[Surgical site infection after abdominal surgery in China: a multicenter cross-sectional study]

Objective: Surgical site infection (SSI) can markedly prolong postoperative hospital stay, aggravate the burden on patients and society, even endanger the life of patients. This study aims to investigate the national incidence of SSI following abdominal surgery and to analyze the related risk factors in order to provide reference for the control and prevention of SSI following abdominal surgery. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Clinical data of all the adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery in 68 hospitals across the country from June 1 to 30, 2020 were collected, including demographic characteristics, clinical parameters during the perioperative period, and the results of microbial culture of infected incisions. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI within postoperative 30 days, and the secondary outcomes were ICU stay, postoperative hospital stay, cost of hospitalization and the mortality within postoperative 30-day. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors of SSI after abdominal surgery. Results: A total of 5560 patients undergoing abdominal surgery were included, and 163 cases (2.9%) developed SSI after surgery, including 98 cases (60.1%) with organ/space infections, 19 cases (11.7%) with deep incisional infections, and 46 cases (28.2%) with superficial incisional infections. The results from microbial culture showed that Escherichia coli was the main pathogen of SSI. Multivariate analysis revealed hypertension (OR=1.792, 95% CI: 1.194-2.687, P=0.005), small intestine as surgical site (OR=6.911, 95% CI: 1.846-25.878, P=0.004), surgical duration (OR=1.002, 95% CI: 1.001-1.003, P<0.001), and surgical incision grade (contaminated incision: OR=3.212, 95% CI: 1.495-6.903, P=0.003; Infection incision: OR=11.562, 95%CI: 3.777-35.391, P<0.001) were risk factors for SSI, while laparoscopic or robotic surgery (OR=0.564, 95%CI: 0.376-0.846, P=0.006) and increased preoperative albumin level (OR=0.920, 95%CI: 0.888-0.952, P<0.001) were protective factors for SSI. In addition, as compared to non-SSI patients, the SSI patients had significantly higher rate of ICU stay [26.4% (43/163) vs. 9.5% (514/5397), χ(2)=54.999, P<0.001] and mortality within postoperative 30-day [1.84% (3/163) vs.0.01% (5/5397), χ(2)=33.642, P<0.001], longer ICU stay (median: 0 vs. 0, U=518 414, P<0.001), postoperative hospital stay (median: 17 days vs. 7 days, U=656 386, P<0.001), and total duration of hospitalization (median: 25 days vs. 12 days, U=648 129, P<0.001), and higher hospitalization costs (median: 71 000 yuan vs. 39 000 yuan, U=557 966, P<0.001). Conclusions: The incidence of SSI after abdominal surgery is 2.9%. In order to reduce the incidence of postoperative SSI, hypoproteinemia should be corrected before surgery, laparoscopic or robotic surgery should be selected when feasible, and the operating time should be minimized. More attentions should be paid and nursing should be strengthened for those patients with hypertension, small bowel surgery and seriously contaminated incision during the perioperative period.

MiR-155 affects proliferation and apoptosis of bladder cancer cells by regulating GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "MiR-155 affects proliferation and apoptosis of bladder cancer cells by regulating GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway, by Z.-C. Dong, D. Zhang, X.-X. Zhang, Z.-Q. Yao, H. Wu, C.-H. Chen, J.-Q. Tian, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (13): 5682-5690-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201907_18305-PMID: 31298320" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/18305.

High expression of SHMT2 is correlated with tumor progression and predicts poor prognosis in gastrointestinal tumors

OBJECTIVE

Gastrointestinal tumors are malignant tumors with high morbidity. Mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of serine and glycine, which has prognostic and therapeutic value for many malignant tumors. However, the role of SHMT2 in gastric cancer (GC), esophageal cancer (ESCC), and colorectal cancer (CC) has not been clarified.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of SHMT2 was detected in GC, ESCC, and CC by immunohistochemistry and reverse real time transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The relationships between SHMT2 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were analyzed by the survival analysis and correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The positive expression rate of SHMT2 in GC, ESCC, and CC was 74.1%, 69.2%, and 71.7%, respectively. Patients with high expression of SHMT2 had a worse prognosis. In GC, high SHMT2 expression had positive correlation with lymph node metastasis (p=0.005) and histological grade (p=0.002). In ESCC, high SHMT2 expression had positive correlation with pT classification (p=0.033) and pM classification (p=0.029). In CC, high SHMT2 expression had positive correlation with tumor size (p=0.004), lymph node metastasis (p=0.035), TNM stage (p=0.007), and histological grade (p=0.020). Notably, SHMT2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for RFS and DSS in GC, ESCC, and CC (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SHMT2 is upregulated in GC, ESCC, and CC. The high expression of SHMT2 is correlated with gastrointestinal tumors progression, and poor prognosis, which is a potential new target for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors.

MiR-93-5p inhibited proliferation and metastasis of glioma cells by targeting MMP2

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between microRNA-93-5p (miR-93-5p) and glioma, and to explore the possible mechanisms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression level of miR-93-5p was detected in clinical tissue samples and cell lines. Online prediction websites were used to screen target of miR-93-5p, luciferase reporter assay and Western blot were performed to further confirm. The effects of the miR-93-5p on cell function were determined on U87-MG cells by in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

The low expression of miR-93-5p in glioma was confirmed by quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. In Target gene prediction, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) was identified as a direct target of miR-93-5p. The subsequent experiments showed that decreased expression of MMP2 resulting from the up-regulation of miR-93-5p obstructed the cell proliferation ability of U87-MG cells, and G0/G1 block occurred during the growth cycle. Further, the invasion and migration ability were also been affected.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research emphasized the suppressive function of miR-93-5p in glioma by targeting MMP2, thus providing some novel experimental basis for the treatment of glioma.

Model-Independent Study of Structure in B^{+}→D^{+}D^{-}K^{+} Decays

The only anticipated resonant contributions to B^{+}→D^{+}D^{-}K^{+} decays are charmonium states in the D^{+}D^{-} channel. A model-independent analysis, using LHCb proton-proton collision data taken at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}, is carried out to test this hypothesis. The description of the data assuming that resonances only manifest in decays to the D^{+}D^{-} pair is shown to be incomplete. This constitutes evidence for a new contribution to the decay, potentially one or more new charm-strange resonances in the D^{-}K^{+} channel with masses around 2.9  GeV/c^{2}.

[Correlation between social support and occupational stress among gas production workers in the field]

Objective: To investigate the level of social support and its correlation with occupational stress among gas production workers in the field. Methods: In October 2018, the cluster sampling method was used to perform a cross-sectional survey for 1726 gas production workers in the field, and related data of these workers were collected, including age, education level, marital status, level of social support, and related factors for occupational stress. A Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between social support and occupational stress, and the levels of occupational stress-related factors were compared between the groups with different social support scores. Results: The gas production workers in the field had a median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) social support score of 24.00 (19.00, 28.00) , and there was a significant difference in social support score between the workers with different posts or work shifts (P<0.01) . Social support score was positively correlated with effort, daily stress, negative emotion, and job routinization (P<0.05) and was negatively correlated with job satisfaction, reward, working stability, and promotion opportunity (P<0.05) . The group with a high social support score had significantly higher scores of effort, job routinization, sleep disorders, and daily stress than the other two groups (P<0.01) , and the group with a low social support score had significantly higher scores of reward, self-efficacy, positive affection, and job satisfaction than the other two groups (P<0.01) . Conclusion: High-level social support plays an important role in alleviating occupational stress and protecting mental health among gas production workers in the field.

Constraints on the K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} Branching Fraction

A search for the decay K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.6  fb^{-1} and collected with the LHCb experiment during 2016, 2017, and 2018 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The observed signal yield is consistent with zero, yielding an upper limit of B(K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<2.2×10^{-10} at 90% C.L.. The limit reduces to B(K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<2.1×10^{-10} at 90% C.L. once combined with the result from data taken in 2011 and 2012.

Evidence of TWIST1 and transforming growth factor-B1 aberrant expressions as novel therapeutic targets in modulating the severity of osteoarthritis with focus on biologic agents

Osteoarthritis (OA) is marked by transcriptional factors. Twist-related protein 1 (TWIST-1) leads to the down-regulation of functional transcriptional regulators such as transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and Wnt signals, thus blocking the growth and maturation of chondrocytes and providing new pathways to the production of therapeutic targets in OA therapy. Our research assesses the role of aberrant expressions TWIST1 and TGF-β1 as therapeutic targets in the regulation of osteoarthritis by treating with piperlongumine, a known biological agent. Monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) was administered to 32 male Wistar rats into their knee joints to provoke osteoarthritis. A week later, piperlongumine (PL) was orally administered to these rats for a duration of 28 days. The radiographic photos of these rats were documented. The histopathological and serum factors, namely interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), matrix metaloproteinases MMP-1 and MMP-3, were evaluated and their respective results were reported. RNA was extracted and real-time-PCR technique was optimized for TWIST1, TGF-1β and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) determination and sample values were recorded. When treated with PL at 100 mg/kg, our radiographic and histological studies revealed a substantial reduction of OA in rat models but no major improvements were observed at PL 50 mg/kg. Serum levels of IL-1β, MMP-1, and MMP-3 were greatly decreased when treated with PL 100 mg/kg. When administered with a dose higher than PL-100 mg/kg, the relative expressions of TWIST1, mRNA and TGF-β1 mRNA proteins were drastically reduced. Our results suggested that high-dose treatment with piperlongumine was beneficial and effective. TWIST1 and TGF-β1 aberrant expressions contributed as a new transcription factor function and supported the reduction of osteoarthritis intensity with piperlongumine therapy.

Antifungal activity screening for mint and thyme essential oils against Rhizopus stolonifer and their application in postharvest preservation of strawberry and peach fruits

AIMS

With a goal to identify specific essential oils that can control postharvest Rhizopus rot on strawberry and peach fruits, we performed screening for 26 essential oils based on their antifungal activity against Rhizopus stolonifer in vitro and investigated the underlying mechanism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mentha spicata (Ms), Mentha piperita (Mp), Thymus vulgaris CT carvacrol (Tc) and Thymus vulgaris CT thymol (Tt) exhibited strong inhibition on R. stolonifer growth in the screening. These essential oils increased plasma membrane permeability of R. stolonifer and resulted in the outflow of intercellular electrolyte, nucleic acid, protein and soluble sugar. Morphology of R. stolonifer mycelia was greatly altered by these essential oils. Hyphae treated by these essential oils exhibited high accumulation of superoxide anion and malonaldehyde. Combination of these essential oils in commercial package reduced Rhizopus rot on strawberry and peach fruits, with Mp showing the strongest efficiency.

CONCLUSION

Ms, Mp, Tc and Tt essential oils inhibited R. stolonifer growth by targeting its plasma membrane and reduced Rhizopus rot on strawberry and peach fruits.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provides potential applications of natural plant extract, as alternatives to tradition fungicides, to control postharvest decay on fruits and vegetables.

Observation of Enhanced Double Parton Scattering in Proton-Lead Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

A study of prompt charm-hadron pair production in proton-lead collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 30  nb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb experiment. Production cross sections for different pairs of charm hadrons are measured and kinematic correlations between the two charm hadrons are investigated. This is the first measurement of associated production of two charm hadrons in proton-lead collisions. The results confirm the predicted enhancement of double parton scattering production in proton-lead collisions compared to the single parton scattering production.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in white and brown adipocyte regulation and differentiation

In as early as 1997, the World Health Organization officially recognized obesity as a chronic disease. The current epidemic of obesity and overweightness has aroused great interest in the study of adipose tissue formation. The transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) binds to the target gene promoter regulatory sequences, acting as a key factor in regulating the differentiation of preadipocytes in the adipose tissue, and plays an important role in regulating the adipocyte metabolism. A further understanding of the structure and expression characteristics of PPARgamma, in addition to its mechanisms of action in adipocyte differentiation, may be applied to control obesity and prevent obesity-related diseases. In this article, recent studies investigating the effect of regulating PPARgamma on adipocyte differentiation are reviewed. In particular, the structural characteristics, expression patterns, and molecular mechanisms of PPARgamma function in adipocyte differentiation are considered.

Oral delivery of Hyperimmune bovine serum antibodies against CS6-expressing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli as a prophylactic against diarrhea

BACKGROUND

. Oral administration of bovine antibodies active against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) have demonstrated safety and efficacy against diarrhea in human challenge trials. The efficacy of bovine serum immunoglobulins (BSIgG) against recombinant colonization factor CS6 or whole cell ETEC strain B7A was assessed against challenge with the CS6-expressing B7A.

METHODS

. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which healthy adults received oral hyperimmune BSIgG anti-CS6, anti-B7A whole cell killed or non-hyperimmune BSIgG (placebo) in a 1:1:1 ratio then challenged with ETEC B7A. Two days pre-challenge, volunteers began a thrice daily, seven day course of immunoprophylaxis. On day 3, subjects received 1 × 10¹⁰ CFUs of B7A. Subjects were observed for safety and the primary endpoint of moderate-severe diarrhea (MSD).

RESULTS

. A total of 59 volunteers received product and underwent ETEC challenge. The BSIgG products were well-tolerated across all subjects. Upon challenge, 14/20 (70%) placebo recipients developed MSD, compared to 12/19 (63%; p = .74) receiving anti-CS6 BSIgG and 7/20 (35%; p = .06) receiving anti-B7A BSIgG. Immune responses to the ETEC infection were modest across all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

. Bovine-derived serum antibodies appear safe and well tolerated. Antibodies derived from cattle immunized with whole cell B7A provided 50% protection against MSD following B7A challenge; however, no protection was observed in subjects receiving serum antibodies targeting CS6. The lack of observed efficacy in this group may be due to low CS6 surface expression on B7A, the high dose challenge inoculum and/or the use of serum derived antibodies versus colostrum-derived antibodies.

[Current status of depression among workers in a petrochemical enterprise in Liaoning Province, China and related influencing factors]

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors for depression among workers in a petrochemical enterprise and the association of occupational stress and occupational environment with depression, and to provide a scientific basis for the improvement of mental health and the prevention and treatment of depression among workers in petrochemical enterprises. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in March 2018, and cluster sampling was used to select 1888 workers from a petrochemical enterprise in Liaoning Province, China for a questionnaire survey. A total of 1888 questionnaires were collected, among which there were 1521 usable questionnaires, with an effective recovery rate of 80.56%. The general status of the workers in this petrochemical enterprise was investigated, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) , Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) , and Perceived Work Environment (PWE) were used to evaluate depression, occupational stress, and occupational environment. Constituent ratio was used to describe the distribution of different demographic features, work conditions, and lifestyles among the workers in this petrochemical enterprise. One-way analysis of variance and the t-test were used to compare the scores of depressive tendency between the workers with different features. Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of occupational stress and occupational environment with depression. Multivariate hierarchical regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for depression. Results: The score of depression tendency was 18.94±9.21 in the workers in this petrochemical enterprise, and the incidence rate of depression symptoms was 59.8% (909/1521) . The workers who were aged <35 years, lived alone or in widowhood, or had an income of ≤4000 yuan tended to have a high score of depression tendency. And ordinary workers, oil-refining workers, workers with night shift and non-fixed shift, and workers with a lack of physical exercise and low sleep quality tended to have a high score of depression tendency (P<0.05) . The dimensions of extrinsic and intrinsic efforts of occupational stress and severity of occupational environment were positively correlated with depression (r=0.254, 0.242, 0.274, P<0.01) . And the dimension of reward was negatively correlated with depression (r=-0.348, P<0.01) . The multivariate hierarchical regression analysis showed that occupational stress and occupational environment had a marked predictive effects on depression, with an explained variance of 18.4% and 12.1%, respectively. Conclusion: There is a high level of depression tendency among workers in petrochemical enterprises, and demographic features, work conditions, lifestyle, occupational stressors, and occupational environment factors are influencing factors for depression.

[Interaction of shift work and psychological capital on abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism among natural gas field workers]

Objective: To explore the interaction between shift work and psychological capital on abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. Methods: A convenient sampling survey of demographics characteristics, shift work and psychological capital was conducted on 1 415 natural gas field workers by questionnaire in October 2018,and their physiological and biochemical indexes were measured according to standard norms. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the interaction between shift work and psychological capital on abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. Results: For 1 415 subjectsthe prevalence of abnormal blood glucose was 21.2%, the prevalence of diabetes was 8.3%.The prevalence of abnormal total cholesterol was 40.4%, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 11.3%.The prevalence of abnormal triglyceride was 41.6%, the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia was 24.7%.The detection rate of Low-density Lipoprotein was 17.3%, the detection rate of Low-density Lipoprotein was 4.0%, and the detection rate of high-density Lipoprotein was 1.3%. Multiple logistic regression model analysis showed that shift work, the low level of self-efficacy and the low level of optimism was positively associated with abnormal blood glucose, respectively (P<0.05). Shift work was positively associated with abnormal triglyceride (P<0.05). However, there was no interaction between shift work, low self-efficacy, low hope, low resilience, and low optimism on abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. Conclusion: Shift work was a risk factor of abnormal blood glucose and triglyceride, self-efficacy and optimism were protective factors of abnormal blood glucose. There was no multiplicative interaction between shift work and psychological capital on abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism in the study population.

[Correlation of job monotony and social support on daily hassle: a cross-sectional study based on natural gas field workers]

Objective: To explore the correlation of job monotony and social support on daily hassle. Methods: A convenient sampling survey of demographics characteristics, job monotony, social support and daily hassle was conducted on 1 466 natural gas field workers by questionnaire in October; 2018. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlation of job monotony and social support on daily hassle. Results: The age of 1 466 subjects was (44.47±8.0) years and the length of service was (20.46±5.77) years. There were 258(17.6%), 173(11.8%), 799(54.5%), 120(8.2%) and 116(7.9%) subjects from production and marketing department, processing plant, branch, maintenance department and emergency center respectively. There were 374(25.5%) and 1 092(74.5%) subjects with high and low level of job monotony, and 398(27.1%), 648(44.2%) and 420(28.6%) subjects with high, middle and low level of social support. There were 464(31.7%) and 1 002(68.3%) subjects with high and low daily tension respectively. Compared with the low level of job monotony, the high level of job monotony had a higher risk of daily hassle(OR=4.83,P<0.001), and compared with the high level of social support, the middle and low level of social support had a higher risk of daily hassle(OR=1.25, 2.24,P<0.05). Conclusion: Job monotony and social support were associated with daily hassle.

Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma, NOS With Epstein-Barr Virus Positivity in an Elderly Patient With Myelodysplastic Syndrome: An Autopsy Case Report

Casestudy

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated peripheral T-cell lymphomas are a group of aggressive neoplasms with a geographic predilection for South America and Asia, but are very rare in Western populations.

Results

We report a case of a 74-year-old Caucasian female who presented with pancytopenia and B symptoms with EBV-IgG detected on admission. Past medical history included: ITP, chronic urticaria, and recently diagnosed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) on bone marrow biopsy one month prior to admission. Excisional biopsies of an enlarged right neck lymph node (repeated within 6 months) and right axillary lymph node five years ago were negative for a lymphoproliferative disorder at the time. Repeated bone marrow biopsy, performed during the current admission, confirmed the diagnosis of MDS, with scattered T-cells without aberrant immunophenotype. Despite aggressive treatment from multiple specialties, the patient deteriorated and expired four weeks later from complications of MDS. At autopsy, there was diffuse lymphadenopathy involving the mediastinum, axilla, pelvis and peripancreatic fat. Lymph node sections demonstrated nodal architecture effacement by diffuse, vaguely nodular lymphoid infiltrates.

Histologically, the infiltrates were composed of medium to large lymphocytes with round to slight irregular nuclei, rare Reed-Sternberg-like multinucleated cells, clumped chromatin, and indistinct nucleoli. Individual cell necrosis was abundant with mitotic figures readily identifiable. Immunohistochemistry revealed CD2+ CD3+ neoplastic T-cells that co-express MUM1 and a subset of CD30, while negative for CD4, CD5, CD8, CD56, ALK1, and TDT. EBV-encoded RNA in-situ hybridization was focally positive. The final postmortem diagnosis was peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (NOS), with focal EBV positivity.

Conclusion

Co-existence of a de-novo MDS and non-Hodgkin lymphoma without any prior chemotherapeutic exposure is a highly unusual finding, although MDS-like presentations can occur with EBV-associated lymphomas. Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, NOS is an aggressive lymphoma and EBV positivity has been found correlated with a poor prognosis. This case demonstrates how postmortem examination remains an important tool in clinical- pathological correlation and highlights the potential pathogenetic role EBV plays in MDS and T-cell lymphoma.

Improved survival and survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birth weight infants after active perinatal care

Background

Perinatal and neonatal care for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have changed significantly during the past two decades. However, it is unclear how these changes have affected neonatal mortality and morbidity in developing countries.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the advanced neonatal care on short-term outcomes of VLBW infants.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed to compare the mortality and morbidity of VLBW infants between period I (2007-2011) and period II (2012-2016) in our unit.

Results

A total of 188 infants in period I and 214 infants in period II were evaluated. The overall in-hospital mortality for VLBW infants dropped from 26.1% in period I to 13.1% in period II. The incidence of birth asphyxia decreased significantly during period II (10.1% [period I] vs 3.7% [period II]). The rate of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) use (69.8% vs 87.1%) and the duration of NCPAP therapy (median: 3 days [period I] vs 5 days [period II]) increased significantly, while the proportion of infants treated with mechanical ventilation and the duration of mechanical ventilation significantly decreased. There was a significant increase in the proportion of survivors without major neonatal morbidity, mainly due to a significant increase in the incidence of survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (72.7% vs 82.8%). In contrast, the incidence of late-onset sepsis increased significantly during period II (7.9% vs 19.4%).

Conclusions

Active perinatal care is associated with improvements in survival and survival free of BPD for VLBW infants. However, late-onset sepsis is still a major concern.

Gut dysbacteriosis and intestinal disease: mechanism and treatment

The gut microbiome functions like an endocrine organ, generating bioactive metabolites, enzymes or small molecules that can impact host physiology. Gut dysbacteriosis is associated with many intestinal diseases including (but not limited to) inflammatory bowel disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis-IBD, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, osmotic diarrhoea and colorectal cancer. The potential pathogenic mechanism of gut dysbacteriosis associated with intestinal diseases includes the alteration of composition of gut microbiota as well as the gut microbiota-derived signalling molecules. The many correlations between the latter and the susceptibility for intestinal diseases has placed a spotlight on the gut microbiome as a potential novel target for therapeutics. Currently, faecal microbial transplantation, dietary interventions, use of probiotics, prebiotics and drugs are the major therapeutic tools utilized to impact dysbacteriosis and associated intestinal diseases. In this review, we systematically summarized the role of intestinal microbiome in the occurrence and development of intestinal diseases. The potential mechanism of the complex interplay between gut dysbacteriosis and intestinal diseases, and the treatment methods are also highlighted.

HPRL – International cooperation to identify and monitor priority nuclear data needs for nuclear applications

The OECD-NEA High Priority Request List (HPRL) is a point of reference to guide and stimulate the improvement of nuclear data for nuclear energy and other applications, and a tool to bridge the gap between data users and producers. The HPRL is application-driven and the requests are submitted by nuclear data users or representatives of the user’s communities. A panel of international experts reviews and monitors the requests in the framework of an Expert Group mandated by the NEA Nuclear Science Committee Working Party on International Nuclear Data Evaluation Cooperation (WPEC). After approval, individual requests are classified to three categories: high priority requests, general requests, and special purpose requests (e.g., dosimetry, standards). The HPRL is hosted by the NEA in the form of a relational database publicly available on the web. This paper provides an overview of HPRL entries, status and outlook. Examples of requests successfully completed are given and new requests are described with emphasis on updated nuclear data needs in the fields of nuclear energy, neutron standards and dosimetry.

MiR-155 affects proliferation and apoptosis of bladder cancer cells by regulating GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway

OBJECTIVE

GSK-3β negatively regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The abnormal miR-155 expression is associated with bladder cancer. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a complementary binding site between miR-155 and GSK-3β mRNA. This study investigated the role of miR-155 in the proliferation and apoptosis of bladder cancer cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The dual luciferase reporter gene assay validated the targeted regulation between miR-155 and GSK-3β. Tumor tissues and adjacent tissues were collected from bladder cancer patients and the expression of miR-155 and GSK-3β mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Bladder cancer cell line BIU-87 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into miR-NC group and miR-155 inhibitor group. The expressions of miR-155, GSK-3β and β-catenin were compared, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and cell proliferation was detected by EdU staining.

RESULTS

Compared with adjacent tissues, miR-155 expression was significantly increased in bladder cancer tissues, and GSK-3β mRNA expression was significantly decreased. There was a targeted regulatory relationship between miR-155 and GSK-3β. Compared with SV-HUC-1 cells, miR-155 expression in bladder cancer BIU-87 and 5637 cells was significantly increased, and GSK-3β expression was significantly decreased. Transfection of miR-155 inhibitor significantly increased GSK-3β expression in BIU-87 and 5637 cells, decreased β-catenin expression, increased cell apoptosis, and decreased cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased expression of miR-155 plays a role in reducing the expression of GSK-3β and in promoting the pathogenesis of bladder cancer. Inhibition of miR-155 can up-regulate the expression of GSK-3β, inhibit the activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, attenuate proliferation and promote apoptosis of bladder cancer cells.

LINC00702 accelerates the progression of ovarian cancer through interacting with EZH2 to inhibit the transcription of KLF2

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the role of LINC00702 in the progression of ovarian cancer (OC) and the potential mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Expression level of LINC00702 in OC tissues and matched normal tissues was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). LINC00702 level in OC cell lines was determined as well. The potential influences of LINC00702 on cellular behaviors of A2780 and HEY cells were evaluated. The subcellular distribution of LINC00702 in A2780 cells was examined. Through RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, the interaction among LINC00702, EZH2, and KLF2 was verified. The rescue experiments were conducted to elucidate the biological function of LINC00702/KLF2 axis in the progression of OC.

RESULTS

LINC00702 was upregulated in OC tissues and cell lines. Its level was much higher in OC with worse tumor stage and larger tumor size. The knockdown of LINC00702 attenuated the proliferative ability of A2780 and HEY cells. LINC00702 was mainly distributed in the cell nucleus. The knockdown of LINC00702 or EZH2 downregulated the KLF2 level in the OC cells. The transfection of LINC00702 markedly reduced the occupancy of KLF2 promoter on EZH2 and H3K27me3 relative to IgG. Finally, the knockdown of KLF2 could reverse the regulatory effect of LINC00702 in the proliferative ability of A2780 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

LINC00702 is upregulated in OC. It accelerates the progression of OC via interacting with EZH2 to inhibit the transcription of KLF2.

[Assessment of computed tomographic angiographysinus development combined with occipitalbone marks for the location of transverse sigmoid sinus junction]

Objective: To introduce and evaluate a technique to precisely localize the transverse-sigmoid sinus junction (TSSJ) in retrosigmoid craniotomy. Methods: This was a single-center prospective randomized controlled study. Sixty-three patients, 29 male and 34 female, who would undergo retrosigmoid craniotomy admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical Universityfrom March to October 2019 were enrolled in the study and were divided into trial group and control group according to the computer-generated random numbers. Preoperative venous computed tomographic angiography (CTA) combined with 3-dimensional computed tomography computed tomography (3D CT) was randomly given to the patients(n=32). Asterion was used for identification of the TSSJ in the controls (n=31). The main outcome measures as postoperative complications and relevant intraoperative indicators were compared. Results: Incision length, craniotomy time, bone window sizein trial group were shorter or smaller than those of the controls, as(6.8±0.5) cm vs (8.0±1.5) cm, (37±8) min vs (45±15) min, (8.7±1.2) cm(2) vs (10.2±2.4) cm(2) respectively, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). No statistical significance was found in bleeding amount, incidence of sinus injury and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. While incidence of neck pain was lower in case group (15.63% vs 38.71%; P=0.04) and the remission time of incisional pain in case group was shorter [(6±1) d vs (9±2) d; P=0.01]. Conclusion: While the technique is used, the center of the keyhole should be located at transitional place of the lateral part of the occipitomastoid suture, the retromastoid ridge and the superior nuchal line. Compared with the traditional craniotomy method marked by asterion, it has great advantages in reducing incidence of postoperative complications, craniotomy time, and the remission time of incisional pain.

A three-gene signature and clinical outcome in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

BACKGROUND

Although the 5-year survival rates in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have improved over the last decades, there is a high relapse rate for Pediatric AML patients.

METHODS

In the present study, we mainly combine PCA with the LASSO technique to identify prognostic markers for Pediatric AML patients coming from the NCI TARGET database.

RESULTS

Three key genes (EEF1A1, RPLP2, RPL19) associated with poor prognosis of pediatric AML has been screened by both PCA and LASSO Cox regression analysis. Simultaneously, we developed a risk score model to predict the prognosis of pediatric AML, according to risk scores, the patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the median risk score. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that Pediatric AML patients with the high-risk group have a poorer survival rate than those with a low-risk group (p < 0.000). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the risk model has a good performance (AUC:0.669). Moreover, the clinicopathologic correlation showed that the expression levels of three genes were related to the central nervous system (CNS) disease and chloroma. GSEA identified that those pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, apoptosis and TGFB signaling pathway were differentially enriched.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, those studies suggested that a gene panel that consists of three genes (EEF1A1, RPLP2, RPL19) may act as a potential prognostic marker.

[The role of large-scale testing platform in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic: an empirical study based on a novel numerical model]

Objective: China adopted an unprecedented province-scale quarantine since January 23rd 2020, after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) broke out in Wuhan in December 2019. Responding to the challenge of limited testing capacity, large-scale (>20 000 tests per day) standardized and fully-automated laboratory (Huo-Yan) was built as an ad-hoc measure. There is so far no empirical data or mathematical model to reveal the impact of the testing capacity improvement since quarantine. Methods: Based on the suspected case data released by the Health Commission of Hubei Province and the daily testing data of Huo-Yan Laboratory, the impact of detection capabilities on the realization of "clearing" and "clearing the day" of supected cases was simulated by establishing a novel non-linear and competitive compartments differential model. Results: Without the establishment of Huo-Yan, the suspected cases would increase by 47% to 33 700, the corresponding cost of quarantine would be doubled, the turning point of the increment of suspected cases and the achievement of "daily settlement" (all newly discovered suspected cases are diagnosed according to the nucleic acid testing result) would be delayed for a whole week and 11 days. If the Huo-Yan Laboratory could ran at its full capacity, the number of suspected cases could start to decrease at least a week earlier, the peak of suspected cases would be reduced by at least 44%, and the quarantine cost could be reduced by more than 72%. Ideally, if a daily testing capacity of 10 500 tests was achieved immediately after the Hubei lockdown, "daily settlement" for all suspected cases could be achieved. Conclusions: Large-scale, standardized clinical testing platform, with nucleic acid testing, high-throughput sequencing, and immunoprotein assessment capabilities, need to be implemented simultaneously in order to maximize the effect of quarantine and minimize the duration and cost of the quarantine. Such infrastructure, for both common times and emergencies, is of great significance for the early prevention and control of infectious diseases.

Genome-wide Analyses Identify a Novel Risk Locus for Nonsyndromic Cleft Palate

The 3 major subphenotypes observed in patients with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) are nonsyndromic cleft lip only (NSCLO), nonsyndromic cleft lip with palate (NSCLP), and nonsyndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO). However, the genetic architecture underlying NSCPO is largely unknown. Here we performed a 2-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) on NSCPO and replication analyses of selected variants in other NSOFCs from the Chinese Han population. We identified a novel locus (15q24.3) and a known locus (1q32.2) where variants in or near the gene reached genome-wide significance (2.80 × 10^-13 < P < 1.72 × 10^-08) in a test for association with NSCPO in a case-control design. Although a variant from 15q24.3 was found to be significantly associated with both NSCPO and NSCLP, the direction of estimated effects on risk were opposite. Our functional annotation of the risk alleles within 15q24.3 coupled with previously established roles of the candidate genes within identified risk loci in periderm development, embryonic patterning, and/or regulation of cellular processes supports their involvement in palate development and the pathogenesis of cleft palate. Our study advances the understanding of the genetic basis of NSOFCs and provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of NSCPO.

[Prediction of KCNQ4gene polymorphism varies with CNE or noise exposure duration on the Risk of NIHL-Cox model analysis based on cohort study]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between gene in the potassium recycling pathway 4 (KCNQ4) polymorphisms and the susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) , and analysis the effect of cumulative noise exposure (CNE) and noise exposure duration on this association. Methods: A nested case-control study with 1∶1 matched was used based on the cohort of noise exposure in a steel factory. A total of 286 cases were selected as the group of hearing loss and 286 controls were chosen according to the matching standards of same gender, same type of work, age difference ≤ 5 years, noise exposure duration ≤ 2 years. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of rs4660468, rs4660470, rs34287852 in KCNQ4 were genotyped by SNPscan(TM) method. The codominant, dominant and recessive models were established to study KCNQ4 polymorphisms and the susceptibility to NIHL by single-factor conditional logistic regression analysis. The COX regression analysis was used to analyze the risk of developing NIHL in individuals with different genotypes along with the extending of noise exposure duration or CNE. Results: In the case of CNE≤96 dB (A) ·year, the risk of developing NIHL in individuals with TA genotype of rs4660470 was 2.197 times than individuals with TT genotypes (95%CI: 1.032~4.677) , and those with TA+AA and TT genotypes (HR=2.467, 95%CI: 1.025~5.934) With the increase of noise exposure duration, in rs4660470, individuals with TA genotype had a higher risk of suffering NIHL than those with TT genotype (HR=1.461, 95%CI: 1.061~2.011) , individuals with TA and/or AA genotype had a earlier risk of suffering NIHL than those with TT genotype. Conclusion: The mutant allele A of rs4660470 in KCNQ4 may be a risk factor for developing NIHL, CNE≤100 dB (A) ·year or the increase of noise exposure duration may further increase the risk of NIHL.

[Association between GSTP1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss]

Objective: To investigate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS) at rs1695 and rs6591256 in glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene and susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss in Chinese Han workers exposed to noise. Methods: Using the 1: 1 nested case-control study and taking 6297 workers exposed to noise in a steel plant in Henan province as the cohort study population in July 2019, we screened those who have been exposed to noise for ≥3 years and whose binaural high frequency (3000, 4000, 6000 Hz) average hearing threshold is ≥40 dB (A) into the case group. The control group was selected according to the matching criteria of the same sex, same type of work, and the age difference was not more than 5 years old, and the working age difference was not more than 2 years. 276 subjects were selected into the case group and the control group respectively. The medium and high throughout single nucleotide polymorphism typing technology (SNPscanTM technology) was used to detect the polymorphism of three nucleotide sites of GSR gene, and conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and NIHL, and the relationship between different polymorphic sites and the risk of NIHL after adjusting covariates. After stratification with different cumulative noise exposure (CNE) , Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to analysis the risk of NIHL at different loci. Results: The mean and standard deviation of age of the selected subjects was (40.28±8.00) , the mean and standard deviation of noise-exposed working years was (18.7±8.92) years. The range of noise exposure levels and comulative noise exposure were 80.05-93.35dB (A) and 86.83-107.92 dB (A) ·year, respectively. Compared with the control group, there were no statistically significant differences in age, noise-exposured working years, intensity of noise exposure, CNE, gender, drinking, hypertension prevalence and noise exposure level in the hearing loss group (P>0.05) , while there were statistically difference in smoking, binaural high-frequency average hearing threshold and binaural speech frequency (P<0.05) . After adjusting for smoking, drinking, hypertension and other factors, in the co-dominant model, compared with GGgenotype, the risk of NIHL was higher in rs1002149 GT genotype and rs2251780 GA genotype (OR=1.558, 95%CI: 1.028-2.361; OR=1.550, 95%CI: 1.020-2.355, P<0.05) ; compared with TT/GT genotype, the rs1002149 TT genotype has a higher risk of developing NIHL (OR=1.494, 95%CI: 1.002-2.228, P<0.05) , while rs3779647 genotype had no relationship with the risk of NIHL (P>0.05) . In the equivalent sound level (L(Aeq)) of noise >85 dB (A) stratification, compared with GG genotype, carrying rs1002149 GT genotype and rs2251780 GT genotype has higher risk of nihl (OR=1.801, 95%CI: 1.093-2.967; OR=1.720, 95%CI: 1.050-2.817, P<0.05) . Haplotype analysis of two sites, rs1002149 and rs2251780, was not found to be related to NIIHL susceptibility. Conclusion: The allele G of rs1695 and rs6591256 may be risk factors of NIHL.

[Relationship research among CDH23 gene and the risk of noise-induced hearing loss]

Objective: To explore the relationship among CDH23 gene variation and the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) . Methods: The nested case-control study was performed and this study followed a cohort of 6297 noise-exposed workers in a steel factory of Henan province in China from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015. In July 2019, subjects whose average hearing threshold were more than 40 dB in high frequency were defined as the case group, and subjects whose average hearing threshold were less than 35 dB in high frequency and less than 25 dB in speech frequency were defined as the control group. A nested case-control study which included 572 subjects was carried out, in which subjects consisted of 286 cases and 286 controls. 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CDH23 were selected and genotyped, then we analyzed the association among SNPs in CDH23, haplotypes in CDH23 and NIHL risk. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the main effects of SNPs and the interactions between CNE and SNPs adjusting cumulative noise exposure (CNE) , smoking, drinking, physical exercise and hypertension. Moreover, the association between haplotypes in CDH23 and NIHL risk were also analyzed. We ananlyzed the relationship amongst different SNP groups and NIHL risk using the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) method. Results: The results suggested that significant associations were observed for rs3802711, rs3752751, rs3752752, rs11592462, rs10762480, rs3747867 for NIHL overall and/or various CNE strata by adjusting CNE, smoking, drinking, physical exercise and blood pressure. For rs3802711, workers exposure to noise carrying the AA/GA genotype of rs3802711 increased risk of NIHL than those carrying GG genotype (OR=3.121; 95%CI:1.054-9.239, P=0.035) in overall; In the stratified analysis of CNE (>97 dB (A) ·year at rs3802711 locus, workers exposure to noise carrying GA genotype (OR=2.056; 95%CI:1.226~3.448, P=0.006) and GA+AA/GA genotype (OR=2.221; 95%CI:1.340~3.681, P=0.002) increased NIHL risk. For rs11592462, workers exposure to noise carrying the GG genotype of rs11592462 increased risk of NIHL than those carrying CC genotype in overall (OR=3.951; 95%CI:1.104-14.137, P=0.04) ; workers exposure to noise carrying the GG genotype of rs11592462 increased risk of NIHL than those carrying CG+CC genotype in overall (OR=4.06; 95%CI:1.145-14.391, P=0.03) . After adjusting CNE, smoking, drinking, physical exercise and blood pressure, the haplotypes of CDH23 rs1227049, rs10999947, rs3752752, rs3752751, rs10762480, rs3802711, rs11592462, rs10466026, rs4747194, rs4747195 were not associated with the risk of NIHL. GMDR analysis showed no association between SNP combination and NIHL risk after adjusting CNE, smoking, drinking, physical exercise and blood pressure. Conclusion: Gene polymorphisms in CDH23 might associate significantly with the risk of NIHL.

[Association between GSTP1 gave polymorphisms and susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss]

Objective: To investigate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS) at rs1695 and rs6591256 in glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene and susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss in Chinese Han workers exposed to noise. Methods: A 1: 2 matched nested case-control study was performed, which based on the cohort of 6297 workers exposed to noise in an iron and steel plant in Henan, China, who were followed up from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015. According to the criteria of binaural average high-frequency hearing threshold ≥40 dB, a total of 292 workers were enrolled as hearing loss group; after the adjustment for sex, type of work, age (difference≤5 years) , and working years of noise exposure (difference≤2 years) , according to the criteria of binaural average high-frequency hearing threshold <35 dB, and the speech frequency hearing threshold of any ear at any frequency band ≤25 dB, a total of 584 workers were enrolled as control group. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of rs1695 and rs6591256 in GSTP1 were genotyped by high throughput SNP genotyping assay. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of control group was checked. The association between the SNPs at the two loci and susceptibility to NIHL was analyzed. Results: The L(Aeq, 8 h) range of workers exposed to noise was 80.2-98.8 dB (A) . The risk of NIHL in individuals with allele G of rs1695 was 1.291 times of those with allele A (95%CI: 1.042-1.598, P<0.05) . The risk of NIHL in individuals with allele G of rs6591256 was 1.390 times of those with allele A (95%CI: 1.119-1.728, P<0.05) . The risk of NIHL in individuals with AG and GG genotypes of rs6591256 was 1.437 times of those with AA genotype (95%CI: 1.057-1.952, P<0.05) . With the increase of noise exposure duration, individuals with AG and GG genotypes of rs6591256 had a higher risk of NIHL than those with AA genotype (HR=1.273, 95%CI: 1.002-1.616, P<0.05) . Conclusion: The allele G of rs1695 and rs6591256 may be risk factors of NIHL.