Multiharmonic Correlations of Different Flow Amplitudes in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76 TeV

The event-by-event correlations between three flow amplitudes are measured for the first time in Pb-Pb collisions, using higher-order symmetric cumulants. We find that different three-harmonic correlations develop during the collective evolution of the medium when compared to correlations that exist in the initial state. These new results cannot be interpreted in terms of previous lower-order flow measurements since contributions from two-harmonic correlations are explicitly removed in the new observables. A comparison to Monte Carlo simulations provides new and independent constraints for the initial conditions and system properties of nuclear matter created in heavy-ion collisions.

Soft-Dielectron Excess in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A measurement of dielectron production in proton-proton (pp) collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC, is presented in this Letter. The data set was recorded with a reduced magnetic solenoid field. This enables the investigation of a kinematic domain at low dielectron (ee) invariant mass m_{ee} and pair transverse momentum p_{T,ee} that was previously inaccessible at the LHC. The cross section for dielectron production is studied as a function of m_{ee}, p_{T,ee}, and event multiplicity dN_{ch}/dη. The expected dielectron rate from hadron decays, called hadronic cocktail, utilizes a parametrization of the measured η/π^{0} ratio in pp and proton-nucleus collisions, assuming that this ratio shows no strong dependence on collision energy at low transverse momentum. Comparison of the measured dielectron yield to the hadronic cocktail at 0.15<m_{ee}<0.6  GeV/c^{2} and for p_{T,ee}<0.4  GeV/c indicates an enhancement of soft dielectrons, reminiscent of the "anomalous" soft-photon and soft-dilepton excess in hadron-hadron collisions reported by several experiments under different experimental conditions. The enhancement factor over the hadronic cocktail amounts to 1.61±0.13(stat)±0.17(syst,data)±0.34(syst,cocktail) in the ALICE acceptance. Acceptance-corrected excess spectra in m_{ee} and p_{T,ee} are extracted and compared with calculations of dielectron production from hadronic bremsstrahlung and thermal radiation within a hadronic many-body approach.

POS1135 MONOSODIUM URATE CRYSTALS REDUCE SCHWANN CELLS VIABILITY

Background:

The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with gout almostly reaches 25%[1]. Demyelination caused by Schwann cell (SCs) injury and apoptosis is the major pathological feature of peripheral[2]. None of study has focused on the effects of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals on SCs.

Objectives:

To assess the effect of MSU crystals on SCs.

Methods:

Mouse-derived Schwann cells (RSC96) are stimulated with different concentrations of MSU crystals (0mg/ml,0.25mg/ml,0.5mg/ml) and time (24h,48h,72h). The migration ability of Schwann cells is evaluated by acratch assay, the proliferation level is assessed by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the apoptosis rate is detected by flow cytometry.

Results:

The acratch assay showed that the migration ability of SCs was worsened, CCK-8 assay suggested that proliferation of SCs was reduced in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). According to the result of flow cytometry, the survival rate of SCs at 0.5mg/ml(78.60%±2.26%) was lower than that 0.25mg/ml(87.50%±0.95%)and 0mg/ml (98.80%±0.26%)(p<0.05) at 24h. When the stimulation time increased to 72h, the survival rate at 0.5mg/ml(47.90%±11.70%) dropped significantly, which was significantly different from the other two groups(p<0.05).

Conclusion:

MSU crystals can cause damage to Schwann cells. It may help to explain the reason of peripheral neuropathy in gout patients.

References:

[1]López-López, C.O., et al., Peripheral neuropathies in rheumatic diseases: More diverse and frequent than expected. A cross-sectional study. International journal of rheumatic diseases, 2020. 23(2): p. 226-232.

[2]Liu, Y., S. Shao and H. Guo, Schwann cells apoptosis is induced by high glucose in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Life sciences, 2020. 248: p. 117459.

Figure 1.

Flow cytometry assays of RSC96 on MSU crystals at 72h

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared.

AB0050 A NOVEL METHOD FOR ISOLATION OF EXOSOMES FROM SYNOVIAL FLUID

Background:

Exosomes in synovial fluid (SF) has a close relationship with the pathogenesis of rheumatiod arthritis. As a complex biological fluid, SF presents challenges for exosomes isolation using standard methods, such as ExoquickTM kit and ultracentrifugation.

Objectives:

The study aims to compared the quality of exosomes separated by ExoquickTM kit (TM), ExoquickTM kit+ExoquickTC kit (TM-TC), ultracentrifugation (UC) and TM-TC+UC(TM-TC-UC) from SF.

Methods:

Exosomes was separated by TM, TM-TC, UC and TM-TC-UC respectively. The size and concentrations of exosomes were detected by high sensitivity flow cytometry for nanoparticle analysis. Total protein and RNA were extracted from exosomes. SDS-PAGE was used to detect the protein distribution of exosomes. Western blot was used to examine the level of albumin and exosomes marker (TSG101 and CD81).

Results:

There was no statistic difference in the diameters of exosomes separated by the four methods. The concentrations of exosomes in TM, TM-TC, TM-TC-UC and UC were (5.65±0.93), (3.02±1.19), (1.67±0.25) and (4.61±0.73) *109Particles/mL. The protein concentrations of exosomes separated by the four methods were consistent with the concentrations of exosomes. SDS-PAGE showed that the protein distribution of exosomes separated by the four methods were different. Low levels of albumin were detected in TM-TC and TM-TC-UC, while high levels of albumin in TM and UC. Total RNA concentrations from exosomes in TM-TC was higher than other groups.

Conclusion:

TM-TC can be used to obtain higher quality exosomes from SF for the study of exosome-enriched components.

References:

[1]Helwa I, et al, A Comparative Study of Serum Exosome Isolation Using Differential Ultracentrifugation and Three Commercial Reagents. PloS one, 2017. 12(1): p. e0170628-e0170628.

Figure 1.

A: SDS-PAGE showed the protein distribution of exosomes; B: the detection of albumin, TSG101 and CD81 by western blot.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0791 THE DIAGNOSIS VALUE OF SYNOVIAL FLUID LYMPHOCYTE IN GOUT PATIENTS

Background:

Synovial fluid cell counts have long been recognised to have utility in the diagnosis and management of arthritis. Few studies have explained the diagnosis value of synovial fluid cell counts in gout patients.

Objectives:

The study aims to investigate the diagnosis value of synovial fluid cell counts in gout patients.

Methods:

A total of 185 gout, 64 rheumatoid arthritis(RA), 26 axial spondyloarthritis(axSpA) and 24 osteoarthritis(OA) patients were included into the study. According to serum uric acid(sUA) level on attack, gout patients were divided into normal sUA gout patients and high sUA gout patients. The laboratory data was recorded and ROC curve was performed.

Results:

The synovial fluid WBC, PBMC, monocyte, PMN and neutrophil in gout patients were higher than OA patients (P<0.05). The synovial fluid PBMC and lymphocyte in gout patients were lower than RA and axSpA patients (P<0.05). Compared with RA, axSpA and OA patients, ROC curve showed that the AUC value of lymphocyte and sUA for gout were 0.728 and 0.881, which were higher than other variables. The optimal cut off value of lymphocyte for gout was 1.362, with sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 60.6%. The AUC value of lymphocyte and sUA for normal sUA gout patients were 0.694 and 0.643, which were higher than other variables. The optimal cut off value of lymphocyte for normal sUA gout patients was 1.362, with sensitivity of 81.6% and specificity of 60.6%.

Conclusion:

Synovial fluid cell counts of gout patients were different from RA, axSpA, and OA patients. Synovial fluid lymphocyte had a higher diagnosis value for gout.

References:

[1]Scanu A, Oliviero F, Ramonda R, et al. Cytokine levels in human synovial fluid during the different stages of acute gout: role of transforming growth factor β1 in the resolution phase. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012, 71(4): 621-4.

Table 1.

Basic characteristics of the participants

Gout(n=185)RA(n=64)axSpA (n=26)OA(n=24)P valueAge (years)48.58±15.5856.19±12.39*32.96±15.19*#69.63±12.43*#&<0.001Gender (male/female)176/911/5321/58/16<0.001WBC(×109/L)18.58±22.9422.24±20.8715.52±15.033.03±5.59*#&0.002PBMC(×109/L)1.85±1.993.68±2.43*3.85±3.34*0.74±1.01*#&<0.001Monocyte(×109/L)1.02±1.591.24±1.111.34±1.520.29±0.37*#&0.030PMN(×109/L)16.77±21.5118.57±19.3215.75±24.172.30±5.00*#&0.008Lymphocyte (×109/L)0.80±0.832.43±1.76*2.50±2.04*0.45±0.80#&<0.001Eosinophil (×109/L)1.32±3.750.56±0.930.11±0.170.49±1.850.098Neutrophil (×109/L)16.42±21.1618.82±20.8911.13±14.232.23±4.87*#0.003UA(μM)497.92±132.24299.31±97.91*351.81±118.93*333.38±75.19*<0.001ESR(mm/h)61.02±37.6882.42±32.87*68.12±36.2542.34±35.91*#&<0.001CRP(mg/L)56.52±45.6444.01±35.27*65.49±39.85#22.11±40.65*#&<0.001

*P<0.05 vs gout group, #P<0.05 vs RA group, &P<0.05 vs axSpA group

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0133 MONOSODIUM URATE CRYSTALS REDUCE HUMAN LIGAMENT CELLS VIABILITY THROUGH INCREASE OF ROS PRODUCTION

Background:

Ligament destruction is a frequent complication of gout and is strongly associated with tophi. Ligament fibroblasts are important cellular mediators of ligament remodeling. None of study has paid attention to the effects of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals on ligament fibroblasts.

Objectives:

The study aims to investigate the effects and mechanism of MSU crystals on ligament fibroblasts.

Methods:

MSU crystals were added to human ligament fibroblasts(HLFs) cultures or primary ligament cells cultures. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, cell migration assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI assay were conducted. Reactive Oxygen Species(ROS) was tested by ROS Assay Kit.

Results:

The higher concentrations of MSU crystals (0.5-1mg/mL) reduced the viability of HLFs or primary ligament cells after 24 h as assessed by CCK8 assays, with a further reduction in viability observed at the 48 h time point. When observed under light microscopy, HLFs cultured with MSU crystals (0.5mg/mL) appeared unhealthy with fewer cells present. The cell migration ability of HLFs was decreased significantly on MSU crystals (0.5mg/mL). According to the result of Annexin V-FITC/PI assay, the survival rate of HLFs on MSU crystals (0.5mg/mL) was lower than that of 0.25mg/ml and 0 mg/ml at 72h. ROS assay results showed that the production of ROS increased as the concentrations of MSU crystals increased.

Conclusion:

MSU crystals inhibit human ligament cells viability through the increase of ROS production. It may contribute to disordered ligament remodeling in gout patients with ligament destruction.

References:

[1]Ashika Chhana, et al. Monosodium urate crystals reduce osteocyte viability and indirectly promote a shift in osteocyte function towards a proinflammatory and proresorptive state. Arthritis Res Ther. 2018, 20(1): 208.

Figure 1.

MSU crystals reduce human ligament fibroblasts and primary human ligament cells viability over time. A: CCK-8 assay; B: Observation of HLFs morphology; C: Annexin V-FITC/PI assay.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0642 CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BONE EROSION IN GOUT PATIENTS WITH TOPHI

Background:

Bone erosion is a frequent complication of gout patients with tophi and can lead to joint damage, deformity and musculoskeletal disability. Few studies have focused on clinical characteristics and factors associated with bone erosion in gout patients with tophi.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to describe clinical characteristics of bone erosion in gout patients with tophi.

Methods:

Bone erosion was detected by X-ray. Gout patients with tophi were divided into bone erosion group and non bone erosion group. The clinical characteristics were recorded. Comparison of clinical characteristics and risk factors for bone erosion were analyzed between two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Results:

A total of 171 gout patients with tophi were enrolled, 121 patients with bone erosion and 50 patients without bone erosion. Bone erosion group were older, with prolonged duration with gout and tophi, higher levels of serum creatinine, lower levels of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), C-reactive protein and BMI. In univariate regression analysis, age, gout duration, tophi duration, GFR were associated with bone erosion. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, tophi duration was independently associated with bone erosion.

Conclusion:

Gout patients with bone erosion present different clinical characteristics compared with those without bone erosion. Tophi duration was strongly associated with bone erosion in patients with gout.

Table 1.

Comparison of clinical characteristics between bone erosion patients and non bone erosion patients.

Non Bone erosionBone erosionP ValueN(male)50(47)121(118)0.255Age(year)45.82±14.1553.74±14.880.002BMI (kg/m2)26.01±4.5824.18±4.720.027WBC(109/mL)9.73±3.4011.37±13.260.404PLT(109/mL)329.86±96.22328.31±124.020.938HGB(g/L)86.58±63.78102.75±51.160.201ALT(U/L)37.74 ±26.5634.26±35.260.561sUA(umol/L)540.16±121.79539.00±121.460.962sCr(umol/L)111.47±25.26135.77±52.43<0.001GFR(ml/min/1.73m2)74.01±27.9456.68±22.840.003ESR(mm/h)61.78±37.3253.08±36.700.181CRP(mg/L)60.00±58.2636.45±42.620.014Gout duration (year)9.22±5.4612.63±7.590.001Tophi duration(year)3.77±3.226.64±4.810.001Hypertension, n17520.277Diabetes, n9120.143Smoking history, n20550.513Drinking history, n14370.737Ulceration, n10350.228

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared.

AB0645 CLINCAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GOUT PATIENTS WITH RENAL CYSTS

Background:

Gout is a crystal-related arthropathy caused by monosodium urate deposition, which is a common and treatable form of inflammatory arthritis and becoming more prevalent[1]. A few studies have found that gout patients have an increased prevalence of simple renal cysts[2, 3]. The relationship between gout and renal cysts is still insufficient.

Objectives:

Compare the difference between gout with renal cyst and without renal cyst.

Methods:

We retrospectively collected data on 200 gout patients. The data includes age, gender, uric acid, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, 24-hour urine collection, and whether they have kidney stones, renal cysts, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Chi-square and exact Fisher’s tests were utilized, while continuous variables were assessed by Student’s t-test. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Of the 200 gout patients, 56 have kidney cysts(28%). In gout patients who had a renal cyst, were significantly older than patients without renal cysts (59.14 vs. 46.87, P = 0.000), more number of people suffering from coronary heart disease (7 vs. 5, P = 0.016). The glomerular filtration rate was lower (58.5 vs. 71.6, P = 0.000), with lower urinary creatinine, uric acid, and urinary potassium.

Conclusion:

Gout patients with and without simple renal cysts have significant differences in age, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, GFR, serum creatinine, urine creatinine, and urine potassium.

References:

[1]N. Dalbeth, T.R. Merriman, L.K. Stamp, Gout, Lancet 388(10055) (2016) 2039-2052.

[2]E.M. Hasegawa, R. Fuller, M.C. Chammas, F.M. de Mello, C. Goldenstein-Schainberg, Increased prevalence of simple renal cysts in patients with gout, Rheumatol Int 33(2) (2013) 413-6.

[3]Y. Han, M. Zhang, J. Lu, L. Zhang, J. Han, F. Zhao, H. Chen, Y. Bao, W. Jia, Hyperuricemia and overexcretion of uric acid increase the risk of simple renal cysts in type 2 diabetes, Sci Rep 7(1) (2017) 3802.

Table 1.

Clinical characteristics of gout patients

Renal cyst(n=56)Without Renal cyst(n=144)PDisease duration, (month)98.7(±64.1)91.2(±67.0)0.468Age, (year)59.14(±14.3)46.78(±15.9)0.000Gender, n(F/M)7/4911/1330.281Smoking history, n(%)18(32.1%)47(32.6%)0.946Drinking history, n(%)10(17.9%)32(22.2%)0.496Hypertension, n(%)31(55.3%)49(34.0%)0.006Diabetes, n(%)9(16.1%)15(10.4%)0.269CVDs, n(%)7(12.5%)5(3.4%)0.016Nephrolithiasis, n(%)14(25%)43(29.9%)0.494UA, (μmol/L)494.8(±158.0)544.3(±121.0)0.037Serum creatinine, (μmol/L)139.4(±57.2)116.5(±35.45)0.007GFR, (ml/L)58.5(±22.5)71.6(±22.3)0.000FEUA, (%)7.0(±3.2)6.0(±3.2)0.052Urine creatinine, (μmol/L)4687.09(±1832.9)5565.2(±2599.8)0.008Urine Uric acid, (μmol/L)1204.9(±772.0)1542.1(±1048.5)0.030Urine sodium, (mmol)132.1(±68.7)131.2(±76.6)0.939Urine potassium, (mmol)25.6(±12.5)31.8(±14.2)0.005

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared.

[Prognosis and related risk factors of acute respiratory distress syndrome in elder patients]

Objective: To study the risk factors associated with the hospital survival rate of elder patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in Medical/Respiratory Intensive Care Units (MICUs/RICUs) by evaluating the prognosis, and therefore to provide insight into patient treatment strategy. Methods: Twenty MICUs/RICUs of 19 general hospitals in mainland China participated in the multicenter prospective cohort study carried out from Mar 1^st, 2016 to Feb 28^th, 2018. Patients who met the criteria of Berlin ARDS and older than 65 years were recruited. Baseline data, risk factors of ARDS, ventilator setup and prognosis data were collected from all patients. Univariant and multivariant regression analysis were conducted to analyze the factors associated with the prognosis. Results: 170 elder ARDS patients (age≥65 years) met the Berlin ARDS criteria, among whom 8.8% (15/170), 42.9% (73/170) and 48.2% (82/170) patients had mild, moderate and severe ARDS, respectively. The most common predisposing factor for elder ARDS was pneumonia, which was present in 134 patients (78.8%). 37.6% (64/170) patients were treated with noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), but 43.8% (28/64) cases experienced treatment failure. 76.5% (130/170) patients were treated with invasive mechanical ventilation. All patients 80 years or older were given invasive mechanical ventilation. 51.8% (88/170) cases had complications of non-pulmonary organ failure. 61.8% (105/170) patients deceased during hospital stay. Multivariant logistic analysis showed that the independent risk factors for hospital survival rate in elder patients with ARDS were SOFA score (P=0.030, RR=0.725, 95% CI 0.543-0.969), oxygen index after 24 hours of ARDS diagnosis (P=0.030, RR=0.196, 95% CI 0.045-0.853), accumulated fluid balance within 7 days after diagnosis of ARDS (P=0.026, RR=1.000, 95% CI 1.000-1.000) and shock (P=0.034, RR=0.140, 95% CI 0.023-0.863). Conclusion: Among 20 ICUs, the high mortality rate of elder patients with ARDS was correlated with higher 24 hour SOFA score, lower 24 hour oxygen index after ARDS diagnosis, more positive fluid balance within 7 days and concomitant shock. The conservative fluid strategy within 7 days of ARDS diagnosis may benefit the elder ARDS patients.

Elliptic Flow of Electrons from Beauty-Hadron Decays in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The elliptic flow of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity (|y|<0.8) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The azimuthal distribution of the particles produced in the collisions can be parametrized with a Fourier expansion, in which the second harmonic coefficient represents the elliptic flow, v_{2}. The v_{2} coefficient of electrons from beauty hadron decays is measured for the first time in the transverse momentum (p_{T}) range 1.3-6  GeV/c in the centrality class 30%-50%. The measurement of electrons from beauty-hadron decays exploits their larger mean proper decay length cτ≈500  μm compared to that of charm hadrons and most of the other background sources. The v_{2} of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity is found to be positive with a significance of 3.75  σ. The results provide insights into the degree of thermalization of beauty quarks in the medium. A model assuming full thermalization of beauty quarks is strongly disfavored by the measurement at high p_{T}, but is in agreement with the results at low p_{T}. Transport models including substantial interactions of beauty quarks with an expanding strongly interacting medium describe the measurement within uncertainties.

Hsa_circRNA_101036 acts as tumor-suppressor in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells via inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress

OBJECTIVE

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has an effect on cancer cell proliferation and survival. TMTC1 has been reported to be involved in cell proliferation and inflammation, and development of ER. Hsa_circRNA_101036 is an exon circRNA formed by splicing of TMTC1 mRNA precursor. This study intends to explore the effect of hsa_circRNA_101036 on the malignant behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma through endoplasmic reticulum stress.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We firstly evaluated the levels of Hsa_circRNA_101036 in human oral mucous fibroblasts (hOMF), and in several OSCC cell lines, including FaDu, OECM1, SAS, HSC3. Then, we studied the effects of overexpression of Hsa_circRNA_101036 on the cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and cytokine release in OSCC cells. Finally, we evaluated the levels of CHOP that are critical in ER and the ROS levels in OSCC cells.

RESULTS

We found that compared with hOMF, a significantly lower mRNA expression of Hsa_circRNA_101036 was found in OECM1 and HSC3 cells. In OECM1 and HSC3 cells, with overexpression of Hsa_circRNA_101036, a significant decrease in cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and cytokine release was found. A significantly increased ROS, as well as increased protein level of CHOP, P38 and Bcl-2, was found in cells with Hsa_circRNA_101036 overexpression.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that Hsa_circRNA_101036 may acts as a tumor suppressor in OSCC via regulating the ER in cancer cells.

Microsatellite markers reveal polymorphisms at the 3′ untranslated region of the SLC11A1 gene in Zhongdian Yellow cattle (Bos taurus)

Solute carrier family 11-member A1 (SLC11A1) gene encodes natural macrophage resistance-associated protein which regulates activity of macrophages against intracellular pathogens. The objective of this study was to study the polymorphism in the microsatellites present at 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the SLC11A1 gene in 113 Zhongdian Yellow cattle (Bos taurus). Using DNA bi-directional sequencing, we detected seven alleles (GT10–16) for the first microsatellite (MS1), five alleles (GT12–16) for MS2, and four alleles (GT4–7) for MS3. MS3 is studied for the first time and revealed four novel variants (alleles GT4–7). Alleles GT12 (45.1%), GT13 (59.3%), and GT5 (85.4%) were the most frequent alleles at MS1, MS2, and MS3, respectively, Genotypes G12/12, G13/13, and G5/5 had the highest frequency 0.239, 0.540, and 0.743 at MS1, MS2, and MS3, respectively. Haplotypic data revealed that GT12/GT13 was the most frequent haplotype observed followed by GT12/14 haplotype. Three nucleotide variations were observed in MS1 and MS2. Comparative analysis of GT12/GT12 and GT13/GT13 genotype with other bovine genotypes showed significant difference (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that the homozygous genotypes GT12/GT12 and GT13/GT13 in Zhongdian Yellow cattle might be related to disease resistance. The findings reported in this study would be helpful in cattle breeding programs.

Massively Multiplexed Electrohydrodynamic Tip Streaming from a Thin Disc

We report an experimental study on the multiple tip streaming enabled by an externally wetted thin disc in electric fields. The electrohydrodynamic stress acting on the liquid-air interface triggers an interfacial instability that develops into multiple radial liquid ligaments at the rim of the disc. The scaling law suggests that the wave number is inversely proportional to the square of the peak electric field at the rim, which is determined by the combined thickness of the disc and the attached liquid layer. The thin disc edge effectively intensifies the electric field, which in turn leads to spacing between ligaments as short as 30  μm for ethanol, generating over 1000 cone jets for a 1 cm diam thin disc.

[Application value of urinary IGFBP7 and TIMP-2 in acute kidney injury with decompensated hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis]

Objective: To investigate the application value of new urinary biomarkers insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) and tissue matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 (TIMP-2) in acute kidney injury with decompensated hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis. Methods: 45 newly hospitalized cases with decompensated hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis were selected. Among them, 19 cases were combined with AKI on admission (cirrhosis-AKI group), 26 cases without AKI (cirrhosis-non-AKI group), and 12 healthy cases (normal control group). First-morning urine samples were collected and IGFBP7 and TIMP-2 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Urinary IGFBP7 and serum creatinine (SCr) were dynamically monitored after hospitalization in cirrhosis-non-AKI group. Normally distributed measurement data were compared by t-test, and non-normally distributed measurement data were compared by rank sum test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the indicators. Results: Urinary IGFBP7, IGFBP7 with TIMP-2 (IGFBP7×TIMP-2) in cirrhosis-AKI group (n = 19) were equally higher than that of the cirrhosis-non-AKI group (P < 0.05). Urinary IGFBP7, TIMP-2 and IGFBP7×TIMP-2 in cirrhosis-AKI group or cirrhosis-non-AKI group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group (P < 0.01). The AUC of urinary IGFBP7 and urinary IGFBP7×TIMP-2 for diagnosis of AKI were 0.703 (95% CI 0.547-0.860) and 0.700 (95% CI 0.541-0.859), respectively. In the liver cirrhosis-non-AKI group (n = 26), 5 cases of AKI were newly diagnosed according to the changes in SCr during hospitalization (progressive group). Urinary IGFBP7 was significantly increased 2 days before the diagnosis of AKI. The concentration of urinary IGFBP7 at admission in the progressive group (n = 5) was higher than that of the non-progressive group (n = 21) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Urinary IGFBP7 and TIMP-2 concentrations were significantly increased in patients with decompensated hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis. When AKI occurred, urinary IGFBP7 and IGFBP7×TIMP-2 was further increased. Urinary IGFBP7 is valuable for early AKI diagnosis, and may play a role in predicting AKI occurrence.

Measurement of the Low-Energy Antideuteron Inelastic Cross Section

In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions at low particle momenta, covering a range of 0.3≤p<4  GeV/c. The measurement is carried out using p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC and utilizing the detector material as an absorber for antideuterons and antiprotons. The extracted raw primary antiparticle-to-particle ratios are compared to the results from detailed ALICE simulations based on the geant4 toolkit for the propagation of (anti)particles through the detector material. The analysis of the raw primary (anti)proton spectra serves as a benchmark for this study, since their hadronic interaction cross sections are well constrained experimentally. The first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions averaged over the ALICE detector material with atomic mass numbers ⟨A⟩=17.4 and 31.8 is obtained. The measured inelastic cross section points to a possible excess with respect to the Glauber model parametrization used in geant4 in the lowest momentum interval of 0.3≤p<0.47  GeV/c up to a factor 2.1. This result is relevant for the understanding of antimatter propagation and the contributions to antinuclei production from cosmic ray interactions within the interstellar medium. In addition, the momentum range covered by this measurement is of particular importance to evaluate signal predictions for indirect dark-matter searches.

A Hu sheep genome with the first ovine Y chromosome reveal introgression history after sheep domestication

The Y chromosome plays key roles in male fertility and reflects the evolutionary history of paternal lineages. Here, we present a de novo genome assembly of the Hu sheep with the first draft assembly of ovine Y chromosome (oMSY), using nanopore sequencing and Hi-C technologies. The oMSY that we generated spans 10.6 Mb from which 775 Y-SNPs were identified by applying a large panel of whole genome sequences from worldwide sheep and wild Iranian mouflons. Three major paternal lineages (HY1a, HY1b and HY2) were defined across domestic sheep, of which HY2 was newly detected. Surprisingly, HY2 forms a monophyletic clade with the Iranian mouflons and is highly divergent from both HY1a and HY1b. Demographic analysis of Y chromosomes, mitochondrial and nuclear genomes confirmed that HY2 and the maternal counterpart of lineage C represented a distinct wild mouflon population in Iran that diverge from the direct ancestor of domestic sheep, the wild mouflons in Southeastern Anatolia. Our results suggest that wild Iranian mouflons had introgressed into domestic sheep and thereby introduced this Iranian mouflon specific lineage carrying HY2 to both East Asian and Africa sheep populations.

An emergency strategy for intensive care unit during COVID-19 outbreak in Chongqing, China

OBJECTIVE

Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) broke out in Wuhan, China, which has rapidly spread from China to at least 200 countries abroad. COVID-19 was issued a global outbreak and pandemic by the World Health Organization with more than 3 million confirmed cases by May 31, 2020. So far more than ten thousand severe and critically ill patients and hospital-related infection with COVID-19 have been reported with more than four thousand deaths in China. There is a great challenge for intensive care units (ICUs) in hospitals.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The comment mainly focused on admission and discharge criteria, therapy protocol, prevention and control strategies for ICU during COVID-19 outbreak. The emergency strategy for ICU will be helpful for prevention and control of COVID-19 and treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Progress in the management of ICU is crucial for a decrease in the mortality of critically ill patients with COVID-19 with the clinical evidence and experience updated.