[Progress and future perspective of epidemiological research of air pollution and climate change in the context of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals]

Climate change is the great health challenge for human beings in the 21^st century. Air pollution is also an important public health problem worldwide. China announced the climate commitment to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. Achieving these goals would not only have far-reaching effects on air pollution control and climate change, but also improve the population health in China. Air pollution and climate change epidemiology are important aspects of environmental epidemiology. In this paper, we discuss the current status and future development of epidemiological research of air pollution and climate change in the context of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals to provide ideas and suggestions for environmental and health studies in the future.

A129 A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH PANCREATICODUODENECTOMY

Background

Surgically altered anatomy remains a challenge when performing advanced endoscopic procedures including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Post-surgical anatomy frequently encountered in clinical practice that affects ERCP success includes Billroth II, roux-en-y gastric bypass, roux-en-y hepaticojejunostomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). While ERCP has a success rate of 90-95% in patients with native anatomy, the data is less robust in patients with PD anatomy. Advancement of the endoscope to the surgical anastomoses remains challenging as PD anatomy requires accurate identification of the afferent limb, and encourages acute bowel angulation and loop formation. In addition, navigation to the anastomosis may be more challenging with a sideviewing endoscope. Although forward viewing endoscopes may more readily reach the surgical anastomosis, cannulation may be difficult without an elevator or device-appropriate instruments. As a result, a retrospective analysis of technical and clinical success rates in ERCP was analyzed in post-PD patients.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical and clinical success of ERCP in patients with post-PD anatomy.

Method

A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients with post-PD anatomy referred to our institution between 2006 to 2021 for ERCP. Demographic and procedural details including gender, age, indications, primary malignancy, and anastomosis identification were collected. Major outcomes included technical success (TS) rate (successful biliary or pancreatic intervention) and clinical success (CS) rate (improvement in patient symptomatology or normalization of bilirubin level).

Result(s)

A total of 47 patients underwent 102 ERCPs for biliary (n = 98; 96.1%) and pancreatic (n = 4; 3.9%) indications. There were 31 (66.0%) male patients and 16 (34.0%) female patients. The average age of patients was 61.5 years. The most common primary malignancies included pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 26; 55.3%), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (n = 5; 10.6%), and ampullary adenocarcinoma (n = 4; 8.5%). The most common indications for ERCP included obstructive jaundice (n = 22; 21.6%), stent evaluation (n = 30; 29.4%), and cholangitis (n = 35; 34.3%). Surgical anastomosis was identified in 90 (88.2%) patients. The overall TS and CS rates were 82.4% and 75.5%, respectively. When adjusted for anastomosis identification, the overall TS and CS rates were 93.3% and 82.2%.

Conclusion(s)

Despite the challenges of conducting ERCP in patients with post-PD anatomy, this retrospective analysis demonstrates an adequate overall TS and CS rate. Although endoscope advancement to the surgical anastomoses may be challenging, TS and CS rates improved if the anastomosis was reached and identified. The advent of endoscopic enteroenterostomy formation, balloon-assisted enterscopy, and rigidizing overtubes may assist in reaching surgical anastomoses. As a result, consideration should be undertaken to attempt ERCP in post-PD patients.

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A121 ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH PANCREATICODUODENECTOMY USING DYNAMIC RIGIDIZING OVERTUBE

Background

Dynamic rigidizing overtubes have recently been described as a useful tool in challenging endoscopic procedures. These devices have the ability to dynamically rigidize, which stabilizes endoscope position, reduce loop formation and assist in the traversal of acute angulation. Its use has been best described in difficult colonoscopies by preventing loop formation and subsequently facilitating cecal intubation. However, the use of rigidizing overtubes for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is sparsely described in the literature. In particular, rigidizing overtubes may be beneficial in patients with surgically-altered anatomy, including post-pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) patients, as traversal to the surgical anastomosis is often challenging because of loop formation and acute angulation. In this study, a retrospective analysis was conducted on post-PD patients undergoing ERCP with dynamic rigidizing overtube.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical and clinical success of post-PD patients undergoing ERCP with rigidizing overtube.

Method

A retrospective analysis was conducted on all post-PD patients who underwent ERCP with rigidizing overtube between 2006 and 2021. Demographic information including age, gender and primary malignancy was collected. Pertinent procedure-related information including indication and anastomosis identification was obtained. The primary outcomes evaluated included technical and clinical success rate. Technical success (TS) was defined as the ability to perform an intended therapeutic intervention (stent insertion, cannulation, etc). Clinical success (CS) was operationalized as improvement in patient symptoms or normalization of bilirubin.

Result(s)

A total of 5 patients underwent 11 ERCPs with rigidizing overtube for biliary indications. There was a total of 3 (60.0%) male and 2 (40.0%) female patients. The average age of the patients was 62.5 years of age. There were 3 (60.0%) patients with pancreas cancer, 1 (20.0%) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and 1 (20.0%) with duodenal adenoma with high grade dysplasia. The indications for ERCP included stent evaluation (n = 6; 54.5%), obstructive jaundice (n =3; 27.3%), cholangitis (n = 1; 9.1%), and stricture evaluation (n = 1; 9.1%). The surgical anastomosis was identified in all patients (n = 11; 100%). The overall technical and clinical success rates were both 90.9%.

Conclusion(s)

The use of rigidizing overtubes in ERCP may be beneficial in patients with surgically altered anatomy. In this small sample, technical and clinical success rates were excellent in post-PD patients. However, additional studies need to be conducted to validate these findings further.

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High-frequency spin torque oscillation in orthogonal magnetization disks with strong biquadratic magnetic coupling

In this study, we numerically investigate the spin transfer torque oscillation (STO) in a magnetic orthogonal configuration by introducing a strong biquadratic magnetic coupling. The orthogonal configuration consists of top and bottom layers with in-plane and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy sandwiching a nonmagnetic spacer. The advantage of an orthogonal configuration is the high efficiency of spin transfer torque leading a high STO frequency; however, maintaining the STO in a wide range of electric current is challenging. By introducing biquadratic magnetic coupling into the orthogonal structure of FePt/spacer/Co₉₀Fe₁₀, Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ or Ni, we were able to expand the electric current region in which the stable STO is realized, resulting in a relatively high STO frequency. For example, approximately 50 GHz can be achieved in an Ni layer at a current density of 5.5 × 10⁷ A/cm². In addition, we investigated two types of initial magnetic state: out-of-plane and in-plane magnetic saturation; this leads to a vortex and an in-plane magnetic domain structure after relaxation, respectively. The transient time before the stable STO was reduced to between 0.5 and 1.8 ns by changing the initial state from out-of-plane to in-plane.

ELOVL fatty acid elongase 7 (ELOVL7), upregulated by Mdr2-knockout, predicts advanced liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the correlations between gene alterations induced in Mdr2-knockout (Mdr2-/-) models and liver fibrosis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The overlapping genes in Mdr2-/- models were determined and included in logistic regression analysis to identify potential candidates for predicting liver fibrosis. Correlations between the expression levels of the identified candidates and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were addressed. Functional enrichment of the identified candidates was also evaluated via bioinformatic analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-two overlapping genes in the GSE4612, GSE8642 and GSE14539 datasets were identified. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that ELOVL fatty acid elongase 7 (ELOVL7) was significantly associated with liver fibrosis S ≥ 2 (OR = 11.8, 95% CI = 2.0 - 69.2, p = 0.006). ELOVL7 was significantly upregulated in patients with various types of liver injury including hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and fatty liver diseases, and in multiple liver injury models, including bile duct ligation (BDL), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and paracetamol injection-induced liver damage models (all p < 0.05). The ELOVL7 levels were significantly higher in HSCs than in other liver cells (all p < 0.05) and were significantly upregulated in activated HSCs compared to quiescent HSCs (all p < 0.05). In addition, ELOVL7 expression was positively associated with transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and bone morphogenic protein 9 (BMP9) expression and negatively associated with BMP7 expression. Bioinformatic analysis of functional enrichment indicated that ELOVL7 is mainly involved in fatty acid synthesis and metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

ELOVL7 could accurately predict advanced liver fibrosis. It might be involved in the activation of HSCs and the TGFβ signaling pathway.

[Micro-CT analysis of tooth development of C57BL/6 mice strain]

Objective: To investigate the normal process of tooth development of C57BL/6 mouse strain by using micro-CT for better understanding about the tooth development of the human being and other species. Methods: A total of 54 C57BL/6 mice were used at postnatal day 1 (P1), P3, P7, P10, P14, P21, P28, P42 and P56 (n=6 for each age group). After euthanasia, the skulls and alveolar bones (with molars) were isolated and scanned by micro-CT scanner. After three dimensional reconstruction, the developmental status of the crown and root(s) for each tooth type was examined in different views. Results: The tooth development of mice from birth to mature (P56) could be divided into three stages. The first stage was from P1 to P14, in which the crowns of all the first, second and third molars had formed, while the roots had not fully developed yet. The second stage was from ablactation (P21) to P28, in which all the roots of the molars had reached their normal length, and the apical foramens had closed. Due to the mastication and occlusal abrasion, the incisors exhibited sharp cutting edges at the buccal enamel layer, and the corresponding molars formed a pit-to-fossa articulated relationship. The third stage was from P42 to P56, in which the root canal differentiation occurred, and 1-2 canal configuration was formed in several flat roots. The development of molar roots had completed and the apexes were enlarged due to the deposition of cementum around. Conclusions: In the process of mouse tooth development, the mineralization of the cusps, followed by crown formation and roots elongation, was precisely regulated in a spatial-temporal pattern. The incisors and the molars exhibited different modes of development.

Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth- and Sixth-Order Net-Proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C_{5}, C_{6}) and factorial cumulants (κ_{5}, κ_{6}) of net-proton and proton number distributions, from center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) 3 GeV to 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Cumulant ratios of net-proton (taken as proxy for net-baryon) distributions generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at 3 GeV. The measured values of C_{6}/C_{2} for 0%-40% centrality collisions show progressively negative trend with decreasing energy, while it is positive for the lowest energy studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (for baryon chemical potential, μ_{B}≤110  MeV) which contains the crossover transition range. In addition, for energies above 7.7 GeV, the measured proton κ_{n}, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component (Poisson+binomial) shape of proton number distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyperorder proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, μ_{B}∼750  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV is starkly different from those at vanishing μ_{B}∼24  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and higher collision energies.

[Directed differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into midbrain]

OBJECTIVE

To establish an efficient protocol for directed differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into functional midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells (DAPs) in vitro.

METHODS

hiPSCs were induced to differentiate into DAPs in two developmental stages. In the first stage (the first 13 days), hiPSCs were induced into intermediate cells morphologically similar to primitive neuroepithelial cells (NECs) in neural induction medium containing a combination of small molecule compounds. In the second stage, the intermediate cells were further induced in neural differentiation medium until day 28 to obtain DAPs. After CM-DiI staining, the induced DAPs were stereotactically transplanted into the right medial forebrain bundle (MFB) of rat models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Eight weeks after transplantation, the motor behaviors of PD rats was evaluated. Immunofluorescence assay of brain sections of the rats was performed at 2 weeks after transplantation to observe the survival, migration and differentiation of the transplanted cells in the host brain microenvironment.

RESULTS

hiPSCs passaged stably on Matrigel showed a normal diploid karyotype, expressed the pluripotency markers OCT4, SOX2, and Nanog, and were positive for alkaline phosphatase. The primitive neuroepithelial cells obtained on day 13 formed dense cell colonies in the form of neural rosettes and expressed the neuroepithelial markers (SOX2, Nestin, and PAX6, 91.3%-92.8%). The DAPs on day 28 highly expressed the specific markers (TH, FOXA2, LMX1A and NURR1, 93.3-96.7%). In rat models of PD, the hiPSCs-DAPs survived and differentiated into TH⁺, FOXA2⁺ and Tuj1⁺ neurons at 2 weeks after transplantation. Eight weeks after transplantation, the motor function of PD rats was significantly improved as shown by water maze test (P < 0.0001) and apomorphine-induced rotation test (P < 0.0001) compared with rats receiving vehicle injection.

CONCLUSION

HiPSCs can be effectively induced to differentiate into DAPs capable of differentiating into functional neurons both in vivo and in vitro. In rat models of PD, the transplanted hiPSCs-DAPs can survive for more than 8 weeks in the MFB and differentiate into multiple functional neurocytes to ameliorate neurological deficits of the rats, suggesting the potential value of hiPSCs-DAPs transplantation for treatment of neurological diseases.

MJL-1 is a nuclear envelope protein required for homologous chromosome pairing and regulation of synapsis during meiosis in C. elegans

Interactions between chromosomes and LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complexes in the nuclear envelope (NE) promote homolog pairing and synapsis during meiosis. By tethering chromosomes to cytoskeletal motors, these connections lead to processive chromosome movements along the NE. This activity is usually mediated by telomeres, but in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, special chromosome regions called "pairing centers" (PCs) have acquired this meiotic function. Here, we identify a previously uncharacterized meiosis-specific NE protein, MJL-1 (MAJIN-Like-1), that is essential for interactions between PCs and LINC complexes in C. elegans. Mutations in MJL-1 eliminate active chromosome movements during meiosis, resulting in nonhomologous synapsis and impaired homolog pairing. Fission yeast and mice also require NE proteins to connect chromosomes to LINC complexes. Extensive similarities in the molecular architecture of meiotic chromosome-NE attachments across eukaryotes suggest a common origin and/or functions of this architecture during meiosis.

[Gasless submental approach endoscopic removal of thyroglossal cyst]

Objective: To explore the safety and feasibility of gasless submental approach endoscopic removal of thyroglossal cyst. Methods: This work prospectively included the clinical data of 13 patients who underwent the gasless submental approach endoscopic removal of thyroglossal cyst at the Department of Otolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from August 2021 to February 2022. The operative time, bleeding volumes, postoperative complications, subjective pain levels, satisfaction with incisional scars, neck and facial deformities, and recurrences were prospectively evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS) score. Results: All of 13 patients were successfully treated using this new technique. The patients had a median age of 38 years, ranging from 24 to 59 years, comprising of 3 males and 10 females. The length of the submental incision was about 3 cm and the median of operation time was 135 minutes. Postoperative complications were minimal. The median volume of blood loss was 10 ml. Surgical site swelling existed in 1 case and dysphagia for more than 1 week occurred in 2 cases. Patients were discharged from the hospital with a median of 3 days after surgery. On a VAS of 0-10 scores, the pain had a median of 2 on the first day after surgery, and the satisfaction with incision scars and neck and facial deformities showed a median of 8 at 6 months after surgery. There were no recurrences during the follow-up period of 9-15 months. Conclusion: Gasless submental approach endoscopic removal of thyroglossal cyst may be a reliable new surgical method that is safe and has cosmetic advantages.

Conservative versus liberal oxygen therapy in relation to all-cause mortality among patients in the intensive care unit: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the benefits and harmful effects of conservative versus liberal oxygen therapy in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out.

SETTING

ICU.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients (aged 18 years or older) were randomized to either a lower oxygenation target strategy (conservative oxygen therapy) or a higher oxygenation target strategy (liberal oxygen therapy) in the ICU.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients received different oxygenation target strategies.

RESULTS

Ten studies involving 5429 adult patients admitted to the ICU were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results showed no decreased all-cause mortality at 28 days (RR 0.90; 95%CI 0.75-1.09; p = 0.28), 90 days (RR 1.02; 95%CI 0.92-1.13; p = 0.71) or longest follow-up (RR 0.97; 95%CI 0.88-1.08; p = 0.63) among patients administered conservative oxygen therapy. Secondary outcomes were comparable between the two groups. The results of sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were consistent with the main analyses.

CONCLUSION

No beneficial or harmful effects of conservative oxygen therapy were found compared to liberal oxygen therapy in relation to all-cause mortality among adult patients in the ICU. Conservative oxygen therapy did not reduce all-cause mortality at 28 days, 90 days or longest follow-up. Other important clinical outcomes were also comparable between the two groups.

Recruitment of Polo-like kinase couples synapsis to meiotic progression via inactivation of CHK-2

Meiotic chromosome segregation relies on synapsis and crossover (CO) recombination between homologous chromosomes. These processes require multiple steps that are coordinated by the meiotic cell cycle and monitored by surveillance mechanisms. In diverse species, failures in chromosome synapsis can trigger a cell cycle delay and/or lead to apoptosis. How this key step in 'homolog engagement' is sensed and transduced by meiotic cells is unknown. Here we report that in C. elegans, recruitment of the Polo-like kinase PLK-2 to the synaptonemal complex triggers phosphorylation and inactivation of CHK-2, an early meiotic kinase required for pairing, synapsis, and double-strand break (DSB) induction. Inactivation of CHK-2 terminates DSB formation and enables CO designation and cell cycle progression. These findings illuminate how meiotic cells ensure CO formation and accurate chromosome segregation.

Isolation, identification, and evaluation of the biocontrol potential of a Bacillus velezensis strain against tobacco root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum

AIMS

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is an economically important crop. Root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum has become a damaging disease in N. tabacum crops grown in Henan province of China. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to screen bacterial isolates against F. oxysporum from rhizosphere soils of tobacco growing areas and to evaluate their antifungal activities, biocontrol effects, and effects on plant growth.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Nineteen strains with antifungal inhibition effects of >60% against F. oxysporum were obtained using the method of flat confrontation; the strain Ba-0321 was the strongest, with an antifungal effect of 75%. Moreover, this strain had broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to eight additional tobacco pathogens. The strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis by morphology and the 16S rDNA sequence. The B. velezensis strain Ba-0321 had strong UV resistance as well as tolerance to high temperatures and low nutrition. The bacteria inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of F. oxysporum under in vitro co-culture conditions. In vivo assays demonstrated that the Ba-0321 strain significantly reduced the pathogenicity of F. oxysporum, resulting in a control effect on tobacco root rot of 81.00%. Simultaneously, the bacteria significantly promoted root development and the growth of tobacco plants.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirmed that the B. velezensis strain Ba-0321 has a strong antifungal effect and stress resistance that enable it to be used as a biological control agent for tobacco root rot caused by F. oxysporum.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Tobacco root rot caused by F. oxysporum has become a damaging disease in China. The B. velezensis strain Ba-0321 has promising application value for controlling tobacco root rot diseases, and it could provide a new biocontrol agent against root rot caused by F. oxysporum in other plant species.

SERUM OMENTIN-1 LEVEL IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AGGREGATION OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN ADOLESCENTS

Objective

The existing studies involving omentin-1 have mainly focused on relationships with single cardiovascular risk factor. Whether omentin-1 is associated with the aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors has not been reported. We investigate the relationship between the serum omentin-1 level and aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 741 young students, 11-16 years of age, were enrolled using a stratified cluster sampling method. The participants were given a questionnaire survey and underwent a physical examination. The aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors was defined as two or more cardiovascular risk factors occurring simultaneously in the same individual.

Results

Partial correlation analysis suggested that serum omentin-1 level was significantly correlated with waist circumference (R=-0.086, P=0.019) and Body Mass Index (R=-0.096, P=0.009). Logistic regression analysis showed that as the serum omentin-1 level increased, the risk of aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors decreased. Cardiovascular risk factors which were most closely associated with a decrease in the serum omentin-1 level were obesity calculated by Body Mass Index (OR=0.988, P=0.043) and central obesity calculated by waist circumference (OR=0.993, P=0.012).

Conclusions

The serum omentin-1 level in adolescents is inversely associated with the aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors. Waist circumference and Body Mass Index are factors most closely associated with a decrease in the serum omentin-1 level.

Celastrol directly binds with VAMP7 and RAB7 to inhibit autophagy and induce apoptosis in preadipocytes

Obesity is one of the most prevalent chronic metabolic diseases, and induction of apoptosis in preadipocytes and adipocytes is a potential strategy to treat obesity. Celastrol represents one of the most robust anti-obesity phytochemicals so far, yet its direct binding target remains elusive. Here, we determined that celastrol could induce apoptosis in preadipocytes via mitochondrial mediated pathway. Further study clarified that celastrol inhibited the fusion of autophagosome and lysosome to prohibit autophagy, leading to cell apoptosis. By conducting virtual screening and genetic manipulation, we verified that overexpression of VAMP7 and RAB7 could block the effects of celastrol on inhibiting autophagy and inducing apoptosis. The Surface Plasmon Resonance study confirmed the direct binding of celastrol with VAMP7 and RAB7. The functional study illustrated the inhibition of RAB7 GTPase activity after celastrol treatment. Moreover, celastrol induced comparable apoptosis in murine epididymal adipose tissue, human preadipocytes and adipocytes, but not in human hepatocytes. An inhibitory effect on differentiation of human primary visceral preadipocytes was also observed. In conclusion, celastrol exhibited inhibitory effect of autophagy via direct binding with VAMP7 and RAB7, leading to an increase in preadipocytes apoptosis. These results advance our understanding in the potential application of celastrol in treating obesity.

Constraints on Heavy Decaying Dark Matter from 570 Days of LHAASO Observations

The kilometer square array (KM2A) of the large high altitude air shower observatory (LHAASO) aims at surveying the northern γ-ray sky at energies above 10 TeV with unprecedented sensitivity. γ-ray observations have long been one of the most powerful tools for dark matter searches, as, e.g., high-energy γ rays could be produced by the decays of heavy dark matter particles. In this Letter, we present the first dark matter analysis with LHAASO-KM2A, using the first 340 days of data from 1/2-KM2A and 230 days of data from 3/4-KM2A. Several regions of interest are used to search for a signal and account for the residual cosmic-ray background after γ/hadron separation. We find no excess of dark matter signals, and thus place some of the strongest γ-ray constraints on the lifetime of heavy dark matter particles with mass between 10^{5} and 10^{9}  GeV. Our results with LHAASO are robust, and have important implications for dark matter interpretations of the diffuse astrophysical high-energy neutrino emission.

U-shaped association between dietary thiamine intake and new-onset diabetes: a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

The association between dietary thiamine intake and the risk of diabetes remains unknown.

AIM

We aimed to evaluate the relation of dietary thiamine intake with new-onset diabetes and examine possible effect modifiers.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 16 272 participants who were free of diabetes at baseline were enrolled from China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Dietary nutrients intake information was collected by 3-day dietary recalls in addition to using a 3-day food-weighed method to assess cooking oil and condiment consumption. New-onset diabetes was defined as a fasting blood glucose ≥7.0 mmol/l or a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or diagnosed by a physician during the follow-up.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up duration of 9.0 years, new-onset diabetes occurred in 1101 participants. Overall, the association between dietary thiamine intake and new-onset diabetes followed a U-shape (P for non-linearity <0.001). Consistently, when thiamine intake was assessed as quartiles, compared with those in the 2-3 quartiles (0.75 to 1.10 mg/day), the significantly higher risks of new-onset diabetes were found in participants in the first quartile [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10, 1.61] and the fourth quartile (adjusted HR, 1.39; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.67). Similar results were found when further adjusting for the intake of other major nutrients or food groups; or using the propensity score weighting to control the imbalance of covariates.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that there was a U-shape association between dietary thiamine intake and new-onset diabetes in general Chinese adults, with a minimal risk at 0.75-1.10 mg/day.

BACH1 regulates the proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells

Background

The preservation of biological and physiological vitality as well as the formation of dentin are among the main tasks of human dental pulp for a life time. Odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) exhibits the capacity of dental pulp regeneration and dentin complex rebuilding. Exploration of the mechanisms regulating differentiation and proliferation of hDPSCs may help to investigate potential clinical applications. BTB and CNC homology 1 (BACH1) is a transcription repressor engaged in the regulation of multiple cellular functions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of BACH1 on the proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs in vitro.

Methods

hDPSCs and pulpal tissues were obtained from extracted human premolars or third molars. The distribution of BACH1 was detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expression of BACH1 were examined by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. BACH1 expression was regulated by stable lentivirus-mediated transfection. Cell proliferation and cell cycle were assessed by cell counting kit-8 assay, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay and flow cytometry. The expression of mineralization markers, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red S staining were conducted to assess the odontoblastic differentiation ability.

Results

BACH1 expression was stronger in the odontoblast layer than in the cell rich zone. The total and nuclear protein level of BACH1 during odontoblastic differentiation was downregulated initially and then upregulated gradually. Knockdown of BACH1 greatly inhibited cell proliferation, arrested cell cycle, upregulated the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and attenuated ALP activity, decreased calcium deposits and downregulated the expression of mineralization markers. Treatment of Tin-protoporphyrin IX, an HO-1 inhibitor, failed to rescue the impaired odonto/osteogenic differentiation capacity. Overexpression of BACH1 increased cell proliferation, ALP activity and the expression of mineralization markers.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that BACH1 is an important regulator of the proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs in vitro. Manipulation of BACH1 expression may provide an opportunity to promote the regenerative capacity of hDPSCs.

[Susceptibility study on the germline rare variants of bromodomain and extraterminal domain protein family-encoding genes and patients with cancer living in some regions of China]

Objective: To explore the relationship between germline rare variants of bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) protein family-encoding genes and susceptibility to cancer in some regions of China. Methods: Capturing probes were designed for bromodomain-containing protein 2 (BRD2), BRD3 and BRD4 genes, and Illumina high-throughput sequencing platform was used to conduct targeted sequencing of genomic DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes from 1 673 patients with cancer and 1 661 individuals without cancer recruited between October 2015 and July 2018 from Chinese PLA General Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, People's Hospital of Macheng City, Hubei Province and Geneplus-Beijing Co. Ltd. Mutation detection and analysis were carried out according to the genome analysis toolkit (GATK) best practice guidelines, ANNOVAR and VEP software were used for annotation, and germline rare variants in BET family were screened. To determine potential pathogenic germline rare variants, clinical and experimental evidence was obtained from the ClinVar database and SIFT and Polyphen-2 softwares were used to predict pathogenicity. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the difference of the carrying rate of variants in the case group and the control group, and multivariate regression analysis was performed with the SKAT software with sex and age used as covariates. Results: Among the 1 673 cancer patients, 911 were males and 762 were females, with the mean age was (57.9±11.7) years. There were 1, 111 cases (66.4%) of lung cancer, 266 cases (15.9%) of colorectal cancer, 186 cases of breast cancer (11.1%), and 110 cases (6.6%) of esophagus or gastric cancer. In the same period 1, 661 non-tumor control individuals were recruited, including 821 males and 840 females, with the mean age was (44.5±13.9) years. It was observed that there were 4 potential pathogenic germline rare variants in BRD2 gene carried by 17 patients with cancer, 5 potential pathogenic germline rare variants in BRD3 gene and 8 potential pathogenic germline rare variants in BRD4 gene. The carrying rate of potential pathogenic germline rare variants in BRD2 gene in cancer patients was 1.02% (17/1 673), significantly higher than that in controls without cancer [0 (0/1 661); OR=+∞, 95%CI: 4.81-+∞, P<0.001]. The carrying rate of potential pathogenic germline rare variants in BRD3 gene in cancer patients was 0.24% (4/1 673), and the difference was not statistically significant compared with controls without cancer [0.12% (2/1 661); OR=1.99, 95%CI: 0.46-10.47, P=0.690]. The carrying rate of potential pathogenic germline rare variants in BRD4 gene in cancer patients was 0.18% (3/1 673), and the difference was not statistically significant compared with controls without cancer [0.36% (6/1 661); OR=0.50, 95%CI: 0.14-2.08, P=0.340]. Furthermore, the dataset of whole exome sequencing of Chinese individuals in "Huabiao Project" was used as an additional control, and the rate of carrying BRD2 rare variants in cancer patients was 17/3 346 (0.51%), significantly higher than that in controls without cancer [0.07% (3/4 154); OR=7.07, 95%CI: 2.32-22.83, P<0.001]. Among the 17 patients carrying 4 potentially pathogenic germline rare variants of BRD2 gene, 9 were patients with lung cancer, 6 were patients with colorectal cancer, 1 was patient with breast cancer, and 1 was patients with esophagus or gastric cancer. The carrying rate of potential pathogenic germline rare variants in BRD2 gene in lung cancer patients was 0.81 (9/1 111), significantly higher than that in controls without cancer [0(0/1 661); OR=+∞, 95%CI: 3.95-+∞,P<0.001]. The carrying rate of potential pathogenic germline rare variants in BRD2 gene in patients with colorectal cancer was 2.26% (6/266), significantly higher than that in controls without cancer [0(0/1 661); OR=+∞, 95%CI: 9.03-+∞, P<0.001]. Wilcoxon rank-sum test results showed that patients with colorectal cancer carrying BRD2 rare variants had an earlier age at diagnosis [(47.0±7.4) vs (57.2±12.1) years old, P=0.017]. Conclusions: BRD2 gene may be served as a candidate genetic susceptibility gene for lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Carrying BRD2 potential pathogenic germline rare variants is associated with higher risk of lung cancer and colorectal cancer, and with earlier age of colorectal cancer.

[Advances in the etiology and calculation of surgically induced astigmatism in cataract surgery]

After cataract extraction, surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) may occur due to the surgical incisions, especially when using clear corneal incisions, which may lead to different degrees of corneal astigmatism and affect postoperative visual quality. How to control SIA and improve the accuracy of SIA calculation is of great value to guide preoperative planning. In this article, the etiology and calculation methodologies of SIA in cataract surgery were reviewed, aiming to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of cataract refractive surgery.

[Feasibility and effectiveness of application of internet-based HIV testing in men who have sex with men]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the application of internet-based HIV testing in men who have sex with men (MSM) in practical application and provide evidence for its application in the future. Methods: MSM who visited the internet-based intervention platform for at least one time from June to December 2020 were selected for the study. The information about platform visit, the number of self-test kits provided, the basic characteristics of the MSM and their satisfactory level were collected. And multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the potential factors associated with the reporting of self-test results. Results: By the end of December 31^th, 2020, a total of 132 267 platform visits had been recorded, and 3 511 HIV self-test kits had been provided upon the MSM's requests, and 3 237 MSM (92.2%) reported self-test results. The HIV positive rate was 2.4% (69/2 855) and the confirmation rate of positive HIV test results was 86.7% (52/60). The MSM who asked for self-test kits online were mainly aged ≤30 years, had education level of college or above, and found their sexual partners through internet or dating software. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that repeat of online HIV self-test kits application (OR=3.50,95%CI:2.10-5.83), guarantee deposit of 50 yuan at application (OR=2.55,95%CI:1.33-4.89), monthly economic income 1-3 000 yuan (OR=1.54,95%CI:1.05-2.28) or no income (OR=1.71,95%CI:1.20-2.42) and online sexual partners finding (OR=1.49,95%CI:1.13-1.95) were associated with higher reporting rate of self-test results. The satisfactory rate the MSM to the service of platform was 99.5% (217/218). Conclusions: The study confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of internet-based intervention for HIV tests in MSM, which could promote the self-test of HIV in MSM and facilitate the early detection of HIV infection through social media platforms and multi-channel promotion.

Progress in the Preclinical and Clinical Study of Resveratrol for Vascular Metabolic Disease

Vascular metabolic dysfunction presents in various diseases, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Due to the high prevalence of these diseases, it is important to explore treatment strategies to protect vascular function. Resveratrol (RSV), a natural polyphenolic phytochemical, is regarded as an agent to regulate metabolic pathways. Many studies have proven that RSV has beneficial effects on improving metabolism in endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which provide new directions to treat vascular metabolic diseases. Herein, we overviewed that RSV could regulate cell metabolism activity by inhibiting glucose uptake, suppressing glycolysis, preventing cells from fatty acid-related damages, reducing lipogenesis, increasing fatty acid oxidation, enhancing lipolysis, elevating uptake and synthesis of glutamine, and increasing NO release. Furthermore, in clinical trials, although the results from different studies remain controversial, we proposed that RSV had better therapeutic effects at high concentrations and for patients with metabolic disorders.

Efficacy of non-surgical periodontal treatment on patients with coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is defined as one of the most common cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Periodontitis is one of the risk factors for CAD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were carefully and thoroughly retrieved until October 2021. On the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eligible articles were selected strictly to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Using Cochran's Q statistic, Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 16, data were extracted, and a comprehensive analysis was carried out.

RESULTS

Six RCTs of 619 patients were included in this study, including 360 in the intervention group (IG) and 259 in the control group (CG). Meta-analysis showed significant difference for C-reactive protein (CRP) (1.20mg/L, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.27, p < 0.00001) after non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT), but showed no significant difference for interleukin-6 (IL-6) (1.19mg/L, 95% CI: -1.03 to 3.40, p=0.29), flow-mediated dilation (FMD) (-1.64%, 95% CI: -4.95 to 1.67, p=0.33), triacylglycerol (TG) (-0.02mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.31 to 0.27, p=0.90), total cholesterol (TC) (0.04mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.25 to 0.33, p=0.90), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (0.00mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.29 to 0.29, p=0.99) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (0.11mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.18 to 0.40, p=0.46).

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of NSPT on the reduction of CRP in patients of CAD with periodontitis is significant. NSPT can be considered as an important preventive strategy for major cardiovascular events in CAD.

Genome-wide Scan of Dental Fear and Anxiety Nominates Novel Genes

Dental care-related fear and anxiety (DFA) is prevalent, affects oral health care utilization, and is related to poor oral health and decreased quality of life. In addition to learned and cultural factors, genetics is hypothesized to contribute to DFA. Therefore, we performed a genome-wide association study to identify genetic variants contributing to DFA. Adult and adolescent participants were from 4 cohorts (3 from the US-based Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, n = 1,144, 1,164, and 535, and the UK-based Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children [ALSPAC], n = 2,078). Two self-report instruments were used to assess DFA: the Dental Fear Survey (US cohorts) and Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (ALSPAC). Genome-wide scans were performed for the DFA total scores and subscale scores (avoidance, physiological arousal, fear of dental treatment-specific stimuli), adjusting for age, sex, educational attainment, recruitment site, and genetic ancestry. Results across cohorts were combined using meta-analysis. Heritability estimates for DFA total and subscale scores were similar across cohorts and ranged from 23% to 59%. The meta-analysis revealed 3 significant (P < 5E-8) associations between genetic loci and 2 DFA subscales: physiological arousal and avoidance. Nearby genes included NTSR1 (P = 3.05E-8), DMRTA1 (P = 4.40E-8), and FAM84A (P = 7.72E-9). Of these, NTSR1, which was associated with the avoidance subscale, mediates neurotensin function, and its deficiency may lead to altered fear memory in mice. Gene enrichment analyses indicated that loci associated with the DFA total score and physiological arousal subscale score were enriched for genes associated with severe and persistent mental health (e.g., schizophrenia) and neurocognitive (e.g., autism) disorders. Heritability analysis indicated that DFA is partly explained by genetic factors, and our association results suggested shared genetic underpinnings with other psychological conditions.

[Comparison of four-coagulation-tests values in normal pregnant women during early and late pregnancy and the influence of age]

Objective: To explore and compare the reference ranges of four coagulation tests in normal pregnant women during early and late pregnancy and the influence of age. Methods: Values of four coagulation tests from 4 974 pregnant women, who gave single birth at Peking University First Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, West China Second University Hospital, Peking University Third Hospital and Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from February 2017 to July 2020, were measured and analyzed in this study, including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fib) and thrombin time (TT). The four normal reference ranges of coagulation during early and late pregnancy phases were expressed as P_2.5-P_97.5. The difference of two pregnancy phases was compared by non-parametric test of two related samples. And the difference between pregnant women of advanced and non-advanced age in the same pregnancy phase was compared by independent sample non-parametric test. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidence of pregnancy complications in different coagulation reference ranges. Results: The reference ranges of PT of normal pregnant women's early and late pregnancy were 10.0-13.9 s and 9.6-12.3 s, the reference ranges of APTT were 22.6-35.3 s and 22.4-30.9 s, the reference ranges of Fib were 2.4-5.0 g/L and 3.0-5.7 g/L, the reference ranges of TT were 12.0-19.0 s and 11.5-18.4 s. Compared with early pregnancy, PT, APTT and TT shortened significantly, while the Fib significantly increased in late pregnancy (all P<0.001). PT, APTT and TT of advanced and non-advanced age pregnant women were significantly different (all P<0.01). Compared with the ranges of non-pregnant population, more pregnant women were included in the normal pregnant reference ranges of PT in early pregnancy and APTT in the early and late pregnancy, while the incidence of pregnancy complications had no significant differences (all P>0.05). The incidence of fetal distress was higher and the incidence of preterm birth was lower in the reference range of PT in late pregnancy. The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus was higher in the early and late gestational Fib reference ranges, and the incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy was higher in the late gestational Fib reference range (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The coagulation function of pregnant women increases significantly with the growth of pregnancy, and there is a significant difference between advanced significantly and non-advanced age pregnant women. The recommended ranges of normal pregnant women's early and late pregnancy PT are 10.0-13.9 s and 9.6-12.3 s, the recommended ranges of APTT are 22.6-35.3 s and 22.4-30.9 s, the recommended ranges of TT are 12.0-19.0 s and 11.5-18.4 s. The appropriate ranges of normal pregnant women's early and late pregnancy Fib still need further exploration.

[Effect of CD4-positive T lymphocyte expression rate on pain control and prognosis in stage Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer patients with cancerous pain]

Objective: To investigate the effect of CD4-positive T lymphocyte expression rate on the pain control and prognosis of stage Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with cancerous pain. Methods: The clinical data of 128 stage Ⅳ NSCLC patients with cancerous pain who were admitted to the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 92 males and 36 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 23∶9 and an average age of (56±21) years old. The expression rate of CD4-positive T lymphocytes in peripheral blood was routinely detected on admission, and the expression rate of CD4-positive T lymphocytes ≥45% was defined as the CD4 high expression group, and<45% was defined as the low expression group. The differences in the time required for pain control, the dosage of opioids and the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups were compared and analyzed. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, and the overall survival (OS) time and progression-free survival (PFS) time of the two groups were calculated. Cox regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of patients' OS time and PFS time. Results: The median time required for pain control in the high CD4 expression group [M (Q₁, Q₃)] was 18.6 (4.6, 21.5) h, which was lower than that in the low CD4 expression group [28.2 (7.1, 38.9) h] (P=0.012). The dosage of morphine in the CD4 high expression group [M (Q₁, Q₃)] was 88.6 (42.5, 295.0) mg, which was lower than that in the low expression group [145.8 (82.5, 442.5) mg] (P=0.010). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, intestinal obstruction, and respiratory depression between the two groups (all P>0.05). The OS time and PFS time in the CD4 high expression group [M (Q₁, Q₃)] were 12.5 (8.1, 13.8) months and 8.5(3.1, 9.4) months, respectively, which were higher than those in the CD4 low expression group [8.6 (4.1, 12.9) months and 6.5 (2.1, 7.9) months, respectively] (all P<0.01). Cox multivariate analysis showed that high expression of CD4 was a protective factor affecting OS (HR=0.876, 95%CI: 1.224-6.641, P=0.004) and PFS (HR=0.675, 95%CI: 1.742-5.930, P=0.031) Conclusion: The stage Ⅳ NSCLC patients with cancerous pain and high expression of CD4-positive T lymphocytes have shorter pain control time, less morphine dosage, and longer OS and PFS time.

National audit of non-melanoma skin cancer excisions performed by plastic surgery in the UK

A national, multi-centre audit of non-melanoma skin cancer excisions by plastic surgery.

[Virtual reconstruction and clinical verification of maxillary defect based on deep learning]

Objective: To construct a virtual reconstruction method including midspan maxillary defects and provide clinical reference by training a generative adversarial network (GAN) model. Methods: The CT data of middle-aged Han patients with oral diseases who visited the Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University from June 2015 to June 2022 were collected, where the CT data of 100 healthy maxilla and 15 maxillary defects (5 simple unilateral defects, 5 unilateral defects involving zygomatic bone, 5 midspan defects) were selected. Mimics was used to create spherical phantom and simulate bone defects around the healthy maxillas, including simple unilateral defects, unilateral defects involving zygomatic bone and midspan defects. The original image was set as the correct reference for the reconstruction: artificial defects paired with the correct reference were divided into training set (n=70), validation set (n=20) and test set (n=10), where the first two were used to train the GAN model, and the test set was used to evaluate the GAN performance. Data from 15 clinical defects were imported into the trained GAN model for reconstruction, with mirroring and GAN-based virtual reconstruction for unilateral clinical defects, and only the latter method was adopted for midspan defects. The reconstruction results were divided into mirror reconstruction group (n=10), unilateral defect GAN reconstruction group (n=10) and midspan defect GAN reconstruction group (n=5). The test set, mirror reconstruction group, and unilateral defect GAN reconstruction group were quantitatively evaluated, whose quantitative indicators were Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and 95% Hausdorff distance (HD95), and the group results were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey test. The test set, mirror reconstruction group, unilateral defect GAN reconstruction group and midspan defect GAN reconstruction group were qualitatively scored, and Kruskal-Wallis test and Bonferroni correction were used for the total score of each group. Results: The total differences in the test set, mirror reconstruction group, unilateral defect GAN reconstruction group DCS (0.891±0.049, 0.721±0.047, 0.778±0.057, respectively) and HD95 [(3.58±1.51), (5.19±1.38), (4.51±1.10) mm, respectively] were statistically significant (F=28.08, P<0.001; F=3.62, P=0.041); among them, the test set DSC was significantly larger than the mirror reconstruction group (P<0.05), and the test set HD95 was significantly less than the mirror reconstruction group (P<0.05). Overall difference in qualitative total scores [8 (1), 6 (2), 6 (2), and 4 (2) points, respectively] in the test set, mirror reconstruction group, unilateral defect GAN reconstruction group, and midspan defect GAN reconstruction group were statistical significance (H=18.13, P<0.001); pairwise comparison showed that the total score of the test set was significantly higher than that of the mirror reconstruction group (P<0.05). Conclusions: The virtual reconstruction method based on GAN proposed in this study has better virtual reconstruction effect of unilateral defect than mirror technique, and can also realize virtual reconstruction of maxillary midspan defect.

Parathyroid hormone-induced vascular smooth muscle cells calcification by endoplasmic reticulum stress

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a key role in vascular calcification, which is associated with enhanced mortality in chronic kidney disease. To ascertain the concentration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) that induces apoptosis of VSMCs and to explore whether the mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in PTH-induced calcification of VSMCs. The appropriate concentration and intervention time of PTH-inducing apoptosis of VSMCs were screened by flow cytometry. To investigate the effects of PTH on ER stress-related and apoptotic proteins in VSMCs, they were divided into four groups. These were the control group, the PTH group, the siC/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) + PTH group (in which siCHOP was used to knockdown the expression of CHOP at first), and the sp600125 + PTH group (in which the cells were pretreated with sp600125 at a concentration of 10 ng/ml for 24 h at first). Then, all groups except the control group were given 1x10^-6 mol/L PTH to stimulate VSMCs. The changes in ER stress and apoptosis-related proteins in each group were detected, and the cell calcification was tested by Alizarin Red staining. Flow cytometry showed that the concentration of 1x10^-6 mol/L PTH induced apoptosis most significantly. The apoptosis rate of the cells increased with the extension of stimulation time. The apoptosis of VSMCs pretreated with the Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) antagonist sp600125 was significantly reduced. The expression of cleaved caspase-3, PERK, IRE1, and CHOP was detected by Western blot analysis when cells were stimulated with 10^-6 mol/L PTH for 14 days. After the knockdown of the CHOP expression by siCHOP, cleaved caspase-3 expression was significantly reduced. Alizarin Red staining showed siCHOP and sp600125 inhibits the VSMCs' calcification induced by PTH. In conclusion: the ER stress mechanism is involved in VSMCs' calcification induced by PTH.

Protocol for high-throughput screening of ACE2 enzymatic activators to treat COVID-19-induced metabolic complications

Drug repositioning represents a cost- and time-efficient strategy for drug development. Here, we present a workflow of in silico screening of ACE2 enzymatic activators to treat COVID-19-induced metabolic complications. By using structure-based virtual screening and signature-based off-target effect identification via the Connectivity Map database, we provide a ranked list of the repositioning candidates as potential ACE2 enzymatic activators to ameliorate COVID-19-induced metabolic complications. The workflow can also be applied to other diseases with ACE2 as a potential target.

For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Li et al. (2022).

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Structure-based high-throughput virtual screening for ACE2 enzymatic activators

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Signature-based drug repositioning for COVID-19-induced metabolic complications

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Workflow applicable for other diseases with ACE2 as a potential target

Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Pregnancy of cryopreserved ovine embryos at different developmental stages

BACKGROUND

Developmental stage and cryopreservation method have significant impact on the pregnancy rate after transfer of embryos produced in vivo.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the pregnancy outcomes from ovine embryos cryopreserved at different developmental stages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Embryos at different developmental stages were obtained from donor ewes through simultaneous estrus treatment and laparoscopic artificial insemination. Embryos, either cryopreserved via vitrification or slow freezing method, were implanted into recipient ewes. The pregnancy rate was determined 35 days after transfer.

RESULTS

The pregnancy rate of developing embryos increases after transfer from the morula stage, early blastocyst to expanded blastocyst stages (64.9%, 73.9% and 81.3%, respectively). However, cryopreservation significantly decreases the pregnancy rate of embryos at all three developmental stages, and there is no significant difference among developmental stages (43.9%, 43.7%, 52.9%, respectively). There is also no significant difference in the pregnancy rate between slowly-frozen embryos and vitrified embryos.

CONCLUSION

The pregnancy outcomes of embryo transfer is better at the expanded blastocyst stage than at earlier stages. However, no difference is observed in the pregnancy rate of embryos at different developmental stage after cryopreservation, either by slow freezing and vitrification. Cryopreservation methods for ovine embryos, both slow freezing and vitrification, need further improvement. doi.org/10.54680/fr22510110512.