Baicalein Represses Cervical Cancer Cell Growth, Cell Cycle Progression and Promotes Apoptosis via Blocking AKT/mTOR Pathway by the Regulation of circHIAT1/miR-19a-3p Axis

Background

Baicalein has a significant anti-cancerous function in the treatment of cervical cancer (CC). Its functional mechanism regarding circular RNA (circRNA) hippocampus abundant transcript 1 (circHIAT1) and microRNA-19a-3p (miR-19a-3p) was explored in this research.

Methods

CC cell viability and colony formation were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assay. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were analyzed via flow cytometry. Protein markers of cell cycle, apoptosis and protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT/mTOR) pathway were detected by Western blot. CircHIAT1 and miR-19a-3p levels were assayed through the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The interaction between circHIAT1 and miR-19a-3p was validated by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. In vivo experiment was performed by xenograft model.

Results

CC cell growth and cell cycle progression were repressed while apoptosis was enhanced by baicalein. MiR-19a-3p was downregulated in baicalein-treated CC cells and miR-19a-3p overexpression lightened the baicalein-induced CC progression inhibition. Moreover, circHIAT1 was found to be a sponge of miR-19a-3p in CC cells. Baicalein-induced cell growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis promotion were neutralized by knockdown of circHIAT1 via targeting miR-19a-3p. Baicalein acted on the circHIAT1/miR-19a-3p to inactivate AKT/mTOR pathway. Baicalein also reduced CC tumor growth in vivo via regulating the levels of circHIAT1 and miR-19a-3p.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrated that the inhibitory function of baicalein in CC progression was dependent on the repression of AKT/mTOR pathway by upregulating circHIAT1 to sponge miR-19a-3p, showing a specific mechanism for baicalein in CC.

MiR-181a-5p inhibits goose granulosa cell viability by targeting SIRT1

1. Granulosa cells (GCs) are involved in folliculogenesis, follicular development, and atresia. Previous studies have shown that microRNA-181a-5p (miR-181a-5p) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) are involved in GC proliferation and apoptosis, and SIRT1 has been predicted as one target of miR-181a-5p. However, there are few studies with poultry.2. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of miR-181a-5p in granulosa layers during geese ovarian follicular development. A methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to assess the viability of geese granulosa cells treated with miR-181a-5p mimic or inhibitor. The binding sites between the SIRT1 3'-UTR region and miR-181a-5p were evaluated using a luciferase reporter assay system. SIRT1 mRNA levels were detected using qRT-PCR after transfection with miR-181a-5p mimic and inhibitor.3. The miR-181a-5p suppressed geese GC viability and regulated the mRNA expression of viability-related genes in geese GCs. SIRT1 was a target gene of miR-181a-5p and miR-181a-5p suppressed its mRNA expression.4. The miR-181a-5p may target and inhibit SIRT1 expression, thus suppressing GC viability by regulating viability-related key genes.

Changes in cognitive function and related brain regions in chronic benzene poisoning: a case report

To discuss the changes in cognitive function and related brain regions in patients with chronic benzene poisoning. Few studies have explored the damage to cognitive function that occurs in benzene toxic encephalopathy. It is important to identify early in the course of disease whether cognitive dysfunction is caused by benzene poisoning so that disease prognosis and appropriate treatment can be determined. We reported on the chronic benzene poisoning of a 41-year-old Han Chinese woman. The patient had graduated from primary school, and she had a cheerful and diligent personality. She had performed painting work for more than five years, and her primary work involved painting swivel chairs. The primary reasons she attended the psychiatric clinic were loss of appetite, she had experienced fatigue for more than 2 months, and she had had memory loss for a month. These symptoms seriously impacted the patient’s daily life and ability to work. The patient’s husband expressed concern that she could not recognize acquaintances, could not find her way home, and had lost approximately 5 kg per month over two months. We analyzed changes in this chronic benzene poisoning patient’s cognitive function with cognitive function assessments and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Measurements were taken on presentation to hospital, during the patient’s hospitalization, and three months following discharge. Long-term exposure to benzene can damage the central nervous system. However, it is difficult to recognize when cognitive impairment is caused by chronic benzene poisoning, as it rarely presents with a decline in cognitive function as the primary clinical manifestation. Atypical symptoms, such as decreased immune function and gastrointestinal issues, may be the first symptoms to appear, and these atypical symptoms are difficult to detect in the early stages of disease. Regular screening of high-risk groups is required to significantly reduce the incidence of systemic damage caused by benzene poisoning.

EEG power spectral analysis reveals tandospirone improves anxiety symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease: a prospective cohort study

Background

To study the efficacy of tandospirone citrate in treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients with anxiety.

Methods

Thirty mild-to-moderate AD patients with anxiety symptoms were randomly divided into a monotherapy group (donepezil) and a combination therapy group (donepezil and tandospirone). The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Drug efficacy was regularly assessed using psychological assessment scales and quantitative pharmaco-electroencephalogram (QPEEG) power spectral analysis.

Results

After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score and mean Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) score of the combination therapy group were 5.13±4.18 and 4.2±5.0, respectively, which was significantly lower compared to baseline and the monotherapy group (all P<0.05). The mean attention score on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) was 0.07±0.26 for the combination group, which was significantly lower than that of the monotherapy group (P<0.05). QPEEG revealed that the power values of the δ wave in the right prefrontal lobe, left middle temporal lobe and right posterior temporal lobe decreased in the combination therapy group but not in the monotherapy group. Similarly, the power values of the α2 wave in the right parietal, right posterior temporal and left middle temporal lobes, and the β1 wave power values of left middle temporal and left posterior temporal lobes were also significantly decreased in the combination therapy group, but not in the monotherapy group.

Conclusions

Tandospirone citrate can significantly improve anxiety symptoms and attention in patients with mild to moderate AD. QPEEG examination might provide a objective way for the efficacy of the tandospirone in anxiety symptoms of the patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Temporal dynamic changes of intrinsic brain activity in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment patients: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory impairment. Previous studies have largely focused on alterations of static brain activity occurring in patients with AD. Few studies to date have explored the characteristics of dynamic brain activity in cognitive impairment, and their predictive ability in AD patients.

METHODS

One hundred and eleven AD patients, 29 MCI patients, and 73 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. The dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (dALFF) and the dynamic fraction amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (dfALFF) were used to assess the temporal variability of local brain activity in patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between the metrics and subjects' behavioral scores.

RESULTS

The results of analysis of variance indicated that the AD, MCI, and HC groups showed significant variability of dALFF in the cerebellar posterior and middle temporal lobes. In AD patients, these brain regions had high dALFF variability. Significant dfALFF variability was found between the three groups in the left calcarine cortex and white matter. The AD group showed lower dfALFF than the MCI group in the left calcarine cortex.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to HC, AD patients were found to have increased dALFF variability in the cerebellar posterior and temporal lobes. This abnormal pattern may diminish the capacity of the cerebellum and temporal lobes to participate in the cerebrocerebellar circuits and default mode network (DMN), which regulate cognition and emotion in AD. The findings above indicate that the analysis of dALFF and dfALFF based on functional magnetic resonance imaging data may give a new insight into the neurophysiological mechanisms of AD.

Disrupted balance of long and short-range functional connectivity density in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients: a resting-state fMRI study

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects cognitive function. There have been several functional connectivity (FC) strengths; however, FC density needs more development in AD. Therefore, this study wanted to determine the alternations in resting-state functional connectivity density (FCD) induced by Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

One hundred and eleven AD patients, 29 MCI patients, and 73 healthy controls (age- and sex-matched) were recruited and assessed using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. The ultra-fast graph theory called FCD mapping was used to calculate the voxel-wise short- and long-range FCD values of the brain. We performed voxel-based between-group comparisons of FCD values to show the cerebral regions with significant FCD alterations. We performed Pearson’s correlation analyses between aberrant functional connectivity densities and several clinical variables with adjustment for age and sex.

Results

Patients with cognition decline showed significantly abnormal long-range FCD in the cerebellum crus I, right insula, left inferior frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, and right middle frontal gyrus. The short-range FCD changed in the cerebellum crus I, left inferior frontal gyrus, left superior occipital gyrus, and right middle frontal gyrus. The long- and short-range functional connectivity in the left inferior frontal gyrus was positively correlated with Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) scores.

Conclusions

FCD in the identified regions reflects mechanism and compensation for loss of cognitive function. These findings could improve the pathology of AD and MCI and supply a neuroimaging marker for AD and MCI.

Comparing the Performance of Different Instruments for Diagnosing Frailty and Predicting Adverse Outcomes among Elderly Patients with Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To examine the diagnostic performance of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), 11-factor modified frailty index (mFI-11), and 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) for frailty defined by Frailty Phenotype (FP), as well as to compare the predictive ability of TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 for adverse outcomes in hospital among elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Hospitalization setting, Nanjing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

We recruited 259 elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery from a tertiary hospital.

MEASUREMENTS

Frailty was assessed by the FP, TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 before surgery, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to compared the diagnostic performance of TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 using FP as the reference. ROC curves were used to examine the performance of TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 in predicting adverse outcomes. The area under the curve (AUC)>0.70 was regarded as an indicator of good performance.

RESULTS

The prevalence of frailty ranged from 8.5% (mFI-11) to 45.9% (TFI). The AUCs of TFI (AUC: 0.764, p<0.001) was significantly greater than that of mFI-11 (AUC: 0.600, p=0.033) and mFI-5 (AUC: 0.600, p=0.0311) in the detection of frailty defined by FP, with quite different sensitivity and specificity at their original cutoffs. TFI and mFI-11 both had statistically significant but similarly inadequate predictive accuracy for adverse outcomes in hospital, including total complications (AUCs: 0.618; 0.621), PLOS (AUCs: 0.593; 0.639), increased hospital costs (AUCs: 0.594; 0.624), and hypoproteinemia (AUCs: 0.573; 0.600). For the mFI-5, only the predictive ability for hypoproteinemia was statistically significant, with poor accuracy (AUC: 0.592, p<0.0055).

CONCLUSION

The TFI performed slightly better than mFI-11 and mFI-5 in our study. Moreover, future studies are needed to further determine an optimal frailty instrument with great diagnostic and predictive accuracy.

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}.

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.

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.

Epicardial adipose tissue is associated with the formation of left ventricular aneurysm after myocardial infarction

Background

Left ventricular aneurysm (LVA), a serious complication of transmural myocardial infarction, is generally related to poor cardiovascular outcomes. The formation of LVA is essentially an inflammatory remodeling process regulated by multiple systemic and local factors. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a depot of visceral adipose tissue directly overlying the myocardium, is increasingly recognized as an important immune organ by secreting a variety of bioactive adipocytokines. However, the relation of EAT to the development of LVA is still unclear.

Purpose

In this study, we sought to investigate the association between EAT volume and the formation of LVA in subjects with previous myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

A total of 55 subjects with previous MI and the presence of LVA, and age- and sex-matched 50 subjects with previous MI but without LVA were enrolled between October 2011 and June 2019. EAT was quantified and the presence of LVA was ascertained by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). EAT volume was indexed to body surface area.

Results

In the overall population, EAT volume index was correlated positively to log-transformed N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels (Pearson's r=0.332, P=0.002), and inversely to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; Pearson's r=−0.240, P=0.031). The indexed EAT volume was significantly higher in subjects with than without LVA (41.10±11.73 vs. 33.25/11.70 mL/m2, P=0.003). In subjects with LVA, EAT volume index was further increased in those at older age (43.59±13.09 mL/m2 vs. 37.29±8.26 mL/m2, P=0.029) or with type 2 diabetes (43.38±12.32 mL/m2 vs. 35.20±7.67 mL/m2, P=0.013). After adjusting for sex, age and the presence of diabetes in the multivariate analysis, tertiles of EAT volume index remained significantly associated with the presence of LVA (P for trend=0. 003). Strikingly, compared to the lowest tertile (≤30.80 mL/m2), the intermediate (30.80–44.13 mL/m2) and highest (&gt;44.13 mL/m2) tertiles of EAT volume index corresponded to 4.869– (95% CI 1.792–14.155, P=0.003) and 4.876– (95% CI, 1.787–14.206, P=0.003) increased risk for LVA.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that EAT volume is independently associated with the formation of LVA and reduced cardiac function after myocardial infarction.

EAT in patients with or without LVA

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Natural Science Foundation of China

[Tap-hammer elicited vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials system: its design and preliminary application]

Objective: The aim of this study was to design and perform "Tap-hammer"system that can be used to elicit vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) in normal adults and to report the preliminary results of this system. Methods: A triggered Tap-hammer was designed, made and connected with an electric recording system, to form as a system for Tap-VEMP recording. Twenty healthy adult volunteers (7 males and 13 females, aged 20 to 37 years, 40 ears in total) were recruited for air-conducted sound VEMP (ACS-VEMP) and Tap-VEMP examinations. Waveforms and parameters of both VEMPs were recorded and analyzed. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The response rates of ACS-, Tap-ocular VEMP (oVEMP) and ACS-, Tap-cervical VEMP (cVEMP) were both 100% (40/40). The mean±SD n1 latency, p1 latency, n1-p1 interval, amplitude, and asymmetry ratio (AR%) of Tap-oVEMP were (9.80±2.51)ms, (13.90±3.26)ms, (4.09±1.43)ms, (16.43±9.61)μV, (22.68±17.35)% respectively. The mean±SD p1 latency, n1 latency, p1-n1 interval, amplitude, and asymmetry ratio (AR%) of Tap-cVEMP were (13.26±2.07)ms, (21.84±2.89)ms, (8.58±2.10)ms, (457.65±274.94)μV, (20.42±13.46)% respectively. Both n1 latency and p1 latency of Tap-VEMPs were shorter than those in ACS-VEMPs (P<0.05). No statistical difference could be found between the two stimulation methods in the parameters of n1-p1 interval, amplitude, and asymmetry ratio(P>0.05). Conclusion: The Tap-hammer system can elicit VEMP responses in healthy young people. This system can be used as an alternative stimulation method for bone conduction VEMP.

Predictors of progression from moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019: a retrospective cohort

OBJECTIVE

Most cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are identified as moderate, which is defined as having a fever or dry cough and lung imaging with ground-glass opacities. The risk factors and predictors of prognosis in such cohorts remain uncertain.

METHODS

All adults with COVID-19 of moderate severity diagnosed using quantitative RT-PCR and hospitalized at the Central Hospital of Wuhan, China, from 1 January to 20 March 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The main outcomes were progression from moderate to severe or critical condition or death.

RESULTS

Among the 456 enrolled patients with moderate COVID-19, 251/456 (55.0%) had poor prognosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified higher neutrophil count: lymphocyte count ratio (NLR) on admission (OR 1.032, 95% CI 1.042-1.230, p 0.004) and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) on admission (OR 3.017, 95% CI 1.941-4.690, p < 0.001) were associated with increased OR of poor prognosis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for NLR and CRP in predicting progression to critical condition was 0.77 (95% CI 0.694-0.846, p < 0.001) and 0.84 (95% CI 0.780-0.905, p < 0.001), with a cut-off value of 2.79 and 25.95 mg/L, respectively. The AUC of NLR and CRP in predicting death was 0.81 (95% CI 0.732-0.878, p < 0.001) and 0.89 (95% CI 0.825-0.946, p < 0.001), with a cut-off value of 3.19 and 33.4 mg/L, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of NLR and CRP at admission were associated with poor prognosis of individuals with moderate COVID-19. NLR and CRP were good predictors of progression to critical condition and death.

Change in smoking behaviour of people who suffer from respiratory disease

OBJECTIVE: To analyse smoking behaviour in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary TB (PTB).METHODS: The study population comprised 421 inpatients newly diagnosed with NSCLC, COPD and PTB at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China, and 362 healthy individuals (controls) recruited from September 2016 to March 2017. All participants were current smokers. After enrolment, the subjects were invited to participate in face-to-face interviews to complete the self-designed questionnaire. A follow-up survey was performed 2 years later.RESULTS: Two years after being diagnosed, patients with NSCLC, COPD and PTB had smoking cessation rates of respectively 76.8%, 62.8% and 63.7%. The cessation rate was only 10.2% in the control group (P < 0.01). The difficulty of smoking cessation after diagnosis in patients with the three diseases was significantly decreased (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: The smoking cessation rate among participants suffering from NSCLC, COPD and PTB increased after diagnosis compared with that before diagnosis, and was significantly higher than the control group of healthy individuals.

Structural insight into the Staphylococcus aureus ATP-driven exporter of virulent peptide toxins

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen that has acquired alarming broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance. One group of secreted toxins with key roles during infection is the phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs). PSMs are amphipathic, membrane-destructive cytolytic peptides that are exported to the host-cell environment by a designated adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, the PSM transporter (PmtABCD). Here, we demonstrate that the minimal Pmt unit necessary for PSM export is PmtCD and provide its first atomic characterization by single-particle cryo-EM and x-ray crystallography. We have captured the transporter in the ATP-bound state at near atomic resolution, revealing a type II ABC exporter fold, with an additional cytosolic domain. Comparison to a lower-resolution nucleotide-free map displaying an "open" conformation and putative hydrophobic inner chamber of a size able to accommodate the binding of two PSM peptides provides mechanistic insight and sets the foundation for therapeutic design.

Food allergy promotes a Th2/Th17 response that drives house dust mite-induced allergic airway inflammation in humanized mice

Food allergy is related to increasing risk of the development of allergic asthma, but the precise interplay between sensitization to different allergens in different compartments of the body is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to develop a novel humanized murine model of mixed food and respiratory allergy that recapitulates the human anaphylactic response and to more clearly understand the impact of food allergies on asthma. Immunodeficient mice transferred with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from donors with peanut and house dust mite (HDM) allergy were exposed and challenged to peanut. Between peanut exposure and challenge, mice were intranasally treated to HDM. Allergic parameters were analyzed. Allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E in sera could only be measured in mice treated with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) plus allergen. A preceding peanut exposure increased IgE levels, histamine release, bronchial hyper-responsiveness and lung inflammation. Recruitment of inflammatory cells to the airways was aggravated associated with an enhanced T helper type 2 (Th2)/Th17 cytokine secretion when the two allergies were present. A preceding peanut exposure amplifies allergic asthma in this humanized model, which may contribute to the understanding of underlying immunological mechanism of polysensitization occurring in allergic individuals and evaluation of therapeutic interventions.

Acceptability and practicability of self-management for patients with Parkinson's disease based on smartphone applications in China

BACKGROUND

China has had about 1.2 billion mobile-phone users, and this number continues to grow. However, mobile-health services (mHealth) are currently in the initial stage, and have not yet prevailed in China. Additionally, the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in China is 1700/100,000 (≥65 years). Indeed, these PD patients would benefit from mHealth to manage their disease. Therefore, we designed a study to determine attitudes toward smartphone applications (apps) for chronic condition self-management, and to discover the practicality of these apps among PD patients in China.

METHODS

We selected 204 participants with PD between 52 and 87 years old and surveyed their attitudes concerning the use of smartphone apps for chronic condition management via questionnaires.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 65.19% had smartphones. Among these smartphone users, 82.84% expressed a preference for using apps for PD management. This group tended to be younger and more frequent web users with higher education and better medication compliance, and they tended to have a longer PD course and worse conditions (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.041, P < 0.001, P = 0.013). Additionally, the willingness to apply apps for PD self-management was positively related to education (P < 0.001) and negatively related to age and PD course (P = 0.017, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In China, patients with PD have a generally positive attitude towards self-management through smartphone apps. Consequently, improving the coverage of smartphones with practical and handy apps is a promising strategy for PD self-management.

Analysis of a registry database for esophageal cancer from high-volume centers in China

Esophageal cancer has a high incidence among malignancies in China, but a comprehensive picture of the status of its surgical management in China has hitherto not been available. A nationwide database has recently been established to address this issue.

METHOD

A National Database was setup through a network platform, and data was collected from 70 high-volume centers (>100 esophagectomies/per year) across China. Data was entered between January 2009 and December 2014, and was analyzed in June 2015 after a minimal follow-up of 6 months for all patients. 8181 patients with complete data who received surgery for primary esophageal cancer on the Database were included in the analysis.

RESULT

In this series, there were 6052 males and 2129 females, with a mean age of 60.5 years (range: 22-90 years). The pathology in 95.5% of patients was squamous cell carcinoma. The pathological stage distribution was 1.2% in stage 0, 2.5% in Ia, 11.5% in Ib, 14.8% in IIa, 36.1% in IIb, 19.3% in IIIa, 8.3% in IIIb, 6.2% in IIIc. 1800 patients (22.0%) with locally advanced disease received preoperative neoadjuvant therapy and 3592 patients (43.9%) underwent postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The esophagectomies were performed through left thoracotomy approach in 5870 cases (72.6%), through right chest approach in 2215 cases (27.4%) including right thoracotomy (21.3%) and VATS (6.1%). The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 0.6% (43 patients), and the overall postoperative complication rate was 11.6% (951 patients). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 82.6%, 61.6%, and 52.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This National Registry Database from high-volume centers provides a comprehensive picture of surgical management for esophageal cancer in China for the first time. Squamous cell carcinoma predominates, but there is heterogeneity with respect to the surgical approach and perioperative oncologic management. Overall, surgical mortality and morbidity rates are low, and good survival rates have been achieved due to improvement of surgical treatment technology in recent years.

Effects of miR-153 on angiogenesis in MCAO rats through Shh signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

Cerebrovascular disease is a disease which has the highest mortality in China. Angiogenesis in the ischemic region after cerebral infarction is closely related to its prognosis. Recent studies found that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of neovascularization. MicroRNA-153 (MiR-153) has protective effects on the ischemic injury, but its relationship with the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is still unclear. This work aimed to investigate the role of miR-153 in angiogenesis of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats through the Shh signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rat cerebral ischemic injury (MCAO) model was established by thread embolism and treated by Agomir-153 and 5-EI. MiR-153 expression was detected using Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The neurological function was assessed. The infarct area of the brain and the capillary density were determined using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) method. The Shh signaling pathway and angiogenesis-related factors were tested by Western blot assay.

RESULTS

Agomir-153 or Agomir-153 combined with 5-EI significantly increased miR-153 expression, reduced the infarct area, and promoted the generation of cerebral capillaries in the MCAO model. 5-EI partially blocked the protective effects of Agomir-153 and angiogenesis. The up-regulation of miR-153 markedly inhibited patched (PTC) expression and activated the Shh signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

The up-regulation of miR-153 rats activated the Shh signaling pathway to promote angiogenesis and improve prognosis through lipid-coated Patch (PTC) in MCAO. MiR-153 was considered to be a new therapeutic target for promoting angiogenesis after MCAO.

Measurement of CP-Averaged Observables in the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decay

An angular analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}(→K^{+}π^{-})μ^{+}μ^{-} decay is presented using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7  fb^{-1} of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. The full set of CP-averaged observables are determined in bins of the invariant mass squared of the dimuon system. Contamination from decays with the K^{+}π^{-} system in an S-wave configuration is taken into account. The tension seen between the previous LHCb results and the standard model predictions persists with the new data. The precise value of the significance of this tension depends on the choice of theory nuisance parameters.

Aberrant methylation-mediated downregulation of lncRNA CCND2 AS1 promotes cell proliferation in cervical cancer

Background

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays an important role in tumorigenesis. The lncRNA CCND2 AS1 has been shown to be involved in the growth of several tumors; however, its role in cervical cancer has not been elucidated. This study aimed to explore the expression, function, and underlying mechanism of action of CCND2 AS1 in cervical cancer. Expression of CCND2 AS1 was examined in cervical cancer and adjacent normal cervical tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and by bioinformatic analysis of data from the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database. The function of CCND2 AS1 was investigated by overexpressing or silencing CCND2 AS1 in HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cells followed by in vitro and in vivo analyses. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite genomic sequencing (BGS) were used to detect CCND2 AS1 promoter methylation status in cervical cancer cells.

Results

CCND2 AS1 expression was lower in cervical cancer compared with normal cervical tissues, and the level was significantly correlated with the patient age and tumor size. CCND2 AS1 overexpression inhibited the proliferation and cell cycle progression of HeLa cells in vitro and/or in vivo, whereas CCND2 AS1 silencing had the opposite effects. CCND2 AS1 expression was elevated after treatment of cervical cancer cells with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5′-azacytidine (5′-Aza), and this was mediated, at least in part, via reduced CpG methylation at the CCND2 AS1 promoter.

Conclusion

CCND2 AS1 expression is downregulated in cervical cancer, potentially through increased CCND2 AS1 promoter methylation, and the upregulation of CCND2 AS1 expression inhibited tumor growth. These data suggest that CCND2 AS1 could be a diagnostic marker and potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer.

Vertical distribution of microbial communities and their response to metal(loid)s along the vadose zone-aquifer sediments

AIMS

This study attempted to demonstrate the vertical shift in bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities along the vadose zone-aquifer sediments and their respective responses to environmental factors.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We collected samples from the vadose zone and three aquifer sediments along a 42·5 m bore of a typical agricultural land. The results showed that the bacterial community shifted greatly with depth. The classes of Actinobacteria (19·5%) and NC10 (11·0%) were abundant in the vadose zone while Alphaproteobacteria (22·3%) and Gammaproteobacteria (20·1%) were enriched in the aquifer. Archaeal and fungal communities were relatively more homogeneous with no significant trend as a function of depth. Process analyses further indicated that selection dominated in the bacterial community, whereas stochastic processes governed archaeal and fungal communities. Moreover environment-bacteria interaction analysis showed that metal(loid)s, especially alkali metal, had a closer correlation with the bacterial community than physicochemical variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Depth strongly affected bacterial rather than archaeal and fungal communities. Metal(loid)s prevailed over physicochemical variables in shaping the bacterial community in the vadose zone-aquifer continuum.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Our study provides a new perspective on the structure of microbial communities from the vadose zone to the deep aquifers.

Observation of New Ξ_{c}^{0} Baryons Decaying to Λ_{c}^{+}K^{-}

The Λ_{c}^{+}K^{-} mass spectrum is studied with a data sample of pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.6  fb^{-1} collected by the LHCb experiment. Three Ξ_{c}^{0} states are observed with a large significance and their masses and natural widths are measured to be m[Ξ_{c}(2923)^{0}]=2923.04±0.25±0.20±0.14  MeV, Γ[Ξ_{c}(2923)^{0}]=7.1±0.8±1.8  MeV, m[Ξ_{c}(2939)^{0}]=2938.55±0.21±0.17±0.14  MeV, Γ[Ξ_{c}(2939)^{0}]=10.2±0.8±1.1  MeV, m[Ξ_{c}(2965)^{0}]=2964.88±0.26±0.14±0.14  MeV, Γ[Ξ_{c}(2965)^{0}]=14.1±0.9±1.3  MeV, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the limited knowledge of the Λ_{c}^{+} mass. The Ξ_{c}(2923)^{0} and Ξ_{c}(2939)^{0} baryons are new states. The Ξ_{c}(2965)^{0} state is in the vicinity of the known Ξ_{c}(2970)^{0} baryon; however, their masses and natural widths differ significantly.

Standard versus Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Renal Stones: A Meta-Analysis

Objective:

To compare the standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in order to determine the optimal tract size for patients with renal stones.

Methods:

A systematic search of Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PubMed databases was conducted for articles published through 20 August 2019, reporting on a comparison of the standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Results:

Of 763 studies, 14 were considered for the evidence synthesis. A total of 1980 cases were included. Of these patients, 897 cases underwent standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and 1083 cases underwent mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Stone-free rates were 87.6% (786 of 897 patients) for standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy and 87.8% (951 of 1083 patients) for mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy ( p = 0.57). Tract sizes of 30F and 22–26F in standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy group shorten operation time compared with mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy ( p = 0.02; p = 0.004; respectively). Leakage ( p = 0.04), bleeding ( p = 0.01), blood transfusion ( p < 0.00001), and renal pelvis perforation ( p = 0.02) were more common in standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy group than in mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy group. Subgroup analysis showed only blood transfusion for 30F and 22–26F standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy group was more common than mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy ( p < 0.0001, p = 0.005, respectively).

Conclusion:

Standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy was associated with higher leakage, bleeding, blood transfusion, and renal pelvis perforation, but had a shorter operation time. Tract size of 30F improved the stone-free rate compared with mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy, but led to more complications. Tract size of 22–26F was no better than 30F or mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Search for the Rare Decays B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} and B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-}

A search for the decays B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} and B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} is performed using data collected with the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1, 2, and 2  fb^{-1}, respectively. No signal is observed. Assuming no contribution from B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} decays, an upper limit on the branching fraction B(B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-})<9.4(11.2)×10^{-9} is obtained at 90(95)% confidence level. If no B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} contribution is assumed, a limit of B(B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-})<2.5(3.0)×10^{-9} is determined at 90(95)% confidence level. These upper limits are more than one order of magnitude lower than the previous values.

[Epidemiological characteristic and current status of surgical treatment for esophageal cancer by analysis of national registry database]

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and current status of surgical management for esophageal cancer in China. Methods: A national database was setup through a network platform. The clinical data of esophageal cancer treated by surgery was collected from 70 major hospitals in China between January 2009 and December 2014. Results: Complete data of 8 181 cases of esophageal cancer patients who underwent surgery were recorded in the database and recruited in the analysis. Among them, 6 052 cases were male and 2 129 were female, the average age was 60.5 years.The epidemiological investigation results showed that 148 cases (1.8%) had history of psychological trauma, 7 527 cases (92.0%) were lower social economic status, 5 072 cases (62.0%) were short of fresh vegetables and fruits, 6 544 cases (80.0%) ate rough food frequently, 3 722 cases (45.5%) drank untreated water directly from lake or river or shallow well, 3 436 cases (42.0%) had a unhealthy eating habit, including habits of eating food fast (507 cases, 6.2%), eating hot food or drinking hot tea/soup (998 cases, 12.2%), eating fried food (1 939 cases, 23.7%), 4 410 cases (53.9%) had the habits of smoking cigarettes and 2 822 cases (34.5%) drank white wine frequently.The pathological results showed that 7 813 cases (95.5%) were squamous cell carcinoma, 267 cases were adenocarcinoma (3.3%), 25 cases were adenosquamous cell carcinoma (0.3%) and 50 cases were small cell carcinoma (0.6%). A total of 1 800 cases (22.0%) received preoperative neoadjuvant therapy due to locally advanced disease or difficulty of resection. The esophagectomies were performed through left thoracotomy approach in 5 870 cases (71.8%), through right chest approach in 2 215 cases (27.1%), and the remain 96 cases (1.2%) received surgery though other approaches.A total of 8 001 cases (97.8%) underwent radical resection, the other 180 cases (2.2%) received palliative resection. The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 0.5%, the overall ≥ grade Ⅱ postoperative complication rate was 11.6% (951 cases). The 1-yr, 3-yr, and 5-yr overall actual survival rates were 82.6%, 61.6%, and 52.9%, respectively. Conclusions: The data analysis of the national database for esophageal cancer shows that bad eating habits or eating rough food without enough nutrients, lower social and economic status, drinking white wine and smoking cigarettes frequently may be correlated with tumorigenesis of esophageal cancer. However, strong evidences produced by prospective observation studies are needed. Overall, the long-term survival of esophageal cancer patients has been improved gradually due to the application of advanced surgical techniques and reasonable multimodality treatment.

Applications of Mass Spectrometry in the Onset of Amyloid Fibril Formation: Focus on the Analysis of Early-Stage Oligomers

Amyloid fibril formation is a hallmark of diverse neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Conventional diagnosis is based on the appearance of fibrils or plaques, while neglects the role of early-stage oligomers in the disease progression. Recent studies have uncovered that it is the early-stage oligomer, rather than the mature fibril, that greatly contributes cytotoxicity. The formation of oligomers involves complicate structural conversions and it is essential to investigate their conformational changes for a better understanding of aggregation mechanism. The coexistence of soluble early-stage oligomers, intermediates, and pre-fibril species makes it difficult to be differentiate by morphological methods, and only average structural information is provided as they lack the ability of separation. Therefore, mass spectrometry (MS) becomes an alternative technique that presents new and complementary insights into the onset of amyloid fibrils. This review highlights the hotspots and important achievements by MS in the field of amyloid formation mechanism, including the direct detection and differentiation of soluble oligomers (native MS), unambiguous identification of interacted sites involved in the onset of aggregation [hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) and chemical cross-linking (CX)], and conformational switch that leads to fibrilization [collision cross section (CCS) regularity by ion mobility (IM)].

Prognostic value of radiologically enlarged lymph nodes in node-negative colon cancer

AIM

Assessment of lymph node (LN) involvement is of crucial importance in the estimation of prognosis and choice of therapeutic options for patients with colon cancer. The relationship between the radiological size of LNs and prognosis in node-negative colon cancer remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the prognostic impact of radiologically enlarged LNs on the survival of patients with node-negative colon cancer.

METHOD

This retrospective study recruited 395 patients with Stages I and II colon cancer diagnosed between January 2012 and March 2016. Preoperative computed tomography was reviewed for the maximum short-axis diameter of regional LNs, the optimal cutoff value of which was set to 8 mm. The prognostic relevance was analysed in Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regressions.

RESULTS

Patients with tumour in the left colon, TNM Stage II and 12 or more retrieved LNs tended to have radiologically enlarged LNs. Our results suggest that 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly worse in patients with enlarged LNs than those without (RFS 82.8% vs 92.4%, P = 0.026; OS 87.1% vs 95.2%, P = 0.017), which was also confirmed in multivariable analysis [RFS hazard ratio (HR) = 2.192, P = 0.018; OS HR = 3.305, P = 0.010]. Subgroup analysis revealed that in patients with Stage II disease or at least 12 retrieved LNs, radiologically enlarged LN remained an independent predictor of poor RFS and OS.

CONCLUSION

The presence of radiologically enlarged LNs in patients with node-negative colon cancer had an adverse prognosis.

Moxibustion for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To systematically evaluate the efficacy of moxibustion in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS

Seven electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant studies for inclusion from databases inception to December 31, 2018. Randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of moxibustion for AS treatment versus Western medicine (Wm) treatment were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. Effect estimates were pooled using the fixed or random-effects models. Between-study heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. Stratification analyses were further performed based on the treatment plan of experimental groups.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies were eligible for inclusion with a total of 1,944 AS patients. Meta-analysis showed that compared with those receiving Wm treatment alone, patients receiving moxibustion combined with Wm treatment or moxibustion alone had a higher clinical efficacy rate [odds ratio (OR) =4.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.91 to 6.10, P<0.001 for moxibustion combined with Wm versus Wm; OR =2.43, 95% CI: 1.62 to 3.65, P<0.001 for moxibustion alone versus Wm]. In addition, patients receiving moxibustion combined with Wm treatment had lower levels of C-reactive protein [weighed-median difference (WMD) =-6.33, 95% CI: -9.64 to -3.01, P<0.001] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (WMD =-7.86, 95% CI: -11.26 to -4.46, P<0.001) after treatment, respectively. Furthermore, moxibustion could also improve Schober test scores (WMD =0.85, 95% CI: 0.15 to 1.55, P=0.017), occipital-wall distances (WMD =-0.55, 95% CI: -0.92 to -0.19, P=0.003), and finger-ground distances (WMD =-3.64, 95% CI: -5.61 to -1.68, P<0.001) of AS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that moxibustion is an effective complementary treatment for AS patients. However, further large-scale multicenter clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Measurement of f_{s}/f_{u} Variation with Proton-Proton Collision Energy and B-Meson Kinematics

The ratio of the B_{s}^{0} and B^{+} fragmentation fractions f_{s} and f_{u} is studied with B_{s}^{0}→J/ψϕ and B^{+}→J/ψK^{+} decays using data collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at 7, 8, and 13 TeV center-of-mass energies. The analysis is performed in bins of B-meson momentum, longitudinal momentum, transverse momentum, pseudorapidity, and rapidity. The fragmentation-fraction ratio f_{s}/f_{u} is observed to depend on the B-meson transverse momentum with a significance of 6.0σ. This dependency is driven by the 13 TeV sample (8.7σ), while the results for the other collision energies are not significant when considered separately. Furthermore, the results show a 4.8σ evidence for an increase of f_{s}/f_{u} as a function of collision energy.

Isospin Amplitudes in Λ_{b}^{0}→J/ψΛ(Σ^{0}) and Ξ_{b}^{0}→J/ψΞ^{0}(Λ) Decays

Ratios of isospin amplitudes in hadron decays are a useful probe of the interplay between weak and strong interactions and allow searches for physics beyond the standard model. We present the first results on isospin amplitudes in b-baryon decays, using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 8.5  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector in pp collisions at center of mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. The isospin amplitude ratio |A_{1}(Λ_{b}^{0}→J/ψΣ^{0})/A_{0}(Λ_{b}^{0}→J/ψΛ)|, where the subscript on A indicates the final-state isospin, is measured to be less than 1/21.8 at 95% confidence level. The Cabibbo suppressed Ξ_{b}^{0}→J/ψΛ decay is observed for the first time, allowing for the measurement |A_{0}(Ξ_{b}^{0}→J/ψΛ)/A_{1/2}(Ξ_{b}^{0}→J/ψΞ^{0})|=0.37±0.06±0.02, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

[Clinical and laboratory analysis of 17 patients with γδT-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia]

目的

比较γδT细胞大颗粒淋巴细胞白血病（γδT-LGLL）与αβT细胞大颗粒淋巴细胞白血病（αβT-LGLL）的临床及实验室特征。

方法

回顾性分析中国医学科学院血液病医院贫血诊疗中心2009年1月至2019年1月17例γδT-LGLL患者的临床及实验室结果，与同时期91例αβT-LGLL患者进行对比。

结果

17例γδT-LGLL患者中位年龄54（25~73）岁，10例就诊原因为贫血。γδT-LGLL与αβT-LGLL一致，脾大（41%和44%）较为常见，肝大（12%和5%）及淋巴结肿大（6%和8%）较为少见；两者均有较高的抗核抗体阳性率（59%和45%），较低的风湿因子阳性率（6%和10%）；两者中性粒细胞绝对值、淋巴细胞绝对值、HGB及PLT差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。γδT-LGLL患者的典型免疫分型为CD3⁺/CD4⁻/CD8⁻/CD57⁺/TCRγδ⁺，CD4⁻/CD8⁻双阴性表型显著多于αβT-LGLL患者（P<0.001）。17例γδT-LGLL患者有1例口服泼尼松治疗，3例口服环孢素A治疗，13例口服环孢素A联合泼尼松治疗，治疗4个月后2例获得完全缓解，4例获得部分缓解，总体有效率为35%。

结论

γδT-LGLL是一种少见的成熟T淋巴细胞增殖性疾病，其临床及实验室表现与αβT-LGLL相比除CD4⁻/CD8⁻双阴性表型外均无显著差异。环孢素A可作为γδT-LGLL的首选治疗药物。

First Observation of Excited Ω_{b}^{-} States

We report four narrow peaks in the Ξ_{b}^{0}K^{-} mass spectrum obtained using pp collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1} recorded by the LHCb experiment. Referring to these states by their mass, the mass values are m[Ω_{b}(6316)^{-}]=6315.64±0.31±0.07±0.50  MeV, m[Ω_{b}(6330)^{-}]=6330.30±0.28±0.07±0.50  MeV, m[Ω_{b}(6340)^{-}]=6339.71±0.26±0.05±0.50  MeV, m[Ω_{b}(6350)^{-}]=6349.88±0.35±0.05±0.50  MeV, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and the last is due to the knowledge of the Ξ_{b}^{0} mass. The natural widths of the three lower mass states are consistent with zero, and the 90% confidence-level upper limits are determined to be Γ[Ω_{b}(6316)^{-}]<2.8  MeV, Γ[Ω_{b}(6330)^{-}]<3.1  MeV and Γ[Ω_{b}(6340)^{-}]<1.5  MeV. The natural width of the Ω_{b}(6350)^{-} peak is 1.4_{-0.8}^{+1.0}±0.1  MeV, which is 2.5σ from zero and corresponds to an upper limit of 2.8 MeV. The peaks have local significances ranging from 3.6σ to 7.2σ. After accounting for the look-elsewhere effect, the significances of the Ω_{b}(6316)^{-} and Ω_{b}(6330)^{-} peaks are reduced to 2.1σ and 2.6σ, respectively, while the two higher mass peaks exceed 5σ. The observed peaks are consistent with expectations for excited Ω_{b}^{-} resonances.