Exercise protects aged mice against coronary endothelial senescence via FUNDC1-dependent mitophagy

Vascular aging contributes to adverse changes in organ function and is a significant indicator of major cardiac events. Endothelial cells (ECs) participate in aging-provoked coronary vascular pathology. Regular exercise is associated with preservation of arterial function with aging in humans. However, the molecular basis is not well understood. The present study was aimed to determine the effects of exercise on coronary endothelial senescence and whether mitochondrial clearance regulator FUN14 domain containing 1 (FUNDC1)-related mitophagy and mitochondrial homeostasis were involved. In mouse coronary arteries, FUNDC1 levels showed gradually decrease with age. Both FUNDC1 and mitophagy levels in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were significantly reduced in aged mice and were rescued by exercise training. Exercise also alleviated CMECs senescence as evidenced by senescence associated β-galactosidase activity and aging markers, prevented endothelial abnormal cell migration, proliferation, and eNOS activation in CMECs from aged mice, and improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation of coronary artery, reduced myocardial neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokines evoked by MI/R, restored angiogenesis and consequently alleviated MI/R injury in aging. Importantly, FUNDC1 deletion abolished the protective roles of exercise and FUNDC1 overexpression in ECs with adeno-associated virus (AAV) reversed endothelial senescence and prevented MI/R injury. Mechanistically, PPARγ played an important role in regulating FUNDC1 expressions in endothelium under exercise-induced laminar shear stress. In conclusion, exercise prevents endothelial senescence in coronary arteries via increasing FUNDC1 in a PPARγ-dependent manner, and subsequently protects aged mice against MI/R injury. These findings highlight FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy as potential therapeutic target that prevents endothelial senescence and myocardial vulnerability.

Extraction, structural characterization, and biological activities of a new glucan from Codonopsis pilosula

In this study, a powerful and rapid aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) method was used to extract polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula. The ATPS process was investigated with response surface methodology (RSM). At an ammonium sulfate concentration of 17%, ethanol concentration of 30%, and extraction temperature of 40 °C at pH 6, the total extraction yield of polysaccharides reached (31.57 ± 1.28)%. After separation and purification, a homogenized polysaccharide CPP 2-4 with molecular weight of 3.9 × 10⁴ kDa was obtained from the bottom phase. The physicochemical properties and structural features confirmed that CPP 2-4 was an α-1,6-glucan. Activity studies showed that the IC₅₀ of CPP 2-4 for DPPH radical scavenging was 0.105 mg/mL. The FRAP and ABTS assays showed that CPP 2-4 had strong antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, CPP 2-4 inhibited NO release in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide, which indicated a certain anti-inflammatory effect. This study improved the extraction rate of polysaccharides from C. pilosula and identified a glucan for the first time, that can contribute to a better understanding of the composition and structure of polysaccharides from C. pilosula and provide data support for the medicine and food homology of C. pilosula.

Measurement of Sequential ϒ Suppression in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR Experiment

We report on measurements of sequential ϒ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0%-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (R_{AA}), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) are 0.40±0.03(stat)±0.03(sys)±0.09(norm) and 0.26±0.08(stat)±0.02(sys)±0.06(norm), respectively, while the upper limit of the ϒ(3S) R_{AA} is 0.17 at a 95% confidence level. This provides experimental evidence that the ϒ(3S) is significantly more suppressed than the ϒ(1S) at RHIC. The level of suppression for ϒ(1S) is comparable to that observed at the much higher collision energy at the Large Hadron Collider. These results point to the creation of a medium at RHIC whose temperature is sufficiently high to strongly suppress excited ϒ states.

The association between experiences of being defrauded and depressive symptoms of middle-aged and elderly people: a cross-sectional study in China

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the correlation between middle-aged and elderly fraud victimhood's experiences of being defrauded (EOBD) and depressive symptoms.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective study.

METHODS

Data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2018 (N = 15,322, mean age = 60.80 years) were used. Logistic regression models were used to identify the association between EOBD and depressive symptoms. Independent analyses were used to examine the association between different types of the fraud and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Among the middle-aged and elderly people, 9.37% of them have EOBD, and it was significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Among those with EOBD, fundraising fraud (3.72%) and fraudulent pyramid scheme and sales fraud (22.4%) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms, whereas telecommunication fraud (73.88%) had a limited role in inducing depressive symptoms in victimhood.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that the government should make further efforts to prevent fraud, pay more attention to the mental health of the middle-aged and elderly victimhood, and provide timely psychological assistance to reduce the secondary harm caused by fraud.

A small-molecule inhibitor of Keap1-Nrf2 interaction attenuates sepsis by selectively augmenting the antibacterial defence of macrophages at infection sites

BACKGROUND

Macrophages at infection sites are considered as the promising therapeutic targets to prevent sepsis development. The Nrf2/Keap1 system acts as a critical modulator of the antibacterial activity of macrophages. Recently, Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors have emerged as safer and stronger Nrf2 activators; however, their therapeutic potential in sepsis remains unclear. Herein, we report a unique heptamethine dye, IR-61, as a Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitor that preferentially accumulates in macrophages at infection sites.

METHODS

A mouse model of acute lung bacterial infection was used to investigate the biodistribution of IR-61. SPR study and CESTA were used to detect the Keap1 binding behaviour of IR-61 in vitro and in cells. Established models of sepsis in mice were used to determine the therapeutic effect of IR-61. The relationship between Nrf2 levels and sepsis outcomes was preliminarily investigated using monocytes from human patients.

FINDINGS

Our data showed that IR-61 preferentially accumulated in macrophages at infection sites, enhanced bacterial clearance, and improved outcomes in mice with sepsis. Mechanistic studies indicated that IR-61 potentiated the antibacterial function of macrophages by activating Nrf2 via direct inhibition of the Keap1-Nrf2 interaction. Moreover, we observed that IR-61 enhanced the phagocytic ability of human macrophages, and the expression levels of Nrf2 in monocytes might be associated with the outcomes of sepsis patients.

INTERPRETATIONS

Our study demonstrates that the specific activation of Nrf2 in macrophages at infection sites is valuable for sepsis management. IR-61 may prove to be a Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitor for the precise treatment of sepsis.

FUNDING

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Major program 82192884), the Intramural Research Project (Grants: 2018-JCJQ-ZQ-001 and 20QNPY018), and the Chongqing National Science Foundation (CSTB2022NSCQ-MSX1222).

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.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting morbidity in surgically resected primary retroperitoneal sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Surgery is the cornerstone of the treatment for primary retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). The purpose of this study was to establish a nomogram predictive model for predicting postoperative morbidity in primary RPS.

METHODS

Clinicopathological data of patients who underwent radical resection from 2009 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Risk factor analysis was performed using a logistic regression model, and modeling variables were selected based on Akaike Information Criterion. The nomogram prediction model was built on the basis of a binary logistic regression model and internally validated by calibration curves and concordance index.

RESULTS

A total of 319 patients were enrolled, including 162 males (50.8%). 22.9% (n = 73) were over 65 years of age, and 70.2% (n = 224) had tumors larger than 10 cm. The most common histologic subtypes were well-differentiated liposarcoma (38.2%), dedifferentiated liposarcoma (25.1%) and leiomyosarcoma (7.8%). According to the Clavien-Dindo Classification, 96 (31.1%) and 31 (11.6%) patients had grade I-II complications and grade III-V complications, respectively. Age, tumor burden, location, operative time, number of combined organ resections, weighted resected organ score, estimated blood loss and packed RBC transfusion was used to construct the nomogram, and the concordance index of which was 0.795 (95% CI 0.746-0.844). and the calibration curve indicated a high agreement between predicted and actual rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Nomogram, a visual predictive tool that integrates multiple clinicopathological factors, can help physicians screen RPS patients at high risk for postoperative complications and provide a basis for early intervention.

[Analysis of the efficacy and safety of CT-guided dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency combined with ozone injection in the treatment of acute herpes zoster neuralgia in the neck and upper extremities]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of pulsed radiofrequency of dorsal root ganglion combined with ozone injection on acute herpes zoster neuralgia in the neck and upper extremities. Methods: A total of 110 patients with acute phase herpes zoster neuralgia in the neck and upper extremities treated in the Department of Pain of Jiaxing First Hospital from January 2019 to February 2020 were retrospectively included. The patients were divided into two groups according to different treatment modalities: the pulsed radiofrequency group (group A, n=68) and the pulsed radiofrequency combined with ozone injection group (group B, n=42). In group A, there were 40 males and 28 females, aged (71.9±9.9) years, while group B consisted of 23 males and 19 females, aged (66.3±16.9) years. Patients were followed up, and numerical rating scale (NRS) score, dose of adjuvant gabapentin, incidence of clinically significant postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and adverse effects were recorded preoperatively (T₀) and at 1 d (T₁), 3 d (T₂), 1 week (T₃), 1 month (T₄), 2 months (T₅), and 3 months (T₆) postoperatively. Results: The NRS score of patients [M (Q₁, Q₃)] in group A at time points T₀, T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄, T₅ and T₆ was 6 (6, 6), 2 (2, 2), 3 (3, 4), 3 (2, 3), 2 (2, 3), 2 (1, 3) , 1 (0, 2), respectively, while the NRS score at aforementioned time points in group B was 6 (6, 6), 2 (1, 2), 3 (3, 4), 3 (2, 3), 2 (2, 3), 2 (1, 3), 1 (0, 2), respectively. Compared with preoperative NRS scores, NRS scores decreased in both groups at all postoperative time points (all P<0.05). Compared with group A, the NRS scores of group B at time points T₃, T₄, T₅, and T₆ decreased more significantly, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The dose of gabapentin in group A [M (Q₁, Q₃)] was 0.6 (0.6, 0.6), 0.3 (0.3, 0.6), 0.3 (0.0, 0.3) and 0.0 (0.0, 0.3) mg/d at time points T₀, T₄, T₅, and T₆, respectively, and 0.6 (0.6, 0.6), 0.3 (0.2, 0.3), 0.0 (0.0, 0.3) 0.0 (0.0, 0.0) mg/d in patients in group B, respectively. Compared with the preoperative period, the doses of gabapentin taken by patients in both groups reduced significantly at all postoperative time points (all P<0.05). Moreover, compared with group A, the gabapentin dose in group B decreased more significantly at time points T₄, T₅, and T₆, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The incidence of clinically significant PHN was 25.0% (17/68) and 7.1% (3/42) in groups A and B, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P=0.018). No serious adverse effects such as pneumothorax, spinal cord injury and hematoma were observed during the treatment period in both groups. Conclusion: Pulsed radiofrequency of dorsal root ganglion combined with ozone injection is safer and more effective for the treatment of acute phase herpes zoster neuralgia in the neck and upper extremities, and it can reduce the incidence of clinically significant PHN, with high safety profile.

[Treatment responses, outcomes, and prognostic factors associated with them in patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To evaluate treatment responses, outcomes, and prognostic factors in adults with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) . Methods: Between January 2008 and February 2021, date of consecutive cases of younger than 65 years of adults with sAML were assessed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics at diagnosis, treatment responses, recurrence, and survival were evaluated. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model were employed to determine significant prognostic indicators for treatment response and survival. Results: 155 patients were recruited, including 38, 46, 57, 14 patients belonging to t-AML, and AML with unexplained cytopenia, post-MDS-AML, and post-MPN-AML, respectively. In the 152 evaluable patients, the rate of MLFS after the initial induction regimen was 47.4%, 57.9%, 54.3%, 40.0%, and 23.1% in the four groups (P=0.076) . The total rate of MLFS after the induction regimen was 63.8%, 73.3%, 69.6%, 58.2%, and 38.5% (P=0.084) , respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that male gender (OR=0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.038 and OR=0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8, P=0.015) , SWOG cytogenetic classification into unfavorable or intermediate (OR=0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.6, P=0.014 and OR=0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.3, P=0.004) and receiving low-intensity regimen as induction regimen (OR=0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.3, P=0.003 and OR=0.1, 95%CI 0.1-0.2, P=0.001) were typical adverse factors impacting the first CR and the final CR; PLT<45 × 10(9)/L (OR=0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.038) and LDH ≥258 U/L (OR=0.3, 95%CI 0.1-0.7, P=0.005) were independent factors for CR. Among the 94 patients with achieving MLFS, 46 cases had allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With a median follow-up period of 18.6 months, the probabilities of relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) at 3 years were 25.4% and 37.3% in patients with transplantation, and in patients with chemotherapy, the probabilities of RFS and OS at 3-year were 58.2% and 64.3%, respectively. At the time of achieving MLFS, multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥46 years (HR=3.4, 95%CI 1.6-7.2, P=0.002 and HR=2.5, 95%CI 1.1-6.0, P=0.037) , peripheral blasts ≥17.5% at diagnosis (HR=2.5, 95%CI 1.2-4.9, P=0.010 and HR=4.1, 95%CI 1.7-9.7, P=0.002) , monosomal karyotypes (HR=4.9, 95%CI 1.2-19.9, P=0.027 and HR=28.3, 95%CI 4.2-189.5, P=0.001) were typical adverse factors influencing RFS and OS. Furthermore, CR after induction chemotherapy (HR=0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.8, P=0.015) and transplantation (HR=0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.028) were substantially linked to longer RFS. Conclusion: Post-MDS-AML and post-MPN-AML had lower response rates and poorer prognoses than t-AML and AML with unexplained cytopenia. In adults with male gender, low platelet count, high LDH, and SWOG cytogenetic classification into unfavorable or intermediate at diagnosis, and receiving low-intensity regimen as the induction regimen predicted a low response rate. Age ≥46 years, a higher proportion of peripheral blasts and monosomal karyotype had a negative effect on the overall outcome. Transplantation and CR after induction chemotherapy were greatly linked to longer RFS.

A novel recombinant human collagen hydrogel as minced split-thickness skin graft overlay to promote full-thickness skin defect reconstruction

To overcome limited donor-site availability in patients with extensive burns, split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) are sometimes minced into micrografts (MGs) to improve the expansion ratio of the grafts, but this may reduce wound healing. We aimed to produce a novel hydrogel as an overlay of minced STSGs to improve wound healing. The new hydrogel was produced using recombinant human collagen type III powder as a raw material. Morphological and physical characteristics (degradation and swelling rate), cytotoxicity, and cell viability of the hydrogel were evaluated in vitro. A full-thickness in vivo skin defect model was constructed with male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups in which the new hydrogel and Vaseline gauze, respectively, were overlaid on minced STSGs to repair and regenerate skin wound. The healing rates and recovery status were compared between the two groups. The hydrogels exhibited good water retention properties and a suitable degradation rate, which can promote the proliferation and migration of wound healing-related cells in vitro. Further, using the hydrogel as an overlay accelerated wound closure and angiogenesis, increased dermal tissue and basement membrane formation, enhanced collagen synthesis and wound healing-related growth factor expression, while reducing scar formation compared to the Vaseline gauze group. In conclusion, the novel, low-cost recombinant human collagen hydrogel can accelerate wound closure and improve wound healing when used as an overlay of minced STSGs. The new hydrogel could become a new treatment option for traumatic skin wounds caused by burns or injuries.

Single-cell RNA-seq reveals cellular heterogeneity from deep fascia in patients with acute compartment syndrome

Introduction

High stress in the compartment surrounded by the deep fascia can cause acute compartment syndrome (ACS) that may result in necrosis of the limbs. The study aims to investigate the cellular heterogeneity of the deep fascia in ACS patients by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Methods

We collected deep fascia samples from patients with ACS (high-stress group, HG, n=3) and patients receiving thigh amputation due to osteosarcoma (normal-stress group, NG, n=3). We utilized ultrasound and scanning electron microscopy to observe the morphologic change of the deep fascia, used multiplex staining and multispectral imaging to explore immune cell infiltration, and applied scRNA-seq to investigate the cellular heterogeneity of the deep fascia and to identify differentially expressed genes.

Results

Notably, we identified GZMK⁺interferon-act CD4 central memory T cells as a specific high-stress compartment subcluster expressing interferon-related genes. Additionally, the changes in the proportions of inflammation-related subclusters, such as the increased proportion of M2 macrophages and decreased proportion of M1 macrophages, may play crucial roles in the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory in the development of ACS. Furthermore, we found that heat shock protein genes were highly expressed but metal ion-related genes (S100 family and metallothionein family) were down-regulated in various subpopulations under high stress.

Conclusions

We identified a high stress-specific subcluster and variations in immune cells and fibroblast subclusters, as well as their differentially expressed genes, in ACS patients. Our findings reveal the functions of the deep fascia in the pathophysiology of ACS, providing new approaches for its treatment and prevention.

The Fibrotic Effects of LINC00663 in Human Hepatic Stellate LX-2 Cells and in Bile Duct-Ligated Cholestasis Mice Are Mediated through the Splicing Factor 2-Fibronectin

Hepatic fibrosis can develop into cirrhosis or even cancer without active therapy at an early stage. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to be involved in the regulation of a wide variety of important biological processes. However, lncRNA mechanism(s) involved in cholestatic liver fibrosis remain unclear. RNA sequence data of hepatic stellate cells from bile duct ligation (BDL) mice or controls were analyzed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Based on WGCNA analysis, a competing endogenous RNA network was constructed. We identified LINC00663 and evaluated its function using a panel of assays, including a wound healing assay, a dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Functional research showed that LINC00663 promoted the activation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of LX-2 cells and liver fibrosis in BDL mice. Mechanistically, LINC00663 regulated splicing factor 2 (SF2)-fibronectin (FN) alternative splicing through the sponging of hsa-miR-3916. Moreover, forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) specifically interacted with the promoter of LINC00663. In summary, we elaborated the fibrotic effects of LINC00663 in human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells and in bile duct-ligated cholestasis mice. We established a FOXA1/LINC00663/hsa-miR-3916/SF2-FN axis that provided a potential target for the diagnosis and targeted therapy of cholestatic liver fibrosis.

Neuroprotective Effects of IVIG against Alzheimer' s Disease via Regulation of Antigen Processing and Presentation by MHC Class I Molecules in 3xTg-AD Mice

BACKGROUND

The results of clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients treated with Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) revealed inconsistency in efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the neuroprotective effects and possible mechanisms of different IVIG in 3xTg-AD mice.

METHODS

3-month-old 3xTg-AD mice were administered intraperitoneally with different IVIG (A/B/C) for 3 months and then the therapeutic effects were observed and tested at 9 months of age. The bioavailability of IVIG and Aβ40/42 concentrations in parietotemporal cortex was measured by ELISA. Behavioral tests were performed to examine cognitive functions. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to examine the deposition of Aβ, the phosphorylation of tau, the levels of GFAP and Iba-1 in the hippocampus. Proteomics, Luminex assay and parallel reaction monitoring were performed to identify and verify the proteins that showed a marked change in the hippocampus.

RESULTS

IVIG-C was more effective than IVIG-A and IVIG-B in counteracting cognitive deficits, ameliorating Aβ deposits and tau phosphorylation, attenuating the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus and inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors. IVIG-C affected innate immunity and suppressed the activation of antigen processing and presentation by MHC class I molecule (APP-MHC-I).

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of different IVIG on AD was significantly different, and only IVIG-C has been confirmed to possess significant neuroprotective effects, which are related to the inhibition of APP-MHC-I. IVIG may be a potential therapeutic for AD but further research is needed to evaluate the functional of IVIG before clinical trials of AD treatment.

[Role of preoperative ultrasound-guided inferior parathyroid gland localization and new classification to assist intraoperative search and protection of parathyroid glands]

Objective: To investigate the role and significance of ultrasound-guided inferior parathyroid gland (IPTG) localization in searching and protecting parathyroid glands before thyroid surgery. Methods: A randomized controlled trial study was conducted. A total of 306 patients (433 cases of lateral parathyroidectomy) who underwent primary thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection in Beijing Tongren Hosipital from March to October 2021 were enrolled. In order to locate IPTG more quickly and effectively, new IPTG classification and the definition of quadrant position were carried out. The patients were divided into the study group (n=228) and the control group (n=205). The study group underwent ultrasound-guided IPTG examination before operation and measured the distance between the IPTG and the lower pole of the thyroid and the midline of the trachea. During the operation, the IPTG was found and protected depending on the localization. The control group did not use any auxiliary preoperative positioning method. The distribution ratio of IPTG and the coincidence rate between intraoperative validation and ultrasound localization were calculated. Results: There were 306 patients enrolled in the final analysis (95 males and 211 females), with a median age of 41 years old (18-70). Type Ⅱ and Ⅲ IPTG accounted for 77.2% (176/228) of the total cases. The total coincidence rate ranged from 72.8% to 79.4% in different IPTG groups. Type Ⅲ and quadrant 2 IPTG had the highest coincidence rate [92.4% (73/79) and 92.9% (79/85), respectively]. The study group had better in situ retention rate [82.0% (187/228) vs 73.2% (150/205), χ²=4.896, P=0.027] and less implantation rate [8.8% (20/228) vs 16.1% (33/205), χ²=5.393, P=0.020] than those of the control group. The in situ retention rate were better in type Ⅲ IPTG group, compared with those of the control group [94.9% (74/78) vs 77.4% (48/62), χ²=7.898, P=0.005]. There was no permanent hypoparathyroidism in two groups and the temporary hypoparathyroidism rate was 32.0% (24/75) and 34.6% (18/52), respectively (χ²=0.095, P=0.758). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided IPTG localization examination has important implications for searching and protecting IPTG during operation, which can significantly increase in situ retention rate of IPTG and decrease the implantation rate.

Collision-System and Beam-Energy Dependence of Anisotropic Flow Fluctuations

Elliptic flow measurements from two-, four-, and six-particle correlations are used to investigate flow fluctuations in collisions of U+U at sqrt[s_{NN}]=193  GeV, Cu+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and Au+Au spanning the range sqrt[s_{NN}]=11.5-200  GeV. The measurements show a strong dependence of the flow fluctuations on collision centrality, a modest dependence on system size, and very little if any, dependence on particle species and beam energy. The results, when compared to similar LHC measurements, viscous hydrodynamic calculations, and trento model eccentricities, indicate that initial-state-driven fluctuations predominate the flow fluctuations generated in the collisions studied.

[Clinical features, risk factors and prognosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy complicated by ischemic stroke]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features, risk factors and prognosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) complicated with ischemic stroke (IS) (DCM-IS). Methods: The clinical data of patients with idiopathic DCM (n=613) in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Liangxiang Hospital and Fuxing Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected, and among them, 123 cases were DCM-IS. Clinical features of patients with DCM-IS were summarized and multivariate logistic regression model was utilized to analyze the independent risk factors of DCM-IS. Furthermore, 1-year follow-up was conducted and Kaplan-Meier curve was adopted to analyze the prognosis of DCM, using all-cause death and heart transplantation as adverse outcomes. Results: Among the 70 patients with DCM-IS, 6 patients (8.6%, 6/70) were in accordance with the subtype of large artery atherosclerosis, and 47 patients (67.1%, 47/70) were in line with the subtype of cardiogenic embolism, and small artery occlusion subtype (ie, lacunar infarction) were detected in 17 cases (24.3%, 17/70). Hypertension [odds ratio (OR)=1.617, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.049-2.491, P=0.029], hyperlipidemia (OR=1.918, 95%CI: 1.198-3.073, P=0.007), atrial fibrillation (AF) (OR=1.617, 95%CI: 1.016-2.572, P=0.043), lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (OR=0.986, 95%CI: 0.977-0.996, P=0.005) and a higher incidence of intracardiac thrombus (OR=6.127, 95%CI: 3.174-11.827, P<0.001) were risk factors for DCM-IS. The overall 1-year survival rate was lower in DCM-IS patients (70.7%) than DCM patients without stroke (83.6%, P=0.004), and the main causes of death included obstinate heart failure (3 cases of DCM-IS, and 5 cases of non-DCM-IS) and malignant arrhythmia (DCM-IS) (22 cases of DCM-IS, and 18 cases of non-DCM-IS). Conclusions: Among IS patients with idiopathic DCM, cardioembolism is the most common, followed by lacunar infarction, and the large-artery atherosclerotic subtype is the least common.Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, AF, lower eGFR value and higher incidence of intracardiac thrombus are risk factors for DCM-IS. DCM patients complicated with IS have poor short-term prognosis, and obstinate heart failure and malignant arrhythmia are their main causes of death.

A comparative study of consistency between Paeonia rubra hort traditional decoction and dispensing granule decoctions from different sources

OBJECTIVE

To compare the consistency between the decoction of Paeonia rubra hort dispensing granules from different manufacturers and traditional decoction (TD), and to provide a reference for the clinical application of Paeonia rubra hort dispensing granules.

METHODS

Nine batches of Paeonia rubra hort dispensing granules (from three manufacturers, A, B, and C) and 20 batches of Paeonia rubra hort decoction pieces were collected. The contents of four active components in vivo and in vitro were determined by HPLC and UPLC-MS/MS, respectively. The consistency of the Paeonia rubra hort decoction pieces and dispensing granules were compared based on the Criteria Importance Though Intercrieria Correlation (CRITIC) weighting method and the equivalent correction suggestions (1 g of dispensing granule equals the same amount of Chinese herbal samples) were put forward for the dispensing granules.

RESULTS

The total content of active ingredients in vivo and in vitro of manufacturer A was significantly lower than that of TD (p < 0.05), and the total content of active ingredients in vivo of manufacturer C was significantly lower than that of TD (p < 0.05); The equivalent of manufacturer A and manufacturer C should be corrected from 1:11 and 1:5 to 1:5 and 1:4, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The quality of Paeonia rubra hort dispensing granule decoction from some manufacturers aligns that of TD, but the other is slightly inferior to that of TD. After appropriate equivalent correction, quality consistency can be achieved with TD.

Small extracellular vesicles derived from Nrf2-overexpressing human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells protect against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting NLRP3

BACKGROUND

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a major cause of respiratory failure in critically ill patients that results in significant morbidity and mortality. Recent studies indicate that cell-based therapies may be beneficial in the treatment of ALI. We recently demonstrated that Nrf2-overexpressing human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) reduce lung injury, fibrosis and inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged mice. Here we tested whether small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from Nrf2-overexpressing hAMSCs (Nrf2-sEVs) could protect against ALI. sEVs were isolated from hAMSCs that overexpressed (Nrf2-sEVs) or silenced (siNrf2-sEVs) Nrf2. We examined the effects of sEVs treatment on lung inflammation in a mouse model of ALI, where LPS was administered intratracheally to mice, and lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed 24 h later.

METHODS

Histological analysis, immunofluorescence microscopy, western blotting, RT-PCR and ELISA were used to measure the inflammatory response in the lungs and BALF.

RESULTS

We found that sEVs from hAMSCs are protective in ALI and that Nrf2 overexpression promotes protection against lung disease. Nrf2-sEVs significantly reduced lung injury in LPS-challenged mice, which was associated with decreased apoptosis, reduced infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. We further show that Nrf2-sEVs act by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and promoting the polarization of M2 macrophages.

CONCLUSION

Our data show that overexpression of Nrf2 protects against LPS-induced lung injury, and indicate that a novel therapeutic strategy using Nrf2-sEVs may be beneficial against ALI.

Tumor grade and symptoms at presentation are survival risk factors in Chinese patients with primary retroperitoneal sarcoma

Background and Aim

No cohort studies have been performed on Chinese primary retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) patients. Data derived from western cohort studies may not be directly superimposable on Asian counterparts. Furthermore, the risk factors for survival of RPS are currently unknown for Chinese patients. The objectives were therefore to (1) gain insight into RPS incidence and patient demographics and clinical details; (2) determine the risk factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS); and (3) critically appraise the Asian cohort data in relation to information obtained in western cohort studies.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, the health records of patients that had been diagnosed with primary localized RPS with curative intent between 2009 and 2020 were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards analysis was conducted to evaluate the risk factors for OS and DFS.

Results

A total of 261 patients met the inclusion criteria. Ninety-six (36.8%) patients had been diagnosed with well-differentiated liposarcoma, 63 patients (24.1%) with dedifferentiated liposarcoma, 41 patients (15.7%) with leiomyosarcoma (LMS), 22 patients (8.4%) with solitary fibroma, 7 patients (2.7%) with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), and 32 patients (12.3%) with another type of RPS. The study further revealed that (1) the 5-y OS and DFS in RPS patients was 67.8% and 51.3%, respectively, with the highest OS and DFS observed in MPNST (100% and 100%, respectively) and the lowest 5-y OS and DFS attributed to LMS (42.6% and 28.9%, respectively); (2) symptoms at presentation, Federal National Cancer Center (FNCLCC) grade, and number of combined resections are independent risk factors in OS; (3) symptoms at presentation, FNCLCC grade, chemotherapy, and hospital length of stay are independent risk factors for DFS; and (4) patients at high risk (symptoms at presentation and high-grade tumors) have less than half the chance of survival at 5 y post-diagnosis than patients with a low-risk profile.

Conclusions

Symptoms at presentation constitute a risk factor for OS and DFS. When combined with tumor grade - another risk factor for both OS and DFS - patients can be classified into a high-risk and low-risk category to gauge a patient's prognosis and, accordingly, frame an optimal clinical trajectory. Moreover, the clinicopathology and overall prognosis of RPS in Asian and Western populations are comparable and hence superimposable.

Relevance for Patients

The present study identifies the risk factors of survival in RPS and suggests symptoms at presentation should be considered in the preoperative consultation and added in prognostic grouping.

Which style of duodenojejunostomy is better after resection of distal duodenum

BACKGROUND

Distal duodenal resections are sometimes necessary for radical surgery, but how to restore duodenal continuity is still unclear. This study aimed at determining which style of anastomosis was more suitable for the duodenojejunostomy after resection of distal duodenum.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified 34 patients who underwent distal duodenum resection at our center between January 2014 and December 2021. According to whether the end or the side of the proximal duodenum was involved in reconstruction, duodenojejunostomy were classified as End style (E-style) and Side style (S-style). Demographic data, clinicopathological details, and postoperative complications were analyzed between two groups.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients (38.2%) received E-style duodenojejunostomy, and 21 patients (62.8%) received S-style duodenojejunostomy. Comparative analysis showed that in group of E-style, patients had a lower rate of multivisceral resection(5/13 vs 18/21; P = 0.008), delayed gastric emptying (DGE) (1/13 vs 11/21; P = 0.011) and intraperitoneal infection (2/13 vs 12/21; P = 0.03). In this study, the incidence of major complications was up to 35.3% (12/34) and no patient died of complication in perioperative period. In two group, there was no difference in the incidence of major complications (E-style vs S-style: 3/13 vs 9/21; P = 0.292).

CONCLUSIONS

The E-style duodenojejunostomy for the reconstruction of distal duodenum resection is safe and feasible. The E-style anastomosis may have potential value in decreasing the occurrence of complications such as DGE and intraperitoneal infection, and the definitive advantages still need to be verified.

New Direct Limit on Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Half-Life of ^{128}Te with CUORE

The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN in Italy is an experiment searching for neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay. Its main goal is to investigate this decay in ^{130}Te, but its ton-scale mass and low background make CUORE sensitive to other rare processes as well. In this Letter, we present our first results on the search for 0νββ decay of ^{128}Te, the Te isotope with the second highest natural isotopic abundance. We find no evidence for this decay, and using a Bayesian analysis we set a lower limit on the ^{128}Te 0νββ decay half-life of T_{1/2}>3.6×10^{24}  yr (90% CI). This represents the most stringent limit on the half-life of this isotope, improving by over a factor of 30 the previous direct search results, and exceeding those from geochemical experiments for the first time.

[Cadmium induces apoptosis of mouse spermatocytes (GC-2 spd) by promoting mitochondrial fission]

Objective: To study the underlying mechanism of cadmium-induced apoptosis of mouse spermatocytes (GC-2 spd) . Methods: In March 2021, GC-2 spd cells were exposed to different concentrations of CdCl(2) for 24 hours, namely 5 μmol/L CdCl(2) (low-dose) group and 10 μmol/L CdCl(2) (high-dose) group, and unexposed GC-2 spd cells were used as control group. Mitochondrial morphology was observed in the cells stained with Mito-Track Red CMXRos fluorescent probes by confocal microscopy and the mitochrondrial membrane potential was measured by flow cytometry with JC-1 fluorescent probes. Mitochrondrial proteins, cytosolic proteins and total cellular proteins of GC-2 spd cells were extracted using cell mitochondria isolation kit and RIPA buffer, respectively. The expression of mitochondrial homeostasis regulatory proteins (FIS1 and OPA1), and apoptosis-related proteins (Cytochrome c and cleaved Caspase-3) were examined by Western blot. Results: Compared with the cells in the control group, the relative ratio of JC-1 red/green fluorescence signal in the cells of the low-dose and high-dose CdCl(2) groups decreased significantly (0.740±0.071, 0.570±0.028), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.017, 0.004) ; The morphology of mitochondria changed from long tube to point, and the proportion of cells containing point mitochondria increased significantly (45.1%±3.7% and 25.7%±4.9%), the difference was statistically significant (P=0.005, 0.001) ; The relative expression level of mitochondrial FIS1 in cells of low and high dose CdCl(2) groups was significantly higher (1.271±0.120, 1.693±0.155), the difference was statistically significant (P=0.046, 0.000) ; The relative expression level of OPA1 decreased significantly (0.838±0.050, 0.682±0.040), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.049, 0.001). Compared with the control group, the relative expression level of cytochrome c protein in the cytoplasm of cells in the low dose group of CdCl(2) was not significantly increased (1.249±0.151), and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.075). However, the relative expression level in the cytoplasm of cells in the high dose group of CdCl(2) was significantly increased (2.355±0.110), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.000) ; The relative expression level of Cytochrome c in mitochondria of low and high dose CdCl(2) groups decreased significantly (0.681±0.043, 0.619±0.114), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.004, 0.001) ; Moreover, the level of cleaved Caspase-3 protein in cells gradually increased (5.486±0.544, 11.493±1.739), the difference was statistically significant (P=0.004, 0.000) . Conclusion: Cadmium induced cleaved Caspase-3 mediated apoptosis of GC-2 spd cells via promoting mitochrondrial fission and the release of Cytochrome c from the mitochrondria to the cytosol.