[ANXA8 Regulates Proliferation of Human Non-Small Lung Cancer Cells A549 via EGFR-AKT-mTOR Signaling Pathway]

Annexin A8 (ANXA8) is a member of the annexin family, which had been reported to regulate multiple cancer cellular processes including proliferation, metastasis and inflammation. However, the specific role of ANXA8 in lung cancer cell biology remains unknown. Our previous transcriptome study revealed that ANXA8 mRNA was downregulated in curcumin analog (MHMD) -treated human non-small lung cancer cells (A549 cell line). Here, we continued to study the ANXA8 expression in A549 cells using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and Western blotting, compared with that in human normal bronchial epithelium cells (BE-AS-2B cell line). Overexpression of ANXA8 via transfection of pEGFP-ANXA8 recombinant vector contributed to the proliferation and migration of A549 cells. Moreover, the cell cycle protein cyclin E1 was upregulated in ANXA8-transfected A549 cells. Knockdown of ANXA8 using an RNA interference technique decreased A549 cell viability and restrained their migration in vitro. The expression levels of multiple cellular factors, including EGFR, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, p70S6K and 4EBP1, in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway were also altered by ANXA8 knockdown or overexpression in A549 cells, which confirmed the activation of the EGFR/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by ANXA8. The present results provided evidence to support further investigation of the functional identification of ANXA8 in lung cancer cells in the future.

Paediatric/young versus adult patients with congenital long QT syndrome or catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia

Introduction

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) are less prevalent cardiac ion channelopathies than Brugada syndrome in Asia. The present study compared paediatric/young and adult patients with these conditions.

Method

This was a territory-wide retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients diagnosed with congenital LQTS and CPVT attending public hospitals in Hong Kong. The primary outcome was spontaneous ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF).

Results

A total of 142 congenital LQTS (mean onset age= 27±23 years old) and 16 CPVT (mean presentation age=11±4 years old) patients were included. For congenital LQTS, arrhythmias other than VT/VF (HR=4.67, 95% confidence interval = [1.53–14.3], p=0.007), initial VT/VF (HR=3.25 [1.29–8.16], p=0.012) and Schwartz score (HR=1.90 [1.11–3.26], p=0.020) were predictive of the primary outcome for the overall cohort, whilst arrhythmias other than VT/VF (HR=5.41 [1.36–21.4], p=0.016) and Schwartz score (HR=4.67 [1.48–14.7], p=0.009) were predictive for the adult subgroup (>25 years old; n=58). All CPVT patients presented before the age of 25 but no significant predictors of VT/VF were identified. A random survival forest model identified initial VT/VF, Schwartz score, initial QTc interval, family history of LQTS, initially asymptomatic, and arrhythmias other than VT/VF as the most important variables for risk prediction in LQTS, and initial VT/VF/sudden cardiac death, palpitations, QTc, initially symptomatic and heart rate in CPVT.

Conclusion

Clinical and ECG presentation vary between the pediatric/young and adult congenital LQTS population. All CPVT patients presented before the age of 25. Machine learning models achieved more accurate VT/VF prediction.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Kaplan-Meier survival curve for LQTSKaplan-Meier survival curve for CPVT

Systolic blood pressure visit-to-visit variability and clinical outcomes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Background

Previous studies have shown that increased systolic blood pressure visit-to-visit variability (SBP-VVV) is associated with higher risk for cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, However, no studies have reported the relationship between SBP-VVV and adverse outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods

This was a post-hoc analysis of the TOPCAT trial, a multicentered, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of spironolactone in patients with HFpEF. SBP-VVV was assessed during the first year of the trial and clinical outcomes were analysed from the end of the first year to the end of the follow-up period. SBP-VVV was primarily assessed by SBP-SD, the standard deviation (SD) of the mean SBP across these six visits of every patient. The primary study outcome was the composite outcomes of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure or aborted cardiac arrest occurring after the first 12 months after randomization. The secondary outcomes included cardiovascular mortality, first HF hospitalization event, and all-cause mortality occurring beyond the first 12 months following randomization.

Results

Of the 2907 patients from the TOPACT trial, SBP-VVV was categorized into quartiles (1st, <6.05; 2nd, 6.06–8.94; 3rd, 8.95–12.81; and 4th, ≥12.82 mmHg) and as a continuous variable. During the subsequent median follow-up of 2.48 years, 373 (12.8%) patients met the primary outcome. On multiple Cox regression, patients in the 4th quartile were at higher risk for a primary outcome (hazard ratio for 4th vs. 1st quartile, 1.79;, 95% CI, 1.28–2.49; P<0.001). Patients in the 4th quartile were also at higher risk of HF hospitalization (hazard ratio for 4th vs. 1st quartile, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.54–4.02; P<0.001) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for 4th vs. 1st quartile, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.08–2.15; P=0.017). SBP-SD as a continuous variable was also associated with an increased risk of all outcomes.

Conclusions

In patients with HFpEF, high SBP-VVV was associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, independent of baseline and on-treatment SBP.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Relationship between SBP-SD and HR

Derivation of an electronic frailty index for short-term mortality in heart failure: a machine learning approach

Objective

Frailty may be found in heart failure patients especially in the elderly and is associated with a poor prognosis. However, assessment of frailty status is time-consuming and the electronic frailty indices developed using health records have served as useful surrogates. We hypothesized that an electronic frailty index developed using machine learning can improve short-term mortality prediction in patients with heart failure.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study included patients admitted to nine public hospitals for heart failure from Hong Kong between 2013 and 2017. Age, sex, variables in the modified frailty index, Deyo's Charlson comorbidity index (≥2), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were analyzed. Gradient boosting, which is a supervised sequential ensemble learning algorithm with weak prediction submodels (typically decision trees), was applied to predict mortality. Variables were ranked in the order of importance with a total score of 100 and used to build the predictive models. Comparisons were made with decision tree and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

A total of 8893 patients (median: age 81, Q1-Q3: 71–87 years old) were included, in whom 9% had 30-day mortality and 17% had 90-day mortality. PNI, age and NLR were the most important variables predicting 30-day mortality (importance score: 37.4, 32.1, 20.5, respectively) and 90-day mortality (importance score: 35.3, 36.3, 14.6, respectively). Gradient boosting significantly outperformed decision tree and multivariate logistic regression (area under the curve: 0.90, 0.86 and 0.86 for 30-day mortality; 0.92, 0.89 and 0.86 for 90-day mortality).

Conclusions

The electronic frailty index based on comorbidities, inflammation and nutrition information can readily predict mortality outcomes. Their predictive performances were significantly improved by gradient boosting techniques.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

A territory-wide study of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy patients from Hong Kong

Background

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a hereditary disease characterised by fibrofatty infiltration of the right ventricular myocardium that predisposes affected patients to malignant ventricular arrhythmias, dual-chamber cardiac failure and sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Methods

This was a territory-wide retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with ARVC/D between 1997 and 2019. The primary outcome was incident ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF). The secondary outcomes were new-onset heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and all-cause mortality.

Results

This study consisted of 115 ARVC/D patients (median age: 60 [44.1–70.2] years; 58% male). Of these, 51 and 24 patients developed incident VT/VF and new-onset HFrEF, respectively. Five patients underwent cardiac transplantation, and 14 died during follow-up. Multivariate Cox regression identified prolonged QRS duration as a predictor of VT/VF (P<0.05). Female gender, prolonged QTc duration, the presence of epsilon waves and T-wave inversion (TWI) in any lead except aVR/V1 predicted new-onset HFrEF (P<0.05). Female gender, prolonged QTc duration and the presence of epsilon waves, in addition to the parameters of older age at diagnosis of ARVC/D, prolonged QRS duration and worsening ejection fraction predicted all-cause mortality (p<0.05). Clinical scores were also developed to predict new-onset HFrEF (Table 1a-c) and all-cause mortality (Table 2a-c). This was followed by the application of a non-parametric machine learning survival analysis models for outcome prediction. These machine learning algorithms better capture nonlinear and interactive patterns within survival data compared to traditionally used Cox regression models, which assume the existence of a hazard function between survival data and censored outcomes. The present study introduced weighted random survival forests models for the prediction of incident VT/VF, HFrEF and all-cause mortality. Findings indicate that these machine learning wRSF models performed the best in the prediction of all three aforementioned outcomes compared to other analytical methods.

Conclusion

Clinical and electrocardiographic parameters are important for assessing prognosis in ARVC/D patients. Machine learning algorithms appear to be the most optimal tools for event prediction, and as such should potentially be used to aid risk stratification and decision-making in the clinical setting.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Prognostic nutritional index as a prognostic factor in lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. In the past decade, numerous studies focus on the prognostic nutritional index (i.e., a measure of serum albumin and lymphocyte in peripheral circulation) as a possible biomarker to predict the survival outcomes in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Prognostic nutritional index can reliably predict the survivability outcomes by effectively quantifying the nutritional and immunological status of cancer patients. To date, only one review has attempted to evaluate the impact of the prognostic nutritional index on the survival outcomes in lung cancer patients with certain limitations. The goal of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to bridge the gap in the literature and evaluate the capacity of the prognostic nutritional index for predicting the survivability outcomes in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of prognostic nutritional index scoring on survival outcomes in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 A systematic academic literature search was performed based on the PRISMA guidelines across Web of Science, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases. A random-effect meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of prognostic nutritional index scoring (i.e., high/low) on survival outcomes (i.e., progression-free survival, overall survival) in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

RESULTS

 From 963 studies, 16 eligible studies with 4250 lung cancer patients (62.32 ± 5.08 years) undergoing chemotherapy were included. Our meta-analysis revealed worse mortality outcomes in terms of progression-free survival (HR: 1.31) and overall survival (1.21) for the group with a low prognostic nutritional index score as compared to the group with a high prognostic nutritional index score in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Subsequent subgroup analyses further demonstrated markedly worse outcomes for progression-free survival (1.32) and overall survival (1.52) in non-small lung cancer patients with lower prognostic nutritional index scores.

CONCLUSIONS

 We provide preliminary evidence suggesting that lower prognostic nutrition index scores are associated with worse survivability outcomes (progression-free survival and overall survival) in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. We also show that lower prognostic nutrition index scores correlate with even worse survival outcomes in patients with non-small lung cancer histological subtype of lung cancer. These findings should help clinicians to stratify the risks associated with the chemotherapeutic management of lung cancer patients.

[Effects and molecular mechanism of histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor Tubastatin A on the prolifera- tion and movement of human skin fibroblasts]

Objective: To explore the effects and possible molecular mechanism of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitor Tubastatin A on the proliferation and movement of human skin fibroblasts (HSFs). Methods: The experimental research method was used. HSFs in logarithmic growth phase were taken and divided into negative control group, 1 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, 5 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, and 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group according to the random number table. The HSFs in negative control group were added with Dulbecco's modified eagle medium with the final volume fraction of 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (hereinafter referred to as the complete medium), and the other three groups were added with the complete medium with the corresponding final molarity of Tubastatin A. After 24 h of conventional culture, the cell proliferation activity was detected using cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) method and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining; the range of motion of cells within 3 h was observed under the living cell workstation, and the curve movement velocity of the cells was calculated. The protein expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by Western blotting, and the ratio of p-ERK1/2 to ERK1/2 was calculated to represent the activity of ERK1/2. The sample number in cell proliferation activity detection with CCK-8 method was 6, while the sample numbers in other experiments were 3. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference test. Results: After 24 h of culture, CCK-8 method and EdU staining showed that compared with negative control group, the cell proliferation activities in 1 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, 5 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, and 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). After 24 h of culture, CCK-8 method showed that compared with 1 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, the cell proliferation activity in 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group was significantly decreased (P<0.05); EdU staining showed that compared with 1 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, the cell proliferation activities in 5 μmol/L Tubastatin A group and 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Within 3 h of observation, the ranges of cell motion in 1 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, 5 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, and 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group were obviously reduced compared with that in negative control group. Within 3 h of observation, the curve movement velocity of cells in negative control group was (0.780±0.028) μm/min, which was obviously faster than (0.594±0.023), (0.469±0.028), and (0.391±0.021) μm/min of 1 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, 5 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, and 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group (P<0.01); the curve movement velocity of cells in 1 μmol/L Tubastatin A group was obviously faster than those in 5 μmol/L Tubastatin A group and 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group (P<0.01); the curve movement velocity of cells in 5 μmol/L Tubastatin A group was obviously faster than that in 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group (P<0.05). After 24 h of culture, compared with negative control group, the activities of ERK1/2 of cells in 1 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, 5 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, and 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group were decreased significantly (P<0.01); compared with 1 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, the activities of ERK1/2 of cells in 5 μmol/L Tubastatin A group and 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group were decreased significantly (P<0.01); compared with 5 μmol/L Tubastatin A group, the activity of ERK1/2 of cells in 10 μmol/L Tubastatin A group was decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusions: HDAC6 inhibitor Tubastatin A may mediate the inhibitory effect on proliferation and movement of HSFs by inhibiting the activity of ERK1/2.

Effects of feed with different protein digestion kinetic profiles on intestinal health of growing pigs

This study evaluated the effects of feed ingredients with different protein digestion kinetic profiles on the intestinal health of growing pigs. Two protein sources were selected, namely casein (CAS) as a rapid release source of amino acids (AAs), and corn gluten meal (CGM) as a slow-release source. Twenty-four crossbred barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with similar bodyweight (43.27 ± 3.51 kg) were selected and randomly assigned to four treatments with six barrows. These consisted of T1: 13.2% digestible crude protein (CP) with supplemental CAS; T2: 13.2% digestible CP with supplemental CGM; T3: 11.2% digestible CP with supplemental CAS (T3); and T4: 11.2% digestible CP with supplemental CGM. Diets with CGM had increased crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and reduced villi height in the jejunum in comparison with CAS. They also had increased intestinal permeability, as seen by the high level of serum diamine oxidase (DAO) compared with CAS. The diets with CAS increased health-promoting Lactobacillus and decreased health-threatening Treponema compared with those fed CGM diets. The CAS diets had a positive effect on gut functions with increased villi height, decreased crypt depth and high villi height/crypt depth. Thus, use of CAS in diets for pigs is favoured over CGM.

[Effect analysis on endoscopic transnasal resection of epidural cholesteatoma at paracentral skull base]

Objective: To indicate the clinical features of endoscopic transnasal resection of epidural cholesteatoma at paracentral skull base and to analyze its efficacy. Methods: The total excision rate, postoperative complications and postoperative curative effect of 7 patients (4 males and 3 females, aging from 32 to 63 years old) who underwent middle skull base surgery for epidural cholesteatoma resection under transnasal endoscope at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital between August 2017 and August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were followed up for 6 to 36 months. The postoperative MRI, clinical symptoms and recurrence were reviewed. Descriptive statistical methods were used for analysis. Results: Among the 7 patients, there were total resection (complete resection of cyst contents and capsule) in 4 patients, near-total resection (complete resection of cyst contents, incomplete resection of cyst capsule) in 1 patient, and subtotal resection (incomplete resection of cyst contents and capsule) in 2 patients. The clinical symptoms of all patients were improved postoperatively with 1 patient who had no clinical symptoms. One case had postoperative cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, which was cured after lumbar drainage and nasal iodoform gauge packing. Up to now, 7 patients (including patients with partial resection) had no recurrence. Conclusion: Endoscopic transnasal approaches may be effectively used for resection of epidural cholesteatoma in the paracentral skull base in carefully selected cases.

Genome-wide identification of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding (Lhc) family in Gossypium hirsutum reveals the influence of GhLhcb2.3 on chlorophyll a synthesis

Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding (Lhc) family proteins play a significant role in photosynthetic processes. Our objective was systematic identification and analysis of the Lhc family in cotton, as well as the relationship between Lhc family genes and chlorophyll synthesis during photosynthetic processes. We used genome-wide identification, phylogenetic analysis, chromosomal distribution and collinearity to examine potential functions of Lhc superfamily genes in upland cotton. Subcellular localization, qRT-PCR, a yeast two hybrid (Y2H) , and Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiment were used to explore function of GhLhcb2.3. Focusing on GhLhc family, gene structural analysis of G. hirsutum Lhc family genes (GhLhc) indicated the conservation of selected Lhc family members. The expression pattern of GhLhc proteins shows that Lhc family proteins are important for photosynthetic processes in leaves. Results of subcellular localization and qRT-PCR in different cotton varieties showed that GhLhcb2.3 is closely related to chloroplast chlorophyll. Y2H found extensive heteromeric interactions between the GhLhcb2.3 and GhLhcb1.4. Subcellular localization revealed that GhLhcb1.4 is located in chloroplasts. VIGS showed that GhLhcb2.3 influenced chlorophyll a synthesis. We comprehensively identified Lhc family genes in cotton, characterized these genes and reveal the influence of GhLhcb2.3 on chlorophyll a synthesis.

Spatially-resolved nanometer-scale measurement of cartilage extracellular matrix mobility

OBJECTIVE

Tissues have complex structures, comprised of solid and fluid phases. Improved understanding of interactions between joint fluid and extracellular matrix (ECM) is required in models of cartilage mechanics. X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) directly measures nanometer-scale dynamics and can provide insight into biofluid-biosolid interactions in cartilage. This study applies XPCS to evaluate dynamic interactions between intact cartilage and biofluids.

DESIGN

Cartilage biopsies were collected from bovine femoral condyles. During XPCS measurements, cartilage samples were exposed to different fluids: deionized water, PBS, synovial fluid, or sonicated synovial fluid. ECM-biofluid interactions were also assessed at different length scales and different depths from the cartilage surface.

RESULTS

Using XPCS, cartilage ECM mobility was detected at length scales from 50 to 207 nm. As length scale decreased, time scale for autocorrelation decay decreased, suggesting smaller ECM components are more mobile. ECM dynamics were slowed by dehydrating the sample, demonstrating XPCS assesses matrix mobility in hydrated environments. At all length scales, the matrix was more mobile in deionized water and slowest in synovial fluid. Using the 207 nm length scale assessment, ECM dynamics in synovial fluid were fastest at the cartilage surface and progressively slowed as depth into the sample increased, demonstrating XPCS can assess spatial distribution of ECM dynamics. Finally, ECM mobility increased for degraded synovial fluid.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the potential of XPCS to provide unique insights into nanometer-scale cartilage ECM mobility in a spatially resolved manner and illustrates the importance of biosolid-biofluid interactions in dictating ECM dynamics.

[The significance and future development of computer navigation assisted technology in the surgical treatment of musculoskeletal tumor]

Precision medicine using computer navigation assisted technology fully demonstrates its abilities in the field of bone tumor surgery. Such techniques help surgeons improve their preoperative plans and make precision partial tumor resection more feasible. Compared with traditional surgery, it boasts lower rate of tumor recurrence, more accurate bony structure reconstruction and better limb function recovery, therefore of great clinical significance in bone tumor surgery. This paper is a review of literature on application of computer navigation assisted techniques in bone tumor surgery over the past 20 years. Based on personal experience from clinical practice, the clinical significance of such techniques and existing limitations are also discussed. It is expected to serve as a reference for further development of computer navigation assisted techniques in the future.

Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of PM2.5 Sources and Pollution Events in a Low Industrialized City

In recent years, cities in southern China have experienced severe air pollution, despite having few sources of pollutants. To study the pollution characteristics of PM2.5 in these “low industrialized” cities, a numerical method based on the HYSPLIT4 Model and Kriging Spatial Interpolation Technology was established. Simulation results showed that the PM2.5 pollution in Guilin was affected by both internal and external sources. The backward air mass trajectory from July 2017 to June 2018 was simulated using the HYSPLIT model. The cluster analysis results indicated that the direction of trajectory ? accounted for 63.09% of the air pollution in the city. The average concentration of PM2.5 pollution was 45.94 ?g.m-3. The pollutant originated from the “Xiang-Gui Corridor.” The location of the sources was collocated with high industry regions. The spatial characteristics of the four pollution processes in the winter of 2017 were analyzed using a spatial interpolation method. The results showed that the transport of air masses in the direction of trajectory ? was obstructed by a mountain system in the northeast. Therefore, two air pollution accumulation centers and a topographic weakening zone dominated by internal and external sources were formed. It can be inferred that the air pollution in Guilin is affected by both internal and external factors. These results provide important theoretical and technical support for regional air pollution control and environmental protection.

The Physicochemical Characteristic of Activated Carbon Based on Sludge and Preparation Method

To understand the features and best preparation of sludge activated carbon (SAC), and the pore structure, component, adsorption characteristics, and the yield rate of SAC, many tests have been carried out. The study illustrated that the pore structure was mostly mesopore and amorphous pore such as the ink bottle hole. In terms of different preparations to obtain SAC, the yield of SAC in sample No.1 achieved 88.09%. Using the preparation of ZnCl2 as an activator, the iodine adsorption value was significantly higher than other preparations. However, the content of quartz in sample No.1 achieved a maximum of 52.51%. Charcoal was detected in all samples except sample nos 9-12. The adsorption capacity of Cu(II) and Cd(II) reached a maximum of 600.02 mg.kg-1 and 383.2 mg.kg-1. The results showed an optimum preparation condition, which was by using the ZnCl2 as an activator, 2:1 as the impregnated ratio, 40% concentration in activator and at 400ºC reaction temperature could create rich pore structure and charcoal inside.

Dominant Bacterial Phyla from the Human Gut Show Widespread Ability To Transform and Conjugate Bile Acids

Gut bacteria influence human physiology by chemically modifying host-synthesized primary bile acids. These modified bile acids, known as secondary bile acids, can act as signaling molecules that modulate host lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism and affect gut microbiota composition via selective antimicrobial properties. However, knowledge regarding the bile acid-transforming capabilities of individual gut microbes remains limited. To help address this knowledge gap, we screened 72 bacterial isolates, spanning seven major phyla commonly found in the human gut, for their ability to chemically modify unconjugated bile acids. We found that 43 isolates, representing 41 species, were capable of in vitro modification of one or more of the three most abundant unconjugated bile acids in humans: cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, and deoxycholic acid. Of these, 32 species have not been previously described as bile acid transformers. The most prevalent bile acid transformations detected were oxidation of 3α-, 7α-, or 12α-hydroxyl groups on the steroid core, a reaction catalyzed by hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. In addition, we found 7α-dehydroxylation activity to be distributed across various bacterial genera, and we observed several other complex bile acid transformations. Finally, our screen revealed widespread bacterial conjugation of primary and secondary bile acids to glycine, a process that was thought to only occur in the liver, and to 15 other amino acids, resulting in the discovery of 44 novel microbially conjugated bile acids. IMPORTANCE Our current knowledge regarding microbial bile acid transformations comes primarily from biochemical studies on a relatively small number of species or from bioinformatic predictions that rely on homology to known bile acid-transforming enzyme sequences. Therefore, much remains to be learned regarding the variety of bile acid transformations and their representation across gut microbial species. By carrying out a systematic investigation of bacterial species commonly found in the human intestinal tract, this study helps better define the gut bacteria that impact composition of the bile acid pool, which has implications in the context of metabolic disorders and cancers of the digestive tract. Our results greatly expand upon the list of bacterial species known to perform different types of bile acid transformations. This knowledge will be vital for assessing the causal connections between the microbiome, bile acid pool composition, and human health.

[Observation on the clinical effect of self-designed modified rhomboid skin flap in facial wound repair]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of self-designed modified rhomboid flap in repairing rhomboid, round, and teardrop-shaped wounds on the face. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From August 2018 to April 2020, 30 patients with facial lesions admitted into Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the People's Hospital of Jianchuan County in Yunnan province met the inclusion criteria, including 16 males and 14 females, aged 23 to 88 years. The wound area ranged from 1.0 cm×1.0 cm to 7.0 cm×5.0 cm, with 10 cases of rhomboid wounds, 12 cases of round wounds, and 8 cases of teardrop-shaped wounds. The self-designed modified rhomboid flaps were applied to repair the wounds and after that, the patients were followed up for 1 to 18 months to record the survival of flaps, wound tension, scar formation and complications after surgery. Results: No necrosis or blackening was observed at the tip of the flaps after surgery. All the flaps survived and the wounds healed well with little tension, minimal scars, and no complications. Conclusions: The self-designed modified rhomboid flap is especially suitable for facial wounds with multiple important organs, multiple anatomical subunits, and areas with large changes in soft tissue tension, which can reduce not only the rotation of the flap, but also unnecessary excision of normal skin and soft tissue.

[Effects of anti-liver fibrosis treatment on the occurrence of liver cancer in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis]

Objective: To investigate the effect of anti-liver fibrosis treatment on the occurrence of liver cancer in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis within three years. Methods: 1,049 cases with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Beijing Ditan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from October 2008 to August 2016 were enrolled. Clinical data were collected, and COX regression analysis was used to find the independent influencing factors for the occurrence of liver cancer in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis within three years. According to whether the patients had received anti-liver fibrosis treatment for ≥ 6 months, they were divided into combination and antiviral group. There were 388 cases in combination group and 661 cases in antiviral group. In addition, the combination group received anti-liver fibrosis therapy with Chinese patent medicine on the basis of antivirus, and the antiviral group received antiviral treatment. The incidence of liver cancer within three years were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of liver cancer in patients with different Child-Pugh grades and mPAGE-B risks was further analyzed. The independent samples t-test, Mann Whitney U test, χ2 test or Fisher's exact probability method were used for data comparison. Results: Anti-liver fibrosis treatment was an independent protective factor to prevent liver cancer in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis within 3 years (P < 0.05). The incidence of liver cancer in the combination group was lower than antiviral group within 3 years (10.3% vs. 15.4%, χ (2) = 5.480, P < 0.05). Child-Pugh stratified analysis showed that the risk of liver cancer was significantly reduced in Child-Pugh grade A patients (6.7% vs. 12.6%, χ (2) = 2.857, P = 0.040). Among high-risk patients with mPAGE-B, the incidence of liver cancer was significantly lower in combination group than control group (13.7% vs. 19.9%, χ (2) = 6.671, P = 0.031). Conclusion: Compared to antiviral therapy alone, combined anti-liver fibrosis and antiviral therapy can reduce the liver cancer occurrence risk in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis for 3 years. Patients with Child-Pugh grade A and high-risk group by mPAGE-B scores are the dominant population to receive treatment.

[Analysis of the correlation between chewing side preference and disc displacement types and clinical symptoms in patients with anterior disc displacement of temporomandibular joint]

Objective: To analyze the clinical symptoms and types of disc displacement of patients with anterior disc displacement (ADD) of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to explore the correlation between chewing side preference (CSP) and the clinical symptoms and types of disc displacement of ADD patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the ADD patients diagnosed by clinical symptoms and MRI findings of TMJ in the Department of Stomatology, General Hospital of Chinese PLA from January 2018 to December 2019. A total of 111 ADD patients [33 males and 78 females, aged(31.0±10.9) years old] were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had CSP: non-CSP group (n=40) and CSP group (n=71). The clinical symptoms and types of ADD were observed and recorded. According to the specific side of CSP in the CSP group, the patients were further divided into the ipsilateral side and the contralateral side of CSP. The pain, TMJ sounds and the ADD types were also observed. Chi square test was used to compare the pain, TMJ sounds, limited mouth opening and ADD types of the two groups. Binary Logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlation between CSP and clinical symptoms and ADD characteristics. Results: The incidence of pain in the CSP group [89% (63/71)] was significantly higher than that in the non-CSP group [70% (28/40)] (P<0.05). In CSP patients, the incidences of pain and joint sounds on the ipsilateral side of CSP were significantly higher than that on the contralateral side (P<0.05). MRI showed that the incidence of bilateral ADD in the CSP group [58%(41/71)] was significantly higher than that in the non-CSP group [37%(15/40)] (P<0.05).There were significant differences in the incidences of no disc displacement (DD), anterior disk displacement with reduction(ADDwR) and anterior disk displacement without reduction (ADDwoR) between ipsilateral and contralateral joints of the CSP patients (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidences of no DD, ADDwR and ADDwoR between left and right joints of the non-CSP patients (P>0.05). The incidence of ADDwoR in ipsilateral side of the CSP patients was significantly higher than that in contralateral side (P<0.05). Pain (OR=3.375) and the side of disc displacement (OR=2.278) in patients with ADD were positively correlated with CSP (P<0.05). Conclusions: The clinical symptoms and types of disc displacement between patients with and without CSP were significantly different. The incidences of pain and bilateral disc displacement in the CSP group were significantly higher than those in the non-CSP group. In addition, the incidences of pain, TMJ sounds and anterior disk displacement without reduction on the ipsilateral side of patients with CSP were significantly higher than those on the contralateral side. The pain symptoms and side of disc displacement were positively related to CSP.

[Viral pathogenic spectrum analysis of severe acute respiratory infection cases in Luohe City, Henan province from 2017 to 2019]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of viral pathogen spectrum and the epidemiological characteristics of each viral pathogen in hospitalized cases associated with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in Luohe City, Henan Province from 2017 to 2019. Methods: Based the SARI Case Surveillance Platform, SARI cases were collected in Central Hospital of Luohe City, Henan Province from November 2017 to February 2019. In the end, 783 SARI cases were included, whose throat swabs were taken within 24 h of admission, as well as their demographic characteristics, onset time, clinical characteristics and other information recorded. At the same time, viral identification was performed, and the age and time distribution of each virus were analyzed. Results: The age of 783 SARI cases shown as M (P₂₅, P₇₅) was 3 (1, 5) years old, ranging from 1 month to 95 years old. Children under 5 years old were the majority (71.01%). The males (61.81%) were more than females (38.18%). Among the 783 SARI cases, a total of 9 kind of viruses were identified with 64.88% (508/783) of the throat swabs tested positive for at least one virus. The positive rate of influenza virus and human respiratory syncytial virus were both 20.18% (158 cases), which was the highest among all the detected respiratory virus. The co-infection rate was 15.84% (124/783), among which double infection was the most common, accounting for 85.48% (106/124) of the co-infected cases. And human respiratory syncytial virus, human rhinovirus and influenza virus were the most common pathogen in co-infection cases. Moreover, the viral positive rate was 68.71% in children aged 5 years and 63.27% in people aged 60-95 years. Influenza and human respiratory syncytial virus dominated in winter and spring, while human parainfluenza virus was the main infection in summer. Conclusion: Influenza virus and human respiratory syncytial virus were the main viruses in throat swabs of SARI cases from 2017 to 2019 in Luohe City, Henan Province. There were differences in the age and seasonal epidemiological characteristics of each virus.

P–218 Analysis of the occurrence of microbial contamination in IVF culture system and the effect of microorganisms on embryo development and clinical outcomes

Study question

what is the source, prevalence, and influence of microbial contamination on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) cycles?

Summary answer

Microbial contamination mainly occurs on Day 2, most caused by Escherichia coli carried with semen. ICSI could prevent contamination effectively and get good clinical outcomes.

What is known already

Microbial contamination occurs in IVF-ET system occasionally, which is hard to stop happening. The IVF culture system and laboratory environment, the patients’ follicular fluid and semen are not absolutely sterile, while the antibiotics in culture medium isn’t effective for all microbe types, and the artificial operations may bring in microbes. Generally, microbial contamination leads to degradation of embryos, reduction the number of embryos available, and infection of female reproductive tract, which would increase the cost of patients’ time, money, and bring psychological damages. A better understanding of embryo contamination in IVF culture system is of added value.

Study design, size, duration

A total of 29583 IVF-ET cycles were enrolled in this prospective observational study, from January 2010 to December 2020, included 70 microbial contamination cycles discovered in Day1-Day3 (D1-D3) of in vitro culture. Follicular fluid and semen saved on oocyte retrieval day, and culture medium contaminated were examined and identified for microorganisms at each contamination cycle.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Compared the contamination rate of different insemination methods (IVF/ICSI/IVF+ICSI), different in vitro culture days (D1-D3), and different samples examination (follicular fluid, semen, culture medium) respectively, identified the source of microorganism types, compared the IVF culture outcomes and clinical outcomes between total contamination group (TC group, 42 cases) and partial contamination group (PC group, 28 cases).

Main results and the role of chance

A total of 70 microbial contamination cases occurred in 29583 oocyte retrieving cycles (0.24%), and it was observed only in IVF embryos but never in ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) embryos. 38 contamination cases occurred on D2 with a highest ratio (54.3%) compared to D1 (32.9%) and D3(12.9%); Compared with follicular fluid, semen was the main cause inducing contamination from D1 to D3, and Escherichia coli in semen and culture medium, Enterococcus faecalis in follicular fluid proved to be the most common sources. Compared with TC group, the PC group showed a lower rate of No-available embryos (21.4% vs 81.0%) and a higher rate of blastocyst formation (41.2% vs 28.6%), In addition, the clinical pregnancy rate of PC group was higher than that of TC group in both fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles (31.3% vs 16.7%, 38.5% vs 0.0%).

Limitations, reasons for caution

Further study is still necessary to better understand the sources that induce microbial contamination embryos, and more efficient methods are required to remove the microbes on these contaminated embryos so as better develop and manage a sterile micro-environment for successful embryo growth.

Wider implications of the findings: The differential embryonic microbe types associated to different IVF culture and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing IVF-ET might have profound implications for understanding the microbial sources and making a better management of IVF culture system.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

[Transoral robotic surgery for parapharyngeal space neoplasm: a report of 7 cases]

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and feasibility of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for parapharyngeal space (PPS) neoplasms. Methods: We collected data from 7 patients with PPS neoplasm who received TORS in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between May 2017 and November 2020, and patients' clinical and pathological characteristics were analysed. There were 2 men and 5 women with age ranged from 35 to 76 years. Among them, 2 patients underwent secondary surgery, 2 patients required combined transcervical approach to complete surgery, and 1 patient was suspected of ipsilateral cervical lymph node metastasis and scheduled for diagnostic TORS. The preoperative tumor size, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative bleeding, dyspnea, neurological impairment, feeding time and postoperative hospital stay were analyzed. SPSS 24.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: TORS was performed successfully with complete removal of tumors in all 7 cases. Among 6 patients with curative TORS, 5 patients received TORS with postoperative diagnoses of neurogenic tumors and 1 patient underwent TORS combined transcervical approach with postoperative disgnosis of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma; no intraoperative tumor rupture occurred; the intraoperative blood loss was 20-200 ml with a median of 40 ml; the operation time was 65.0-238.0 min with a median of 77.5 min; the oral feeding time was 3-6 days with a median of 3 days; and the postoperative hospital stay was 4.2±1.6 days. One patient presented with neck swelling 3 days after surgery, but this symptom relieved 3 days later after treatments with antibiotic, hemostasis and detumescence. One patient received diagnostic TORS, as intraoperative pathology indicating a recurrent pleomorphic adenoma, then the neoplasm got completely resected through transcervical-transparotid approach. None of 7 patients manifested with airway obstruction, bleeding or nerve injury symptoms after operation. All patients were followed for 2 to 44 months, no local recurrence or distant metastasis was found. Conclusions: TORS is a safe, effective and feasible treatment for selected PPS neoplasms, with less cosmetic impact, less trauma and blood loss, few postoperative complications, enhanced postoperative recovery and short hospital stay.

[Analysis of diagnosis, treatment and risk classification of blunt thoracic aortic injury]

Objective: Propose a new risk classification system for blunt thoracic aortic injury and explore its treatment strategies. Methods: After the retrospective analysis of clinical data from 68 patients with blunt thoracic aortic injury in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2016 to October 2020, there were 56 males and 12 females, among these patients, the median age was 45(21-69). According to the degree of aortic injury and the combined injury, the patients were scored for aortic injury, and the risk of the patients were graded into following three types: low-risk group (score ≤ 2 points) 12 cases, intermediate-risk group (3 points ≤ score ≤ 5 points) 41 cases, high-risk group (score ≥ 6 points) 15 cases. Analyzing the effects of treatments received by patients in different grades on the prognosis. Patients were followed up through hospitalization or outpatient clinics at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery and every year thereafter. Results: Of the 68 patients, 21 received non-surgical treatment and 47 received surgical repair, including 6 open surgery and 41 thoracic aortic endovascular repair. There were 16 cases of emergency operation and 31 cases of delayed operation. Twelve low-risk patients were treated with non-surgical treatment, and only 1 patient died of lung infection, with a mortality rate of 8.3% (1/12). There were 8 deaths in 41 moderate-risk patients, with a mortality rate of 19.5% (8/41), and the aortic-related mortality rate was 9.8% (4/41), and the operative mortality rate was 10.8% (4/37). The total mortality of 15 high-risk patients was 40% (6/15), and the aortic-related mortality rate was 30.0% (5/15), and the mortality rate of surgical patients was 10% (1/10). During the follow-up period of 5 to 52 months, no deaths occurred outside the hospital. According to the risk grading, there were significant differences in the aortic-related mortality of each grade (χ²=7.840, P=0.020). During the follow-up of 5-52 months, 1 case had type Ⅰ endoleak, 1 case of cerebral infarction, and 1 case of acute renal failure. Conclusion: According to the patient's degree of aortic injury and combined injury, the risk classification helps to choose the appropriate treatment.

Intraperitoneal injection of genistein affects the distribution and metabolism of cholesterol in female yellow catfish Tachysurus fulvidraco

Genistein is an abundant phytoestrogen in soybean. This study aimed to determine the effects of genistein on cholesterol distribution and metabolism in female yellow catfish. Three hundred fish (49.2 ± 1.4 g) were randomly divided into five treatments and received intraperitoneal injections as follows: (1) blank, no injection; (2) control, vehicle only; (3) E2, 17β-estradiol at 10 μg·g^-1 body weight; (4) low genistein doses, genistein at 10 μg·g^-1 body weight; (5) high genistein doses, genistein at 100 μg·g^-1 body weight. Both high and low genistein doses significantly reduced (p < 0.05) serum TC and LDL-C 24 h after injection. Moreover, the high genistein doses significantly reduced (p < 0.05) serum HDL-C. Both high and low doses of genistein significantly increased (p < 0.05) hepatic TC. Only high genistein doses significantly increased (p < 0.05) ovary TC. In the liver, both high and low genistein doses significantly increased (p < 0.05) protein and mRNA expression of ldlr. Meanwhile, high genistein doses significantly decreased (p < 0.05) mRNA expression of hmgcr. In ovary tissue, high genistein doses significantly decreased (p < 0.05) mRNA expression of cyp11a1. These results suggested that genistein affected the cholesterol distribution in female yellow catfish. Both high and low doses of genistein reduced cholesterol content in blood and increased its content in the liver by increasing the uptake of blood cholesterol. Meanwhile, high genistein doses may inhibit hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Additionally, high genistein doses could increase cholesterol transfer from serum into the ovary and disturb cholesterol conversion to pregnenolone.

Adamts18 Deficiency Causes Spontaneous SMG Fibrogenesis in Adult Mice

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis of the submandibular gland (also known as Küttner tumor) is characterized by concomitant swelling of the submandibular glands secondary to strong lymphocytic infiltration and fibrosis. The pathogenesis of this disease has been unclear, but it is associated with immune disorders. ADAMTS18 is a member of the ADAMTS superfamily of extracellular proteinases. In this study, we showed that Adamts18 is highly expressed in submandibular salivary gland (SMG) during embryonic development and decreases but is retained in adult SMG tissue in mice. Adamts18 deficiency led to reduced cleft formation and epithelial branching in embryonic SMG before embryonic day 15.5 in mice. No significant histologic changes in the later stages of branching or the morphology of SMG were detected in Adamts18^-/- mice. However, Adamts18 deficiency causes spontaneous SMG fibrogenesis and fibrosis in adult mice. At 8 wk of age, Adamts18^-/- mice began to manifest the first signs of pathologic changes of mild fibrosis and CD11b⁺ cell infiltration in SMG tissues. At ≥8 mo, all male and female Adamts18^-/- mice developed unilateral or bilateral SMG scleroma that is similar to patients with chronic sclerosing sialadenitis of the submandibular gland. Adamts18^-/- mice also showed secretory dysfunction and severe dental caries. Histologically, SMG scleroma is characterized by progressive periductal fibrosis, acinar atrophy, irregular duct ectasis, and dense infiltration of IgG-positive plasma cells. A significant infiltration of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes and CD11b⁺ monocytes and macrophages was also detected in the SMG scleroma of Adamts18^-/- mice. The levels of TGF-β1, IL-6, and IL-33 were significantly increased in Adamts18^-/- SMGs, which induces chronic inflammation and myofibroblast activation, ultimately leading to fibrosis. This study indicates that Adamts18 regulates the early branching morphogenesis of embryonic SMG and plays a role in protecting from spontaneous SMG fibrogenesis via modulating local inflammation, autoimmune reaction, and myofibroblast activation in adult mice.

Prenatal exposure to solar radiation and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between prenatal exposure to solar radiation and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).

DESIGN

A multicentre retrospective study.

SETTING

19 hospitals in the USA.

POPULATION

205 888 women with singleton gestation from the Consortium on Safe Labor (2002-2008).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, and pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension.

METHODS

Medical records of the participants were linked to solar radiation obtained from the National Solar Radiation Database. Average daily solar radiation of each woman was estimated over the entire pregnancy period and over three trimesters during pregnancy according to hospital sites. Generalised estimated equation was applied to investigate the relationship between quartiles of average daily solar radiation and HDP. Restricted cubic spline was applied to assess the nonlinear associations.

RESULTS

Higher average solar radiation during the entire pregnancy was associated with reduced risks of HDP. Compared with the 1st quartile of solar radiation during the entire pregnancy, odds ratios (ORs) of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartiles were respectively 0.80 (95% CI 0.72-0.90), 0.63 (95% CI 0.55-0.73), 0.65 (95% CI 0.54-0.78) for gestational hypertension; 0.66 (95% CI 0.57-0.76), 0.61 (95% CI 0.51-0.73), 0.77 (95% CI 0.62-0.95) for pre-eclampsia, and 0.44 (95% CI 0.36-0.55), 0.42 (95% CI 0.35-0.49), 0.60 (95% CI 0.46-0.78) for superimposed pre-eclampsia.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to higher daily solar radiation during pregnancy is associated with a decreased risk of HDP. The protective effect was stronger for superimposed pre-eclampsia than for pre-eclampsia or gestational hypertension.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Exposure to higher daily solar radiation during pregnancy is associated with a decreased risk of HDP.

Research on the correlation between activating transcription factor 3 expression in the human coronary artery and atherosclerotic plaque stability

Background

Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is an early response gene that is activated in response to atherosclerotic stimulation and may be an important factor in inhibiting the progression of atherosclerosis. In this study, we directly measured the expression of ATF3 and inflammatory factors in human coronary atherosclerotic plaques to examine the relationship between ATF3 expression, inflammation and structural stability in human coronary atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods

A total of 68 coronary artery specimens were collected from the autopsy group, including 36 cases of sudden death from coronary heart disease (SCD group) and 32 cases of acute death caused by mechanical injury with coronary atherosclerosis (CHD group). Twenty-two patients who had no coronary heart disease were collected as the control group (Con group). The histological structure of the coronary artery was observed under a light microscope after routine HE staining, and the intimal and lesion thicknesses, thickness of the fibrous cap, thickness of necrosis core, degree of lumen stenosis were assessed by image analysis software. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression and distribution of ATF3, inflammatory factors (CD45, IL-1β, TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) in the coronary artery. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyse the correlation between ATF3 protein expression and inflammatory factors and between ATF3 protein expression and structure-related indexes in the lesion group.

Results

Compared with those in the control group, the intima and necrotic core in the coronary artery were thickened, the fibrous cap became thin and the degree of vascular stenosis was increased in the lesion group, while the intima and necrotic core became thicker and the fibrous cap became thinner in the SCD group than in the CHD group (P < 0.05). There was no or low expression of ATF3, inflammatory factors, VCAM1 and MMP-9 in the control group, and the expression of inflammatory factors, VCAM1 and MMP-9 in the SCD group was higher than that in CHD group, while the expression of ATF3 in the SCD group was significantly lower than that in CHD group (P < 0.05). In the lesion group, the expression of ATF3 was negatively correlated with intimal and necrotic focus thickness, positively correlated with fibrous cap thickness (P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with inflammatory factors, VCAM1 and MMP-9 (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The expression of ATF3 may be related to the progression and stability of atherosclerotic plaques, and may affect the structural stability of atherosclerotic plaques by regulating the inflammatory response, thus participating in the regulation of atherosclerotic progression.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-021-02161-9.

[Association of number and quality of embryos transferred with early pregnancy loss in infertile women at an advanced age undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of the number and quality of embryos transferred in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycle with the occurrence of early pregnancy loss in infertile women at an advanced age.

METHODS

We collected the data of a total of 2622 infertile women aged 36 years or older receiving FET between January, 2015 and December, 2018. The occurrence of early pregnancy loss was analyzed in these women, and the relation of age, the number and quality of embryos transferred with early pregnancy loss was explored in the overall cohort and in different age (36-37, 38-39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45-48 years) groups.

RESULTS

Of the 2622 women, 976 (37.2%) achieved clinical pregnancy after FET, among whom 241 (24.7%) experienced early pregnancy loss. The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate decreased significantly and early pregnancy loss rate increased markedly with age (P < 0.001). The age at both FET and oocyte pick-up was significantly higher in early pregnancy loss group than ongoing pregnancy group. Compared with those with ongoing pregnancy, the women with early pregnancy loss had a significantly greater number of D3 embryos transferred (0.97 vs 0.81) and a lower number of implanted embryos (1.09 vs 1.25). The early pregnancy loss rates was not significantly correlated with the number and quality of embryo transferred across all the age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In infertile women at an advanced age, the early pregnancy loss rate in FET cycle increases with age. An advanced age is an inherent risk factor for early pregnancy loss, therefore ART should be implemented as soon as possible for these women. To reduce early pregnancy loss rate and balance the risk of multiple pregnancies, the number of embryos transferred should be carefully determined on the basis of embryo quality.

[Effect of autoflation on the prognosis of otitis media with effusion in children]

Objective: To investigate the effect of autoinflation on the prognosis of OME in children. Methods: Total of 325 pediatric patients, age ranged from 3 to 8 years, with OME(486 ears)diagnosed in our department from January 2019 to January 2020 were collected. Among them, 177 were males, 148 were females. Disease course ranged from 25 to 86 days. According to watchful waiting and autoinflation application during follow-up, these children were divided into two groups including 183 cases(271 ears) and 142 cases(215 ears), respectively. The average auditory threshold and tympanogram curve type in two groups were analyzed in the period of 3 months follow-up, and the recovery of OME was evaluated. Results: At the end of 1- and 2- month follow-up, the auditory threshold of patients in autoinflation group was significantly lower than that in watchful waiting group (t=2.139 5 and 2.680 6, P<0.05). However, at the end of 3- month follow-up, there was no significant difference between two groups (t=1.158 5, P>0.05). At the end of 1-, 2- and 3- month follow-up, 89 (33%, 89/271), 200 (74%, 200/271), 220 (81%, 220/271) and 176 (82%, 176/215), 178 (83%, 178/215), 183 (85%, 183/215) ears in watchful waiting group and autoinflation group had a hearing threshold <20 dB HL, respectively, in which ears with auditory threshold<20 dB HL in watchful waiting group were significantly less than those in autoinflation group at the end of 1 and 2 month follow-up (P<0.05), However, ears with auditory threshold<20 dB HL in watchful waiting group were not significantly different from that in the autoflation group at the end of 3- month follow-up (P>0.05). The proportion of ears with type A tympanogram curve was 74%(159/215), 79%(170/215), and 85%(183/215) at the end of 1-, 2- and 3- month follow-up in autoinflation group and 36%(98/271), 71%(192/271) and 76%(206/271) in watchful waiting group, respectively. Proportion of ears with type A tympanogram curve in autoflation group was significantly higher than that in watchful waiting group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Autoinflation can improve the hearing of children with OME in early stage, restore normal middle ear pressure, increase recovery rate, and reduce the choice of surgical treatment of OME.

Endophytic Bacillus subtilis P10 from Prunus cerasifera as a biocontrol agent against tomato Verticillium wilt

Endophytic bacteria serve key roles in the maintenance of plant health and growth. Few studies to date, however, have explored the antagonistic and plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties of Prunus cerasifera endophytes. To that end, we isolated endophytic bacteria from P. cerasifera tissue samples and used a dual culture plate assay to screen these microbes for antagonistic activity against Verticillium dahliae, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Fusarium oxysporum, F. graminearum, and F. moniliforme. Of the 36 strains of isolated bacteria, four (strains P1, P10, P16, and P20) exhibited antagonistic effects against all five model pathogens, and the P10 strain exhibited the strongest antagonistic to five pathogens. This P10 strain was then characterized in-depth via phenotypic assessments, physiological analyses, and 16s rDNA sequencing, revealing it to be a strain of Bacillus subtilis. Application of a P10 cell suspension (1×108 CFU/mL) significantly enhanced the seed germination and seedling growth of tomato in a greenhouse setting. This P10 strain further significantly suppressed tomato Verticillium wilt with much lower disease incidence and disease index scores being observed following P10 treatment relative to untreated plants in pot-based experiments. Tomato plants that had been treated with strain P10 also enhanced defense-related enzymes, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity upon V. dahliae challenge relative to plants that had not been treated with this endophytic bacterium. The results revealed that the P10 bacterial strain has potential value as a biocontrol agent for use in the prevention of tomato Verticillium wilt.

[Single-center experience of robot-assisted laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery for giant renal hamartoma]

The clinical data of 22 patients with giant renal hamartoma in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery from October 2014 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients successfully completed the operation. The operation time and renal artery occlusion time was (179±34) min and (19.8±2.5) min, respectively. The intraoperative blood loss was (117±62) ml, and the postoperative hospital stay was (9.0±1.5) d. All cases were confirmed as renal angiomyolipoma by postoperative pathology. No urine leakage, postoperative bleeding and other complications occurred. Postoperative telephone follow-up was performed for 6 to 52 months, and no tumor recurrence on the surgical side was reported.

Estimates of the effects of physical activity on osteoporosis using multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis

This study estimates causality of physical activity (PA) on bone mineral density (BMD) by conducting multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR). The findings suggest that habitual vigorous PA increases lumbar spine BMD, and higher overall acceleration average would improve forearm BMD. The results could promote PA intervention targeting individuals with optimized type.

INTRODUCTION

Evidence from epidemiologic studies showed type, frequency, and duration of PA influenced BMD. However, these observational studies may be confounded by many factors, resulting in spurious associations. We aimed to conduct multivariable MR to estimate the causal effect of self-reported and device-measured PA on osteoporosis.

METHODS

Three self-reported and two device-measured PA-related traits were selected as exposures. Outcomes were BMD at different skeletal sites: femoral neck BMD (FN BMD), lumbar spine BMD (LS BMD), and forearm BMD (FA BMD). Exposure datasets were obtained from UK Biobank with total 377,234 subjects. Outcome datasets were obtained from GEFOS consortium with 53,236 subjects. Standard MR analysis and multivariable MR were conducted to assess the total and direct causal effect of PA on BMD.

RESULTS

For self-reported PA, inverse-normalized moderate-to-vigorous had a direct causal effect on FN BMD independently (β = - 1.116 (95% confidence interval, 95%CI: - 2.210, - 0.023), P = 0.045); vigorous PA showed a direct effect (β = 3.592 (95%CI: 0.310, 6.874), P = 0.032) on LS BMD independently. While overall acceleration average and fraction of accelerations both had a direct causal effect on FA BMD independently.

CONCLUSIONS

Habitual vigorous PA could increase LS BMD. Individuals with higher overall acceleration average would have a higher FA BMD.

Exploring the Biological and Molecular Characteristics of Resistance to Fludioxonil in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum From Soybean in China

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the most damaging and economically important necrotrophic plant pathogens, infecting more than 400 plant species globally. Although the phenylpyrrole fungicide fludioxonil has high activity against S. sclerotiorum, reports indicate that there is also substantial potential for the development of fungicide resistance. However, the current study investigating five fludioxonil-resistant laboratory mutants found a significant fitness cost associated with fludioxonil resistance resulting in significantly (P < 0.05) reduced mycelial growth and sclerotia formation on potato dextrose agar as well as significantly (P < 0.05) lower pathogenicity on detached tomato leaves, with one mutant, LK-1R, completely losing the capacity to cause infection. In addition, all of the fludioxonil-resistant mutants had significantly (P < 0.05) increased sensitivity to osmotic stress (0.5 M of potassium chloride and 1.0 M of glucose), which is consistent with the proposed fludioxonil target sites within the high osmolarity glycerol stress response mitogen-activated protein kinase (HOG1-MAPK) signaling transduction pathway. Sequence analysis of six genes from this two-component pathway, including SsHk, SsYpd, SsSk1, SsSk2, SsPbs, and SsHog, revealed several mutations that may be associated with fludioxonil resistance. For example, six separate point mutations were found in SsHk that led to changes in the predicted amino acid sequence, including A136G, F249V, G353A, E560K, M610K, and K727R. Similarly, SsPbs had three mutations (D34G, S46L, and L337E), SsSk1 and SsYpd had two (S53G and A795V for SsSk1, and E67G and Y141H for SsYpd), and SsHog and SsSk2 had one each (V220A and S763P, respectively). To our knowledge, these constitute the first reports of amino acid changes in proteins of the HOG1-MAPK pathway being associated with fludioxonil resistance in S. sclerotiorum. This study also showed a positive cross-resistance between fludioxonil and dimethachlone and procymidone, but none with tebuconazole or carbendazim, indicating that the inclusion of tebuconazole within an integrated pest management program could reduce the risk of fludioxonil resistance developing in field populations of S. sclerotiorum and ensure the sustainable production of soybeans in China into the future.

SCH58261, the antagonist of adenosine A2A receptor, alleviates cadmium-induced preeclampsia via sirtiun-1/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α pathway in rats

OBJECTIVE

To identify the role of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) in cadmium-induced preeclampsia (PE) rats and the potential molecular mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of A2AR in placentae obtained from PE women and normal pregnant (NP) women were measured. The pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups, including NP rats, PE rats, SCH+NP rats, and SCH+PE rats. The 0.125 mg/kg/d CdCl2 was used to establish a PE rat model in PE and SCH+PE rats. SCH58261 was used as the specific antagonist of A2AR with a concentration of 0.2 mg/kg in SCH+NP and SCH+PE rats. The conditions of mother, foetus, and placenta were tested. The placental expression of A2AR, sirtuin-1 (sirt1), and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) was measured by Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining.

RESULTS

A2AR and HIF-1α increased, and sirt1 decreased in placenta in both PE women and cadmium-induced PE rats. After treatment with SCH58261, the sirt1 increased and HIF-1a decreased in cadmium-induced PE rats along with the amelioration of maternal outcomes, foetal and placental growth.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper firstly revealed that placental A2AR mediated cadmium-induced PE, and A2AR suppression could attenuate placental impairment by acting on the expression of sirt1 and sirt1-mediated regulation of HIF-1α.

Development of patulin certified reference material using mass balance and quantitative NMR

The certified reference materials (CRMs) are necessary for accurate quantification and insurance of comparability and traceability of results. Patulin is a typical mycotoxin in a variety of food commodities. Here, patulin CRM GBW(E)100673 was characterised and its purity was assessed by two independent orthogonal approaches including mass balance (MB) and quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (qNMR) methods. From MB equation, the calculated purity was 996.9 mg/g with subtraction of water, volatile solvent, inorganic and structurally related impurities. In the other qNMR method, the calculated purity was 996.7 mg/g. This CRM was homogeneous and stable for at least 9 months under -20 °C in dark. Finally, a purity of 997 mg/g with an expanded uncertainty of 3 mg/g (k=2) was finally assigned to patulin CRM in this study. High-purity patulin CRM was fully characterised and assessed for the first time. The new CRM can be applicable to routine monitoring and risk assessment for assurance of accuracy results in food safety.