Observation of a New X(3872) Production Process e^{+}e^{-}→ωX(3872)

Using 4.7  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data at center-of-mass energies from 4.661 to 4.951 GeV collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we observe the X(3872) production process e^{+}e^{-}→ωX(3872) for the first time. The significance is 7.8σ, including both the statistical and systematic uncertainties. The e^{+}e^{-}→ωX(3872) Born cross section and the corresponding upper limit at 90% confidence level at each energy point are reported. The line shape of the cross section indicates that the ωX(3872) signals may be from the decays of some nontrivial structures.

[Efficacy and safety of dexcitabine combined with HAAG regimen in the treatment of recurrent acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of dexithabine (DAC) combined with HAAG regimen [harringtonine (HHT), cytarabine (Ara-C), aclarubicin (Acla) and recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)] in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: The clinical data of 89 AML patients in People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from January 2019 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into observation group (n=48) and control group (n=41) according to the treatment plan. The observation group included 25 males and 23 females, aged (44.4±9.3) years old, and was treated with DAC combined with HAAG. The control group included 24 males and 17 females, aged (42.2±10.1) years old, and was treated with DAC regimen. After 3 cycles of treatment, the treatment efficacy of the two groups was judged, including complete remission, partial remission and no remission. The level of serum P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the two groups was detected by direct immunofluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibody flow cytometry. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the level of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). Meanwhile, the incidence of adverse reactions such as digestive tract reaction, liver and kidney dysfunction, hemorrhage and infection during treatment were recorded. Results: After 3 cycles of treatment, the observation group had complete remission, partial remission and no remission in 10 cases, 21 cases and 17 cases, respectively, and the control group had 3 cases, 11 cases and 27 cases, respectively. The overall efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the control group (Z=-2.919, P=0.004). The levels of serum P-gp and suPAR in the observation group were (5.2±1.8) % and (464.4±103.4) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(8.8±1.9) % and (660.6±110.4) ng/L, respectively] (both P<0.05). During the treatment, the incidence of digestive tract reaction, liver and kidney dysfunction, hemorrhage and infection in the observation group was 29.2% (14/48), 22.9% (11/48), 16.7% (8/48) and 33.3% (16/48), respectively, while in the control group was 26.8% (11/41), 21.9% (9/41), 14.6% (6/41) and 24.4% (10/41), respectively, with no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The overall efficacy of DAC combined with HAAG in the treatment of AML is better than that of DAC alone. Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions in DAC combined with HAAG is similar to that of DAC alone, with a high safety profile.

Observation of Three Charmoniumlike States with J^{PC}=1^{--} in e^{+}e^{-}→D^{*0}D^{*-}π^{+}

The Born cross sections of the process e^{+}e^{-}→D^{*0}D^{*-}π^{+} at center-of-mass energies from 4.189 to 4.951 GeV are measured for the first time. The data samples used correspond to an integrated luminosity of 17.9  fb^{-1} and were collected by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring. Three enhancements around 4.20, 4.47, and 4.67 GeV are visible. The resonances have masses of 4209.6±4.7±5.9  MeV/c^{2}, 4469.1±26.2±3.6  MeV/c^{2}, and 4675.3±29.5±3.5  MeV/c^{2} and widths of 81.6±17.8±9.0  MeV, 246.3±36.7±9.4  MeV, and 218.3±72.9±9.3  MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The first and third resonances are consistent with the ψ(4230) and ψ(4660) states, respectively, while the second one is compatible with the ψ(4500) observed in the e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}J/ψ process. These three charmoniumlike ψ states are observed in the e^{+}e^{-}→D^{*0}D^{*-}π^{+} process for the first time.

[Temporal trends in disease burden of major human parasitic diseases in China from 1990 to 2019]

OBJECTIVE

To analysize the temporal trends in the disease burden of major human parasitic diseases in China from 1990 to 2019, so as to provide the evidence for improving the parasitic disease control strategy in China.

METHODS

The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of malaria, intestinal nematode infections, schistosomiasis, food-borne trematodiases, cysticercosis and echinococcosis in China from 1990 to 2019 were captured from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019), and age- and gender-specific DALYs of parasitic diseases were estimated. The temporal trends in DALYs of malaria, intestinal nematode infections, schistosomiasis, food-borne trematodiases, cysticercosis and echinococcosis were evaluated in China from 1990 to 2019 using average annual percent change (AAPC) with Joinpoint regression analysis.

RESULTS

The DALYs were 643 836.42 person-years due to food-borne trematodiases, 156 853.03 person-years due to cysticercosis, 79 764.62 person-years due to schistosomiasis, 70 989.73 person-years due to intestinal nematode infections, 4 258.61 person-years due to echinococcosis and 264.86 person-years due to malaria in China in 2019, respectively. The overall DALYs of six parasitic diseases were higher among men (546 441.93 person-years) than among women (409 525.33 person-years), and were greater among adults at ages of 14 to 65 years (684 780.84 person-years) than among children at 14 years and lower (35 437.38 person-years) and the elderly at ages of 65 years and older (235 749.04 person-years). During the period from 1990 to 2019, food-borne trematodiases were the leading cause of DALYs among the six parasitic diseases, and cysticercosis shifted from the fourth leading cause in 1990 to the second leading cause of DALYs in China in 2019, while intestinal nematode infections shifted from the second leading cause in 1990 to the fourth leading cause of DALYs in 2019. The DALYs of major human parasitic diseases appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2019, with the fastest drop seen in DALYs due to malaria (AAPC = -19.6%, P = 0.003), followed by due to intestinal nematode infections (AAPC = -8.2%, P < 0.001) and schistosomiasis (AAPC = -3.1%, P < 0.001), and a slow decline was seen in the DALYs of food-borne trematodiases (AAPC = -1.0%, P < 0.001), while there were no significant decrease in the DALYs of echinococcosis (AAPC = -0.5%, P = 0.264) and the DALYs of cysticercosis appeared a tendency towards a rise (AAPC = 0.7%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The disease burden of major human parasitic diseases appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2019, with a high disease burden seen due to food-borne parasitic diseases, no remarkable reduction seen in echinococcosis, and a tendency towards a rise seen in cysticercosis. It is recommended to focus on echinococcosis control, and continue to consolidate the control achievements of other major human parasitic diseases in China; meanwhile, the surveillance and prevention of food-borne parasitic diseases should be reinforced.

Evidence for the Cusp Effect in η' Decays into ηπ^{0}π^{0}

Using a sample of 4.3×10^{5} η^{'}→ηπ^{0}π^{0} events selected from the ten billion J/ψ event dataset collected with the BESIII detector, we study the decay η^{'}→ηπ^{0}π^{0} within the framework of nonrelativistic effective field theory. Evidence for a structure at π^{+}π^{-} mass threshold is observed in the invariant mass spectrum of π^{0}π^{0} with a statistical significance of around 3.5σ, which is consistent with the cusp effect as predicted by the nonrelativistic effective field theory. After introducing the amplitude for describing the cusp effect, the ππ scattering length combination a_{0}-a_{2} is determined to be 0.226±0.060_{stat}±0.013_{syst}, which is in good agreement with theoretical calculation of 0.2644±0.0051.

[Depressive symptoms are not associated with risks of rapid renal function decline or chronic kidney disease in middle-aged and elderly with normal kidney function: a longitudinal investigation]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between depressive symptoms and the risks of rapid decline in renal function and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in middle-aged and elderly with normal kidney function.

METHODS

The residents aged 40- 75 years with eGFR≥60 mL·min^-1·1.73 m^-2 without proteinuria in Lanzhou region, who participated in the "REACTION" study carried out in 2011, were selected and followed up in 2014. A total of 4961 individuals with complete and qualified data from the two surveys were included in the subsequent analysis. Based on PHQ-9 questionnaire scores, the baseline population was divided into two groups with and without depressive symptoms. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to compare the incidences of rapid renal function decline and CKD between the two groups and study the association of depressive symptoms with the risk of these renal conditions.

RESULTS

PHQ-9 questionnaire scores were not found to correlate with baseline SCr, ALB, UACR or eGFR levels among the participarts (P>0.05). After a mean follow-up time of 3.4±0.6 years, 33.9% of the participants with depressive symptoms at baseline experienced a rapid decline in renal function and 3.6% progressed to CKD. During the follow-up, the incidence of rapid decline in renal function and the risk of developing CKD were not found to correlate with depressive symptoms in these participants (P>0.05) regardless of the type of the depressive syndromes.

CONCLUSION

Depressive symptoms are not associated with the risks of rapid renal function decline or progression to CKD in middle-aged and elderly with normal kidney function.

[Changes in percentage of GATA3+ regulatory T cells and their pathogenic roles in allergic rhinitis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes in percentage of GATA3⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and mouse models.

METHODS

The nasal mucosa specimens were obtained from 6 AR patients and 6 control patients for detection of nasal mucosal inflammation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 12 AP patients and 12 control patients to determine the percentages of Treg cells and GATA3⁺ Treg cells. In a C57BL/6 mouse model of AR, the AR symptom score, peripheral blood OVA-sIgE level, and nasal mucosal inflammation were assessed, and the spleen of mice was collected for detecting the percentages of Treg cells and GATA3⁺ Treg cells and the expressions of Th2 cytokines.

RESULTS

Compared with the control patients, AR patients showed significantly increased eosinophil infiltration and goblet cell proliferation in the nasal mucosa (P < 0.01) and decreased percentages of Treg cells and GATA3⁺ Treg cells (P < 0.05). The mouse models of AR also had more obvious allergic symptoms, significantly increased OVA-sIgE level in peripheral blood, eosinophil infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia (P < 0.01), markedly lowered percentages of Treg cells and GATA3⁺ Treg cells in the spleen (P < 0.01), and increased expressions of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The percentage of GATA3⁺ Treg cells is decreased in AR patients and mouse models. GATA3⁺ Treg cells possibly participate in Th2 cell immune response, both of which are involved in the occurrence and progression of AR, suggesting the potential of GATA3⁺ Treg cells as a new therapeutic target for AR.

Effects of access to feed, water, and a competitive exclusion product in the hatcher on some immune traits and gut development in broiler chickens

This study evaluated the effect of access to feed, water, and the competitive exclusion (CE) product Broilact®, administered in the hatcher, on broiler performance, caecal microbiota development, organ development, intestinal morphology, serum levels of IgY and vaccine-induced antibody responses.In total, 250 chicks were hatched in a HatchCare^TM hatcher and divided into four groups, given access to feed, water and the CE product sprayed on the chicks (CEs); access to feed, water, and the CE product in water (CEw); access to feed and water (Cpos); or no access to feed and water (Cneg) in the hatcher. At the research facility, 10 chicks per hatching treatment were euthanized for organ measurements. The remaining 200 chicks were randomly distributed to 20 pens. On d 11, all birds were vaccinated against avian pneumovirus (APV). Three focal birds per pen were blood-sampled weekly for quantification of IgY and serum antibodies to APV. On d 11 and 32, two birds per replicate pen were euthanised for organ measurements and sample collection. Feed intake and body weight were recorded weekly.Delayed access to feed and water reduced weight gain and feed intake early in life. At the end of the study, no differences in body weight remained.There were some early effects on organs, with depressed intestinal development and higher relative gizzard weight for the Cneg group at placement. No treatment effects on the immune traits measured were detected. The relative abundance of seven bacterial genera differed between treatment groups at d 11 of age. The results suggested that chickens are capable of compensating for 40 h feed and water deprival post-hatch. Provision of Broilact® did not have any persistent performance-enhancing properties, although different outcomes under rearing conditions closer to commercial production cannot be ruled out.

Applying and assessing the PEERS model on genetic counseling training in China: A mixed-method approach

Objective

Due to the changing medical demands in the healthcare system, there is a need for a standardized and professionalized curriculum for genetic counselors. This mixed-method study will observe and evaluate the first Peer Experiential and Reciprocal Supervision (PEERS) training program on genetic counseling among medical practitioners in China; to provide feedback and recommendation for future training and practices.

Methods

A genetic counselor training program was held from December 10-11, 2016 in a fetal medicine unit and prenatal diagnosis center in Shanghai with 59 participants from clinical centers, hospitals, and organizations in China. An ethnographic reflexive assessment with a structured questionnaire were used to provide insights and feedback on the training experience.

Results

Results indicate an inadequate mastery of genetic and fetal knowledge; lack of empathetic understanding and cultural sensitivity; difficulties in adopting a non-directive counseling approach; distance between reality and fictionality in the training; overall training's helpfulness.

Conclusion

The professionalization of genetic counseling in China is in the making with the soaring demands for genetic counseling services; this first experiment of PEERS training turned out to be needed, worth to be adapted toward medical centers across China, to better understand and face the challenges rising from genetic counseling practice.

Physics-informed deep learning framework to model intense precipitation events at super resolution

Physical modeling of precipitation at fine (sub-kilometer) spatial scales is computationally very expensive. This study develops a highly efficient framework for this task by coupling deep learning (DL) and physical modeling. This framework is developed and tested using regional climate simulations performed over a domain covering Montreal and adjoining regions, for the summers of 2015-2020, at 2.5 km and 250 m resolutions. The DL framework uses a recurrent approach and considers atmospheric physical processes, such as advection, to generate high-resolution information from low-resolution data, which enables it to recreate fine details and produce temporally consistent fields. The DL framework generates realistic high-resolution precipitation estimates, including intense short-duration precipitation events, which allows it to be applied in engineering problems, such as evaluating the climate resiliency of urban storm drainage systems. The results portray the value of the proposed DL framework, which can be extended to other resolutions, periods, and regions.

TRAF3IP2-IL-17 Axis Strengthens the Gingival Defense against Pathogens

Recent genome-wide association studies have suggested novel risk loci associated with periodontitis, which is initiated by dysbiosis in subgingival plaque and leads to destruction of teeth-supporting structures. One such genetic locus was the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 interacting protein 2 (TRAF3IP2), a gene encoding the gate-keeping interleukin (IL)-17 receptor adaptor. In this study, we first determined that carriers of the lead exonic variant rs13190932 within the TRAF3IP2 locus combined with a high plaque microbial burden was associated with more severe periodontitis than noncarriers. We then demonstrated that TRAF3IP2 is essential in the IL-17-mediated CCL2 and IL-8 chemokine production in primary gingival epithelial cells. Further analysis suggested that rs13190932 may serve a surrogate variant for a genuine loss-of-function variant rs33980500 within the same gene. Traf3ip2 null mice (Traf3ip2^-/-) were more susceptible than wild-type (WT) mice to the Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced periodontal alveolar bone loss. Such bone loss was associated with a delayed P. gingivalis clearance and an attenuated neutrophil recruitment in the gingiva of Traf3ip2^-/- mice. Transcriptomic data showed decreased expression of antimicrobial genes, including Lcn2, S100a8, and Defb1, in the Traf3ip2^-/- mouse gingiva in comparison to WT mice prior to or upon P. gingivalis oral challenge. Further 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing analysis identified a distinct microbial community in the Traf3ip2^-/- mouse oral plaque, which was featured by a reduced microbial diversity and an overabundance of Streptococcus genus bacteria. More P. gingivalis was observed in the Traf3ip2^-/- mouse gingiva than WT control animals in a ligature-promoted P. gingivalis invasion model. In agreement, neutrophil depletion resulted in more local gingival tissue invasion by P. gingivalis. Thus, we identified a homeostatic IL-17-TRAF3IP2-neutrophil axis underpinning host defense against a keystone periodontal pathogen.

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles retarded fetal growth and triggered metabolic disorders of placenta and fetus in mice

Microplastics can enter the human body via direct body contact or the food chain, increasing the likelihood of adverse impacts on pregnancy and fetal development. We investigated the potential effects and modes of action of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) in placenta and fetus using mice as a model species. Maternal PS-NP exposure (100 nm; 1 and 10 mg/L) via drinking water induced a significant decline in fetal weights at the higher exposure concentration. Abnormal morphologies of cells in the placenta and fetus were observed after exposure. For the placenta, transcriptomic analyses indicated that PS-NPs significantly disturbed cholesterol metabolism and complement and coagulation cascades pathways. Metabolomics showed appreciable metabolic disorders, particularly affecting sucrose and daidzein concentrations. For the fetal skeletal muscle, transcriptomics identified many significantly regulated genes, involving muscle tissue development, lipid metabolism, and skin formation. Transcriptomic analysis of the placenta and fetal skeletal muscle at the high PS-NP concentration showed that APOA4 and its transcriptional factors, facilitating cholesterol transportation, were significantly regulated in both tissues. Our study revealed that PS-NPs caused fetal growth restriction and significantly disturbed cholesterol metabolism in both placenta and fetus, offering new insights into the mechanisms underlying the placental and fetal effects in mice exposed to PS-NPs.

[Characteristics and related factors of viral nucleic acid negative conversion in children infected with Omicron variant strain of SARS-CoV-2]

Objective: To understand the characteristics and associated factors of viral nucleic acid conversion in children infected with Omicron variant strain of SARS-CoV-2 in Shanghai. Methods: The clinical symptoms, laboratory results and other data of 177 children infected with SARS-CoV-2 who were hospitalized in Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (designated hospital for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Shanghai) from April 25 to June 8, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the chest imaging findings, the children were divided into mild and common type groups. According to their age, the unvaccinated children were divided into<3 years old group and 3-<18 years old group. According to the vaccination status, the children aged 3-<18 year were divided into non-vaccination group, 1-dose vaccination group and 2-dose vaccination group. Comparison between groups was performed by independent sample t-test and analysis of variance, and multivariate linear regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. Results: Among the 177 children infected with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, 96 were males and 81 were females, aged 3 (1, 6) years. The time of viral nucleic acid negative conversion was (10.3±3.1) days. The 177 children were 138 cases of mild type and 39 cases of common type. Among the children aged 3-<18 years old, 55 cases were not vaccinated, 5 cases received 1-dose and 36 cases received 2-dose vaccination. Among the 36 children who received 2 doses of vaccination, the time of viral nucleic acid negative conversion was shorter in those vaccinated within 6 months than those over 6 months ((7.1±1.9) vs. (10.8±3.0) d, t=-3.23, P=0.004). Univariate analysis showed that the time of nucleic acid negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 was associated with age, underlying diseases, gastrointestinal symptoms, white blood cell count, proportion of neutrophils, proportion of lymphocytes, and the number of doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (t=3.87, 2.55, 2.04, 4.24, 3.51, 2.92, F=16.27, all P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that older age (β=-0.33, 95% CI -0.485--0.182, P<0.001) and more doses of vaccination (β=-0.79, 95% CI -1.463--0.120, P=0.021) were associated with shortened nucleic acid negative conversion time in children, while lower lymphocyte proportion (β=-0.02, 95% CI -0.044--0.002, P=0.031) and underlying diseases (β=1.52, 95% CI 0.363-2.672, P=0.010) were associated with prolonged nucleic acid negative conversion time in children. Conclusion: The children infected with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 with reduced lymphocyte proportion and underlying diseases may have longer time of viral nucleic acid negative conversion,while children with older age and more doses of vaccination may have shorter time of viral nucleic acid negative conversion.

[Clinical characteristics of 18 children with chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of children with chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO), and raise awareness among clinicians. Methods: In this retrospective study, 18 patients with CNO who were diagnosed in Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January 2015 to December 2021 were included. Results: Eighteen children with CNO (12 males, 6 females) were identified. Their age at onset was 9 (5, 11) years, the delay in diagnosis was 2 (1, 6) months, and follow-up-was 17 (8, 34) months. The most common symptoms were fever in 14 children, as well as bone pain and (or) arthralgia in 14 children. In terms of laboratory results, normal white blood cell counts were observed at onset in 17 patients; increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in all patients; increased C reactive protein (CRP) over the normal value in 14 patients. Of the 18 patients, 2 had positive antinuclear antibodies, while none had positive human leukocyte antigen-B27 or rheumatoid factor. Imaging examination revealed that all the patients had symmetrical and multifocal skeletal lesions. The number of structural lesions detected by imaging investigation was 8 (6, 11). The most frequently affected bones were tibia in 18 patients and femur in 17 patients. Bone biopsy was conducted in 14 patients and acute or chronic osteomyelitis manifested with inflammatory cells infiltration were detected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) found bone lesions in all the patients and bone scintigraphy were positive in 13 patients. All the patients were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, among whom 10 cases also treated with oral glucocorticoids, 9 cases with traditional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, 8 cases with bisphosphonates and 6 cases with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. The pediatric chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis disease activity score, increased by 70% or more in 13 patients within the initial 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of CNO are lack of specificity. The first symptom of CNO is fever, with or without bone pain and (or) arthralgia, with normal peripheral blood leukocytes, elevated CRP and (or) ESR. Whole body bone scanning combined with MRI can early detect osteomyelitis at subclinical sites, and improve the diagnostic rate of CNO.

Study of the Semileptonic Decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}

The study of the Cabibbo-favored semileptonic decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e} is reported using a 4.5  fb^{-1} data sample of e^{+}e^{-} annihilations collected at center-of-mass energies ranging from 4.600 GeV to 4.699 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The branching fraction of the decay is measured to be B(Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e})=(3.56±0.11_{stat}±0.07_{syst})%, which is the most precise measurement to date. Furthermore, we perform an investigation of the internal dynamics in Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}. We provide the first direct comparisons of the differential decay rate and form factors with those predicted from lattice quantum chromodynamics (LQCD) calculations. Combining the measured branching fraction with a q^{2}-integrated rate predicted by LQCD, we determine |V_{cs}|=0.936±0.017_{B}±0.024_{LQCD}±0.007_{τ_{Λ_{c}}}.

Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease have lower serum osteocalcin levels compared to individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and no liver disease: a single-center cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Osteocalcin may benefit nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The present study aimed to explore the levels of serum osteocalcin in NAFLD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

In total, 1026 inpatients diagnosed with T2DM were enrolled in the study. NAFLD was defined according to the working definition of the revised guidelines for the management of NAFLD published by the Chinese Liver Disease Association, and confirmed by abdominal ultrasonography.

RESULTS

The current study found a NAFLD prevalence of 54% in the T2DM population. Subjects with NAFLD had lower concentrations of osteocalcin (8.28-13.99 ng/mL vs. 8.80-16.25 ng/mL, P = 0.001) but similar vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, beta-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen and procollagen type 1 N-peptide levels. Osteocalcin levels (OR: 0.956; 95% CI 0.926-0.987) were significantly associated with NAFLD. When all significant clinical indicators were analyzed together, increased BMI (OR: 1.120; 95% CI 1.065-1.178), fasting C-peptide (OR: 1.270; 95% CI 1.089-1.481) and triglycerides (OR: 1.661; 95% CI 1.284-2.148) were associated with a greater risk of NAFLD, while older age (OR: 0.967; 95% CI 0.948-0.986) and high osteocalcin levels (OR: 0.935; 95% CI 0.902-0.969) were related with a decreased risk of NAFLD. For every additional unit of osteocalcin, the patients received 7% deduced odds of NAFLD.

CONCLUSION

Low osteocalcin levels were associated with an increased risk for NAFLD in patients with T2DM.

Association of oxidative stress and Kashin-Beck disease integrated Meta and Bioinformatics analysis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between oxidative stress (OS) and Kashin-Beck disease (KBD).

METHODS

Terms associated with "KBD" and "OS" were searched in the six different databases up to October 2021. Stata 14.0 was used to pool the means and standard deviations using random-effect or fixed-effect model. The differentially expressed genes in the articular chondrocytes of KBD were identified, the OS related genes were identified by blasting with the GeneCards. The KEGG pathway and gene ontology enrichment analysis was conducted using STRING.

RESULTS

The pooled SMD and 95% CI showed hair selenium (-4.59; -6.99, -2.19), blood selenium (-1.65; -2.86, -0.44) and glutathione peroxidases (-4.15; -6.97, -1.33) levels were decreased in KBD, whereas the malondialdehyde (1.12; 0.60, 1.64), nitric oxide (2.29; 1.31, 3.27), nitric oxide synthase (1.07; 0.81, 1.33) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (1.69; 0.62, 2.77) were increased compared with external controls. Meanwhile, hair selenium (-2.71; -5.32, -0.10) and glutathione peroxidases (-1.00; -1.78, -0.22) in KBD were decreased, whereas the malondialdehyde (1.42; 1.04, 1.80), nitric oxide (3.08; 1.93, 4.22) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (0.81; 0.00, 1.61) were elevated compared with internal controls. Enrichment analysis revealed apoptosis was significantly correlated with KBD. The significant biological processes revealed OS induced the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. The cellular component of OS located in the mitochondrial outer membrane.

CONCLUSIONS

The OS levels in KBD were significantly increased because of selenium deficiency, OS mainly occurred in mitochondrial outer membrane, released of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and induced apoptotic signaling pathway.

Measurement of the Absolute Branching Fraction and Decay Asymmetry of Λ→nγ

The radiative hyperon decay Λ→nγ is studied using (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector operating at BEPCII. The absolute branching fraction of the decay Λ→nγ is determined to be (0.832±0.038_{stat}±0.054_{syst})×10^{-3}, which is a factor of 2.1 lower and 5.6 standard deviations different than the previous measurement. By analyzing the joint angular distribution of the decay products, the first determination of the decay asymmetry α_{γ} is reported with a value of -0.16±0.10_{stat}±0.05_{syst}.

[Orbital cellulitis secondary to odontogenic superior maxillary sinus septum infection: a case report]

A 66-year-old woman presented with recurrent erythema, swelling and pain in her right eye. She had a history of extraction of the right upper second molar 5 months ago with subsequent development of an abscess which was incised and drained 4 months ago. Orbital CT scan revealed the formation of subperiosteal sinus cavity with an abscess in the right maxillary sinus and infraorbital foramen. The diagnosis was orbital honeycombing caused by odontogenic maxillary sinus septum infection. Utilizing the anterior lacrimal recess approach under nasal endoscope,incision and drainage of ocular abscess and debridement and drainage of right orbital abscess plus partial resection of the inner wall of the jaw were performed successfully with maxillary sinus septal drainage and maxillary sinus opening. The patient improved significantly after the operation.

[Analysis of the epidemiological characteristics and genetic characteristics of influenza in the surveillance-year of 2021 to 2022 in Shandong Province, China]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics, etiology and hemagglutinin (HA) gene characteristics of prevalent strains in Shandong Province from 2021 to 2022. Methods: The sentinel surveillance data of influenza-like illness (ILI) were collected in Shandong Province from 2021 to 2022. ILI specimens were detected with Real-Time PCR and virus isolation to explore the distribution of influenza viruses in different months. Three virus strains of each city were selected for gene sequencing, and the HA phylogenetic analysis was carried out. Results: In the surveillance-year from 2021 to 2022, 528 263 ILI cases were totally reported in 54 sentinel hospitals for influenza surveillance in Shandong Province. ILI visiting ratio (ILI%) was 4.07%, with the largest number in 0-4 age group (45.86%). The highly frequent season for ILI was in winter and spring, with a peak in the 52nd week, 2021 (6.62%). Totally, nucleic acid was detected in 26 754 specimens, with a positive rate of 27.10%, all of which were type B Victoria influenza. The positive rate reached a peak in the 49th week, 2021 (63.78%). A total of 295 outbreaks of ILI had been reported, in which 269 were positive for influenza virus. Most of outbreaks occurred in the primary school, with a peak in December. Gene evolution analysis showed that the HA gene in Shandong possessed high homology, 98.6% to 99.5%, with the recommended vaccine strains in 2020-2023, which was divided into two branches, V1A.3a.1 and V1A.3a.2. Conclusion: In the surveillance-year of 2021-2022, influenza is prevalent in December in Shandong Province, with a single circulating strain type. The positive rate of influenza virus and outbreak are higher than those in the previous surveillance-year. The circulating strain possesses high HA gene homology with those of the WHO vaccine recommended strains. However, the overall immune barrier of influenza virus is weak.

Observation of an Isoscalar Resonance with Exotic J^{PC}=1^{-+} Quantum Numbers in J/ψ→γηη^{'}

Using a sample of (10.09±0.04)×10^{9}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, a partial wave analysis of the decay J/ψ→γηη^{'} is performed. The first observation of an isoscalar state with exotic quantum numbers J^{PC}=1^{-+}, denoted as η_{1}(1855), is reported in the process J/ψ→γη_{1}(1855) with η_{1}(1855)→ηη^{'}. Its mass and width are measured to be (1855±9_{-1}^{+6})  MeV/c^{2} and (188±18_{-8}^{+3})  MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic, and its statistical significance is estimated to be larger than 19σ.