[Clinical characteristics of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated myelitis]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-IgG) associated myelitis in a cohort of Chinese Han adults. Methods: From January 2016 to December 2017, 70 patients with MOG-IgG associated disorders (MOGAD) and 120 patients with aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) visited the NMO/MS clinic or the neurology ward of Huashan Hospital, and the neurophthalmology clinic of Eye and ENT hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University were enrolled. The clinical and paraclinical data of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. The characteristics of MOG-IgG associated myelitis were further clarified. Results: Sixteen of the 70 patients with MOGAD had ever experienced myelitis. The frequency of myelitis was 18.6% at the first attack and 22.9% throughout the disease duration. The onset age of MOG-IgG associated myelitis was 9-57(30±11) years, and the female to male ratio was 0.6∶1. Compared with AQP4-IgG positive myelitis attacks, MOG-IgG associated myelitis attacks were more common to be accompanied by feverish prodromal symptom (30.8%) while less common to exhibit painful tonic (12.5%). Longitudinally extensive myelitis (>3 vertebral segments) was less frequent (56.3%), and short-segment myelitis and multiple short-segment myelitis could also be seen. MRI showed that MOGAD patients had more lower spinal cord lesions (20%), fewer cervical cord lesions (40%) and less transverse lesions (52%). Axial H sign was a distinct feature (36%). MOG-IgG associated myelitis attack also demonstrated a lower EDSS score after treatment. Conclusion: MOG-IgG associated myelitis should be recognized as an important clinical component of MOGAD.

[Early detection and disease assessment of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia]

In December 2019, the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019- nCoV) in wuhan, China, attracting attention worldwidely. The novel coronavirus has the characteristics of rapid transmission, atypical clinical symptoms, and easy to affect both lungs, leading to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, as well as difficult to detection and assessment at early stage. Fever, cough, myalgia, weakness, dyspnea and imagings may be helpful for the early detection of novel coronavirus pneumonia. At the same time, the rate of disease progression, fever, CT manifestations, hypoxia degree, age, basic diseases, and laboratory indicators can also be used to evaluate the severity of the novel coronavirus pneumonia.

Measurement of Proton Electromagnetic Form Factors in e^{+}e^{-}→pp[over ¯] in the Energy Region 2.00-3.08 GeV

The process of e^{+}e^{-}→pp[over ¯] is studied at 22 center-of-mass energy points (sqrt[s]) from 2.00 to 3.08 GeV, exploiting 688.5  pb^{-1} of data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider. The Born cross section (σ_{pp[over ¯]}) of e^{+}e^{-}→pp[over ¯] is measured with the energy-scan technique and it is found to be consistent with previously published data, but with much improved accuracy. In addition, the electromagnetic form-factor ratio (|G_{E}/G_{M}|) and the value of the effective (|G_{eff}|), electric (|G_{E}|), and magnetic (|G_{M}|) form factors are measured by studying the helicity angle of the proton at 16 center-of-mass energy points. |G_{E}/G_{M}| and |G_{M}| are determined with high accuracy, providing uncertainties comparable to data in the spacelike region, and |G_{E}| is measured for the first time. We reach unprecedented accuracy, and precision results in the timelike region provide information to improve our understanding of the proton inner structure and to test theoretical models which depend on nonperturbative quantum chromodynamics.

Measurement of the Cross Section for e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} and Observation of an Excited Ξ Baryon

Using a total of 11.0  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data with center-of-mass energies between 4.009 and 4.6 GeV and collected with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, we measure fifteen exclusive cross sections and effective form factors for the process e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} by means of a single baryon-tag method. After performing a fit to the dressed cross section of e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+}, no significant ψ(4230) or ψ(4260) resonance is observed in the Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} final states, and upper limits at the 90% confidence level on Γ_{ee}B for the processes ψ(4230)/ψ(4260)→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} are determined. In addition, an excited Ξ baryon at 1820  MeV/c^{2} is observed with a statistical significance of 6.2-6.5σ by including the systematic uncertainty, and the mass and width are measured to be M=(1825.5±4.7±4.7)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(17.0±15.0±7.9)  MeV, which confirms the existence of the J^{P}=3/2^{-} state Ξ(1820).

Molecular mechanism for P38 signaling pathway in autophagy of skin cancer cell line HS-1

OBJECTIVE

Abnormal cell autophagy is correlated with aging, neurodegenerative disease, and skin cancer. The signal transduction pathway of autophagy in skin cancer is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of P38 signal pathway-induced cell autophagy in skin cancer onset and potential clinical application value.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Skin cancer cell line HS-1 was used as the model for ultraviolet (UV) irritation. Western blot tested autophagy signal molecules P38 activation in skin cancer cell line HS-1. Cells were then treated with P38 pathway agonist and antagonist to test autophagy condition and P38 pathway activation. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between P38 pathway and cell autophagy level.

RESULTS

UV irradiation treated skin cancer cell line HS-1 led to cell autophagy and P38 activation. AICAR and SB203580 potentiated and inhibited UV-induced HS-1 cell autophagy, respectively. P38 signal pathway activation condition was positively correlated with autophagy level.

CONCLUSIONS

UV irradiation can induce skin cancer cell autophagy via the P38 signal pathway, indicating that the regulation of the P38 signal pathway activation might be one potential strategy treating skin cancer.

Antidepressant Drugs Correct the Imbalance Between proBDNF/p75NTR/Sortilin and Mature BDNF/TrkB in the Brain of Mice with Chronic Stress

Depression is a worldwide problem with a great social and economic burden in many countries. In our previous research, we found that the expression of proBDNF/p75NTR/sortilin is upregulated in patients with major depressive disorder. In addition, the treatment of proBDNF antibodies reversed both the depressive behaviors and the reduced BDNF mRNA detected in our rodent chronic stress models. Antidepressant drugs are usually only effective in a subpopulation of patients with major depression with a delayed time window of 2-4 weeks to exert their efficacy. The mechanism underlying such delayed response is not known. In this study, we hypothesize that antidepressant drugs exert their therapeutic effect by modulating proBDNF/p75NTR and mature BDNF/TrkB signaling pathways. To test the hypothesis, C57 mice were randomly divided into normal control, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), vehicle (VEH), fluoxetine (FLU), and clozapine (CLO) groups. Behavioral tests (sucrose preference, open field, and tail suspension tests) were performed before and after 4 weeks of CUMS. The gene and protein expression of proBDNF, the neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), sortilin, and TrkB in the cortex and hippocampus were examined. At the protein level, CUMS induced a significant increase in proBDNF, p75NTR, and sortilin production while the TrkB protein level was found to be lower in the cortex and hippocampus compared with the control group. Consistently, at the mRNA level, p75NTR expression increased with reduced BDNF/TrkB mRNA in both cortex and hippocampus, while sortilin increased only in the hippocampus after CUMS. FLU and CLO treatments of CUMS mice reversed all protein and mRNA expression of the biomarkers in both cortex and hippocampus, except for sortilin mRNA in the cortex and proBDNF in the hippocampus, respectively. This study further confirms that the imbalance between proBDNF/p75NTR/sortilin and mBDNF/TrkB production is important in the pathogenesis of depression. It is likely that antidepressant FLU and antipsychotic CLO exert their antidepressant-like effect correcting the imbalance between proBDNF/p75NTR/sortilin and mBDNF/TrkB.

The experimental research on neuroplasticity in rats' hippocampus subjected to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and interfered by Modified Dioscorea Pills

Background

Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion (CCH) is a common, crucial and tough problem for old people. It easily leads to Lacunar Infarction and even Vascular Dementia (VD). Western medicine has the advantage to relieve some VD symptoms but fails to cure it. Some classic Chinese medicines have good efficacies to treat and delay the cerebral functional decline resulted from CCH. Among them Modified Dioscorea Pills (MDP) has been proven to have a convincing effect in curing VD. So far the knowledge about neuroplasticity in CCH is little known and the underlying interfered mechanism by MDP on neuroplasticity has not yet been explored. This study explores the changes of neuroplasticity involving neurogenesis, angiogenesis and synaptogenesis in CCH and interfered by MDP.

Methods

40 male SD rats were divided into the Sham operated Group, the Model Group and the MDP Group according to a Random Number Table. Bilateral Common Carotid Arteries Occlusion (BCCAO) was adopted to prepare CCH models. MDP condense decoction had been administered by gavage to rats in the MDP Group (10g·Kg-1·d-1) for 45 days; Rats in the other two groups were accepted normal salts as substitution with same dosage and course. Through Morris Water Maze (MWM) test, pathological observation of hippocampus, ultrastructural study on synapse, Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry detection, the capacities of intelligence of rats, the morphological character of hippocampus CA1 zone and the synapse associated protein and gene such as Growth Associated Protein (GAP-43) mRNA, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) mRNA, Microtubule-associated Protein (MAP)-2, Synaptophysin (SYP), Postsynaptic Density protein (PSD)-95 and Micro Vessel Density (MVD) were determined. Through one-way ANOVA the data was analyzed and when P＜0.05 the result was considered significant.

Results

Compared to the Model Group, rats in the MDP Group achieved much better behavioral performance (P＜0.05); more neurons and more synapses regenerated; the expression of SYP, PSD-95and MAP-2 up-regulated (P＜0.05); The expressions of GAP-43 mRNA and VEGF mRNA in the Model Group were higher than those in the Sham operated Group (P＜0.05), but they reached the highest in the MDP Group (P＜0.05); The count of MVD in the Sham operated Group is the lowest, it is higher in the MDP Group and it reaches highest in the Model Group (P＜0.05).

Conclusions

Some key genes promoting neuroplasticity such as GAP-43 mRNA and VEGF mRNA remarkably up-regulated in CCH, they only boost angiogenesis but fail to facilitate neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in CCH. However, accompanied by furtherly up-regulation of these two key genes, MDP obviously improves neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and temperate angiogenesis in CCH which may be underlying its good efficacy.

Venetoclax, bendamustine, and rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory NHL: a phase Ib dose-finding study

Background

Venetoclax is a selective, potent inhibitor of the anti-apoptotic B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 protein approved for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We conducted a dose-finding study of venetoclax in combination with bendamustine-rituximab (BR) in patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

Patients and methods

BR was given for six cycles at standard doses. Intermittent and continuous oral venetoclax administration was explored at 50-1200 mg daily doses. Co-primary objectives included safety, pharmacokinetics (PKs), maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), and recommended phase II dose (RP2D); secondary objective was preliminary efficacy.

Results

Sixty patients were enrolled: 32 with follicular lymphoma, 22 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and 6 with marginal zone lymphoma. Nausea (70%), neutropenia (68%), diarrhea (55%), and thrombocytopenia (52%) were the most frequent adverse events (AEs). Most common grade 3/4 AEs were neutropenia (60%) and lymphopenia (38%). Serious AEs were reported in 24 patients; the most frequent were febrile neutropenia and disease progression (8% each). Five patients died from either disease progression (n = 4) or respiratory failure (n = 1). MTD was not reached; RP2D for venetoclax-BR combination was established as 800 mg daily continuously. Venetoclax PK exposure with and without BR was comparable. For all patients, overall response rate was 65%. Median duration of overall response, overall survival, and progression-free survival was 38.3 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 10.4-NR], not yet reached, and 10.7 months (95% CI 4.3-21.0), respectively.

Conclusions

This study established the safety profile of venetoclax in combination with BR, and results demonstrated tolerability and preliminary efficacy of the combination. Additional follow-up is needed to better determine the future role of BR plus venetoclax in the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell NHL.

Trial registered

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01594229.

Has-MiR-196a-2 is up-regulated and acts as an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in thyroid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To identify the role of hsa-miR-196a-2 in thyroid cancer by bioinformatics analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression profiles of thyroid cancer was download from TCGA. The dysregulated microRNAs were obtained by edger R package. Then, the prognostic data were analyzed by K-M plot. The difference between different groups was analyzed by the t-test. At last, the biological processes of has-miR-196a-2 were obtained with GSEA.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that has-miR-196a-2 was upregulated in thyroid carcinoma by analyzing the TCGA database, which was inversely proportional to the prognosis of patients with thyroid carcinoma. Univariate and multivariate COX analysis showed that has-miR-196a-2 was an independent prognostic risk factor for thyroid carcinoma. Higher expressions of has-miR-196a-2 were found in patients with older age, advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and local infiltration through the t-test. We found that has-miR-196a-2 was enriched in adherent junction, focal adhesion, and actin cytoskeleton, which are closely related to the invasion and migration of the function pathway. Moreover, it is mainly enriched in tumor progression pathways, such as the PPAR pathway and WNT pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Hsa-miR-196a-2 is overexpressed in thyroid tumors and is an independent prognostic risk factor for thyroid carcinoma.

CXCL12 is involved in α-synuclein-triggered neuroinflammation of Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) remain elusive, but recent opinions and perspectives have focused on whether the inflammation process induced by microglia contributes to α-synuclein-mediated toxicity. Migration of microglia to the substantia nigra (SN) could precede neurodegeneration in A53T mice. We hypothesized that CXCL12 could be a mediator in the α-synuclein-induced migration of microglia.

METHODS

After establishing appropriate animal and cell culture models, we explored the relationship between α-synuclein and CXCL12 in A53T mice, primary microglia, and BV-2 cell lines. We also explored the mechanisms of these interactions and the signaling processes involved in neuroinflammation.

RESULTS

We confirmed the positive correlation between α-synuclein and CXCL12 in the postmortem brain tissue of PD patients and the upregulated CXCR4 expression in SN microglia of A53T mice. In addition, as expected, α-synuclein increased the production of CXCL12 in microglia via TLR4/IκB-α/NF-κB signaling. Importantly, CXCL12/CXCR4/FAK/Src/Rac1 signaling was shown to be involved in α-synuclein-induced microglial accumulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that CXCL12 could be a novel target for the prevention of α-synuclein-triggered ongoing microglial responses. Blocking CXCL12/CXCR4 may be a potential therapeutic approach for PD progression.

Observation of the Semileptonic D^{+} Decay into the K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0} Axial-Vector Meson

By analyzing a 2.93  fb^{-1} data sample of e^{+}e^{-} collisions, recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector operated at the BEPCII collider, we report the first observation of the semileptonic D^{+} transition into the axial-vector meson D^{+}→K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0}e^{+}ν_{e} with a statistical significance greater than 10σ. Its decay branching fraction is determined to be B[D^{+}→K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0}e^{+}ν_{e}]=(2.30±0.26_{-0.21}^{+0.18}±0.25)×10^{-3}, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively, and the third originates from the input branching fraction of K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0}→K^{-}π^{+}π^{0}.

Attenuation of a virulent swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus strain via cell culture passage

Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) is a newly identified enteric alphacoronavirus that causes fatal diarrhea in newborn piglets in China. Here, we propagated a virulent strain SADS-CoV/CN/GDWT/2017 in Vero cells for up to 83 passages. Four strains of SADS-CoV/GDWT-P7, -P18, -P48 and -P83 were isolated and characterized. Sequence alignments showed that these four novel strains exhibited 16 nucleotide mutations and resultant 10 amino acid substitutions in open reading frame 1a/1b, spike, NS3a, envelope, membrane and nucleocapsid proteins. Furthermore, a 58-bp deletion in NS7a/7b was found in P48 and P83 strains, which led to the loss of NS7b and 38 amino acid changes of NS7a. Pig infection studies showed that the P7 strain caused typical watery diarrhea, while the P83 strain induced none-to-mild, delayed and transient diarrhea. This is the first report on cell adaption of a virulent SADS-CoV strain, which gives information on the potential virulence determinants of SADS-CoV.

Observation of the Leptonic Decay D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ}

We report the first observation of D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ} with a significance of 5.1σ. We measure B(D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ})=(1.20±0.24_{stat}±0.12_{syst})×10^{-3}. Taking the world average B(D^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ})=(3.74±0.17)×10^{-4}, we obtain R_{τ/μ}=Γ(D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ})/Γ(D^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ})=3.21±0.64_{stat}±0.43_{syst}., which is consistent with the standard model expectation of lepton flavor universality. Using external inputs, our results give values for the D^{+} decay constant f_{D^{+}} and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cd}| that are consistent with, but less precise than, other determinations.

Determination of Clopidol Residues in Chicken Tissues by Liquid Chromatography: Collaborative Study

Eighteen laboratories participated in a collaborative study on the determination of clopidol residues in chicken muscle tissues by liquid chromatography. Of these, results from 16 laboratories which rigorously followed the method were subjected to statistical analysis. The method performance was assessed by all participants using 14 samples of chicken muscle fortified at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 mg/kg. In addition, 9 participants each reported results for 6 clopidol-incurred samples in chicken muscle. Test portions were extracted with acetonitrile, and the extracts were purified with alumina and anion exchange resin solid-phase extraction cartridges in sequence. Clopidol was separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and quantified at 270 nm. Average recoveries ranged from 81.8 to 85.4%, reproducibility relative standard deviation (RSDR) ranged from 11.9 to 22.6%, and repeatability relative standard deviation (RSDr) ranged from 9.9 to 15.1%. For clopidol-incurred samples at concentrations of 0.100–0.687 mg/kg, the mean determination value range was 0.099–0.659 mg/kg; RSDR was 12.6–19.8%, RSDr was 3.1–8.5%; and HORRAT values were 0.7–1.1. The accuracy and precision of the method are in conformity with the requirements specified by AOAC INTERNATIONAL. The method was adopted Official First Action in April 2003.

MicroRNA-1266 suppresses papillary thyroid carcinoma cell metastasis and growth via targeting FGFR2

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of microRNA-1266 (miR-1266) on metastasis and growth in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells and to provide therapeutic targets for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

By quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), miR-1266 expression level in 38 pairs of papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues and three breast cancer-derived cell lines was examined. After transfection with miR-1266 mimics, the effects of miR-1266 over-expression on cell proliferation, invasion and migration were analyzed. Further, we employed several databases for the target gene prediction. Dual-luciferase activity assay was performed to verify whether FGFR2 was the direct target gene of miR-1266. Western blotting was conducted to detect protein levels.

RESULTS

MiR-1266 was significantly downregulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma tissue samples and cell lines. Over-expression of miR-1266 in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells significantly attenuated the cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Dual-luciferase report assay and Western blotting confirmed that FGFR2 was a target gene of miR-1266. Furthermore, up-regulation of FGFR2 partially reversed the suppressive effects of miR-1266 over-expression on cell growth and progression.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-1266 could inhibit cell proliferation and progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma via targeting FGFR2. Our findings might provide a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

[The treatment effect of opening,debridement and double-row fixation using suture anchor for severe patellar tendinopathy]

Objective: To evaluate clinical treatment efficacy of double-row fixation with bridging suture anchors for chronic, severe patellar tendinopathy. Methods: A retrospective study of 18 patients suffered from severe patellar tendinopathy and underwent surgical treatment during January 2009 and June 2014 at Department of Orthopedic, Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University was conducted. All patients had received conservative therapy for more than 6 months(range: 6-30 months) but the effect was unsatisfactory. There were 10 males (12 knees) and 8 females (12 knees)with age of 47.2 years(range: 32-63 years). Seven cases on the left and 17 cases on the right. The surgical treatment included a midline incision at patellar tendon, complete debridement, and double-row fixation with bridging suture anchors. Visual analogue scale(VAS), Lysholm score were collected preoperatively and postoperatively, and compared by paired-t test. The postoperative complications was recorded. Results: All patients were followed up for 35.7 months (range:24-64 months) without any dropout.VAS decreased from 7.5±1.6 preoperative to 1.4±1.0 (t=4.45, P=0.00) postoperative, Lysholm score increased from 48.3±5.2 to 89.6±5.4 (t=-4.88,P=0.00).The Lysholm score was excellent in 3 cases and good in 15 cases.No patellar tendon rupture or suture fixation failure was recorded during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The effect of double-row fixation with bridging suture anchors is satisfactory with few postoperative complications.It can not only improve clinical symptoms of patients, but also restore knee joint function.

Observation of Electroweak Production of a Same-Sign W Boson Pair in Association with Two Jets in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the observation and measurement of electroweak production of a same-sign W boson pair in association with two jets using 36.1  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis is performed in the detector fiducial phase-space region, defined by the presence of two same-sign leptons, electron or muon, and at least two jets with a large invariant mass and rapidity difference. A total of 122 candidate events are observed for a background expectation of 69±7 events, corresponding to an observed signal significance of 6.5 standard deviations. The measured fiducial signal cross section is σ^{fid}=2.89_{-0.48}^{+0.51}(stat)_{-0.28}^{+0.29}(syst)  fb.

P6347Wireless optogenetic inhibition of cardiac sympathetic nerve activity to improve cardiac function and remodeling in chronic post-infarction canines

Background

Our previous study has shown that optogenetic modulation of left stellate ganglion (LSG) nerve activity suppresses ventricular arrhythmia (VA) after acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Objective

This study introduced a fully implantable, battery-free wireless optogenetic neuromodulation system to investigate whether chronic optogenetic inhibition of LSG nerve activity could reduce myocardial infarct size and improve left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling in a post-MI canine model.

Methods

Eighteen beagles were randomized into the normal control group (saline injection without MI, n=6), the MI group (AAV2/9-CAG-GFP injection plus MI, n=6) and the optogenetics group (AAV2/9-CAG-ArchT-GFP injection plus MI, n=6). Four weeks after AAV/saline microinjection into LSG, MI was induced and LED device (Figure 1A) was implanted (Figure 1B, C) to perform illumination (565nm) for optogenetic modulation 1h per day for 4 weeks.

Results

Chronic optogenetic modulation significantly attenuated LSG function and neural activity as compared to the MI group. Chronic optogenetic modulation significantly reduced myocardial infarction size and improved LV function (LV ejection fraction: 53±1.3% vs. 45.9±1.8%, P<0.05) as compared to the MI group. Furthermore, chronic optogenetic modulation suppressed MI-induced LSG sympathetic remodeling and LV fibrosis.

Figure 1

Conclusion

Chronic optogenetic modulation using this fully implantable, battery-free wireless optogenetic system significantly inhibited LSG nerve activity, reduced myocardial infarction size, improved LV function and remodeling in a post-MI canine model (Figure 1D).

VEGFR2 and VEGF-C Suppresses the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Via YAP in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND

Whereas retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are known to secrete VEGF-A and VEGFR2, the functions of the autocrine VEGF signaling remain unclear. Meanwhile, anti-VEGF therapies have been applied routinely to treat ocular vascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the functions of the VEGF signaling in RPE cells and evaluate the consequences of its interruption.

METHODS

The genes involved in the VEGF and Hippo signal pathways were knocked down with siRNAs in both ARPE-19 cell line and human primary RPE cells via transient transfection whereas overexpression of VEGFR2 was mediated via adenovirus transduction. Expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and the downstream genes of YAP were determined by real-time PCR and Western Blot analysis. Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to determine gene expression in tissue and mouse samples.

RESULTS

Knockdown of VEGFR2 results in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of VEGFR2 suppresses TGF β-mediated EMT in RPE cells. Loss of VEGF-C rather than VEGF-A induces EMT. Mechanistically, the VEGFR2 ablation-induced EMT in RPE cells is mediated by activation of YAP, an effector of the Hippo pathway. Finally, the immunohistochemical analysis of VEGFR2 and YAP in human proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) membranes indicates a tendency of an inverse correlation between VEGFR2-positive and YAP-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results disclose unexpected novel roles of VEGFR2 and VEGF-C in the process of EMT of RPE cells and in the Hippo pathway. The data shown here demonstrated that VEGFR2 and VEGF-C are important to maintain the normal physiological state of RPE cells.

Complete Measurement of the Λ Electromagnetic Form Factors

The exclusive process e^{+}e^{-}→ΛΛ[over ¯], with Λ→pπ^{-} and Λ[over ¯]→p[over ¯]π^{+}, has been studied at sqrt[s]=2.396  GeV for measurement of the timelike Λ electric and magnetic form factors, G_{E} and G_{M}. A data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 66.9  pb^{-1}, was collected with the BESIII detector for this purpose. A multidimensional analysis with a complete decomposition of the spin structure of the reaction enables a determination of the modulus of the ratio R=|G_{E}/G_{M}| and, for the first time for any baryon, the relative phase ΔΦ=Φ_{E}-Φ_{M}. The resulting values are R=0.96±0.14(stat)±0.02(syst) and ΔΦ=37°±12°(stat)±6°(syst), respectively. These are obtained using the recently established and most precise value of the asymmetry parameter α_{Λ}=0.750±0.010 measured by BESIII. In addition, the cross section is measured with unprecedented precision to be σ=118.7±5.3(stat)±5.1(syst)  pb, which corresponds to an effective form factor of |G|=0.123±0.003(stat)±0.003(syst). The contribution from two-photon exchange is found to be negligible. Our result enables the first complete determination of baryon timelike electromagnetic form factors.

[CD40/TNF receptor associated factor 1 expression and NF-κB-dependent proinflammatory gene expression in rheumatoid arthritis]

Objective: To investigatea cellular/molecular mechanism of the CD40/TRAF1 signalling pathway involved in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: 16 patients with active RA and 9 patients with Fractures who underwent total knee or hip replacement in The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were included in the study. Synovial tissues (ST) and serum were obtained from each patient. The CD40, TRAF1, NF-κB p65 were detected by ELISA and Immunohistochemistry in serum and tissue respectively. Real time-PCR (RT-PCR) was applied to measure NF-κB-related gene expression. Results: CD40 and TRAF1 positive area (%) in RA patients were 28.7±5.4, 34.3±4.8 respectively, which were significantly higher (P<0.05) than Fracture controls (21.2±9.5, 21.6±8.7 respectively). The expression of total NF-κB p65, and phospho-NF-κB p65 proteins, as well as NF-κB-related gene expression, including cytokines (TNFα, IL-6), chemokines (MCP-1),and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) were significantly higher in the ST of RA patients compared to Fracture controls. Conclusion: It is thus possible that the CD40/TRAF1 pathway acted as a positive regulator through NF-κB activation and NF-κB-dependent proinflammatory genes in RA.

Amplitude Analysis of D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{0}η and First Observation of the W-Annihilation Dominant Decays D_{s}^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{+}π^{0} and D_{s}^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{0}π^{+}

We present the first amplitude analysis of the decay D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{0}η. We use an e^{+}e^{-} collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.19  fb^{-1} collected with the BESIII detector at a center-of-mass energy of 4.178 GeV. We observe for the first time the W-annihilation dominant decays D_{s}^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{+}π^{0} and D_{s}^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{0}π^{+}. We measure the absolute branching fraction B(D_{s}^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{+(0)}π^{0^{(}+)},a_{0}(980)^{+(0)}→π^{+(0)}η)=(1.46±0.15_{stat}±0.23_{sys})%, which is larger than the branching fractions of other measured pure W-annihilation decays by at least one order of magnitude. In addition, we measure the branching fraction of D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{0}η with significantly improved precision.

Extraction of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu Antineutrino Spectra at Daya Bay

This Letter reports the first extraction of individual antineutrino spectra from ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu fission and an improved measurement of the prompt energy spectrum of reactor antineutrinos at Daya Bay. The analysis uses 3.5×10^{6} inverse beta-decay candidates in four near antineutrino detectors in 1958 days. The individual antineutrino spectra of the two dominant isotopes, ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu, are extracted using the evolution of the prompt spectrum as a function of the isotope fission fractions. In the energy window of 4-6 MeV, a 7% (9%) excess of events is observed for the ^{235}U (^{239}Pu) spectrum compared with the normalized Huber-Mueller model prediction. The significance of discrepancy is 4.0σ for ^{235}U spectral shape compared with the Huber-Mueller model prediction. The shape of the measured inverse beta-decay prompt energy spectrum disagrees with the prediction of the Huber-Mueller model at 5.3σ. In the energy range of 4-6 MeV, a maximal local discrepancy of 6.3σ is observed.

A radiomics model for determining the invasiveness of solitary pulmonary nodules that manifest as part-solid nodules

AIM

A nomogram model was developed to predict the histological subtypes of lung invasive adenocarcinomas (IAs) and minimally invasive adenocarcinomas (MIAs) that manifest as part-solid ground-glass nodules (GGNs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 119 patients with histopathologically confirmed part-solid GGNs assigned to the training (n=83) or testing cohorts (n=36). Radiomic features were extracted based on the unenhanced computed tomography (CT) images. R software was applied to process the qualitative and quantitative data. The CT features model, radiomic signature model, and combined prediction model were constructed and compared.

RESULTS

A total of 396 radiomic features were extracted from the preoperative CT images, four features including MaxIntensity, RMS, ZonePercentage, and LongRunEmphasis_angle0_offset7 were indicated to be the best discriminators to establish the radiomic signature model. The performance of the model was satisfactory in both the training and testing set with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.854 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.774 to 0.934) and 0.813 (95% CI: 0.670 to 0.955), respectively. The CT morphology of the lesion shape and diameter of the solid component were confirmed to be a significant feature for building the CT features model, which had an AUC of 0.755 (95% CI: 0.648 to 0.843). A nomogram that integrated lesion shape and radiomic signature was constructed, which contributed an AUC of 0.888 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.955).

CONCLUSIONS

The radiomic signature could provide an important reference for differentiating IAs from MIAs, and could be significantly enhanced by the addition of CT morphology. The nomogram may be highly informative for making clinical decisions.

Genome-wide detection of genetic loci and candidate genes for teat number and body conformation traits at birth in Chinese Sushan pigs

Body conformation at birth and teat number are economically important traits in the pig industry, as these traits are usually explored to evaluate the growth and reproductive potential of piglets. To detect genetic loci and candidate genes for these traits, we performed a GWAS on 269 pigs from a recently developed Chinese breed (Sushan) using 38  128 informative SNPs on the Affymetrix Porcine SNP 55K Array. In total, we detected one genome-wide significant (P = 1.31e-6) SNP for teat number on chromosome X and 15 chromosome-wide significant SNPs for teat number, body weight, body length, chest circumference and cannon circumference at birth on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18. The most significant SNP had an additive effect of 0.74 × total teat number, explaining 20% of phenotypic variance. Five significant SNPs resided in the previously reported quantitative trait loci for these traits and seven significant SNPs had a pleiotropic effect on multiple traits. Intriguingly, 12 of the genes nearest to the significant SNPs are functionally related to body conformation and teat number traits, including SPRED2, MKX, TMSB4X and ESR1. GO analysis revealed that candidate genes proximal to the significant SNPs were enriched in the G-protein coupled receptor and steroid hormone-mediated signaling pathway. Our findings shed light on the genetic basis of the measured traits and provide molecular markers especially for the genetic improvement of teat number in Sushan and related pigs.

[Analysis of occupational pneumoconiosis in Jiangsu province from 2006 to 2017]

Objective: To analyze the characteristics and patterns of occupational pneumoconiosis in Jiangsu Province, China, from 2006 to 2017, and to provide a scientific basis for government departments to develop effective interventions and preventive strategies against occupational pneumoconiosis. Methods: The data of 9327 patients with occupational pneumoconiosis were retrieved from the online report of occupational pneumoconiosis in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2017. Excel worksheet and SPSS 20.0 software were used to organize and analyze the data, respectively. An epidemiological statistical analysis was performed on age of onset, length of dust exposure, type of work, industry category, type of pneumoconiosis, annual incidence of pneumoconiosis, regional distribution, enterprise scale, and economic category in those patients. Results: A total of 9 327 patients with occupational pneumoconiosis were reported in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2017. In those patients, 8 559 were newly diagnosed and 768 had advanced disease. The male-female ratio was 16.34:1.Patients with stage I pneumoconiosis(6 994, 74.99%) were dominant in all the patients. The mean age of onset and length of dust exposure were 58.5±10.7 and 15.3±10.9 years, respectively. Most of the patients (6 012, 64.46%) had an age of onset between 50 and 69 years. For the length of dust exposure, the highest percentage was observed in patients exposed for no more than 5 years (2 231, 23.92%).The largest number of patients diagnosed with pneumoconiosis(1 200, 12.87%) was reported in 2010. Most of the patients(7 012, 75.18%) were from four cities, i.e, Wuxi (2 090, 22.41%), Yancheng (1 987, 21.30%), Suzhou (1 552, 16.64%), and Xuzhou (1 383, 14.83%). In all the patients, the incidence of silicosis (6791, 72.81%) was highest, followed by coal worker pneumoconiosis (1 364, 14.62%) and electric welder pneumoconiosis (563, 6.04%).Pneumoconiosis complicated by tuberculosis was found in 28 (0.3%) patients.A total of 1616 (17.33%) patients were reported in health, social security, and social welfare industries, while 1474 (15.80%) patients worked for coal mining and washing. Rock drillers (2 818, 30.21%) were dominant in those patients.State-owned economic enterprises reported the largest number of patients(5 441, 58.34%).Patients from small enterprises (4 323, 46.35%) had the highest percentage. Conclusion: Pneumoconiosis is an occupational disease with a high incidence in Jiangsu Province. Pneumoconiosis patients show an industry- and job-centered distribution. The length of dust exposure is decreasing.

[Diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasonography, fibroscan, acoustic radiation pulse imaging, serological index, and their combination for early stage liver cirrhosis]

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), Fibroscan, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI), and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio (APRI) and their combination for early stage liver cirrhosis. Methods: Three hundred and twenty-two hospitalized patients who had been diagnosed with chronic viral liver disease from March 2016 to April 2018 were included. According to the clinical diagnosis, patients were divided into chronic hepatitis and the early stage liver cirrhosis group (Child-Pugh A grade). All patients were examined by Fibroscan to detect liver stiffness measurement (LSM), ARFI to detect liver virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) value, esophagogastroduodenoscopy and EUS to detect esophagogastric varices, laboratory and imaging examination. The index of EUS, Fibroscan, ARFI, and APRI was analyzed and the regression model was established by binary logistic regression, and the diagnostic efficacy of the above index and regression model for early stage of cirrhosis was evaluated by the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs). Results: An early stage cirrhosis group had significantly higher detection rate with EUS (esophagogastric varices), Fibroscan (LSM), ARFI (VTQ) and APRI than chronic hepatitis group [76.7% vs. 10.7%, 10.4 (7.8, 17.3) vs. 6.1 (5.2, 8.4) kPa, 1.71(1.48, 2.07) m/s vs. 1.25(1.14, 1.43) m/s and 0.65 (0.38, 1.15) vs. 0.38(0.26, 0.62), respectively]. The corresponding chi-square test were 140.86, Z = -9.069, Z = -9.948 and Z = -5.764, respectively and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve and regression model were 0.830 (0.783 ~ 0.877), 0.793 (0.744 ~ 0.841), 0.821 (0.775 ~ 0.868), 0.686 (0.628 ~ 0.744) and 0.947 (0.925 ~ 0.969) for the diagnosis of early stage cirrhosis, respectively. Among them, the regression model of three indices (EUS, LSM and VTQ) had the largest AUROCs (0.947) and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 0.878 and 0.867, respectively. Conclusion: The combination of EUS, LSM and ARFI had a superior diagnostic value for early stage liver cirrhosis, and may improve the diagnosis rate and reduce the misdiagnosis rate.

Expression and significance of MiR-126 and VEGF in proliferative diabetic retinopathy

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression and significance of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-126 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the vitreous body and proliferative membrane tissues of affected eyes and plasma in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 50 PDR patients admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to January 2018 were collected, including 17 cases in stage IV, 20 cases in stage V, and 13 cases in stage VI according to the DR staging criteria. Another 30 patients with an idiopathic macular hole were selected as control group. After admission, the examinations were performed, venous blood was drawn, and vitrectomy was performed, during which the vitreous body and proliferative membrane tissues were taken. The plasma VEGF content was detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The VEGF protein expression level was detected via Western blotting in vitreous body and proliferative membrane tissues. Moreover, the miR-126 expression was detected via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

RESULTS

In the vitreous body tissues, proliferative membrane tissues and plasma, the expression level of miR-126 was significantly lower in control group than that in stage IV, V, and VI groups (p<0.05). The miR-126 expression was significantly lower in stage IV group than that in stage V and VI groups (p<0.05), meanwhile, miR-126 expression was significantly lower in stage V group than that in stage VI group (p<0.05). In the vitreous body tissues, proliferative membrane tissues and plasma, the VEGF mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in control group than those in stage IV, V, and VI groups (p<0.05). The VEGF expressions were significantly higher in stage IV group than those in stage V and VI groups (p<0.05). In addition, VEGF expressions were significantly higher in stage V group than those in stage VI group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the VEGF expression level was negatively correlated with the miR-126 expression level.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the abnormally high expression of miR-126 negatively regulates VEGF, which may be one of the important mechanisms of occurrence of PDR. The miR-126 and VEGF content can serve as important predictors for the condition of PDR.

Comparison of Fragmentation Functions for Jets Dominated by Light Quarks and Gluons from pp and Pb+Pb Collisions in ATLAS

Charged-particle fragmentation functions for jets azimuthally balanced by a high-transverse-momentum, prompt, isolated photon are measured in 25  pb^{-1} of pp and 0.49  nb^{-1} of Pb+Pb collision data at 5.02 TeV per nucleon pair recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The measurements are compared to predictions of Monte Carlo generators and to measurements of inclusively selected jets. In pp collisions, a different jet fragmentation function in photon-tagged events from that in inclusive jet events arises from the difference in fragmentation between light quarks and gluons. The ratios of the fragmentation functions in Pb+Pb events to that in pp events are used to explore the parton color-charge dependence of jet quenching in the hot medium. In relatively peripheral collisions, fragmentation functions exhibit a similar modification pattern for photon-tagged and inclusive jets. However, photon-tagged jets are observed to have larger modifications than inclusive jets in central Pb+Pb events.

AraR, an L-Arabinose-Responding Transcription Factor, Negatively Regulates Resistance of Mycobacterium smegmatis to Isoniazid

L-Arabinose is an important component of mycobacterial cell wall. L-Arabinose is involved in the synthesis of arabinogalactan, lipoarabinomannan, and other sugar compounds, which suggests that it can modulate cell wall permeability and drug resistance. However, whether L-arabinose affects mycobacterial antibiotic resistance and the underlying regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we characterized a new transcription factor of Mycobacterium smegmatis, AraR, that responds to L-arabinose and regulates mycobacterial sensitivity to isoniazid (INH). AraR specifically recognizes two conserved 15-bp motifs within the upstream regulatory region of the arabinose (araR) operon. AraR functions as a transcriptional repressor that negatively regulates araR expression. In contrast to the effect of AraR, overexpression of the araR operon contributes to the mycobacterial INH resistance. L-arabinose acts as an effector and derepresses transcriptional inhibition by AraR. The araR-deficient strain is more resistant to INH than the wild-type strain, whereas the araR-overexpressing strain is more sensitive to INH. Addition of L-arabinose to the medium can significantly increase the resistance to INH of the wild-type strain, but not of the araR knockout strain. Therefore, we identified a new L-arabinose-responding transcription factor and revealed its effect on the bacterial antibiotic resistance. These findings can provide new insights in the regulatory mechanisms mediated by sugar molecules and their relationship with drug resistance in mycobacteria.