Robust aperiodic synchronous scheme for satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution

Time synchronization is essential for quantum key distribution (QKD) applications, not only in fiber links and terrestrial free-space links but also in satellite-to-ground links. To compensate for the time drift caused by the Doppler effect and adapt to the unstable optical link in satellite-to-ground QKD, previous demonstrations adopted a two-stage solution, combining a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and light synchronization. In this paper, we propose a novel aperiodic synchronization scheme that can achieve high-precision time synchronization by encoding time information into pseudo-random laser pulse positions. This solution can simplify the use of GNSS hardware, thus reducing the complexity and cost of the system. Successful experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of the presented scheme, resulting in a synchronization precision of 208-222 ps even when 90% of the light signals are lost. Further analysis of the Doppler effect between the satellite and the ground station is also given. The presented robust aperiodic synchronization can be widely applied to future satellite-based quantum information applications.

Ultrahigh-energy photons up to 1.4 petaelectronvolts from 12 γ-ray Galactic sources

The extension of the cosmic-ray spectrum beyond 1 petaelectronvolt (PeV; 10¹⁵ electronvolts) indicates the existence of the so-called PeVatrons-cosmic-ray factories that accelerate particles to PeV energies. We need to locate and identify such objects to find the origin of Galactic cosmic rays¹. The principal signature of both electron and proton PeVatrons is ultrahigh-energy (exceeding 100 TeV) γ radiation. Evidence of the presence of a proton PeVatron has been found in the Galactic Centre, according to the detection of a hard-spectrum radiation extending to 0.04 PeV (ref. ²). Although γ-rays with energies slightly higher than 0.1 PeV have been reported from a few objects in the Galactic plane^3-6, unbiased identification and in-depth exploration of PeVatrons requires detection of γ-rays with energies well above 0.1 PeV. Here we report the detection of more than 530 photons at energies above 100 teraelectronvolts and up to 1.4 PeV from 12 ultrahigh-energy γ-ray sources with a statistical significance greater than seven standard deviations. Despite having several potential counterparts in their proximity, including pulsar wind nebulae, supernova remnants and star-forming regions, the PeVatrons responsible for the ultrahigh-energy γ-rays have not yet been firmly localized and identified (except for the Crab Nebula), leaving open the origin of these extreme accelerators.

Autophagy and glycolysis independently attenuate silibinin-induced apoptosis in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 and Hep3B cells

PURPOSE

The mechanism of cytotoxicity of silibinin on two human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, HepG2 (p53 wild-type) and Hep3B cells (p53 null), is examined in relation with the induction of autophagy and phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Levels of apoptosis in relation to the levels of autophagy and those of glycolysis-related proteins, glucose transporter 1/4 (Glut1/4) and hexokinase-II (HK2), in HepG2 and Hep3B cells were examined.

RESULTS

Silibinin-induced apoptosis was incomplete for HCC cell death in that up-regulated autophagy and/or reduced level of glycolysis, which are induced by silibinin treatment, antagonized silibinin-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of autophagy with 3-methyl adenine (3MA) or blocking of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation with Compound C (CC) enhanced silibinin-induced apoptosis. The results confirm that AMPK involved in autophagy as well as in glycolysis remaining with silibinin is responsible for attenuation of silibinin-induced apoptosis. Blocking of AMPK or autophagy contributes to the enhancement of silibinin's cytotoxicity to HepG2 and Hep3B cells.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that incomplete apoptosis of HCC by silibinin treatment becomes complete by repression of autophagy and/or glycolysis.

Association between serum estradiol levels prior to progesterone administration in artificial frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles and live birth rate: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To study whether serum estradiol (E2) levels prior to progesterone administration in the artificial endometrial preparation (AEP) of frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer affect the live birth rate.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary-care academic medical centre.

POPULATION

A total of 3857 frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles were divided into three groups: <200 pg/ml (n = 1676); 200-399 pg/ml (n = 1296); and ≥400 pg/ml (n = 885), based on the 25th (182.3 pg/ml) and 75th percentile (390.2 pg/ml) of serum E2 level prior to progesterone administration.

METHODS

Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome of the study was the live birth rate and the secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy rate, pregnancy loss rate, neonatal birthweight, Z-score, and small for gestational age (SGA).

RESULTS

Compared with the reference group, accounting for major covariates, the live birth rate significantly decreased in the '≥400 pg/ml' group (adjusted OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59-0.85). Compared with the reference group, there was an association between the E2 level in the '≥400 pg/ml' group and a decrease in the clinical pregnancy rate (adjusted OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.61-0.89). Compared with the reference group, the pregnancy loss rate significantly increased in the '≥400 pg/ml' group (adjusted OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.08-1.93). The E2 levels did not affect neonatal birthweight, Z-score, and SGA among singletons.

CONCLUSIONS

High serum E2 levels prior to progesterone administration in AEP are associated with a decreased live birth rate after frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

High serum E2 levels prior to progesterone administration in artificial FET are associated with a decreased live birth rate after frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer.

A novel variant in PAX6 as the cause of aniridia in a Chinese family

Background

Aniridia is a kind of congenital human pan-ocular anomaly, which is related to PAX6 commonly.

Methods

The ophthalmic examinations including visual acuity, slit lamp and fundoscopy examination were performed in a Chinese aniridia pedigree. The targeted next-generation sequencing of aniridia genes was used to identify the causative mutation.

Results

A novel heterozygous PAX6 nonsense mutation c.619A > T (p.K207*) was identified in the Chinese autosomal dominant family with aniridia. Phenotype related to the novel mutation included nystagmus, keratopathy, absence of iris, cataract and foveal hypoplasia.

Conclusions

The novel nonsense variation in PAX6 was the cause of aniridia in this family, which expanded the spectrum of the PAX6 mutation.

[Initial exploration of transfusion-free liver transplantation]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transfusion-free techniques on the prognosis of liver transplant patients. Methods: The recipients of adult liver transplantation at Tianjin First Central Hospital from August to December 2019 were included in the clinical observation. Liver transplantation without allogeneic blood transfusion was performed through anesthesia management techniques such as acute hemodilution or phlebotomy without volume replacement,maintaining decreased baseline central venous pressure and cell saver. According to the actual results,the patients were divided into two groups: transfusion-free group(n=21) and allogeneic transfusion group(n=28). There were 13 males and 8 females aged of (56.3±11.6) years in the transfusion-free group;and there were 16 males and 12 females aged (54.3±14.2)years in the allogeneic transfusion group. The transplant recipients who had not adopted transfusion management strategy from January to July 2019 were included as control group(27 males and 13 females,aged of (58.9±14.1)years). The clinical data of patients in perioperative period were collected to compare whether there were differences in the recovery of liver function and early complications among the three groups, one-way ANOVA test, rank-sum test, and χ² test were used for data analysis. Results: The amount of intraoperative blood loss in both the transfusion-free group and the transfusion group was less than that in the control group((454.2±271.3)ml vs.(673.6±333.4)ml vs.(890.3±346.7)ml;q=-6.342,-5.286,both P<0.05).The duration of stay in ICU of the transfusion-free group was less than that of the transfusion group and control group((36.4±9.1)hours vs.(44.3±14.9)hours vs.(58.2±21.1)hours;q=-4.432,-3.824,both P<0.05).The mean ALT level at 7 days after operation was significantly lower in the transfusion-free group than in the control group((56.8±32.1)U/L vs.(89.6±45.6)U/L;q=-3.358,P<0.05). Conclusions: The improvement of multi-disciplinary transfusion management technology aimed at transfusion-free liver transplantation can effectively reduce intraoperative hemorrhage and help to avoid surgical transfusion. Transfusion-free liver transplantation is beneficial to the early postoperative recovery,and its long-term clinical significance is worthy of further clinical research.

[Urinary retinol binding protein and β2-microglobulin were associated with urinary albumin to creatinine ratio and renal function in hospitalized diabetic patients]

Objective: To explore the associations of urinary retinol binding protein (RBP) and β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) with urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) and renal function in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 1 030 Chinese patients with T2DM were included in this study. The subjects were divided into the UACR normal group (<30 mg/g), microalbuminuria group (30-300 mg/g) and macroalbuminuria group (>300 mg/g). Patients with normal UACR were further divided into two groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): the eGFR low group (<90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2) and the normal eGFR group (≥90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2). Urine RBP and β₂-MG levels among the groups were compared. Multiple linear regression analyses were applied to evaluate risk factors of urine RBP and β₂-MG. Results: In all patients (n=1 030), urine RBP and β₂-MG increased gradually with the increase of UACR across the three groups, the proportions of abnormal urine RBP (>0.7 mg/L) and β₂-MG (>370 μg/L) in these groups were 3.8%, 8.5%, 39.0% (P<0.001), and 12.9%, 26.7%, 46.8% (P<0.001), respectively. In the UACR normal group (n=788), 12.2% of the patients were with eGFR<90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2. The proportion of abnormal β₂-MG (>370 μg/L) was higher in the eGFR low group than that in the eGFR normal group (29.2% vs. 10.7%, P<0.001). Multivariate linear stepwise regression analyses were performed using natural logarithm of urine RBP or β₂-MG as dependent variable, and showed that urine RBP was independently associated with UACR (β=0.0005, P<0.001), serum creatinine (β=0.006, P<0.001) and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (β=0.050, P=0.001), and β₂-MG was independently correlated with UACR (β=0.000 4, P<0.001), serum creatinine (β=0.011, P<0.001), systolic blood pressure (β=0.005, P=0.031) and fasting blood-glucose (β=0.027, P=0.046). Conclusions: Urine RBP and β₂-MG are positively associated with high UACR and impaired renal function in T2DM patients, and these changes could occur before UACR and eGFR turned out to be abnormal. It is recommended that urine RBP and β₂-MG be detected as early as possible to identify diabetic kidney disease in patients with normal UACR and eGFR.

Long noncoding RNA ZFPM2-AS1 regulates ITGB1 by miR-1226-3p to promote cell proliferation and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is emerging as a vital regulator in various tumors. However, the biological function of ZFPM2-antisense RNA 1 (ZFPM2-AS1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. The present study aims to explore the function and mechanism of ZFPM2-AS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The ZFPM2-AS1 expression in HCC cells and tissues was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Effects of ZFPM2-AS1 on tumor cell proliferation and invasion were detected by CCK8 assay or EdU assay or matrigel migration assay and Western blot. The Luciferase reporter assay, RNA pulldown assay, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were performed to explore and confirm the interaction between ZFPM2-AS1 and miR-1226-3p and integrin β1 (ITGB1).

RESULTS

ZFPM2-AS1 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and cell lines. High levels of ZFPM2-AS1 were correlated with advanced TNM stage, distant metastasis and a poorer overall survival rate. ZFPM2-AS1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and invasion. ZFPM2-AS1 could directly bind to and negatively regulate miR-1226-3p expression. Moreover, ITGB1 was identified as a target gene of miR-1226-3p. ITGB1 was found to be directly negatively regulated by miR-1226-3p and indirectly upregulated by ZFPM2-AS1. Rescue assays demonstrated that ZFPM2-AS1 promotes HCC cell proliferation and invasion through modulating miR-1226/ITGB1 axis.

CONCLUSIONS

ZFPM2-AS1 promotes cell proliferation and migration by regulating miR-1226-3p/ITGB1 axis in HCC.

[Clinical and genetic analyses of hereditary factor Ⅴ deficiency cases]

Objective: To analyze the clinical phenotype and molecular pathogenesis of nine patients with hereditary factor Ⅴ (FⅤ) deficiency. Methods: Nine patients with hereditary FⅤ deficiency who were admitted to the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital from April 1999 to September 2019 were analyzed. The activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and FⅤ procoagulant activity (FⅤ∶C) were measured for phenotypic diagnosis. High-throughput sequencing was employed for the F5 gene mutation screening, Sanger sequencing was adopted to confirm candidate variants and parental carrying status, Swiss-model was used for three-dimensional structure analysis, and ClustalX v.2.1 was used for homologous analysis. Results: The FⅤ∶C of the nine patients ranged from 0.1 to 10.6. Among them, eight had a hemorrhage history, with kin/mucosal bleeding as the most common symptom (three cases, 37.5%) , whereas one case had no bleeding symptom. There were five homozygotes and four compound heterozygotes. A total of 12 pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations were detected, of which c.6100C>A/p.Pro2034Thr, c.6575T>C/p.Phe2192Ser, c.1600_1601delinsTG/p. Gln534*, c.4713C>A/p.Tyr1571*, and c.952+5G>C were reported for the first time. Conclusion: The newly discovered gene mutations enriched the F5 gene mutation spectrum associated with hereditary FⅤ deficiency. High-throughput sequencing could be an effective method to detect F5 gene mutations.

First Detection of sub-PeV Diffuse Gamma Rays from the Galactic Disk: Evidence for Ubiquitous Galactic Cosmic Rays beyond PeV Energies

We report, for the first time, the long-awaited detection of diffuse gamma rays with energies between 100 TeV and 1 PeV in the Galactic disk. Particularly, all gamma rays above 398 TeV are observed apart from known TeV gamma-ray sources and compatible with expectations from the hadronic emission scenario in which gamma rays originate from the decay of π^{0}'s produced through the interaction of protons with the interstellar medium in the Galaxy. This is strong evidence that cosmic rays are accelerated beyond PeV energies in our Galaxy and spread over the Galactic disk.

Microarray Analysis of Novel Genes Involved in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial cancer associated with Epstein-Barr virus. Despite NPC is a widespread malignancy, little is known about association of tumor growth with gene expression. This study is aimed to detect potential genes implicated in the molecular mechanism of NPC. To this end, we downloaded GSE12452, GSE53819 and GSE64634 libraries from GEO database. GEO2R interface was used to search for the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with R and LIMMA software, which yielded the Venn diagrams of co-expressed genes. The GO and KEGG databases were used to find DEGs with up- and down-regulated expression. Then Cytoscape software constructed and analyzed the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks corresponding to revealed DEGs, thereupon the hub genes were analyzed in tissues and cell cultures with qRT-PCR. This combined analysis yielded 483 co-expressed DEGs, including 258 DEGs with up-regulated expression and 225 DEGs with down-regulated expression, which are mainly implicated in the cell cycle, DNA replication, as well as in formation and maturation of extracellular vesicles and exosomes. In comparison with normal nasopharyngeal tissues of healthy persons, expression of CDK1 gene was down-regulated in NPC tissue; in contrast, expression of PCNA, MAD2L1, PRC1, CENPF, and ZWINT genes was up-regulated in the tumor. The genes PCNA, MAD2L1, and ZWINT were differently expressed in EBV+ and EBV- nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. The use of bioinformatic methods to reveal and analyze the differences in gene expression between the normal and NPC tissues opens the vista to further progress in deciphering the molecular mechanisms of NPC formation and development.

[Comparative study on prognosis of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by hepatic surgery versus upfront surgery in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastasis]

Objective: To compare the survival outcome in patients with synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastasis receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by hepatic surgery versus upfront surgery strategies. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Data of patients undergoing surgery at the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Unit I of Peking University Cancer Hospital from January 2008 to December 2018 for initially resectable synchronous colorectal liver metastasis were retrospectively collected. A total of 282 cases were enrolled, including 244 in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 38 in the upfront surgery first group. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the two groups were compared. A propensity score risk adjustment was used to eliminate potential bias between groups, and the covariates including sex, age, location of primary tumor, T stage, clinical risk score (CRS), RAS gene status, adjuvant chemotherapy, and resection margin status were included for adjustment. Results: In the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 244 cases received 4 (1-15) cycles of chemotherapy before hepatic resection, among whom 207 cases received oxaliplatin-based regimens, 37 cases received irinotecan-based regimens, and 90 cases received combined targeted agents in the first line treatment. The median follow-up time was 30 (5-134) months, and loss of follow-up was 1%. Before adjustment, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 1-year and 3-year OS rates in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (95.1% and 66.4%) were better than those in the upfront surgery first group (94.7% and 51.5%, P=0.026); 1-year and 3-year PFS rates in neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (51.0% and 23.4%) were also better than those in surgery first group (39.5% and 11.5%, P=0.039). After propensity score risk adjustment, Cox multivariate analysis indicated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy was an independent protective factor of PFS (HR=0.664, 95% CI: 0.449-0.982, P=0.040), however, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not an independent protective factor of OS (HR=0.651, 95% CI: 0.393-1.079, P=0.096). Subgroup analysis showed that the 1-year and 3-year OS rates in the patients with response to the first line treatment (194, including complete remission, partial remission and reduction but not partial remission) (96.9% and 67.1%) were better than those in the upfront surgery group (94.7% and 51.5%, P=0.026) after adjustment. However, the 1-year and 3-year OS rates in the patients without response to the first line treatment (50, including tumor progression or enlargement) were 90.0% and 63.3%, respectively, which were not significantly different with 94.7% and 51.5% in the upfront surgery group (P=0.310) after adjustment. Conclusions: For patients with resectable synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastasis, liver resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy can provide longer PFS than upfront surgery. Although the whole OS benefit is not significant, patients with effective neoadjuvant first-line chemotherapy have better OS than those undergoing upfront surgery.

The LncRNA AL161431.1 targets miR-1252-5p and facilitates cellular proliferation and migration via MAPK signaling in endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the expression profile and the underlying mechanism of the long intergenic non-protein coding RNA AL161431.1 in EC (endometrial carcinoma).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the expression data for the lncRNA AL161431.1 in EC was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and used to examine its expression profile. quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were used to detect gene and protein expression, respectively. A subcellular fractionation assay was used to determine the location of AL161431.1. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays were used to evaluate cellular proliferation. Cell migration and wound healing assays were used to detect the effects on cell migration. RNA pull-down and Luciferase reporter assays were used to confirm the interaction between AL161431.1 and miR-1252-5p.

RESULTS

High expression levels of AL161431.1 were observed in EC patients, tissues, and cells. Loss-of-function experiments validated the carcinogenic role of AL161431.1. Based on the determined cytoplasmic location of AL161431.1, we investigated the ceRNA network and its relation to AL161431.1, miR-1252-5p, and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling in EC. The molecular mechanism of the interaction between AL161431.1 and miR-1252-5p, and its effects on the MAPK signaling pathway was validated using rescue experiments in Ishikawa cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel results indicate that AL161431.1 targets and binds to miR-1252-5p, resulting in the de-repression of MAPK signaling in EC cells. This highlights the potential for AL161431.1 to be targeted as a potent therapeutic strategy in the treatment of EC.

Apelin-13/APJ system delays intervertebral disc degeneration by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of Apelin-13/APJ system on intervertebral disc degeneration and its mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study detected the expression of APJ in human intervertebral disc tissue with varying degrees of degeneration. IL-1β is used to stimulate the degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells. We used recombinant human Apelin-13 and Ala13 to activate and inhibit the APJ receptor, respectively. The inhibitor LY294002 was used to inhibit the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. We studied the effects of Apelin-13/APJ system on nucleus pulposus cells and its mechanism by Western blot, RT-PCR, and so on.

RESULTS

APJ is lowly expressed in the nucleus pulposus of patients with a high degree of degeneration. IL-1β stimulates the nucleus pulposus cells and reduces the expression of APJ in nucleus pulposus cells. Recombinant human Apelin-13 reduces the degradation of nucleus pulposus extracellular matrix, promotes proliferation, and reduces the levels of apoptosis and inflammation. In addition, the Apelin-13/APJ system increases the expression of PI3K and AKT and activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Apelin-13/APJ system activates PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activity, reduces the degradation of nucleus pulposus extracellular matrix, promotes proliferation, and reduces the level of apoptosis and inflammation, thus delaying the degeneration of the intervertebral disc.

Long noncoding RNA PVT1 promotes metastasis via miR-484 sponging in osteosarcoma cells

OBJECTIVE

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely involved in various malignancies including osteosarcoma. In the current study, we aimed to illustrate the role of lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) in osteosarcoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Expression of PVT1 and microRNA-486 (miR-486) in osteosarcoma tissue specimens and cell lines were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assays and in situ hybridizations (ISH) assay. Transwell migration/invasion assays were performed to determine the metastatic ability changes in osteosarcoma cells. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied to analyze the overall survival (OS) of patients with osteosarcoma. Luciferase assays were used to evaluate the targeted binding effect between PVT1 and miR-486.

RESULTS

We illustrated that lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) was upregulated in osteosarcoma, and it was correlated with poor prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. Furthermore, we found that PVT1, via constructed loss of function and gain of function assays, promoted osteosarcoma cells migration and invasion. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that microRNA-486 (miR-486) was involved in PVT1-induced migration and invasion. We also uncovered that miR-486 was downregulated in osteosarcoma tissue specimens and cell lines. Functionally, we showed that upregulation of miR-486 reversed the facilitative effect of PVT1 on osteosarcoma cells migration and invasion, and vice versa. Mechanically, we illustrated that PVT1 interacted with miR-486 in a reciprocal suppressed manner. Moreover, we found that miR-486 could target to PVT1 via Luciferase assay. Lastly, we proved that PVT1 promoted osteosarcoma cells migration and invasion through miR-486 sponging.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that PVT1, functioning as an oncogene, promotes osteosarcoma cells metastasis via miR-486 sponging. PVT1/miR-486 axis might be a novel target in the molecular treatment of osteosarcoma.

[Genetic diversity of Sparganum isolates from snakes in Hunan Province based on mitochondrial nad4 and nad5 genes]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of Sparganum isolates from snakes in Hunan Province.

METHODS

The partial mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (pnad4) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (pnad5) genes were amplified using a PCR assay in 7 Sparganum isolates from snakes in Hunan Province and the amplification product was sequenced. The homology and genetic evolution were investigated using the software DNAMAN 7.0, MegAlign, DnaSP 5.0 and MEGA 5.0.

RESULTS

The pnad4 and pnad5 gene sequences were approximately 578 bp and 484 bp in length in the 7 Sparganum isolates from Hunan Province, and the percentages of genetic variations were 0 to 2.8% and 0 to 0.8%, respectively. There were 4 haplotypes detected in both the pnad4 and pnad5 genes, with global haplotype diversities of 0.810 ± 0.016 and 0.905 ± 0.011, nucleotide diversities of 0.006 ± 0.005 and 0.004 ± 0.003, and mean nucleotide variations of 3.960 and 1.905, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all 7 Sparganum isolates from snakes in Hunan Province were clustered into the same branch with Spirometra erinaceieuropaei isolates from different regions/hosts in the world, which belonged to S. erinaceieuropaei, which were close to Diphyllobothrium latum and far from other tapeworms.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a low genetic variation in snake-derived S. erinaceieuropaei isolates from Hunan Province, and both pnad4 and pnad5 genes may be potential molecular genetic markers for identification of S. erinaceieuropaei.

[Multicenter clinical study on the diagnosis and treatment of childhood renal tumor]

Objective: To summarize the effect of Chinese Children's Cancer Group (CCCG) Wilms tumor (WT)-2015 protocol. Methods: This was a prospective study. CCCG-WT-2015 protocol was revised on the basis of the CCCG-WT-2009 protocol. Clinical data of 288 children diagnosed with newly diagnosed kidney neoplasms in fourteen pediatric centers between September 2015 to December 2018 were summarized. The age of onset, distribution of pathological subtypes, staging, curative effect and prognostic factors of these children were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival curve and Log-Rank method was used for univariate analysis. Results: Among 288 cases with kidney neoplasms, there were 261 cases of WT, including 254 cases (97.3%) with favorable histology (FH) WT and 7 cases (2.7%) with unfavorable histology WT (UFHWT). The 3 year events free survival (EFS) rate for FHWT and UFHWT were (88.9±2.1)% and (80.0±17.9)%, which were better than that in WT-2009 (81.2% and 71.7%). In the 96 cases of stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ FHWT with indications for radiotherapy, 76 cases received radiation, another 20 cases received M protocol chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, etoposide, gentamycin, vincristine and adriamycin) instead of radiation. The 3 year EFS rate for these two groups were (84.7±4.3)% and (84.7±8.1)%(χ²=0.015, P=0.902). There were 22 renal clear cell sarcoma and 5 malignant rhabdoid tumor, 3 year EFS rate of them was (94.4±5.4)% and (20.0±17.9)%. Univariate analysis was performed for age, gender, pathological type, stage, whether rupture occurred during operation, whether complete remission (CR) occurred at the end of treatment and radiotherapy. Pathological types (χ²=44.329,P<0.01) and failure to achieve CR at the end of the treatment (χ²=49.459,P<0.01) were independent factor for predicting survival. Conclusion: Compared with CCCG-WT-2009, treatment of renal tumors in CCCG-WT-2015 study yielded good survival outcome, which can be further applied.

Effectiveness of Nutrient Management on Water Quality Improvement: A Synthesis on Nitrate-Nitrogen Loss from Subsurface Drainage

Nutrient management, as described in NRCS Code 590, has been intensively investigated, with research largely focused on crop yields and water quality. Yet, due to complex processes and mechanisms in nutrient cycling (especially the nitrogen (N) cycle), there are many challenges in evaluating the effectiveness of nutrient management practices across site conditions. We therefore synthesized data from peer-reviewed publications on subsurface-drained agricultural fields in the Midwest U.S. with corn yield and drainage nitrate-N (NO3-N) export data published from 1980 to 2019. Through literature screening and data extraction from 43 publications, we obtained 577 site-years of data with detailed information on fertilization, corn yields, precipitation, drainage volume, and drainage NO3-N load/concentration or both. In addition, we estimated flow-weighted NO3-N concentrations ([NO3-N]) in drainage for those site-years where only load and volume were reported. Furthermore, we conducted a cost analysis using synthesized and surveyed corn yield data to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different nutrient management plans. Results from the synthesis showed that N fertilizer rate was strongly positively correlated with corn yields, NO3-N loads, and flow-weighted [NO3-N]. Reducing N fertilizer rates can effectively mitigate NO3-N losses from agricultural fields; however, our cost analysis showed negative economic returns for continuous corn production at lower N rates. In addition, organic fertilizers significantly boosted corn yields and NO3-N losses compared to inorganic fertilizers at comparable rates; however, accurate quantification of plant-available N in organic fertilizers is necessary to guide appropriate nutrient management plans because the nutrient content may be highly variable. In terms of fertilizer application methods, we did not find significant differences in NO3-N export in drainage discharge. Lastly, impact of fertilization timing on NO3-N export varied depending on other factors such as fertilizer rate, source, and weather. According to these results, we suggest that further efforts are still required to produce effective local nutrient management plans. Furthermore, government agencies such as USDA-NRCS need to work with other agencies such as USEPA to address the potential economic losses due to implementation of lower fertilizer rates for water quality improvement.

Transcriptome profiling analysis reveals distinct resistance response of cucumber leaves infected with powdery mildew

Powdery mildew is the main disease affecting cucumber cultivation and causes severe economic loss. So far, research on cucumber resistance to powdery mildew has not yielded feasible solutions. This study selected two inbred cucumber lines, XY09-118 (resistant) and Q10 (susceptible) and investigated their responses to powdery mildew infection (harvested 24 and 48 h after inoculation) using RNA sequencing. More than 20,000 genes were detected in cucumber leaves both with and without powdery mildew infection at the above two time points. Among these, 5478 genes were identified as differently expressed genes (DEGs) between XY09-118 and Q10. Based on the databases GO and KEGG, the functions of DEGs were analysed. Moreover, the complex regulatory network for powdery mildew resistance was assessed, which involves plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant-pathogen interaction and the MAPK signalling pathway. In particular, genes encoding WRKY, NAC and TCP were highlighted. In addition, genes involved in plant hormone biosynthesis, metabolism and signal transduction, pathogen resistance and abiotic stress response were analysed. Co-expression analysis indicated that the transcription factors correlated with plant hormone signal pathway and metabolism, defence and abiotic response. The expression of several genes was validated by qRT-PCR. The pathogen resistance regulatory network was identified by comparing resistant and susceptible inbred lines infected with powdery mildew. The transcriptome data provide novel insights into cucumber response to powdery mildew infection and the identified pathogen resistance genes will be highly useful for breeding efforts to enhance the resistance of cucumber to powdery mildew.

LncRNA TERC alleviates the progression of osteoporosis by absorbing miRNA-217 to upregulate RUNX2

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the role of telomerase RNA elements (TERC) in alleviating osteoporosis (OP) by absorbing microRNA-217 (miRNAs-217) to regulate runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) level.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The serum levels of TERC and miRNA-217 in OP patients and healthy controls were determined. During the osteogenic process, the relative levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), RUNX2, and Osterix were determined in hMSCs. The regulatory effects of TERC, miRNA-217, and RUNX2 on ALP and RUNX2 levels in hMSCs were examined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. In addition, the changes in ALP activity and calcification ability in hMSCs influenced by them were assessed through ALP activity determination and alizarin red staining, respectively. The interaction of TERC/miRNA-217/RUNX2 regulatory loop and its role in influencing hMSCs osteogenesis were assessed by Dual-Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay and a series of rescue experiments, respectively.

RESULTS

The downregulated TERC and upregulated miRNA-217 were identified in the serum of the OP patients. Consistently, the downregulated TERC and upregulated miRNA-217 were discovered in in vitro osteogenic process of hMSCs. The silence of TERC, or RUNX2 downregulated ALP and RUNX2 levels, decreased ALP activity and attenuated the calcification ability in hMSCs. The overexpression of miRNA-217 gave similar results. The binding relationship in TERC/miRNA-217/RUNX2 regulatory loop was verified. At last, rescue experiments suggested that TERC accelerated hMSCs osteogenesis by absorbing miRNA-217 to upregulate RUNX2.

CONCLUSIONS

The serum level of TERC is lowly expressed in OP patients. TERC influences hMSCs osteogenesis by absorbing miRNA-217 to upregulate RUNX2, thus alleviating the progression of OP.

Feasibility of single-shot compressed sensing cine imaging for analysis of left ventricular function and strain in cardiac MRI

AIM

To compare single-shot compressed sensing (CS) cine imaging with conventional segmented cine imaging for reliable quantification of left ventricular (LV) volume and strain assessment during cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-seven participants underwent both single-shot CS and conventional segmented cines that covered the entire LV. LV volumetric and strain values were obtained. LV volumes, global strain, the standard deviation of time to peak strain (SD-TPS) in the radial, longitudinal, and circumferential directions were compared using the Student's t-test and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Interobserver and intra-observer variabilities of the LV strain values for the two cines method were determined using ICC.

RESULTS

Single-shot CS cine-derived LV volumes and myocardial mass measurements correlated strongly with segmented cines (ICC >0.798) and minor systematic end-systolic volume overestimations resulting in ejection fraction underestimations. Single-shot CS cine-derived global strain and SD-TPS were poorly to moderately correlated with segmented cines (ICC from 0.045-0.706). All global strain values derived from single-shot CS cines were underestimated compared with segmented cine-derived values; however, no significant differences in radial and longitudinal SD-TPS between the two cines were found. Among the patient-related factors, heart rate was a strong predictive factor of global longitudinal strain underestimations (p=0.039) in the CS cines. Inter- and intra-observer LV strain variabilities derived from CS and segmented cines were good to excellent.

CONCLUSION

Single-shot CS cine CMRI is feasible for the quantitative assessment of LV function. Currently, strain values derived from the two techniques are not interchangeable.

[Association between healthy lifestyle and risk of rehospitalization in male or female patients with chronic heart failure]

Objective: To explore the association between healthy lifestyle and risk of rehospitalization in male or female patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods: Discharged patients with CHF of Henan Provincial People's Hospital Collaboration Hospital were recruited in our study from January 1,2017 to December 31, 2018. The basic information of patients were collected through the electronic medical record system,the questionnaires were used to collect the related influencing factors. Healthy lifestyle includes 4 items, namely non-smoking, moderate exercise, healthy body mass index (BMI) and reasonable diet.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between healthy lifestyle and the risk of rehospitalization of CHF patients of different genders. Results: A total of 2 697 patients with CHF were enrolled in this study, including 1 308 male patients(621 rehospitalizations,687 controls)and 1 389 female patients(684 rehospitalizations,705 controls).Among male patients, there was no significant difference in age, residence, marital status, education level, average monthly income, and medical insurance between the rehospitalization group and the control group (all P>0.05). Among female patients, there was no significant difference in age, residence, marital status, education level, average monthly income, and medical insurance between the rehospitalization group and the control group (all P>0.05). Whether in male or female patients with CHF, we found that patients with 4 healthy lifestyles were associated with reduced risk of rehospitalization: male patients OR=0.34, 95%CI 0.11-0.99, P=0.002,female patients OR=0.27, 95%CI 0.13-0.79, P=0.012. A combination of non-smoking and any other 2 healthy lifestyles was associated with reduced risk of rehospitalization: male patients with no smoking, moderate exercise, healthy BMI, OR=0.32, 95%CI 0.11-0.99, P=0.043; female patients OR=0.28, 95%CI 0.12-0.93, P=0.032;male patients with no smoking, moderate exercise, reasonable diet OR=0.42, 95%CI 0.24-0.98, P=0.044,female patients OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.12-0.94, P=0.031;male patients with no smoking, healthy BMI, reasonable diet OR=0.31, 95%CI 0.21-0.92, P=0.039,female patients OR=0.27,95%CI 0.11-0.87, P=0.014. In female patients with CHF, the combination of non-smoking and moderate sports was associated with reduced risk of hospitalization (OR=0.23, 95%CI 0.19-0.97, P=0.038), while no similar results were seen in male patients (OR=0.65, 95%CI 0.33-1.84, P=0.315). Conclusion: Healthy lifestyle is associated with reduced risk of rehospitalization in patients with CHF, and the related healthy lifestyle and its combination may differ between male and female patients.

MiR-33a inhibits the adipogenic differentiation of ovine adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction cells by targeting SIRT6

Adipose tissue is important for the regulation of energy balance through its metabolic, cellular, and endocrine functions. Furthermore, the excessive storage of subcutaneous fat can seriously affect the health and carcass traits of domestic animals. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cell adipogenic differentiation increases the number of differentiated adipocytes and plays a role in lipid deposition. The adipogenic differentiation of SVF cells is regulated by various factors, including microRNAs and cytokines. Sirt6 and miR-33a are known to be involved in metabolism and adipogenesis, respectively; however, their effects on the adipogenic differentiation of ovine SVF cells were previously unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate this. The results showed that SIRT6 is a binding target for miR-33a. Moreover, overexpression or inhibition of miR-33a was found to change the expression of SIRT6 messenger RNA and protein. Furthermore, modulating SIRT6 altered the expression of adipogenic marker genes. In addition, miR-33a and SIRT6 were found to play opposing roles in adipogenesis. Specifically, we demonstrated that miR-33a is involved in the negative regulation of ovine SVF cell adipogenic differentiation by inhibiting the expression of SIRT6. These findings reveal a key role for miR-33a and SIRT6 in adipogenesis, which will enrich our understanding of the regulatory factors associated with SVF cell adipogenic differentiation and provide a basis for further study on this process.

Predictive Value of Serum Creatinine/Cystatin C in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients under Nutritional Intervention

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

As a very common risk of adverse outcomes of the ischemic stroke patients, sarcopenia is associated with infectious complications and higher mortality. The goal of this retrospective study is to explore the predictive value of serum Cr/CysC ratio in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving nutritional intervention.

METHODS

We reviewed adult patients with AIS from December 2019 to February 2020. Patients with acute kidney injury were excluded and all patients received nutritional intervention during a 3-month follow-up period. We collected baseline data at admission including creatinine and cystatin C. The primary poor outcome was major disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 4) at 3 months after AIS.

RESULTS

A total of 217 patients with AIS were identified for this study. Serum Cr/CysC ratio was significantly correlated with NIHSS at discharge, 1-month modified Rankin Scale score, and 3-month modified Rankin Scale score. During 3 months, 34 (15.70%) patients had a poor outcome after AIS and 11 (5.10%) patients died within 30 days. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, serum Cr/CysC ratio at admission was independently associated with 3-month poor outcomes (OR: 0.953, 95% CI: 0.921-0.986, p = .006) and 30-day mortality (OR: 0.953, 95% CI: 0.921-0.986, p = .006).

CONCLUSION

As a blood biochemical indexes reflecting the muscle mass and aiding in risk stratification, Cr/CysC ratio at admission could be used as a predictor of 30-day mortality and long-term poor prognosis in AIS patients.

The role of structure and function changes of sensory nervous system in intervertebral disc-related low back pain

Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal symptom, which can be developed in multiple clinical diseases. It is widely recognized that intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) is one of the leading causes of LBP. However, the pathogenesis of IVD-related LBP is still controversial, and the treatment means are also insufficient to date. In recent decades, the role of structure and function changes of sensory nervous system in the induction and the maintenance of LBP is drawing more and more attention. With the progress of IVDD, IVD cell exhaustion and extracellular matrix degradation result in IVD structural damage, while neovascularization, innervation and inflammatory activation further deteriorate the microenvironment of IVD. New nerve ingrowth into degenerated IVD amplifies the impacts of IVD-derived nociceptive molecules on sensory endings. Moreover, IVDD is usually accompanied with disc herniation, which could injure and inflame affected nerves. Under mechanical and pro-inflammatory stimulation, the pain-transmitting pathway exhibits a sensitized function state and ultimately leads to LBP. Hence, relevant pathogenic factors, such as neurotrophins, ion channels, inflammatory factors, etc., are supposed to serve as promising therapeutic targets for LBP. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively summarize the current evidence on 1) the pathological changes of sensory nervous system during IVDD and their association with LBP, and 2) potential therapeutic strategies for LBP targeting relevant pathogenic factors.

Effect and mechanism of miR-135a-5p/CXCL12/JAK-STAT axis on inflammatory response after myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the regulatory role of miR-135a-5p/CXCL12/JAK-STAT signaling axis in inflammatory response after myocardial infarction (MI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With the construction of mouse model with MI by ligation of left descending coronary artery, modeling mice were subdivided into sh-NC group, sh-CXCL12 group, agomir-NC group, miR-135a-5p agomir group and miR-135a-5p-agomir+pcDNA-CXCL12 with intravenous injection of corresponding adenovirus, and no modeling was made for mice in the sham operation group. Simulation of MI in vivo was realized by hypoxia model in vitro, with the establishment of groups including mimic-NC group, miR-135a-5p mimic group, inhibitor-NC group, miR-135a-5p inhibitor group, sh-NC group, sh-CXCL12 group, oe-NC group, oe-CXCL12 group, mimic NC+oe-NC group, miR-135a-5p mimic+oe-NC group, and miR-135a-5p mimic+oe-CXCL12 group. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the level of miR-135a-5p, CXCL12, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, and Western blot were further performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of JAK2/p-JAK2 and STAT3/p-STAT3, respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were used to evaluate MI in mice. Dual-Luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-135a-5p and CXCL12. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (V-FITC/PI) double staining analysis by flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis.

RESULTS

After hypoxia of myocardial cell line H9c2 for 24 h, there were increased expression of CXCL12, decreased expression of miR-135a-5p, increased number of apoptotic cells, as well as upregulated levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (all p<0.05). Meanwhile, similar results were found in the myocardial tissues. Dual-Luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-135a-5p could target the expression of CXCL12. Transfection of miR-135a-5p mimic or sh-CXCL12 could reduce the number of apoptotic myocardial cells and inhibit the level of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (all p<0.05). Furthermore, miR-135a-5p mimic or sh-CXCL12 could result in the suppressed expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 (all p<0.05). Compared with miR-135a-5p mimic +DMSO group, the expression of JAK2 and STAT3 in miR-135a-5p mimic +RO8191 group had no significant change (p>0.05); the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 was increased (all p<0.05), suggesting that miR-135a-5p negatively regulated the expression of CXCL12 and inhibited the activation of JAK-STAT signaling pathway. In addition, for further verification, experiments carried out in sh-NC group, sh-CXCL12 group, agomir-NC group and miR-135a-5p agomir group found that sh-CXCL12 and miR-135a-5p agomir resulted in decreased area of MI decreased, the number of apoptotic cells, the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 (all p<0.05); while compared with miR-135a-5p-agomir group, miR-135a-5p-agomir+pcDNA-CXCL12 group showed increased area of MI decreased, the number of apoptotic cells, the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of miR-135a-5p/CXCL12/JAK-STAT signaling axis can reduce inflammatory reaction and apoptosis after MI, and hence contribute to the improvement of the degree of myocardial injury.

Long non-coding RNA TUG1 regulates the progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells via miR-140-5p/PFN2 axis

OBJECTIVE

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a frequently occurred tumor. Recently, increasing reports disclosed that long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) was associated with OS development. Nevertheless, the precise regulatory pattern was not completely understood. Hence, we aimed to investigate the biological role of TUG1 in OS tumorigenesis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The levels of TUG1, microRNA-140-5p (miR-140-5p), and Profilin 2 (PFN2) were measured via quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), and the protein level of PNF2 was assessed using Western blot. In addition, MTT assay was employed to detect the ability of cell proliferation in MG63 and U2OS cells. Cell migration and invasion were estimated adopting transwell assay. Moreover, the Dual-Luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the interrelation between miR-140-5p and TUG1 or PFN2.

RESULTS

TUG1 and PFN2 levels were evidently upregulated in OS tissues and cell lines. The knockdown of either TUG1 or PFN2 could restrain cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in OS cells. In addition, miR-140-5p was a target of TUG1 to regulate PFN2. The functions of PFN2 knockdown in cell behaviors were rescued after co-transfection with either miR-140-5p inhibitor or overexpression vector of TUG1. Importantly, TUG1 silencing could impede tumor progression in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

TUG1 modulated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via miR-140-5p/PFN2 axis in OS progression, which might trigger the development of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of OS.

[Epidemic characteristics and dynamic changes of spatio-temporal distribution of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Guangzhou, 2010-2019]

Objective: To analyze the epidemic characteristics and spatio-temporal distribution of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2019 and provide a basis for prevention and control strategies. Methods: The data of HFRS was from National Disease Reporting Information System and the epidemic investigation. A descriptive analysis was used. OpenGeoDa 1.2.0 software was used for global spatial autocorrelation and local spatial autocorrelation analysis. SatScan 9.6 software was used for detecting the hot spot area in time and space. ArcGIS 10.2 software was used for map visualization. Results: 1 298 cases of HFRS were reported, and three patients died in Guangzhou in 2010-2019. The annual incidence rate was 0.99/100 000. The proportion of 21-50 years old cases accounted for 70.88% and the male to female ratio was 2.98∶1. Most patients were house workers or unemployed, accounting for 31.28%, followed by business servants (accounting for 17.33%). The incidence peak in spring and winter accounted for 33.74% and 26.35% of the year. All districts reported cases in recent ten years. A total of 407 cases had been reported in Haizhu district, accounting for 31.36% of the total number of cases in the whole city. The annual incidence rate was 2.52/100 000. The number of reported cases and the annual incidence rate were the highest in Guangzhou. The clustered area showed that there was spatio-temporal clustering in Guangzhou. The aggregation area was mainly concentrated in the urban villages adjacent to Wan-mu orchard and the Haizhu Lake Wetland Park in Haizhu district (logarithmic likelihood ratio was 44.08, P<0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence and concentration of HFRS in winter and spring Guangzhou city from 2010 to 2019, showed a high incidence. Young and middle-aged men engaged in domestic and unemployed, and commercial services appeared the main risk groups. The urban-rural junction with many immigrants and low health environment, streets adjacent to Wan-mu orchard, and the Haizhu Lake Wetland Park in Haizhu district were the important regions for preventing and controlling HFRS. The government should formulate prevention and control measures to curb the rise and spread of the HFRS epidemic.

Clinical characteristics and predictors of the duration of SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding in 140 healthcare workers

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological and clinical features of patients with COVID-19 have been reported, but none of them focused on medical staff, and few predictors of the duration of viral shedding have been reported. It is urgent to help healthcare workers prevent and recover quickly from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS

We enrolled 140 medical workers with COVID-19 in Wuhan. Epidemiological, demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological treatment and clinical outcome data were collected, and predictors of the duration of viral shedding were explored through multivariable linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

The medical staff with COVID-19 presented mild clinical symptoms and showed a low frequency of abnormal laboratory indicators. All the medical staff were cured and discharged, of whom 96 (68.6%) were female, 39 (27.9%) had underlying diseases, the median age was 36.0 years, and 104 (74.3%) were infected whilst working in hospital. The median duration of viral shedding was 25.0 days (IQR:20.0-30.0). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed reducing viral shedding duration was associated with receiving recombinant human interferon alpha (rIFN-α) treatment, whilst the prolonged duration of viral shedding correlated with the use of glucocorticoid treatment, the durations from the first symptom to hospital admission and the improvement in chest computed tomography (CT) evidence. Moreover, infected healthcare workers with lymphocytes less than 1.1 × 10⁹ /L on admission had prolonged viral shedding.

CONCLUSION

Medical staff with timely medical interventions show milder clinical features. Glucocorticoid treatment and lymphocytes less than 1.1 × 109/L are associated with prolonged viral shedding. Early admission and rIFN-α treatment help shorten the duration of viral shedding.

Two fatty acid synthase genes from the integument contribute to cuticular hydrocarbon biosynthesis and cuticle permeability in Locusta migratoria

Lipids of the insect cuticle have important roles in resistance against the arid environment and invasion of foreign substances. Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is an important enzyme of the insect lipid synthesis pathway. In the present study, we identified three FAS genes from transcriptome data of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, based on bioinformatics analyses. Among them, two FAS genes (LmFAS1 and LmFAS3) are highly expressed in the integument of fifth instar nymphs. Suppression of LmFAS1 and LmFAS3 by RNA interference caused lethality during ecdysis or shortly after moulting. The weight of the locusts and the content of lipid droplets were reduced compared with those of the control. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that knockdown of LmFAS3 led to a decrease of both cuticular hydrocarbons and inner hydrocarbons (CHCs and IHCs) contents, especially the content of methyl branched hydrocarbons. By contrast, knockdown of LmFAS1 only resulted in a decrease in the IHC content, but not that of CHCs. By consequence, in LmFAS1- and LmFAS3-suppressed locusts, hydrocarbon deficiency reduced desiccation resistance and enhanced cuticle permeability and sensitivity to insecticides. These results indicate that LmFAS1 and LmFAS3 are essential for hydrocarbon production and cuticle permeability, which play influential roles in waterproofing the insect cuticle.

Experimental observations and density functional simulations on the structural transition behavior of a two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenide

In this work, we show an obvious evidence of nondestructive Raman spectra for the structural transition, i.e., the existence of a charge density wave (CDW) in monolayer 2H-TaS₂, which can exhibit a much higher transition temperature than bulk and results in additional vibrational modes, indicating strong interactions with light. Furthermore, we reveal that the degenerate breath and wiggle modes of 2H-TaS₂ originated from the periodic lattice distortion can be probed using the optical methods. Since recently several light-tunable devices have been proposed based on the CDW phase transition of 1 T-TaS₂, our study and in particular, the theoretical results will be very helpful for understanding and designing electronic devices based on the CDW of 2H-TaS₂.

Use of convalescent plasma therapy in eight individuals with mild COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still a global epidemic. Several studies of individuals with severe COVID-19 regard convalescent plasma (CP) transfusion as an effective therapy. However, no significant improvements are found in randomized clinical trials of CP treatment. Until now, data for individuals with mild COVID-19 transfused CP were lacking. This study recruited eight individuals with mild COVID-19 who received at least one dose of CP transfusion. After CP therapy, the clinical symptoms of all individuals improved. Lymphocyte counts tended to increase, and lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase tended to decrease. However, C-reactive protein increased transiently in three individuals. The median time for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acid test to become negative was 2.5 days after CP transfusion. The study shows the potential benefits of CP. Meanwhile, CP probably enhances the inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 temporarily in people with insufficient antiviral immunity. However, the effects of CP are not permanent.

[Ultrasound features and clinical characteristics of intestinal ischemia secondary to acute mesenteric venous thrombosis]

Objective: To examine the ultrasound features and clinical characteristics of the intestinal ischemia secondary to acute mesenteric venous thrombosis (AMVT). Methods: From January 2016 to June 2019, 11 patients were diagnosed as intestinal ischemia secondary to AMVT confirmed by surgical pathology or CT in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The patients included 7 males and 4 females, aging of (52.8±11.9) years (range: 34 to 81 years).The clinical characters and ultrasound features were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Abdomen pain was the chief complaint of all patients. Other complaints include 2 cases of blood in the stool, 1 case of hematemesis, 2 cases of vomiting, 1 case of diarrhea. Six patients showed rebound pain on physical examination. All patients had elevated white blood cell account and D-Dimer. Nine patients had a thrombosis in the portal vein simultaneously. All 11 patients underwent the CT scan including 10 contrast-enhanced CT. Mesenteric venous thrombosis was detected in 10 cases who underwent contrast-enhanced CT imaging. On CT imaging, 11 patients demonstrated intestinal wall thicken, 5 patients showed intestinal dilation. Eight patients underwent superior mesenteric venous ultrasound examination. Of them, 7 patients were correctly diagnosed as AMVT. Of the 10 patients who underwent abdominal ultrasound, 5 patients showed intestinal lesions including intestinal wall thicken in 4 patients and intestinal dilation in 1 patient. Peritoneal fluid was detected in 10 patients by ultrasound, which was consistent with CT. Ten patients underwent surgical procedures while 1 patient received conservative treatment. Conclusion: Ultrasound is an accurate imaging method in diagnosing superior mesenteric vein thrombosis and can detect intestinal wall thickening, intestinal dilation, and peritoneal fluid.

The relationship between residual cholesterol risk and plaque characteristics in patients with acute coronary syndrome evaluated by optical coherence tomography

Background

It has been demonstrated that high sensitive-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are independently associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Whether the level of LDL has impact on plaque characteristics in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with normal hs-CRP are still unknown.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled ACS patients with the level of hs-CRP&lt;2mg/L on admission from 1st January, 2017 to 31st December,2017, from our hospital. All patients underwent pre-intervention optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate the plaque characteristics. Residual cholesterol risk (RCR) was defined as LDL-C≥1.8mmol/L, while hs-CRP&lt;2mg/L. According to the level of baseline LDL-C, patients were divided into RCR group and non-RCR group.

Results

A total of 90 patients (94 vessels) were included, with 50 patients in RCR group and 40 patients in non-RCR group. Compared with non-RCR group, patients in RCR group had higher levels of total cholesterol (4.39±0.89 vs 3.05±0.48, p=0.000), LDL-C (2.56±0.57 vs 1.54±0.22, p=0.000), triglycerides (1.11±1.12 vs 1.02±0.74, p=0.003). Patients in RCR group were younger (54.0±11.04 vs 58.4±9.59, p=0.049) and had higher rate of multivessel disease (6.0% vs 2.5%, p=0.028) than those in non-RCR group. With regard to plaque characteristics, fibrous plaque (0.0% vs 12.5%, p=0.003) was less seen and atherosclerotic plaque (79.6% vs 50.0%, p=0.028) was more seen in RCR group. In addition, patients in RCR group had significantly higher rate of plaque rupture than that in non-RCR group (24.1% vs 5%, p=0.008). To be noticed, cholesterol crystal and thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) were more commonly in RCR group, though the difference was not statistical.

Conclusion

Patients with RCR have a great extent of plaque rupture, indicating more vulnerable plaque phenotype.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): China Youth Clinical Research Foundation-VG Foundation