[Comparison of clinical characteristics between sporadic gastrinoma and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1-related gastrinoma]

Objective: To compare clinical characteristics of sporadic gastrinoma and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)-related gastrinoma. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients with clinical manifestations of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, pathological diagnosis as neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) and complete clinical and follow-up data were enrolled. Patients with only high gastric acid secretion but without evidence of NEN, or with other concurrent non-NEN tumors were excluded. According to the above criteria, the clinicopathological data of 52 cases of gastrinoma diagnosed from April 2003 to December 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, were collected. Patients who met the diagnostic criteria of gastrinoma and met one of the following conditions were diagnosed as MEN1-related gastrinoma: (1) the presence of pathogenic mutations in the MEN1 gene confirmed by genetic testing; (2) NENs involving two or more endocrine glands, namely, pituitary, parathyroid, thymic, pancreatic, and adrenal NENs; (3) NEN and at least one first-degree relatives diagnosed as MEN1. The remaining gastrinomas were defined as sporadic gastrinoma. Student's t test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Clinicopathological characteristics, endoscopic findings, imaging characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of sporadic and MEN1-related gastrinoma were compared. Results: Among 52 patients with gastrinoma, 33 were sporadic gastrinoma and 19 were MEN1-related gastrinoma. The common symptoms of both sporadic and MEN1-related gastrinomas were diarrhea (24/33, 72.7%; 17/19, 89.5%) and abdominal pain (19/33, 57.6%; 9/19, 47.4%). Compared with sporadic gastrinoma, MEN1-related gastrinoma needed longer time for diagnosis [(7.4±4.9) years vs. (3.9±5.2) years, t=-2.355, P=0.022), were more likely multiple tumors [47.4% (9/19) vs. 15.2% (5/33), χ(2)=6.361, P=0.012], had smaller diameter [(1.7±1.0) cm vs. (3.1±1.8) cm, t=2.942, P=0.005), presented the lower tumor grade [G1: 83.3% (15/18) vs. 39.4% (13/33); G2: 11.1% (2/18) vs. 54.5% (18/33); G3: 5.6% (1/18) vs. 6.1% (2/33), Z=-2.766, P=0.006], were less likely to have serum gastrin which was 10 times higher than normal [11.8% (2/17) vs. 56.0% (14/33), χ(2)=8.396, P=0.004], had higher probability of complication with type 2 gastric neuroendocrine tumors (g-NET) [31.6% (6/19) vs. 3.0%(1/33), χ(2)=6.163, P=0.013], and had lower rate of liver metastasis [21.1% (4/19) vs. 51.5% (17/33), χ(2)=4.648, P=0.031). There was no obvious difference between sporadic gastrinomas and MEN1-related gastrinomas in endoscopic findings. Both types presented enlarged and swollen gastric mucosa under the stimulation of high gastric acid, and multiple ulcers in the stomach and duodenum could be seen. Gastrinoma with type 2 g-NET presented multiple polypoid raised lesions in the fundus and body of the stomach. (68)Ga-SSR-PET/CT scan had a 100% detection rate for both types while (18)F-FDG-PET/CT scan had a higher detection rate for sporadic gastrinoma compared with MEN1-related gastrinoma [57.9% (11/19) vs. 20.0% (3/15), χ(2)=4.970, P=0.026]. Among the patients with sporadic gastrinoma, 19 received surgical treatment, 1 underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection, 8 underwent transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), and 5 underwent surgery combined with TAE. Among patients with MEN1-related gastrinoma, 13 received surgical treatment, and the other 6 received conservative treatment. The median follow-up of all the patients was 21.5 (1-129) months, and the 5-year survival rate was 88.4%. The 5-year survival rate of patients with sporadic and MEN1-related gastrinomas was 89.5% and 80.0% respectively (P=0.949). The 5-year survival rate of patients with and without liver metastasis was 76.2% vs. 100%, respectively (P=0.061). Conclusions: Compared with sporadic gastrinoma, MEN1-related gastrinoma has longer diagnosis delay, smaller tumor diameter, lower tumor grading, lower risk of liver metastasis, and is more likely to complicate with type 2 g-NET, while there is no difference in survival between the two tumor types.

Prognostic value of PCSK9 Levels in Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

The role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients is still an open question and the PCSK9 concentration of clinical usefulness remains unknown in guiding treatment.

Purpose

To explore the role of PCSK9 in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Methods

272 patients with NSTEMI were included in our study, all patients received PCI therapy after admission. Patients were followed up for 1 year and MACEs were recored. Their baseline plasma PCSK9 levels were determined by ELISA. Patients were divided into high, medium and low PCSK9 groups and the associations of PCSK9 with other biomarkers and MACEs were evaluated.

Results

The results showed that PCSK9 levels was related to levels of lipoproteins, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r=0.162, P=0.008), platelet volume distribution width (r=0.299, P<0.001) and D-dimer (r=0.285, P<0.001). And the concentrations of PCSK9 was greater higher in people with MACEs (137.2ng/ml vs 243.6ng/ml) (Fig. 1A). The Kaplan-Meier curves showed patients with high PCSK9 level had lower event-free survival rate (Fig. 1B). Survival analysis indicated high level of PCSK9 predicted MACEs independently after adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and GRACE score (HR=2.646, 95CI%: 1.047–6.686, P=0.027) (Fig. 1C, Fig. 2). Subgroup analysis demonstrated the prognostic value of high PCSK9 level was greater for patients classified by the GRACE score as high risk (Fig. 1D).

Conclusions

In a NSTEMI setting, the concentration of PCSK9 is associated with hypercoagulability and hyper-inflammation. High levels of PCSK9 independently predict future MACEs in NSTEMI patients, particularly those classified by the GRACE score as high risk.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Latent class cluster analysis of knowledge on acute myocardial infarction symptoms and risk factors in community residents

Background

Knowledge of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) symptoms and risk factors (RF) have been studied worldwide in various populations. However, the studied specific symptom and RF of different surveys varies, the number of surveyed symptom and RF varies, and the criteria for judging good/high knowledge and bad/low knowledge are different (group classification criteria include the number, the percentages or the scores), which makes the results difficult to compare.

Purpose

The aim was to identify clusters of knowledge on symptoms and modifiable RFs using Latent Cluster Analysis, and to further compare characteristics and the awareness of the need for prompt treatment among different clusters.

Methods

A structured questionnaire was used to interview 4122 community residents over 35 years old on their knowledge about AMI symptoms and RFs. Latent GOLD Statistical Package was used to identify and classify the respondent subtypes (latent classes) of the knowledge on AMI symptoms or modifiable RFs. An individual's class membership probabilities are computed from the estimated model parameters and the observed scores. The multivariable logistic regression was performed in order to identify factors that predicted High knowledge membership.

Results

Two and three distinct clusters were identified in terms of knowledge of symptoms and RFs. 62.7% (Symptom High Knowledge Cluster) and 39.5% (RF High Knowledge Cluster) of the respondents were able to identify most symptoms and modifiable RFs. A number of common differences were observed with respect to higher probability of having high knowledge on symptom and RF, which was mostly better among those with higher education and average monthly income, insured, having annual physical examination, have disease history of AMI RFs, AMI history in immediate family member or acquaintance and have been exposed to AMI related public education. There was also significant difference in awareness of the prompt treatment in case of AMI occurs among different symptom or RF clusters.

Conclusions

A moderate or relatively low knowledge regarding AMI symptoms and modifiable RFs was observed in our study. Identification of Symptom or RF knowledge clusters can be a way to detect specific targeted groups that are most likely to possess lower knowledge of AMI with readily identifiable characteristics, which may facilitate health education and further reduce the pre-hospital delay and improve patient outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Key Project of Scientific and Technological Support Plan of Tianjin in 2020 Cluster category chartProfile plot

Public awareness of acute myocardial infarction symptoms and emergency response in community residents

Background

Patient delay in seeking help has been reported to be a major factor that related to delay in care of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Lack the knowledge of symptoms may translate to behavioral deficiencies which lead up to failing to seek medical assistant at early stage of AMI.

Purpose

The aim of present study is to investigate the awareness of AMI symptoms and the emergency responses among community residents over 35 years old.

Methods

The sample was proportionally distributed by age according to the national census data. The sex ratio was 1:1. The sample size is calculated according to the significance level of 0.05, the allowable error of 0.1, and the estimated Excellent awareness level of 10%. The final sample size is adjusted to 4200, considering non-response rate of 20%. Multi-stage stratified random sampling was used. On the first stage, two districts each in urban and rural regions were randomly selected. On the second stage, 3–10 community health service centers were randomly selected in each district. On the third stage, residents over 35 managed by the community health service center were proportionally sampled to be interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used and the survey was conducted in a face-to-face interview by clinical physicians. Logistic regression was applied to analyze factors related to Good knowledge.

Results

The top three symptom recognized by public is “pain or discomfort in the chest” (71.3%), followed by “difficulty breathing” (65.1%) and “pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back” (60.9%). 85.0% chose to call an ambulance as first response when witness others having an AMI. Those who lives alone (OR=1.408; 95% CI, 1.005–1.972) and whose immediate family had been diagnosed with AMI (OR=1.510; 95% CI, 1.040–2.192) has better knowledge. A significant positive correlation was observed for those with hypertension (OR=1.199; 95% CI, 1.007–1.429), while a negative correlation was observed for those with diabetes (OR=0.788; 95% CI, 0.626–0.992). Public education could improve Good knowledge (OR=1.662; 95% CI, 1.388–1.990), while doctoral advise has been shown negative impact (OR=0.824; 95% CI, 0.691–0.984).

Conclusions

Our data provide first population-based estimates of public awareness in our country. Further promotional strategies to increase overall awareness in general public are seriously needed.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Major Science and Technology Projects of Tianjin Science and Technology Commission Multivariable logistic regression

Efficient Polysulfide Trapping and Conversion on N-Doped CoTe2 via Enhanced Dual-Anchoring Effect

Polysulfide shuttling and sluggish sulfur redox kinetics hinder the cyclability and rate capability of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The intrinsic redox kinetics of sulfur cathodes strongly depends on the interaction between catalysts and sulfur species. Herein, N-doped CoTe₂ is proposed as an effective dual-anchoring electrocatalyst, which can simultaneously bind Li and S atoms in lithium polysulfides via ionic Te-Li/N-Li bonding and coordinate covalent Co-S bonding. The incorporated N not only serves as enhanced lithiophilic site, but also an agent to improve the sulfiphilicity of the Co site as revealed by a series of experimental and computational results. Benefiting from these superiorities, the use of N-doped CoTe₂ as a catalytic interlayer enables efficient operation of Li-S batteries in terms of impressive rate capability of 758 mAh g^-1 at 4 C and very low capacity decay of 0.021% per cycle over 1000 cycles. The material and strategy demonstrated in this work may open the door toward developing more advanced Li-S electrocatalysts.

[Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of Behçet's syndrome in China]

Behçet's syndrome (BS) is classified among variable vessel vasculitis with unknown etiology and extensively heterogeneous clinical features. It is easily missed or misdiagnosed due to the lack of a specific laboratory diagnosis index. Based on the evidence and guidelines from China and other countries, the Chinese Rheumatology Association developed the standardization of diagnosis and treatment of BS. The purposes are: (1) To standardize the detection and interpretation of key indicators for BS; (2) To standardize rational management for BS patients with topical and systemic organ involvement to reduce complications and improve outcomes.

[Effect of splenectomy on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development among patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension: a multi-institutional cohort study]

Objective: To identify whether splenectomy for treatment of hypersplenism has any impact on development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) among patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis. Methods: Patients who underwent splenectomy for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension between January 2008 and December 2012 were included from seven hospitals in China, whereas patients receiving medication treatments for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (non-splenectomy) at the same time period among the seven hospitals were included as control groups. In the splenectomy group, all the patients received open or laparoscopic splenectomy with or without pericardial devascularization. In contrast, patients in the control group were treated conservatively for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with medicines (non-splenectomy) with no invasive treatments, such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, splenectomy or liver transplantation before HCC development. All the patients were routinely screened for HCC development with abdominal ultrasound, liver function and alpha-fetoprotein every 3 to 6 months. To minimize the selection bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the baseline data of patients among splenectomy versus non-splenectomy groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival and cumulative incidence of HCC development, and the Log-rank test was used to compare the survival or disease rates between the two groups. Univariate and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the potential risk factors associated with development of HCC. Results: A total of 871 patients with liver cirrhosis and hypertension were included synchronously from 7 tertiary hospitals. Among them, 407 patients had a history of splenectomy for hypersplenism (splenectomy group), whereas 464 patients who received medical treatment but not splenectomy (non-splenectomy group). After PSM,233 pairs of patients were matched in adjusted cohorts. The cumulative incidence of HCC diagnosis at 1,3,5 and 7 years were 1%,6%,7% and 15% in the splenectomy group, which was significantly lower than 1%,6%,15% and 23% in the non-splenectomy group (HR=0.53,95%CI:0.31 to 0.91,P=0.028). On multivariable analysis, splenectomy was independently associated with decreased risk of HCC development (HR=0.55,95%CI:0.32 to 0.95,P=0.031). The cumulative survival rates of all the patients at 1,3,5,and 7 years were 100%,97%,91%,86% in the splenectomy group,which was similar with that of 100%,97%,92%,84% in the non-splenectomy group (P=0.899). In total,49 patients (12.0%) among splenectomy group and 75 patients (16.2%) in non-splenectomy group developed HCC during the study period, respectively. Compared to patients in non-splenectomy group, patients who developed HCC after splenectomy were unlikely to receive curative resection for HCC (12.2% vs. 33.3%,χ²=7.029, P=0.008). Conclusion: Splenectomy for treatment of hypersplenism may decrease the risk of HCC development among patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

[A case report of orbital epithelioid hemangioendothelioma]

A 70-year-old male patient, who had a right upper eyelid tumor excision 4 years ago, complained of eyelid swelling and ptosis for 3 months. Orbital CT and MRI showed an orbital cystic lesion with hemorrhage in the right eye. The tumor was resected under general anesthesia. The pathological diagnosis was epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57:696-698).

Circulating purification of cutting fluid: an overview

Cutting fluid has cooling and lubricating properties and is an important part of the field of metal machining. Owing to harmful additives, base oils with poor biodegradability, defects in processing methods, and unreasonable emissions of waste cutting fluids, cutting fluids have serious pollution problems, which pose challenges to global carbon emissions laws and regulations. However, the current research on cutting fluid and its circulating purification technique lacks systematic review papers to provide scientific technical guidance for actual production. In this study, the key scientific issues in the research achievements of eco-friendly cutting fluid and waste fluid treatment are clarified. First, the preparation and mechanism of organic additives are summarized, and the influence of the physical and chemical properties of vegetable base oils on lubricating properties is analyzed. Then, the process characteristics of cutting fluid reduction supply methods are systematically evaluated. Second, the treatment of oil mist and miscellaneous oil, the removal mechanism and approach of microorganisms, and the design principles of integrated recycling equipment are outlined. The conclusion is concluded that the synergistic effect of organic additives, biodegradable vegetable base oils and recycling purification effectively reduces the environmental pollution of cutting fluids. Finally, in view of the limitations of the cutting fluid and its circulating purification technique, the prospects of amino acid additive development, self-adapting jet parameter supply system, matching mechanism between processing conditions and cutting fluid are put forward, which provides the basis and support for the engineering application and development of cutting fluid and its circulating purification.

[Fitting and predicting trend of COVID-19 by SVEPIUHDR dynamic model]

Objective: To fit and predict the trend of COVID-19 epidemics in the United States (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK), and analyze the effect of vaccination. Methods: Based on the SEIR dynamic model, considering the presymptomatic infections, isolation measures, vaccine vaccination coverage, etc., we developed a SEIR with vaccine inoculation, Presymptomatic infectious, unconfirmed infectious, hospital isolation and domiciliary isolation dynamics model. The publicly released incidence data of COVID-19 from November 6, 2020 to January 31, 2021 in USA and from November 23, 2020 to January 31, 2021 in UK were used to fit the model and the publicly released incidence data of COVID-19 from February 1, 2021 to April 1 were used to evaluate the predicting power of the model by software R 4.0.3 and predict changes in the daily new cases in the context of different vaccination coverage. Results: According to the cumulative confirmed cases, the fitting bias and the predicting bias of the SVEPIUHDR model for USA and UK were less than 5%, respectively. From the model prediction results, the cumulative cases after COVID-19 vaccination in USA in early April reached 31 864 970. If there had not had such vaccination, the cumulative cases of COVID-19 would have reached to 35 317 082, with a gap of more than 3.4 million cases. In UK, the cumulative cases of COVID-19 after the vaccination was estimated to be 4 195 538 in early April, compared with 4 268 786 cases if no COVID-19 vaccination had been provided, there would have heen a gap of more than 70 000 cases. Conclusion: SVEPIUHDR model shows a good prediction effect on the epidemic of COVID-19 in both USA and UK.

[Hemolytic uremic syndrome complicated with IgA nephropathy: a clinicopathological study]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatments, outcomes and mechanisms of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) complicated with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Methods: The clinical manifestations, treatments, prognosis and histopathological features of renal biopsy tissues were analyzed in two cases of HUS complicated with IgAN from Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University using light microscopy, immunofluorescence detection and electron microscopy. The related literatures were also reviewed. Results: The clinical manifestations were microvascular hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute renal impairment with hematuria, proteinuria, and positive anti-H factor antibody. Histological findings confirmed presence of both HUS and IgAN. Histological features included glomerular mesangial and stromal hyperplasia with endothelial cell proliferation, capillary stenosis, arteriolar thickening, and glomerular ischemia and capillary dilatation. Immunofluorescence detection showed diffuse IgA deposition in the glomerular mesangial matrix. Electron microscopy showed proliferation of mesangial and endothelial cells, thickening of the inner layer of the glomerular basement membrane, deposition of massive electronic densification in the mesangial region, and shrinkage of the segmental basement membrane. The two children were very responsive to plasma exchange and steroid treatments. However, their urine protein and occult blood tests remained continuously positive during the follow-up of 5 years 7 months and 8 months respectively. Conclusions: HUS complicated with IgAN is rare. The diagnosis relies on various pathological examinations, which require the combination of light microscopy, immunofluorescence detection and electron microscopy. Plasma exchange and steroid treatments are effective. However, the long-term prognosis is concerning and may relate to pathological grade and secondary factors. The mechanism of connecting HUS and IgAN is unknown, but may be caused by prodromal or secondary factors.

An investigation of maximum particle velocity as a universal invariant-Defined by a statistical measure of failure or plastic energy loss for acoustofluidic applications

Materials under vibration experience internal stress waves that can cause material failure or energy loss due to inelastic vibration. Traditionally, failure is defined in terms of material acceleration, yet this approach has many drawbacks, principally because it is not invariant with respect to scale, type of vibration, or material choice. Here, the likelihood of failure is instead considered in terms of the maximum vibration or particle velocity for various metals, polymers, and structural materials. The exact relationship between the maximum particle velocity and the maximum induced stress may be derived, but only if one knows the details of the vibration, material, flaws, and geometry. Statistical results with over thousands of individual trials are presented here to demonstrate a wide variety of vibrations across a sufficient variety of these choices. Failure in this context is defined as either fracture or plastic yield, the latter associated with inelastic deformation and energy loss during vibration. If the maximum permissible cyclical stress in material vibration is known, to at least an order of magnitude, the probability of this type of failure may be computed for a range of vibration velocities in each material. The results support the notion that a maximum particle velocity on the order of 1 m/s is a universal and critical limit that, upon exceeding, causes the probability of failure to become significant regardless of the details of the material, geometry, or vibration. We illustrate this in a specific example relevant to acoustofluidics, a simple surface acoustic wave device. The consequences of particle velocity limit analysis can effectively be used in materials and structural engineering to predict when dynamic material particle velocity can cause inelastic losses or failure via brittle fracture, plastic deformation, or fatigue failure.

[The prognostic value of myocardial infarct size measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of infarct size (IS) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 104 patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI treatment in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from February 2017 to November 2018 were included in the present study. All patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) within one week after primary PCI treatment. The subjects were followed up for two years. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) included new onset congestive heart failure and/or recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction and/orcardiac death. The optimal IS cutoff value for MACE was determined by receiver operating character (ROC) curve. Based on the IS cutoff value, the patients were divided into the high IS group and the low IS group. Clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared. A cox regression model was used to analyze the prognostic value of IS in acute STEMI patients treated with primary PCI for the adverse events. Results: The IS cutoff value determined by ROC curve was 13.55%. 50 patients were in the high IS group (IS≥13.55%) and 54 patients were in the low IS group (IS<13.55%). More female patients [14 cases (28.0%) vs. 6 cases (11.1%)] were in the IS group, and a higher proportion of patients in the high IS group had anterior myocardial infarction [27 cases (54.0%) vs. 16 cases (29.6%)] or microvascular obstruction [32 cases (64.0%) vs. 16 cases (29.6%)]. White blood cell counts [11.25(8.90, 13.38) ×10⁹/L vs. 9.25(7.58, 11.00) ×10⁹/L], troponin I levels [50.63(16.56, 76.30)μg/L vs. 16.58(2.66, 38.42)μg/L] and brain natriuretic peptide levels [178.10(79.70, 281.95)μg/L vs. 79.60(42.83, 183.90)μg/L] in the high IS group were higher than those in the low IS group (P<0.05), and left ventricular ejection fraction [(45.15±10.65)% vs. (51.95±12.91)%] in the high IS group was lower than that in the low IS group (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that IS was independently associated with the risk of cardiac death in patients with acute STEMI two years after primary PCI(P=0.033, HR=1.075, 95%CI1.006-1.148). Every 1% increase in IS was associated with a 7.5% increase in cardiac death. Conclusions: Infarct size, measured by CMR within one week after primary PCI, is strongly associated with cardiac death in patients with acute STEMI two years after primary PCI. IS could be used as an index for the prognosis of patients with acute STEMI.

Manipulation and Mixing of 200 Femtoliter Droplets in Nanofluidic Channels Using MHz-Order Surface Acoustic Waves

Controllable manipulation and effective mixing of fluids and colloids at the nanoscale is made exceptionally difficult by the dominance of surface and viscous forces. The use of megahertz (MHz)-order vibration has dramatically expanded in microfluidics, enabling fluid manipulation, atomization, and microscale particle and cell separation. Even more powerful results are found at the nanoscale, with the key discovery of new regimes of acoustic wave interaction with 200 fL droplets of deionized water. It is shown that 40 MHz-order surface acoustic waves can manipulate such droplets within fully transparent, high-aspect ratio, 100 nm tall, 20-130 micron wide, 5-mm long nanoslit channels. By forming traps as locally widened regions along such a channel, individual fluid droplets may be propelled from one trap to the next, split between them, mixed, and merged. A simple theory is provided to describe the mechanisms of droplet transport and splitting.

ISOC1 promotes the proliferation of gastric cancer cells by positively regulating CDK19

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role and potential mechanism of isochorismatase domain-containing 1 (ISOC1) in gastric cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression levels of ISOC1 in gastric cancer (GC) tissues, as well as corresponding cell lines, was evaluated by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). A cell line stably expressing ISOC1 was constructed by vector construction and cell transfection, and the proliferation ability of the stably transfected cells was examined. Subsequently, the ISOC1 target database was screened, which suggested that CDK19 may be the potential target. The correlation between ISOC1 and CDK19 mRNA and protein expressions in clinical tissue specimens and cell lines was evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot, and the Luciferase reporter gene experiment was applied to verify the regulatory effect of ISOC1 on CDK19.

RESULTS

ISOC1 was shown to be markedly increased in GC tissues compared to adjacent cancer tissues by qRT-PCR. In addition, compared with patients with low ISOC1 expression, the pathological stage and tumor size of gastric cancer patients with high ISOC1 expression were remarkably larger. Then, the ISOC1 knockdown cell line was established, and it was found through cell proliferation function experiments that the proliferation rate of gastric cancer cells was remarkably slower than the control group after knocking down ISOC1. Subsequently, bioinformatics and Luciferase reporter gene experiments suggested that ISOC1 had a direct regulatory effect on CDK19. In addition, recovery experiments also demonstrated that CDK19 overexpression could reverse the effect of ISOC1 silencing on cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

ISOC1 was markedly upregulated in GC tissues. It could positively regulate its downstream target CDK19, which in turn promoted the proliferation of GC cells. Therefore, our study may provide new ideas for understanding the progression of GC.

In vitro assays on the susceptibility of four species of nematophagous fungi to anthelmintics and chemical fungicides/antifungal drug

Using nematophagous fungi for the biological control of animal parasitic nematodes will become one of the most promising strategies in the search for alternative chemical drugs. The purpose of this study was to check the in vitro activity of four anthelmintics, four chemical fungicides and two antifungal drugs on the spore germination of nematophagous fungi: Duddingtonia flagrans (SF170), Arthrobotrys oligospora (447), Arthrobotrys superba (435) and Arthrobotrys sp. (PS011). A modified 24-well cell culture plate assay was conducted to evaluate the susceptibility of nematophagous fungi against drugs tested by calculating the effective middle concentrations (EC₅₀ ) of each tested drug to inhibit the germination of fungal spores. EC₅₀ ranged between 0·7 and 47·2 μg ml^-1 for fenbendazole, thiabendazole and ivermectin, except levamisole (546·5-4057·8 μg ml^-1 ). EC₅₀ of tested fungicides was 0·6-2·3 μg ml^-1 for carbendazim, 55·9-247·4 μg ml^-1 for metalaxyl, 24·4-45·2 μg ml^-1 for difenoconazole, and 555·9-1438·3 μg ml^-1 for pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB). EC₅₀ of two antifungal drugs was 0·03-3·4 μg ml^-1 for amphotericin B and 0·3-10·9 μg ml^-1 for ketoconazole. The results showed that 10 tested drugs, except for levamisole and PCNB, had in vitro inhibitory effects on nematophagous fungi. The chlamydospores of D. flagrans had the highest sensitivity to nine tested drugs, except for ketoconazole.

Pro-angiogenic effect of exosomal microRNA-103a in mice with rheumatoid arthritis via the downregulation of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha and activation of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane, accompanied by hyperplasia and neo-angiogenesis, which promote local inflammation. Macrophage-derived exosomes have been reported to enhance inflammation and the immune response. In the present study, we identified a novel exosomal microRNA (miR)-103a, which aids in the regulation of inflammation and angiogenesis in mice with RA, and attempted to identify the underlying mechanism. Initially, a mouse model of RA was established. Thereafter, exosomes were isolated from macrophage RAW264.7 cells and evaluated through transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. After prediction and verification of the target genes of miR-103a, RT-qPCR was used to assess miR-103a and HNF4A expression in mice with RA. High expression of miR-103a and low expression of HNF4A were observed in mice with RA, thus, miR-103a was found to target and downregulate HNF4A. Exosomal miR-103a promoted inflammation and angiogenesis in mice with RA which was accompanied by an increase in the levels of factors associated with inflammation and angiogenesis. However, an opposite trend was observed upon HNF4A elevation. Exosomal miR-103a was also found to activate the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, exosomal miR-103a inhibited the expression of HNF4A to activate the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby exacerbating RA in mice.

InterCarb: A Community Effort to Improve Interlaboratory Standardization of the Carbonate Clumped Isotope Thermometer Using Carbonate Standards

Increased use and improved methodology of carbonate clumped isotope thermometry has greatly enhanced our ability to interrogate a suite of Earth-system processes. However, interlaboratory discrepancies in quantifying carbonate clumped isotope (Δ47) measurements persist, and their specific sources remain unclear. To address interlaboratory differences, we first provide consensus values from the clumped isotope community for four carbonate standards relative to heated and equilibrated gases with 1,819 individual analyses from 10 laboratories. Then we analyzed the four carbonate standards along with three additional standards, spanning a broad range of δ47 and Δ47 values, for a total of 5,329 analyses on 25 individual mass spectrometers from 22 different laboratories. Treating three of the materials as known standards and the other four as unknowns, we find that the use of carbonate reference materials is a robust method for standardization that yields interlaboratory discrepancies entirely consistent with intralaboratory analytical uncertainties. Carbonate reference materials, along with measurement and data processing practices described herein, provide the carbonate clumped isotope community with a robust approach to achieve interlaboratory agreement as we continue to use and improve this powerful geochemical tool. We propose that carbonate clumped isotope data normalized to the carbonate reference materials described in this publication should be reported as Δ47 (I-CDES) values for Intercarb-Carbon Dioxide Equilibrium Scale.

LncRNA DBH-AS1 facilitates the tumorigenesis of melanoma by targeting miR-233-3p via IGF-1R/Akt signaling

OBJECTIVE

While Long Noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are well-known to modulate human cancer progression, the specific function of DBH-AS1 in melanoma remains to be fully established. The study will investigate the role of DBH-AS1 in melanoma cell.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression profiles of DBH-AS1, miR-223-3p, and IGF-1R in melanoma tissues and cell lines were determined by RT-qPCR analysis. CCK-8 assay, colony assays and transwell assay were employed to analyze the effects of DBH-AS1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion in GC cells. Bioinformatics analysis and Dual-Luciferase reporter assay determined the direct binding relation between DBH-AS1, miR-223-3p and IGF-1R in GC.

RESULTS

Herein, we observed significant reductions in DBH-AS1 expression in melanoma tumor tissues and cell lines. Knockdown DBH-AS1 in melanoma cells impaired their proliferative, migratory, and invasive potential. We determined that DBH-AS1 was able to modulate insulin growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) expression as a competing endogenous RNA for DBH-AS1. In line with this finding, the knockdown DBH-AS1 was associated with decreases in the expression of glucose transporter (GLUT)-1 and a consequent inhibition of glucose uptake, lactate production, and ATP generation by melanoma cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings therefore suggest that DBH-AS1 can enhance glycolytic activity in melanoma cells, thereby disrupting melanoma progression via miR-223-3p/EGFR/AKT axis. As such this signaling axis may be a viable therapeutic target for melanoma treatment in human patients.