[Determination of Perchloroethylene in blood by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry]

Objective: To establish a method for determination of Perchloroethylene (PCE) in blood by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS/GC-MS) . Methods: From Dctober to December 2021, A total of 3 mL blood samples were taken into a 10 mL headspace bottle, after heated at 60 ℃ for 30 mins, PCE in the top air was separated by VF-WAXms capillary column and detected by GC-MS. The retention time and external standard method were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of PCE in samples, respectively. Results: There was good linear relationship in the range of 5.09-200.17 μg/L. The linear correlation coefficient was 0.9993.The detection limit was 0.21 μg/L and the lower limit of quantitation was 0.70 μg/L. The recovery rates of samples with different concentrations were 95.3%-103.8%. The intra-batch relative standard deviations (RSD) were 3.2%-4.6%, and inter-batch RSD was 4.0%-6.1%. The samples can be stored at 4 ℃ for three days and at -20 ℃ for seven days. Conclusion: This method is proved to be simple, practical and highly sensitive, which is suitable for the determination of PCE in blood.

Measurement of CP Violation in B^{0}→ψ(→ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-})K_{S}^{0}(→π^{+}π^{-}) Decays

A measurement of time-dependent CP violation in the decays of B^{0} and B[over ¯]^{0} mesons to the final states J/ψ(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K_{S}^{0}, ψ(2S)(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K_{S}^{0} and J/ψ(→e^{+}e^{-})K_{S}^{0} with K_{S}^{0}→π^{+}π^{-} is presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV with the LHCb detector. The CP-violation parameters are measured to be S_{ψK_{S}^{0}}=0.717±0.013(stat)±0.008(syst) and C_{ψK_{S}^{0}}=0.008±0.012(stat)±0.003(syst). This measurement of S_{ψK_{S}^{0}} represents the most precise single measurement of the CKM angle β to date and is more precise than the current world average. In addition, measurements of the CP-violation parameters of the individual channels are reported and a combination with the LHCb Run 1 measurements is performed.

[Association of sleep duration and physical exercise with dyslipidemia in older adults aged 80 years and over in China]

Objective: To explore the impact of sleep duration, physical exercise, and their interactions on the risk of dyslipidemia in older adults aged ≥80 (the oldest old) in China. Methods: The study subjects were the oldest old from four rounds of Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2014 and 2017-2018). The information about their demographic characteristics, lifestyles, physical examination results and others were collected, and fasting venous blood samples were collected from them for blood lipid testing. Competing risk model was used to analyze the causal associations of sleep duration and physical exercise with the risk for dyslipidemia. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) function was used to explore the dose-response relationship between sleep duration and the risk for dyslipidemia. Additive and multiplicative interaction model were used to explore the interaction of sleep duration and physical exercise on the risk for dyslipidemia. Results: The average age of 1 809 subjects was (93.1±7.7) years, 65.1% of them were women. The average sleep duration of the subjects was (8.0±2.5) hours/day, 28.1% of them had sleep duration for less than 7 hours/day, and 27.2% had sleep for duration more than 9 hours/day at baseline survey. During the 9-year cumulative follow-up of 6 150.6 person years (follow-up of average 3.4 years for one person), there were 304 new cases of dyslipidemia, with an incidence density of 4 942.6/100 000 person years. The results of competitive risk model analysis showed that compared with those who slept for 7-9 hours/day, the risk for dyslipidemia in oldest old with sleep duration >9 hours/day increased by 22% (HR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.07-1.39). Compared with the oldest old having no physical exercise, the risk for dyslipidemia in the oldest old having physical exercise decreased by 33% (HR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.57-0.78). The RCS function showed a linear positive dose-response relationship between sleep duration and the risk for hyperlipidemia. The interaction analysis showed that physical exercise and sleep duration had an antagonistic effect on the risk for hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: Physical exercise could reduce the adverse effects of prolonged sleep on blood lipids in the oldest old.

[Monitoring and analysis on host animals of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Henan Province from 2019 to 2022]

Objective: To investigate the distribution and hantavirus (HV) carrying state in host animals of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Henan Province from 2019 to 2022. Methods: Host animal monitoring was carried out at the monitoring sites of HFRS in Henan Province. The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect hantavirus in rat lungs. The types of hantavirus were analyzed. The positive samples were sequenced and then sequence homology and variation were analyzed. Results: A total of 1 308 rodents were captured from 2019 to 2022, 16 specimens of rat lungs tested positive for hantavirus nucleic acid. The positive rate of HV was 1.22% (16/1 308). According to type, the positive rate of HV in Apodius agrarius was the highest (68.75%, 11/16). According to distribution, the positive rate of HV in field samples was the highest (2.50%, 12/480), and the positive rate of HV in residential samples was 0.53% (4/759). The typing results of 16 positive samples showed that all viruses were hantavirus type Ⅰ (hantaan virus). The positive samples were sequenced and eight S gene fragments (GenBank number: OQ681444-OQ681451) and six M gene fragments (OQ681438-OQ681443) were obtained. The S and M gene fragments were similar to the Shaanxi 84FLi strain and Sichuan SN7 strain. Phylogenetic analysis of S and M gene fragments showed that they all belonged to the hantaan virus-H5 subtype. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that, compared with the hantaan virus vaccine strain 84FLi, the 74th amino acid encoded by eight S fragments was replaced by aspartamide with serine. Tryptophan was replaced by glycine at the 14th position of Gn region in XC2022047, and isoleucine was replaced by alanine at the 359 position of XC2022022 and XC2022024. Conclusion: The hantavirus carried by host animals in Henan Province from 2019 to 2022 belongs to the type Ⅰ (hantaan virus), and Apodemus agrarius is still the dominant host animal of the hantaan virus. Compared with the vaccine strains, amino acid sites are replaced in the immune epitopes of the S and M gene fragments.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Target Gastric Cancer and Deliver Epirubicin via Tunneling Nanotubes for Enhanced Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

A reduced effective local concentration significantly contributes to the unsatisfactory therapeutic results of epirubicin in gastric cancer. Mesenchymal stem cells exhibit targeted chemotaxis towards solid tumors and form tunneling nanotubes with tumor cells, facilitating the delivery of various substances. This study demonstrates the novelty of mesenchymal stem cells in releasing epirubicin into gastric cancer cells through tunneling nanotubes.

OBJECTIVE

Epirubicin delivery to gastric cancer cells using mesenchymal stem cells Methods: In vitro transwell migration assays, live cell tracking, and in vivo targeting assays were used to demonstrate the chemotaxis of mesenchymal stem cells towards gastric cancer. We verified the targeted chemotaxis of mesenchymal stem cells towards gastric cancer cells and the epirubicin loading ability using a high-content imaging system (Equipment type:Operetta CLS). Additionally, tunneling nanotube formation and the targeted release of epirubicin-loaded mesenchymal stem cells co-cultured with gastric cancer cells through mesenchymal stem cell-tunneling nanotubes into gastric cancer cells was observed using Operetta CLS.

RESULTS

Mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated targeted chemotaxis towards gastric cancer, with effective epirubicin loading and tolerance. Co-culturing induced tunneling nanotube formation between these cells. Epirubicin-loaded mesenchymal stem cells were released into gastric cancer cells through tunneling nanotubes, significantly increasing their non-viability compared to the negative control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a novel approach for precisely targeting epirubicin release in gastric cancer cells. Therefore, mesenchymal stem cell-tunneling nanotubes could serve as a potential tool for targeted delivery of drugs, enhancing their chemotherapeutic effects in cancer cells.

[Risk factors for the occurrence of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in the aged and the clinical characteristics of patients complicated with pneumonia]

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for the occurrence of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in the aged, and to analyze the characteristics of patients with pneumonia. Methods: Patients who underwent 24-hour laryngopharyngeal pH monitoring from June 2020 to July 2022 and the positive patients of those who underwent 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring from March 2017 to July 2022 at the Second Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital were enrolled retrospectively. Positive results of 24-hour laryngopharyngeal reflux monitoring were in the laryngopharyngeal reflux group, and the negative results were in the non-laryngopharyngeal reflux group. Patients with pneumonia and simple gastroesophageal reflux disease were in the esophageal reflux pneumonia group, and patients with pneumonia and simple laryngopharyngeal reflux disease were in the laryngopharyngeal reflux pneumonia group. Patients' basic data, co-morbidities, drug use and relevant examination and test results were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in the aged and its relationship with pneumonia. Results: A total of 80 patients with 24-hour laryngopharyngeal pH monitoring were enrolled finally, including 34 cases, all male, aged (73±12) years, in the laryngopharyngeal reflux group, and 46 cases [44 males, 2 females, aged (78±11) years] in the non-laryngopharyngeal reflux group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in the aged included age ≤70 years (OR=13.07, 95%CI: 2.53-67.68), body mass index (BMI) (OR=1.37, each additional 1 kg/m2, 95%CI: 1.03-1.83), use of antipsychotic drugs (OR=8.00, 95%CI: 1.40-45.73) and calcium channel blockers (OR=5.27, 95%CI: 1.13-24.53) (all P<0.05). The protective factors of the laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in the aged included antacids (OR=0.19, 95%CI: 0.04-0.90, P=0.035). The incidence of pneumonia was higher in the laryngopharyngeal reflux group compared with the non-laryngopharyngeal reflux group [44.1% (15/34) vs 21.7% (10/46), P=0.033]. The esophageal reflux pneumonia group included 32 cases [31 males and 1 females, aged (84±12) years]. The laryngopharyngeal reflux pneumonia group included 15 cases [ 15 males, aged (79±11) years]. Compared to the patients in the laryngopharyngeal reflux pneumonia group, the patients in the esophageal reflux pneumonia group had a longer course of antibiotics [(27.7±27.0) vs (14.6±13.9) days, P=0.034], a higher frequency of seizure frequency [(4.3±3.0) vs (1.8±1.5) times/year, P<0.001] and a higher maximal body temperature [(38.2±0.9) vs (37.6±1.1) ℃, P=0.037]. Conclusions: The risk factors of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in the aged included age ≤70 years, higher BMI, use of antipsychotic drugs and calcium channel blockers. The incidence of pneumonia in laryngopharyngeal reflux disease is higher, but the condition of pneumonia is milder.

Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria. We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease both overall and among specific types of participants in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA), and included individuals aged 18 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or with an eGFR of 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher. We explored the effects of 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily versus placebo on the annualised rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR slope), a tertiary outcome. We studied the acute slope (from randomisation to 2 months) and chronic slope (from 2 months onwards) separately, using shared parameter models to estimate the latter. Analyses were done in all randomly assigned participants by intention to treat. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and then followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroups of eGFR included 2282 (34·5%) participants with an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2, 2928 (44·3%) with an eGFR of 30 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, and 1399 (21·2%) with an eGFR 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or higher. Prespecified subgroups of uACR included 1328 (20·1%) with a uACR of less than 30 mg/g, 1864 (28·2%) with a uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, and 3417 (51·7%) with a uACR of more than 300 mg/g. Overall, allocation to empagliflozin caused an acute 2·12 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (95% CI 1·83-2·41) reduction in eGFR, equivalent to a 6% (5-6) dip in the first 2 months. After this, it halved the chronic slope from -2·75 to -1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (relative difference 50%, 95% CI 42-58). The absolute and relative benefits of empagliflozin on the magnitude of the chronic slope varied significantly depending on diabetes status and baseline levels of eGFR and uACR. In particular, the absolute difference in chronic slopes was lower in patients with lower baseline uACR, but because this group progressed more slowly than those with higher uACR, this translated to a larger relative difference in chronic slopes in this group (86% [36-136] reduction in the chronic slope among those with baseline uACR <30 mg/g compared with a 29% [19-38] reduction for those with baseline uACR ≥2000 mg/g; ptrend<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin slowed the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease among all types of participant in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, including those with little albuminuria. Albuminuria alone should not be used to determine whether to treat with an SGLT2 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

Insecticidal activity, Chemical Constituents of Trachyspermum ammi, Withania coagulans and Murraya koenigii ethanloic extracts against Bemisia tabaci

Abstract Whitefly is one of the most widespread agricultural pests in the world. Essential oils might be used to control this insect in an environmentally responsible way. The fumigant, repellent, and anti-oviposition activity of ethanol-extracted essential oils of Trachyspermum ammi, Withania coagulans, and Murraya koenigii against Bemisia tabaci was investigated in this study. In the experiment, three essential oil concentrations (2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, and 10 mg/mL) were used. Trachyspermum ammi had the highest percentage of whitefly death in laboratory experiments due to its fumigant toxicity; the same tendency was found in contact toxicity and repellent effect. Mortality percent rises as the concentration of essential oil increases with bioassay time. As the concentration of essential oil grows with bioassay time, so does the mortality rate. The most adult whiteflies escaped from the treated plants' greenhouse due to the highest essential oil concentration. The greatest repellency was found with Trachyspermum ammi essential oil at 10 mg/mL. The essential oil had the greatest anti-oviposition efficacy against whiteflies. Trachyspermum ammi possessed the most potent anti-oviposition deterrent, followed by Withania coagulans in second place. Murraya koenigii finished third with moderate anti-oviposition, which affects the number of eggs produced in comparison to the control. As a consequence, these three oils might be used as an effective and environmentally acceptable bio-insecticide to control B. tabaci.

Prognostic value of the baseline magnetic resonance score in patients with acute posterior circulation ischaemic stroke after mechanical thrombectomy

AIM

To investigate the prognostic value of the composite posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed tomography (CT) Score (ASPECTS)-Collaterals (pcASCO) score, which combines diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) posterior circulation ASPECTS (pcASPECTS) and the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)-collateral circulation score at baseline among patients with acute posterior circulation ischaemic stroke after mechanical thrombectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with acute posterior circulation ischaemic stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy were analysed retrospectively. The DWI-pcASPECTS and MRA-collateral circulation score before treatment and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days after treatment were used as the endpoints. An mRS ≤2 was defined as a good prognosis, and an mRS ≥3 was defined as a poor prognosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse independent predictors of functional outcome 90 days after mechanical thrombectomy.

RESULTS

Mechanical thrombectomy was performed in 57 patients; 38 patients had a good prognosis, 19 patients had a poor prognosis, and 33 patients were successfully recanalised. Univariate logistic regression found that National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR: 1.18, p<0.001), pcASPECTS (OR: 1.91, p=0.028) and pcASCO score (OR: 0.51, p=0.001) were factors of good functional outcome. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) analysis showed that the diagnostic efficiency of the NIHSS and pcASCO was better (AUC = 0.88, 0.83, p<0.05) than that of the pcASPECTS (AUC = 0.65). The prediction model was established by age, NIHSS, and pcASCO, and the diagnostic efficiency of the prediction model was better (AUC = 0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

The composite MR-pcASCO score can be used as an important predictor of the prognosis of patients with acute posterior circulation ischaemic stroke after mechanical thrombectomy.

Polygenic Risk Score Reveals Genetic Heterogeneity of Alzheimer's Disease between the Chinese and European Populations

BACKGROUND

The polygenic risk score (PRS) aggregates the effects of numerous genetic variants associated with a condition across the human genome and may help to predict late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Most of the current PRS studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been conducted in Caucasian ancestry populations, while it is less studied in Chinese.

OBJECTIVE

To establish and examine the validity of Chinese PRS, and explore its racial heterogeneity.

DESIGN

We constructed a PRS using both discovery (N = 2012) and independent validation samples (N = 1008) from Chinese population. The associations between PRS and age at onset of LOAD or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers were assessed. We also replicated the PRS in an independent replication cohort with CSF data and constructed an alternative PRS using European weights.

SETTING

Multi-center genetics study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 3020 subjects were included in the study.

MEASUREMENTS

PRS was calculated using genome-wide association studies data and evaluated the performance alone (PRSnoAPOE) and with other predictors (full model: LOAD ~ PRSnoAPOE + APOE+ sex + age) by measuring the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC).

RESULTS

PRS of the full model achieved the highest AUC of 84.0% (95% CI = 81.4-86.5) with pT< 0.5, compared with the model containing APOE alone (61.0%). The AUC of PRS with pT<5e-8 was 77.8% in the PRSnoAPOE model, 81.5% in the full model, and only ranged from 67.5% to 75.1% in the PRS with the European weights model. A higher PRS was significantly associated with an earlier age at onset (P <0.001). The PRS also performed well in the replication cohort of the full model (AUC=83.1%, 95% CI = 74.3-92.0). The CSF biomarkers of Aβ42 and the ratio of Aβ42/Aβ40 were significantly inversely associated with the PRS, while p-Tau181 showed a positive association.

CONCLUSIONS

This finding suggests that PRS reveal genetic heterogeneity and higher prediction accuracy of the PRS for AD can be achieved using a base dataset and validation within the same ethnicity. The effective PRS model has the clinical potential to predict individuals at risk of developing LOAD at a given age and with abnormal levels of CSF biomarkers in the Chinese population.

Factors associated with nocturnal and diurnal glycemic variability in patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

There is little information on factors that influence the glycemic variability (GV) during the nocturnal and diurnal periods. We aimed to examine the relationship between clinical factors and GV during these two periods.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 134 patients with type 2 diabetes. 24-h changes in blood glucose were recorded by a continuous glucose monitoring system. Nocturnal and diurnal GV were assessed by standard deviation of blood glucose (SDBG), coefficient of variation (CV), and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), respectively. Robust regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with GV. Restricted cubic splines were used to determine dose-response relationship.

RESULTS

During the nocturnal period, age and glycemic level at 12:00 A.M. were positively associated with GV, whereas alanine aminotransferase was negatively associated with GV. During the diurnal period, homeostatic model assessment 2-insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-S) was positively associated with GV, whereas insulin secretion-sensitivity index-2 (ISSI2) was negatively associated with GV. Additionally, we found a J-shape association between the glycemic level at 12:00 A.M. and MAGE, with 9.0 mmol/L blood glucose level as a cutoff point. Similar nonlinear associations were found between ISSI2 and SDBG, and between ISSI2 and MAGE, with ISSI2 value of 175 as a cutoff point.

CONCLUSION

Factors associated with GV were different between nocturnal and diurnal periods. The cutoff points we found in this study may provide the therapeutic targets for beta-cell function and pre-sleep glycemic level in clinical practice.

Efficacy and safety of bicyclol for treating patients with antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury

BACKGROUND: Bicyclol was used for treating idiosyncratic acute drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in a phase II trial. This study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of bicyclol 25 and 50 mg thrice a day (TID) for treating acute DILI caused by anti-TB drugs in the light of the trial results.METHODS: We analysed clinical data of patients with TB drug-induced DILI in the trial database. The primary endpoint was reduction in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels after 4 weeks of treatment compared to baseline.RESULTS: Overall, 148 patients were included, with respectively 48, 52 and 48 patients included in the control (456 mg polyene phosphatidylcholine TID), high-dose (50 mg bicyclol TID) and low-dose (25 mg bicyclol TID) groups. ALT levels decreased by respectively â-"149.0 (IQR â-"299.3 to â-"98.3 (), â-"225.5 (IQR â-"309.3 to â-"181.8 ) and â-"242.5 (IQR â-"364.8 to â-"153.8) U/L in the control, high-dose and low-dose groups (P < 0.001). The ALT normalisation rates at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 were higher in the high- and low-dose groups, while adverse events and serious adverse events were similar across groups.CONCLUSIONS: Bicyclol (25 and 50 mg TID) is effective and safe in treating anti-TB DILI, and bicyclol 50 mg TID showed higher efficacy.

Meta-analysis of risk factors for restenosis after stent implantation in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for restenosis after stent implantation in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD), and to provide a reference for potential measures to prevent ICVD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science databases. Combined adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

Seven case-control studies were identified in the end. Diabetes mellitus and residual stenosis were the two main risk factors for restenosis (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39-0.91, p = 0.01; OR = 36.73, 95% CI: 19.72-70.02, p < 0.001). Gender, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and stent type were not significantly associated with restenosis (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.53-1.38, p = 0.52; OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.91-1.86, p = 0.15; OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.16-4.66, p = 0.86; OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.58-2.91, p = 0.53; OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.72-2.48, p = 0.35).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevention of restenosis after stenting is particularly important for ICVD patients with diabetes or a high residual stenosis rate.

Development of the Clinical pHysical rEsilience assEssment Scale (CHEES) in Chinese Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Physical resilience is an emerging concept that describes an individual's capacity to recover from stressors. However, few instruments are currently available for assessing physical resilience.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a scale to assess physical resilience in older adults.

DESIGN

Development of a clinical scale.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 172 hospitalized older adults were recruited.

MEASUREMENTS

This study comprised two stages. First, a pool of physical resilience scale items was created through a literature review, and the Delphi method was used to establish an initial scale. Second, the initial physical resilience scale was tested on hospitalized older adults.

RESULTS

Five primary and 19 secondary items were identified after reviewing the literature. After two rounds of expert consultations, three primary and 16 secondary items were determined. The overall Cronbach's alpha for the scale was 0.760. Except for items N2, N4, N5, N8, and N14, Pearson's correlation between the scores of the remaining items and the total score ranged from 0.407 to 0.672. Except for items N2, N4, and N5, the corrected item-total correlation results ranged from 0.301 to 0.580, indicating good consistency between each item and the overall scale. Factor analysis showed that except for N7, the factor loadings of the remaining items were between 0.584 and 0.844. After expert discussions, items N2, N4, N7, and N14 were included in the scale, and items N5 and N8 were removed.

CONCLUSION

A 14-item physical resilience scale, CHEES, was developed to assess physical resilience levels in older adults.

Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU): Trial Satisfaction and Attitudes towards Future Clinical Trials

BACKGROUND

Clinical trial satisfaction is increasingly important for future trial designs and is associated with treatment adherence and willingness to enroll in future research studies or to recommend trial participation. In this post-trial survey, we examined participant satisfaction and attitudes toward future clinical trials in the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU).

METHODS

We developed an anonymous, participant satisfaction survey tailored to participants enrolled in the DIAN-TU-001 double-blind clinical trial of solanezumab or gantenerumab and requested that all study sites share the survey with their trial participants. A total of 194 participants enrolled in the trial at 24 study sites. We utilized regression analysis to explore the link between participants' clinical trial experiences, their satisfaction, and their willingness to participate in upcoming trials.

RESULTS

Survey responses were received over a sixteen-month window during 2020-2021 from 58 participants representing 15 study sites. Notably, 96.5% of the survey respondents expressed high levels of satisfaction with the trial, 91.4% would recommend trial participation, and 96.5% were willing to enroll again. Age, gender, and education did not influence satisfaction levels. Participants reported enhanced medical care (70.7%) and pride in contributing to the DIAN-TU trial (84.5%). Satisfaction with personnel and procedures was high (98.3%). Respondents had a mean age of 48.7 years, with most being from North America and Western Europe, matching the trial's demographic distribution. Participants' decisions to learn their genetic status increased during the trial, and most participants endorsed considering future trial participation regardless of the DIAN-TU-001 trial outcome.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that DIAN-TU-001 participants who responded to the survey exhibited high motivation to participate in research, overall satisfaction with the clinical trial, and willingness to participate in research in the future, despite a long trial duration of 4-7 years with detailed annual clinical, cognitive, PET, MRI, and lumbar puncture assessments. Implementation of features that alleviate barriers and challenges to trial participation is like to have a high impact on trial satisfaction and reduce participant burden.

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1).

INTERPRETATION

In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council.

Preoperative prediction of vasculogenic mimicry in lung adenocarcinoma using a CT radiomics model

AIM

To develop and validate a non-invasive computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics model for predicting vasculogenic mimicry (VM) status in lung adenocarcinoma (LA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred and three patients with LA were enrolled retrospectively and grouped into training and test groups with a ratio of 7:3. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in the training cohort to screen the independent clinical and radiological factors for VM, and the clinical model was then established. A radiomics model was established based on the rad-scores through support vector machine (SVM). A radiomics nomogram model was subsequently constructed by combining the rad-score with clinical-radiological factors. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were conducted to evaluate the performance of the three models.

RESULTS

Nine selected radiomics features were selected for the radiomics model and the maximum length and spiculation sign were constructed for the clinical model. The radiomics nomogram model integrating the maximum length, spiculation sign, and rad-score yielded the best AUC in both the training (AUC = 0.925) and test cohorts (AUC = 0.978), in comparison with the radiomics model (AUC = 0.907 and 0.964, in both the training and test cohorts) and the clinical model (AUC = 0.834 and 0.836 in both training and test cohorts).

CONCLUSIONS

The CT-based radiomics nomogram model showed satisfying discriminating performance for preoperatively and non-invasively predicting VM expression status in LA patients.

China Initiative for Multi-Domain Intervention (CHINA-IN-MUDI) to Prevent Cognitive Decline: Study Design and Progress

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of irreversible dementia, is predicted to affect 152 million people by 2050. Evidence from large-scale preventive randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on modifiable risk variables in Europe has shown that multi-domain lifestyle treatments for older persons at high risk of dementia may be practical and effective. Given the substantial differences between the Chinese and European populations in terms of demographics and living conditions, direct adoption of the European program in China remains unfeasible. Although a RCT has been conducted in China previously, its participants were mainly from rural areas in northern China and, thus, are not representative of the entire nation.There is an urgent need to establish cohorts that represent different economic, cultural, and geographical situations in order to explore implementation strategies and evaluate the effects of early multi-domain interventions more comprehensively and accurately.

MEDTODS

We developed an integrated intervention procedure implemented in urban neighborhood settings, namely China Initiative for Multi-Domain Intervention (CHINA-IN-MUDI). CHINA-IN-MUDI is a 2-year multicenter open-label cluster-randomised controlled trial centered around a Chinese-style multi-domain intervention to prevent cognitive decline. Participants aged 60-80 years were recruited from a nationally representative study, i.e. China Healthy Aging and Dementia Study cohort. An external harmonization process was carried out to preserve the original FINGER design. Subsequently, we standardized a series of Chinese-style intervention programs to align with cultural and socioeconomic status. Additionally, we expanded the secondary outcome list to include genomic and proteomic analyses. To enhance adherence and facilitate implementation, we leveraged an e-health application.

RESULTS

Screening commenced in July 2022. Currently, 1,965 participants have been randomized into lifestyle intervention (n = 772) and control groups (n = 1,193). Both the intervention and control groups exhibited similar baseline characteristics. Several lifestyle and vascular risk factors were present, indicating a potential window of opportunity for intervention. The intervention will be completed by 2025.

CONCLUSIONS

This project will contribute to the evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of intervention strategies in controlling AD risk and reducing clinical events, providing a basis for public health decision-making in China.

[The expression of Plakoglobin in residual cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and its prognostic impact on patients]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression levels of Plakoglobin protein in residual lesions after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Methods: Clinical and pathological data from 174 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery after receiving NAC at the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2009 to December 2017 were collected. The expression level of Plakoglobin in residual cancer lesions was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between Plakoglobin expression level and clinicopathological features was analyzed. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used for factor analysis. Results: Among the 174 patients, 140 had low expression of Plakoglobin, and 34 had high expression. The median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in the Plakoglobin low expression group were 59.46 and 71.68 months, respectively, both of which were higher than those in the high expression group (36.58 and 47.26 months, respectively, both P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that Plakoglobin expression, pathological N stage, lymphovascular invasion status, histological grade, Ki-67, and molecular subtypes were associated with OS (all P<0.05), while pathological N stage, histological grade, and Ki-67 were associated with DFS (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that Plakoglobin expression (HR=2.438, 95% CI: 1.256-4.735, P=0.008) was an independent predictor for OS, and Ki-67 (HR=2.228, 95% CI: 1.316-3.773, P=0.003) was an independent predictor for DFS. Conclusion: In breast cancer patients with residual lesions after NAC, those with low Plakoglobin expression have relatively longer OS and Plakoglobin is an independent prognostic factor for OS.

Expression and self-assembly of virus-like particles from porcine parvovirus and its application in antibody detection

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) is a major causative agent in reproductive pig disease. The swine industry faces a significant economic and epizootic threat; thus, finding a reliable, quick, and practical way to detect it is essential. In this investigation, recombinant PPV VP2 protein was expressed in the Escherichia coli ( E. coli) expression systems. As shown by electron microscopy (TEM), Western blot, and hemagglutination (HA) assays, the recombinant VP2 protein was successfully assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) after being expressed and purified. These VLPs had a structure that was similar to that of real PPV viruses and also exhibited HA activity. These VLPs induced high levels of PPV-specific antibody titers in mice after immunization, indicating that the VLPs may be beneficial as potential candidate antigens. VLPs were used as the coating antigens for the VLP ELISA, and the PPV VLPs-based ELISA displayed a high sensitivity (99%), specificity (93.0%) and agreement rate (98.3%) compared to HI assay, and the agreement rate of this ELISA was 97.5% compared to a commercial ELISA kit. Within a plate, the coefficient of variation (CV) was 10%, and between ELISA plates, the CV was 15%. According to a cross-reactivity assay, the technique was PPV-specific in contrast to other viral illness sera. The PPV VLP indirect-ELISA test for PPV detection in pigs with an inactivated vaccine showed that the PPV-positive rate varied among different sample sources from 88.2 to 89.6%. Our results indicate that this ELISA technique was quick, accurate, and repeatable and may be used for extensive serological research on PPV antibodies in pigs.

[Perception of HIV-related behavior and influencing factors among young students in Guangzhou]

Objective: To investigate the risk perception for risky behavior of HIV/AIDS infection among young students and to analyze the related influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 5 different types of Guangzhou colleges from September to November 2021, in which convenience sampling and a minimum number of classes per grade and 600 samples per school were used according to the national unity program. Disordered multi-classification logistic regression was used to construct a risk perception model and analyze influencing factors in different risk perception levels. Results: A total of 7 346 young students were surveyed, and most rated themselves at low risk of HIV/AIDS infections (90.58%, 6 654/7 346). A total of 89.10% (6 545/7 346) of subjects' perception of their HIV/AIDS infection risk was consistent with their risk behavior, while 10.90% (801/7 346) was inconsistent. Among those inconsistent subjects, 19.10% (153/801) showed underestimating their risk , while 80.90% (648/801) seen overestimating their risk. Disordered multi-classification logistic regression analysis showed that, after controlling for other factors, compared with the non-sexual group, respondents whose first sex age under 18 had a higher rate of underestimating their risk of infection (OR=129.39, 95%CI: 73.28-228.48), as well as a higher rate of overestimated their risk of infection (OR=1.76, 95%CI: 1.04-2.99). First sexual intercourse at age 18 or older was a risk factor for underestimating risk (OR=70.56, 95%CI: 42.72-116.53), but was not statistically associated with overestimating risk. Being female, other school type, non-heterosexual orientation, and self-rated HIV-related knowledge as fair or no knowledge were risk factors for overestimating risk but were not statistically associated with underestimating risk. Conclusions: Overall, young students in universities of Guangzhou have a good risk perception of HIV/AIDS infection. Individual factors, education factors and sexual experience will influence students' risk perception of HIV/AIDS infection. Raising the awareness rate of HIV/AIDS knowledge and delaying the age of first sexual intercourse will improve the risk perception ability of young students.

van der Waals induced ice growth on partially melted ice nuclei in mist and fog

Ice nucleation and formation play pivotal roles across various domains, from environmental science to food engineering. However, the exact ice formation mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study introduces a novel ice formation process, which can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous, depending on the initial conditions. The process initiates ice crystal growth from a nucleus composed of a micron-sized partially melted ice particle. We explore the role of van der Waals (Lifshitz)-free energy and its resulting stress in the accumulation of ice at the interface with water vapor. Our analysis suggests that this process could lead to thicknesses ranging from nanometers to micrometers, depending on the size and degree of initial melting of the ice nucleus. We provide evidence for the growth of thin ice layers instead of liquid water films on a partially melted ice-vapor interface, offering some insights into mist and fog formation. We also link it to potential atmospheric and astrogeophysical applications.