer. Keep moderate TC level might be one of the effective precaution for the prevention of lung cancer.

[Mechanism of action for oligomeric proanthocyaniclins in pava qnat-induced acute lung injury]

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) in mice exposed to paraquat (PQ) , and to explore the molecular mechanism. Methods: Four experimental groups were designed.

CONTROL GROUP

10 BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline) . PQ group: 10 BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with PQ (100 mg/kg) . PQ+OPC group: 10 BALB/c mice were administered with OPC (100 mg/kg) for 1 h before PQ (100 mg/kg) expo-sure. OPC group: 10 BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with OPC (100 mg/kg) . The peripheral blood samples or lung tissue samples were collected at the designed time points for measuring the levels of oxi-dative stress indicators, the related protein levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway and nuclear fac-tor erythroid related factor-2 (Nrf2) pathway. Results: Compared with the control group, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) , the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the PQ group were significantly induced, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the PQ group was decreased in the peripheral blood. As com-pared with the PQ group, the level of ROS and the content of MDA in the PQ+OPC group were significantly re-duced, the activity SOD in the PQ+OPC group was increased in the peripheral blood; the level of ROS and the content of MDA were also reduced in lung tissues in the PQ+OPC group. Moreover, compared with the con-trol group, the phosphorylation of IκBα and the expression of NF-κB p65 were increased in lung tissues in the PQ group. The phosphorylation of IκBα and the expression of NF-κB p65 were decreased in lung tissues in the PQ+OPC group as compared with the PQ group. In addition, compared with the control group, the expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2 were increased in lung tissues in OPC group, and these were decreased in lung tissues in PQ groups. Furthermore, the expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2 were also increased in lung tissues in PQ+OPC as com-pared with the PQ group. Conclusion: OPC could alleviate PQ-induced systemic toxicity in mice by regulating oxidative stress via NF-κB and Nrf2 pathway.

Blocking immunoinhibitory receptor LILRB2 reprograms tumor-associated myeloid cells and promotes antitumor immunity

Tumor-associated myeloid cells maintain immunosuppressive microenvironments within tumors. Identification of myeloid-specific receptors to modulate tumor-associated macrophage and myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) functions remains challenging. The leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B (LILRB) family members are negative regulators of myeloid cell activation. We investigated how LILRB targeting could modulate tumor-associated myeloid cell function. LILRB2 antagonism inhibited receptor-mediated activation of SHP1/2 and enhanced proinflammatory responses. LILRB2 antagonism also inhibited AKT and STAT6 activation in the presence of M-CSF and IL-4. Transcriptome analysis revealed that LILRB2 antagonism altered genes involved in cell cytoskeleton remodeling, lipid/cholesterol metabolism, and endosomal sorting pathways, as well as changed differentiation gene networks associated with inflammatory myeloid cells as opposed to their alternatively activated phenotype. LILRB2 blockade effectively suppressed granulocytic MDSC and Treg infiltration and significantly promoted in vivo antitumor effects of T cell immune checkpoint inhibitors. Furthermore, LILRB2 blockade polarized tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells from non-small cell lung carcinoma tumor tissues toward an inflammatory phenotype. Our studies suggest that LILRB2 can potentially act as a myeloid immune checkpoint by reprogramming tumor-associated myeloid cells and provoking antitumor immunity.

[Analysis on the gender-specific risk factors of new-onset cerebral hemorrhage]

Objective: To explore the gender-specific risk factors of new-onset cerebral hemorrhage. Methods: In this prospective cohort study,a total of 98 961 participants((51.1±12.6)years old), who underwent the 2006 to 2007 physical examination and met the inclusion criteria, were enrolled from the Kailuanstudy cohort. There were 78 908 (79.7%) male,and 20 053 (20.3%) female.The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage was observed once per year until December 31, 2016.The difference on the incidence of cerebral hemorrhage between male and female was compared. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was applied to analyze therisk factors of cerebral hemorrhage events among different genders. Results: The participants were followed up for(10.00±0.73) years,and 860 cerebral hemorrhage events were recorded during follow up. The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage in the population was 86.90/10 million person years (standardized incidence rate of 47.85/10 million person years). The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage was significantly higher in male (49.61/10 million person years) than in female (34.07/10 million person years, P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that 45-59 years old, ≥ 60 years old, diabetes,and waist-hip ratio were more strongly related to new-onset of cerebral hemorrhage events in female than in male, and the hazard ratios(95%CI) were 2.33 (1.23-4.43) ,2.71 (1.30-5.66) ,2.16 (1.24-3.74) and 8.79 (1.42-54.32) in female versus 1.55 (1.21-1.97) ,2.16 (1.68-2.78) ,1.19 (0.93-1.53) and 3.21 (1.09-9.41) in male, respectively. The risk of male cerebral hemorrhage increased by 29% (HR=1.29, 95%CI 1.19-1.40) in male and 24% (HR=1.24, 95%CI 1.20-1.28) in female,when the systolic blood pressure increased 10 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). Conclusions: The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage is higher in male than in female in this cohort.The association between systolic blood pressure and cerebral hemorrhage is stronger in male than that in female.The associations between age, waist-hip ratio, diabetes and cerebral hemorrhage are stronger in female than in male. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trail Registry, ChiCTR-TNC-11001489.