Assessing the drinking water quality in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2018

The objective of this study was to understand the drinking water quality state in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2018 and to derive information that will provide a basis for improving the drinking water quality in the region. Monitoring data for drinking water from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region for 2014 to 2018 were analyzed and the results were compared with GB 5749-2006, the Standard Test Method for Drinking Water, and GB 5749-2006, the Drinking Water Quality Standards. Data for a total of 30,613 water samples were assessed. Of the data for the microbiological index, sensory trait and general chemical index, and toxicological index, 89, 80, and 69% were qualified, respectively. For the toxicological index, the fluoride and nitrate nitrogen data were the least compliant. The water quality in all the cities was generally very suitable for drinking. However, there were marked differences in the qualified rates of drinking water in different areas and the qualified rates of the data for the three indexes were lower in rural areas than in urban areas. Given the varied issues with the drinking water quality, the relevant departments of League cities should implement appropriate and effective treatment measures to improve the drinking water quality and ensure it is safe for residents.

Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD-1) and Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors and adverse cardiovascular events: a population-based study

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

OnBehalf

Cardiovascular Analytics Group

Background

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors are major classes of immune checkpoint inhibitors that are increasingly used for cancer treatment. However, they are associated with adverse cardiovascular events.

Purpose

To evaluate the cardiotoxicity of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors, the present study aims to examine the incidence of new-onset cardiac complications in patients receiving PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors.

Methods

Patients receiving PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors since their launch up to December 31st, 2019 without pre-existing cardiac complications were included. Patient data were obtained using a territory-wide electronic health record database. The primary outcome was a composite of incident heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter followed up to August 31st, 2020. Propensity score matching between PD-L1 and PD-1 inhibitor use with a 1:1 ratio for patient demographics and comorbidities was performed.

Results

A total of 1925 patients were included. Over a median follow-up of 136 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 42-279), 318 (16.51%) patients met the primary outcome after PD-1/PD-L1 treatment: 242 (incidence rate [IR]: 12.57%) with HF, 38 (IR: 1.97%) with AMI, 53 (IR: 2.75%) with AF, 6 (IR: 0.31%) with atrial flutter. Compared with PD-1 inhibitor treatment, PD-L1 inhibitor treatment was significantly associated with a lower risk of composite outcome after matching (HR: 0.78, 95% CI: [0.62-0.99], P value = 0.0417). Patients who developed cardiovascular complications had shorter average readmission intervals and more hospitalization episodes after treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors both before and after matching (P value < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Compared with PD-1 inhibitor users, PD-L1 inhibitor users had a significantly lower risk of new-onset composite cardiovascular complications. Abstract Figure. Kaplan-Meier survival curve

[Analysis on the relationship of molecular transmission between HIV infected men who have sex with men and their sexual partners]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between HIV-infected men who have sex with men and their sexual partners in Zhejiang province. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to recruit newly confirmed HIV/AIDS among MSM from 2015 to 2017, including sexual partner identification and molecular epidemiological study. Plasma was collected to extract RNA, and the pol gene of HIV-1 was amplified by RT-PCR/nested PCR. Phylogenetic tree and molecular transmission cluster were analyzed to identify the transmission relationship between sexual partners. Results: A total of 937 HIV/AIDS among MSM were recruited to promote HIV testing for their sexual partners, and 173 positive sexual partners were identified. 50.8% (61/120) of the gene sequences were clustered among the positive sex partners. Seven pairs of clustered sex partners combined with the results of recent infection preliminarily determined the transmission direction. In the clusters, there were statistical differences between the partners who were diagnosed in the same year (OR=12.190, 95%CI: 1.563-95.054) or with current residence in the different districts (OR=17.054, 95%CI: 1.742-166.982). Conclusions: Combined with a molecular transmission network, HIV test for the sexual partners of HIV/AIDS among MSM can improve the accurate tracking of cases and preliminarily determine the direction of transmission, according to the results of recent infection. It is suggested that after HIV is confirmed for HIV/AIDS among MSM, HIV tests should be carried out as soon as possible for their sexual partners, including a cross-regional sexual partner tracking test, which is helpful to improve the tracing procedure.

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Relationships Between Social, Communication, and Motor Skills Among Students with Autism

Many students with autism have difficulties engaging with their classroom environments and forming friendships, which are mostly affected by deficits in social, communication, and motor skills. The Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS, 2000) data set was used, focusing on elementary age students with autism, to explore the longitudinal relationships between social, communication, and motor skills and the mediating role of motor skills in between communication and social skills by using structural equational modeling analyses. Results show that (a) motor skills mediate the relationship between communication and social skills in elementary school, (b) there are significant longitudinal relationships among these skills in elementary school. Increased motor skills may improve social skills for students with autism in elementary school.

Macrophage M1/M2 ratio as a predictor of pleural thickening in patients with tuberculous pleurisy

We evaluated the association between macrophage polarization and the development of pleural thickening in patients with tuberculous pleurisy. Patients with tuberculous pleurisy admitted to our hospital between October 2018 and March 2019 were prospectively recruited. Pleural fluid samples were obtained before treatment for detection of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and macrophage phenotype (M1: CD14+ CD86+; M2: CD14+ CD163+). Peripheral blood samples were subjected to interferon gamma release assay (IGRA). All subjects were administered standard anti-tuberculosis regimen (2HREZ/4HR); high-resolution CT was performed to determine pleural thickening (thickness>2mm) after completion of treatment. Pleural effusion in patients with thickened pleura had significantly more M1 but fewer M2 macrophages, and higher ADA level, as compared to those with normal pleura (P<0.05). No significant between-group difference was observed with respect to IGRA. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the optimal cut-off level of M1/M2 ratio for predicting pleural thickening was 1.149 (area under the curve: 0.842; sensitivity: 88.6%; specificity: 69.2%; positive predictive value: 86.3%; negative predictive value: 81.7%). M1/M2 ratio in the pleural fluid is a promising marker for predicting the development of pleural thickening in patients with tuberculous pleurisy. Macrophage-mediated immune response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of tuberculous pleurisy.

P–044 A non-classical splice site variant in ANOS1 gene leading to Kallmann syndrome

Study question

Genetic risk of the non-classical splice site variant in ANOS1 gene

Summary answer

A non-classical ANOS1 splice site variant, c.1062 + 4T&gt;C, causes Kallmann syndrome.

What is known already

Genetic abnormalities play a key role in the development of Kallmann syndrome. Although an overwhelming majority of missense and nonsense mutations occur in the exons of a gene, intron mutations can also be pathogenic.

Study design, size, duration

The research object is a family. Eight patients of the family were recruited in this study, three of them were diagnosed with Kallmann syndrome.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify the genetic abnormalities. PCR was performed to verify the WES results. The functional splicing reporter mini gene assay was performed to assess the impact of sequence variants on splicing.

Main results and the role of chance

The proband and other two patients exhibited the typical clinical features of KS. A non-classical splice site variant, c.1062 + 4T&gt;C in ANOS1 gene was identified, whereas the other unaffected family members did not have this mutation. This mutation caused the disappearance of the splicing site of intron 7 and the splicing position became the 156th base of exon 7, which caused a frame-shift mutation, leading to a premature termination of translation.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Since the ANOS1 gene is almost not expressed in the blood, in order to uncover the effect of this splice site variant of ANOS1, we carried out a functional splicing reporter mini gene assay in the mini gene vector pEGFP-N1.

Wider implications of the findings: This study shows that mutations in non-classical splicing regions are also pathogenic. Therefore, it is recommended that the detection and analysis of this gene should pay attention to the non-classical splice site variant.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

POS0785 CHANGING EXPRESSION PROFILES OF LONG NONCODING RNAS, MIRNAS, MRNAS AND CIRCULAR RNAS IN LABIAL SALIVARY GLANDS OF PRIMARY SJÖGREN’S SYNDROME (PSS)

Background:

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a relatively common autoimmune disease characterized by oral and ocular dryness. An increasing number of studies have revealed that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), miRNA, mRNA and circular RNA (circRNA) contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Objectives:

To explore lncRNA, miRNA, mRNA and circRNA expression profiles in labial salivary glands (LSGs) in pSS patients and their biological functions in the regulation of pSS.

Methods:

The expression of 75,550 lncRNAs, 2,318 miRNA, 20,292 mRNAs and 6,877 circRNAs were determined in the LSG of six pSS patients and six healthy controls using microarray experiments. Validation was performed in pSS patients and controls using real-time PCR. LncRNA-mRNA co-expression and gene-pathway networks were constructed using bioinformatics software.

Results:

A total of 599 lncRNAs (upregulated: 279, downregulated: 320), 78 miRNAs (upregulated: 26, downregulated: 52), 615 mRNAs (upregulated: 590, downregulated: 25) and 160 mRNAs (upregulated: 110, downregulated: 50) were differentially expressed in the LSGs of pSS patients. Five of these lncRNAs were validated using real-time PCR. lncRNA HCP5, lncRNA SNHG5, lncRNA IFI44L, lncRNA CMPK2 were significantly upregulated and lncRNA TTYH1 were downregulated in pSS. GO and KEGG biological pathway analysis were performed to predict the functions of differentially expressed lncRNAs and co-expressed potential targeting genes. Subsequently, a ceRNA (lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA) network including 2320 ceRNA pairs was constructed based on predicted miRNAs shared by lncRNAs and mRNAs.

Conclusion:

The expression profile provided a systematic perspective on the potential functions of lncRNAs miRNAs, mRNAs and circRNAs in the pathogenesis of pSS. Therefore, this study will aid in the development of new diagnostic biomarkers and drug therapies.

References:

[1]Le Dantec C, Varin MM, Brooks WH, Pers JO, Youinou P, Renaudineau Y. Epigenetics and Sjogren’s syndrome.Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2012 Aug;13(10):2046-53.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Combined analysis of metagenomic data revealed consistent changes of gut microbiome structure and function in inflammatory bowel disease

AIMS

To reveal the consistency and discrepancy in the gut microbial structure and function in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients from different regions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Gut microbes, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors genes (VFGs) were analysed using metagenome data from three cohorts. The abundance of Escherichia coli extensively increased in IBD patients, whereas Subdoligranulum unclassified decreased dramatically in IBD patients from three countries. Escherichia coli showed a positive correlation with multiple ARGs and VFGs in cohorts from China and the United States, including multidrug-related resistance genes and Capsule and LOS-related virulence factors genes. Escherichia coli biofilm synthesis pathways significantly enriched in IBD patients from three different regions. Notably, Subdoligranulum unclassified and Eubacterium hallii were negatively related to ARGs and VFGs.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent changes of microbiome structure and function were observed in IBD patients from three different regions. As pathogenic bacteria, E. coli may accelerate IBD progression through encapsulation in biofilms by upregulating antibiotic resistance in Crohn's disease patients. Subdoligranulum unclassified and E. hallii may be beneficial for IBD patients and could serve as potential probiotics for IBD treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This work dispels worries about the regional differences in gut microbial changes in IBD patients and provides useful guidance for more rational microbiome-based therapies.

[Mechanism of Ziyin recipe for treatment of ovulatory infertility: a network pharmacology-based study and clinical observations]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanisms of Ziyin recipe for treatment of ovulatory infertility based on network pharmacology analysis and evaluate the clinical efficacy of this recipe.

OBJECTIVE

TCMSP, PubChem, Genecards, String, Swiss Target Prediction, and Uniprot databases were searched to identify all the action targets of Ziyin recipe and ovulatory infertility to construct the PPI network. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed and the "TCM-active ingredient-target-pathway" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.6.0. We also designed a controlled clinical trial to verify the clinical effectiveness of Ziyin recipe. The patients were randomized into 2 groups to receive treatment with Western medicine including CC and HMG (control group) and additional treatment with Ziyin recipe, and the dosage of GN, follicular development days, E₂ level of a single dominant follicle on trigger day, ovulation rate, the rate of LUFS, and clinical pregnancy rate were compared between the two groups.

OBJECTIVE

We identified 22 active ingredients and 354 targets of action in Ziyin recipe, 791 targets of ovulatory infertility, and 96 common targets of action shared by Ziyin recipe and ovulatory infertility. According to Degree, the key targets included SRC, MAPK1, HSP90aa1, MAPK3, PTPN11, ESR1, Akt1, EGFR, NR3C1 and KNG1. Enrichment analysis of GO biological process showed that Ziyin recipe mainly focused on steroid hormonemediated signaling pathway, oxidation, reduction, and apoptosis. The most significantly enriched signaling pathways included PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, RAP1 signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, ovarian steroid production, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. The results of the clinical trial showed that Ziyin recipe significantly reduced the dose of GN, accelerated follicle development, increased E₂ level of single dominant follicle on the trigger day, and increased the cycle ovulation rate and pregnancy rate.

OBJECTIVE

The therapeutic effects of Ziyin recipe are probably mediated through different pathways to promote follicle development, thus improving ovulation rate and clinical pregnancy rate of infertile patients with ovulatory disorders.

Temperature dependent onset of shear thinning in supercooled glass-forming network liquids

The onset of shear thinning and the transition from Newtonian to non-Newtonian behavior in the viscous flow of select chalcogenide and oxide network glass-forming liquids in the deeply supercooled regime and its temperature dependence are studied using parallel plate rheometry. In all cases, the onset occurs at a shear rate γ̇_c that is several orders of magnitude lower than the shear relaxation rate τ₀ ^-1 and the former increases with increasing temperature. These results are in good qualitative agreement with the predictions of the existing models of shear relaxation and shear thinning based on the nonlinear Langevin equation theory, random first order transition theory, and the free volume model. However, in contrast to the theoretical predictions, the reduced shear rate W₀ (=τ₀γ̇_c) at the onset is found to range between 10^-3 and 10^-5 and decrease with increasing temperature. This temperature dependence becomes stronger with increasing fragility of the liquid. These results likely indicate that the shear thinning mechanism in network liquids could be fundamentally different from those in molecular, metallic, or polymeric glass-formers.