Research Note: Effects of environmental sound stimulus on behavioral responses, cortisol levels, and horizontal immunity of transferred pullets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged exposure to varying levels of music or noise on the behavioral, physiological, and immune responses of pullets following their transfer to an egg-laying facility. A total of 240 one-day-old Hy-Line Brown pullets were randomly assigned to five groups: 0 dB sound stimulation, low-decibel music (65-75 dB), high-decibel music (85-95 dB), low-decibel noise (65-75 dB), and high-decibel noise (85-95 dB) stimuli. Pullets received music or noise stimuli 10 h per d from 1-day-old to 16-wk-old and were then transferred to the egg-laying facility. The results indicated that feeding and drinking behaviors significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas feather pecking, aggression, and preening behaviors significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the pullets after transfer. Pullets also had higher serum cortisol (COR) levels (P < 0.05), whereas immunoglobulin Y (IgY), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (INF-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels significantly increased (P < 0.05). Low-decibel sound stimuli increased aggressive behavior and decreased pecking behavior (P < 0.05). High-decibel sound stimuli decreased feather pecking, cage pecking, aggression, and sham dustbathing behaviors (P < 0.05). In addition, a low-decibel sound stimulus decreased the serum COR content, and increased the serum IL-6 level in the transferred pullets. A high-decibel sound stimulus also induced shorter tonic immobility (TI) durations in pullets on d 7 after transport stress. Meanwhile, high-decibel sound stimulus decreased the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels of pullets. In conclusion, the transfer has detrimental effects on the pullets. Long-term sound stimulation effectively mitigated the negative impact of transportation stress on pullets. Among them, the high-decibel sound stimulus showed more promise in relieving transport stress.

Characterization of "Off-Target" Immune Modulation Induced by Live Attenuated Yellow Fever Vaccine

BACKGROUND

Live attenuated vaccines alter immune functions and are associated with beneficial outcomes. We previously demonstrated that live attenuated yellow fever virus (YFV) vaccine (LA-YF-Vax) dampens T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling in vitro via an RNA-based mechanism. We examined study participants before and after LA-YF-Vax to assess TCR-mediated functions in vivo.

METHODS

Serum samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained before and after LA-YF-Vax (with or without additional vaccines) or quadrivalent influenza vaccine. TCR-mediated activation was determined by interleukin 2 release or phosphorylation of the lymphocyte-specific Src kinase. TCR-regulating phosphatase (protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type E [PTPRE]) expression was also measured.

RESULTS

Compared with prevaccination findings, LA-YF-Vax recipient PBMCs demonstrated transient reduction in interleukin 2 release after TCR stimulation and PTPRE levels, unlike in control participants who received quadrivalent influenza vaccine. YFV was detected in 8 of 14 participants after LA-YF-Vax. After incubation of healthy donor PBMCs in serum-derived extracellular vesicles prepared from LA-YF-Vax recipients, TCR signaling and PTPRE levels were reduced after vaccination, even in participants without detectable YFV RNA.

CONCLUSIONS

LA-YF-Vax reduces TCR functions and PTPRE levels after vaccination. Extracellular vesicles from serum recapitulated this effect in healthy cells. This likely contributes to the reduced immunogenicity for heterologous vaccines after LA-YF-Vax administration. Identification of specific immune mechanisms related to vaccines should contribute to understanding of the "off-target," beneficial effects of live vaccines.

[Analysis of the therapeutic efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy without intraocular tamponade in the treatment of high myopic eyes with myopic foveoschisis and central foveal detachment]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) without intraocular tamponade in the treatment of high myopic eyes with myopic foveoschisis (MF) accompanied by foveal detachment (FD). Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted. The medical records of patients diagnosed with unilateral MF accompanied by FD at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University between May 2018 and December 2021 were collected. All patients underwent 23-gauge PPV with posterior vitreous cortex clearance, and no intraocular tamponade was applied. The cases were divided into groups based on whether the internal limiting membrane was peeled during surgery or retained. Follow-up was conducted for at least 12 months. The main outcome measures included postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), central foveal thickness (CFT), MF resolution, and complications. Statistical analyses were performed using t-tests, chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, and univariate and multivariate linear regression. Results: A total of 40 patients (40 eyes) with MF and FD were included in the study, with 30.0% being male and 70.0% female. The mean age was (56.9±11.7) years, and the axial length of the eyes was (29.1±1.9) mm. At 12 months postoperatively, BCVA improved from baseline 1.15±0.58 to 0.73±0.39 (t=6.11, P<0.001), and CFT decreased from baseline (610.1±207.2) μm to (155.9±104.1) μm (t=13.47, P<0.001). Complete resolution of MF with foveal reattachment was observed in 80.0% of eyes, with a median time of 6 (5, 8) months. There was no significant difference in BCVA and CFT between the internal limiting membrane peeled group and retained group [0.68±0.39 vs. 0.79±0.40, t=0.85, P=0.403; (148.3±63.8)vs.(164.3±137.2)um,t=0.48, P=0.634]. One eye experienced macular hole and another eye developed retinal detachment postoperatively. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between BCVA at 12 months postoperatively and baseline BCVA (β=0.433, P<0.001). Conclusions: Pars plana vitrectomy without intraocular tamponade is effective in treating MF accompanied by FD. The choice between internal limiting membrane peeling and retention does not significantly affect visual prognosis.

Predictors of dopamine dysregulation syndrome in patients with early Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) is a complication of Parkinson's disease (PD) that seriously affects the quality of life of PD patients. Currently, the risk factors for DDS are poorly known, and it is critical to identify them in the early stages of PD.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the incidence of and risk factors for DDS in patients with early PD.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on the general data, clinical features, and imaging data of patients with early PD in the PPMI database. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors for the development of DDS in patients with early PD, and Kaplan‒Meier curves examined the frequency and predictors of incident DDS symptoms.

RESULTS

At baseline, 2.2% (n = 6) of patients with early PD developed DDS, and the cumulative incidence rates of DDS during the 5-year follow-up period were 2.8%, 6.4%, 10.8%, 15.5%, and 18.7%, respectively. In the multivariate Cox regression model controlling for age, sex, and drug use, hypersexuality (HR = 3.088; 95% CI: 1.416~6.732; P = 0.005), compulsive eating (HR = 3.299; 95% CI: 1.665~6.534; P = 0.001), compulsive shopping (HR = 3.899; 95% CI: 1.769~8.593; P = 0.001), anxiety (HR = 4.018; 95% CI: 2.136~7.599; P < 0.01), and lower Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage (HR = 0.278; 95% CI: 0.152~0.509; P < 0.01) were independent risk factors for DDS in patients with early PD. PD patients with DDS had lower DAT uptake values than those patients without DDS.

CONCLUSION

Early PD patients with hypersexuality, compulsive eating, compulsive shopping, anxiety, and lower H-Y stage were at increased risk for DDS. The occurrence of DDS may be related to the decrease in the average DAT uptake of the caudate and putamen.

Application of multiple machine learning approaches to determine key pyroptosis molecules in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective

Pyroptosis, a lytic and inflammatory programmed cell death, has been implicated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications. Nonetheless, it remains elusive exactly which pyroptosis molecule exerts an essential role in T2DM, and this study aims to solve such issue.

Methods

Transcriptional profiling datasets of T2DM, i.e., GSE20966, GSE95849, and GSE26168, were acquired. Four machine learning models, namely, random forest, support vector machine, extreme gradient boosting, and generalized linear modeling, were built based on pyroptosis genes. A nomogram of key pyroptosis genes was also generated, and the clinical value was appraised via calibration curves and decision curve analysis. Immune infiltration was inferred utilizing CIBERSORT. Drug-druggable target relationships were acquired from the Drug Gene Interaction Database. Through WGCNA, key pyroptosis-relevant genes were selected.

Results

Most pyroptosis genes exhibited upregulation in T2DM relative to controls, indicating the activity of pyroptosis in T2DM. The SVM model composed of BAK1, CHMP2B, NLRP6, PLCG1, and TIRAP exhibited the best performance in T2DM diagnosis, with AUC = 1. The nomogram can predict the risk of T2DM for clinical practice. NK cells resting exhibited a lower abundance in T2DM versus normal specimens, with a higher abundance of neutrophils. NLRP6 was positively linked with neutrophils. Drugs (keracyanin, 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, diclofenac, phosphomethylphosphonic acid adenosyl ester, acetaminophen, cefixime, aspirin, ustekinumab) potentially targeted the key pyroptosis genes. Additionally, CHMP2B-relevant genes were determined.

Conclusion

Altogether, this work proposes the key pyroptosis genes in T2DM, which might become possible molecules for the management and treatment of T2DM and its complications.

New evidence for the Ontong Java Nui hypothesis

The formation of the Ontong Java Nui super oceanic plateau (OJN), which is based on the model that the submarine Ontong Java Plateau (OJP), Manihiki Plateau (MP), and Hikurangi Plateau (HP) were once its contiguous fragments, could have been the largest globally consequential volcanic event in Earth's history. This OJN hypothesis has been debated given the paucity of evidence, for example, the differences in crustal thickness, the compositional gap between MP and OJP basalts and the apparent older age of both plateaus relative to HP remain unresolved. Here we investigate the geochemical and ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar ages of dredged rocks recovered from the OJP's eastern margin. Volcanic rocks having compositions that match the low-Ti MP basalts are reported for the first time on the OJP and new ~ 96-116 Ma and 67-68 Ma ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar age data bridge the temporal gap between OJP and HP. These results provide new evidence for the Ontong Java Nui hypothesis and a framework for an integrated tectonomagmatic evolution of the OJP, MP, and HP. The isotopic data imply four mantle components in the source of OJN that are also expressed in present-day Pacific hotspots sources, indicating origin from (and longevity of) the Pacific Large Low Shear-wave Velocity Province.

Grazing alters the relationships between species diversity and biomass during community succession in a semiarid grassland

The relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functions (BEF) are crucial for ecosystem management. However, little is known about how grazing affects BEF relationships in the context of ecological succession. Here, using a 5-year experiment in a semiarid grassland of the Loess Plateau, China, we mainly focused on how grazing affected the relationships between plant species diversity and aboveground biomass (AGB) and explored the underlying mechanisms behind the relationships. In addition, we compared the plant dynamics of community composition and structure under no-grazing and grazing treatments during succession. We found that the plant species diversity-AGB relationship shifted from a negative-linear pattern in no-grazing to a humped-back model in grazing during plant community succession, suggesting that grazing could regulate dominant species and alter the availability of light resources to suppress competitive exclusion during succession. In addition, changes in annual plants over time played crucial roles in the BEF relationships. The increase in annual Salsola collina in this study, which also alters multiple mechanisms of plant interaction, had a significant effect on the negative-linear relationship both with and without grazing. On average, compared to no-grazing treatment, grazing significantly decreased the plant community density (39.53 %), cover (16.97 %), height (7.85 %), and AGB (9.35 %), but increased plant diversity, including species richness and the Shannon-Wiener index, and especially dramatically enhanced the Shannon-Wiener index (ranging from 1.55 to 2.13). These results underline the close association between grazing and the dynamics of plant communities in semiarid grasslands during succession. In particular, our findings further reveal grazing-dependent relationships between diversity and AGB, which have significant implications for the management and biodiversity conservation measures of semiarid grassland ecosystems.

Associations of blood UCH-L1 and NfL levels with cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease patients

OBJECTIVE

Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) and Neurofilament light chain (NfL) are associated with Lewy body formation, Lewy bodies are the main pathological feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). The relationship between UCH-L1 and PD cognition remains unclear, and NfL is an important marker of cognitive impairment. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship among serum UCH-L1 levels, plasma NfL levels and cognitive dysfunction in PD patients.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in UCH-L1 and NfL levels among PD patients with normal cognitive function (PD-CN), PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), and PD-dementia patients (PDD) (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). The PDD group had lower levels of UCH-L1 (Z = 6.721, P < 0.001; Z = 7.577, P < 0.001) and higher levels of NfL (Z = -3.626, P = 0.001; Z = -2.616P = 0.027) than the PD-NC and PD-MCI groups. Serum UCH-L1 levels were positively correlated with MMSE scores, MoCA scores, and its subitems in PD patients (P < 0.001), and plasma NfL levels were negatively correlated with MMSE scores, MoCA scores, and its items (P < 0.01) (except for "abstract").

CONCLUSION

Decreased UCH-L1 levels and elevated NfL levels in the blood are associated with cognitive dysfunction in PD; thus, these proteins are potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction in PD patients.

CXCR4 knockout induces neuropathological changes in the MPTP-lesioned model of Parkinson's disease

C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is highly expressed in Parkinson's disease (PD) mice's brains and is related to astrocyte signaling and microglial activation. This makes CXCR4 related to neuroinflammation and also makes CXCR4 considered to be the PD development mechanism and possible therapeutic targets. Therefore, it is worth studying the effect of CXCR4 on neuropathological changes and its potential therapeutic value for PD. This study aimed to investigate the effect of CXCR4 knockout on neuropathological changes in the mouse model of PD and its mechanism. In this study, CXCR4-WT and CXCR4^+/- C57BL mice were used to make Parkinson's model. Behavioral experiments, dopaminergic neuron markers, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier damage were detected to verify the effect of CXCR4 knockout on neuropathological changes. CXCR4 knockout improved the behavioral results and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-lesioned mice. In the substantia nigra (SN) area of the brain of PD mouse model, the number of Iba1-positive (p = 0.0004) and GFAP-positive cells (p = 0.0349) was significantly lower in CXCR4 knockout group than CXCR4-WT group. CXCR4 knockout reduced MPTP-induced infiltration of peripheral immune cells and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. CXCR4 knockout also protected blood-brain barrier (BBB) from MPTP-induced damage. In conclusion, CXCR4 knockout inhibits the degeneration of dopamine neurons, microglial and astrocyte activation, neuroinflammation, and BBB damages in the MPTP-lesioned PD mice.

Soil moisture drives the spatiotemporal patterns of asymmetry in vegetation productivity responses across China

Increasingly drastic global change is expected to cause hydroclimatic changes, which will influence vegetation productivity and pose a threat to the terrestrial carbon sink. Asymmetry represents an imbalance between vegetation growth and loss of growth during dry and wet periods, respectively. However, the mechanisms of asymmetric plant responses to hydrological changes remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the spatiotemporal patterns of asymmetric responses of vegetation productivity across terrestrial ecosystems in China. We analyzed several observational and satellite-based datasets of plant productivity and several reanalyzed datasets of hydroclimatic variables from 2001 to 2020, and used a random forest model to assess the importance of hydroclimatic variables for these responses. Our results showed that the productivity of >50 % of China's vegetated areas showed a more positive asymmetry (2.3 ± 9.4 %) over the study period, which were distributed broadly in northwest China (mainly grasslands and sparse vegetation ecosystems). Negative asymmetries were most common in forest ecosystems in northeast China. We demonstrated that one-third of vegetated areas tended to exhibit significant changes in asymmetry during 2001-2020. The trend towards stronger positive asymmetry (0.95 % yr^-1) was higher than that towards stronger negative asymmetry (-0.55 % yr^-1), which is beneficial for the carbon sink. We further showed that in China, soil moisture was a more important driver of spatiotemporal changes in asymmetric productivity than precipitation. We identified thresholds of surface soil moisture (20-30 %, volume water content) and root-zone soil moisture (200-350 mm, equivalent water height) that were associated with changes in asymmetry. Our findings highlight the necessity of considering the dynamic responses of vegetation to hydrological factors in order to fully understand the physiological growth processes of plants and avoid the possible loss of productivity due to future climate change.

Improvement of ecosystem quality in National Key Ecological Function Zones in China during 2000-2015

Improving ecosystem quality is the ultimate goal of ecological restoration projects and sustainable ecosystem management. However, previous results of ecosystem quality lack comparability among different regions when assessing the effectiveness of ecological restoration projects on the regional or national scales, due to the influence of geographical and climatic background conditions. Here we proposed a new index, ecosystem quality ratio (EQR), by integrating the status of landscape structure, ecosystem services, ecosystem stability, and human disturbance relative to their reference conditions, and assessed the EQR changes in China's counties and National Key Ecological Function Zones (NKEFZs) from 1990 to 2015. The results showed that the average ecosystem quality of China's counties deviated from the reference condition by 28%. EQR decreased by 1.2% during 1990-2000 but increased by 3.7% during 2000-2015. Those counties with increasing EQR in 2000-2015 occupy 64.7%, with obviously increasing counties mainly located in the water conservation, biodiversity maintenance, and water and soil conservation types of NKEFZs. The EQR increase in counties within NKEFZs was 3.65 times that outside of NKEFZs. Remarkable improvement of ecosystem quality occurred in the forest region in Changbai Mountain, biodiversity and soil conservation region in Wuling Mountains, and hilly and gully region of Loess Plateau, where EQR increases mainly resulted from the conversion of farmland to forest or grassland and consequent increases in ecosystem services and stability. The magnitude of EQR enhancement showed a positive relationship with the increase in forest and grassland coverage in NKEFZs. Our results highlight the important role of ecological restoration projects in improving ecosystem quality in China, and demonstrate the feasibility of the new index (EQR) for the assessment of ecosystem quality in terms of ecosystem management and restoration.

Research and Application of the Data Mining Technology in Economic Intelligence System

In the context of the rapid development of the modern economy, information is particularly important in the economic field, and information determines the decision-making of enterprises. Therefore, how to quickly dig out information that is beneficial to the enterprise has become a crucial issue. This topic applies data mining technology to economic intelligent systems and obtains the data object model of economic intelligent systems through the integration of information. This article analyzes the interrelationship between its objects on this basis and uses data mining-related methods to mine it. The establishment of economic intelligence systems not only involves the establishment of mathematical models of economic systems, but also includes research on the algorithms applied to them. How to apply an algorithm to quickly and accurately extract the required economic intelligence domain information from the potential information in the database, or to provide a method to find the best solution, involves the use of association rules and classification prediction methods. The application of data mining algorithms can be used to study the application of economic intelligence systems. This paper develops and designs an economic intelligence information database and realizes the economic intelligence system on this basis, and realizes the research results. Finally, this paper has tested the dataset, and the results show that the classification accuracy of this algorithm is 2.64% higher than that of the ID3 algorithm.

[Impact of neoadjuvant immunotherapy on pulmonary function and perioperative outcomes in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer]

Objective: To explore the effect of neoadjuvant immunotherapy on pulmonary function and the efficacy in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: Data of 30 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received neoadjuvant immunotherapy before surgery in the Chest Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University from March 2018 to September 2021 were retrospectively collect. The efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in the perioperative period and changes in pulmonary function of patients before and after neoadjuvant treatment were valuated. Results: The patients were all-male with age of (61±8)years old, The major pathological response (MPR) rate of patients receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy was 43%(13 cases), the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate was 37% (11 cases), disease control rate (DCR) was 97% (29 cases), objective response rate (ORR) was 67% (20 cases). The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after treatment was (2.59±0.63) L, and the ratio of FEV1 to the predicted value (FEV1%pred) was 85.27%±15.86%, which were significantly higher than those before treatment [(2.48±0.59)L, 81.73%±15.94%, respectively] (P=0.013, 0.022, respectively). Forced vital capacity (FVC) after treatment was (3.59±0.77) L, which was also significantly higher than before [(3.47±0.76) L,P=0.036]; while there were no statistical difference in FEV1/FVC and FVC accounted for the proportion of predicted values (FVC%pred) between before and after treatment (P=0.084, 0.344, respectively). The ratio of carbon monoxide dispersion (DLCO) to the predicted value (DLCO%pred) decreased from 83.61%±13.10% to 78.69%±13.85% after treatment (P=0.023). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the DLCO%pred decreased group and the non-decreased group (3/18 vs 0/6; P=0.546). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy can increase the rate of MPR and PCR, significantly increase FEV1 and FEV1%pred, but also lead to a decrease in DLCO%pred; neoadjuvant immunotherapy does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications.

Chitosan oligosaccharides alleviate acute heat stress-induced oxidative damage by activating ERK1/2-mediated HO-1 and GSH-Px gene expression in breast muscle of broilers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on acute heat stress (AHS) induced poor meat quality by alleviating oxidative damage through mitogen-activated protein kinase-nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant responsive element (MAPK-Nrf2-ARE) signaling pathway. A total of 108 thirty-five-day-old Chinese indigenous broilers (Luhua chicken) was used for this 42-d experiment. The broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatments: control group (CON), AHS group, and AHS with 400 mg/kg COS supplementation (AHS-C) group. Both CON and AHS groups given the basal diet, and the AHS-C group given the basal diet with 400 mg/kg COS supplementation. On d 42, broilers in the AHS and AHS-C groups treated with AHS (increasing temperature from 24 to 34°C in 2-h and held for another 2-h), and the CON group under normal temperature (24°C). AHS exposure elevated (P < 0.05) body temperature (rectal, comb, eyelids, and feet) of broilers, increased (P < 0.05) breast muscle lightness (L*), drip loss, share force, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and catalase (CAT) activity, however, decreased (P < 0.05) pH_45min, pH_24h, redness (a*), and relative expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Compared to the AHS group, dietary COS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) breast muscle pH_45min, pH_24h, and a*, H₂O₂ scavenging activity, as well as relative expression of HO-1 and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), however, decreased (P < 0.05) drip loss, share force, superoxide anion free radicals (O₂^•−) scavenging activity, ROS production, and MDA content. It was concluded that AHS impaired meat quality, which may be related to oxidative damage, as evidenced by increasing ROS production, MDA content, and decreasing the relative expression of HO-1. Dietary COS supplementation could effectively elevate the meat quality of broilers exposed to AHS via decreasing ROS production, activating the Nrf2 pathway, and Nrf2-mediated HO-1 and GSH-Px gene expression.

NUT Midline Carcinoma Mimics Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma

Introduction/Objective

NUT carcinoma (NC) is an extremely rare, aggressive subtype of squamous cell carcinoma defined by rearrangement of the NUTM1 (aka NUT) gene. NC most commonly arises within the thorax and head and neck and predominantly affects teens and young adults. For the first time, we described a rare case of NC mimics anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Methods/Case Report

A 27-year female with no significant past medical history presented with neck pain and swelling for a few months and was noted to have a “thyroid” mass. An ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of the mass showed a hypercellular specimen composed of highly atypical epithelial cells with irregular nuclear membrane and prominent nucleolus, high nuclear to cytoplasmic ration, dense cytoplasm, lying singly or in flat sheet mixed with acute inflammatory exudate (Fig. A, B). No thyroid follicular cells or colloid are present. It was signed out as suspicious for squamous cell carcinoma since there was no cell block for further workup. A following excisional biopsy demonstrated similar atypical epithelium detached or embedded in skeletal muscle and soft tissue with acute, chronic inflammation and necrosis (Fig C). By immunohistochemical stains, the atypical cells are positive for p40 (Fig D) and p53. The Ki-67 proliferation index is ranging from 40 % to 70 %. Scattered tumor cells are weakly positive for PAX-8 and TTF-1. These findings raise the possibility that the squamous cell carcinoma might be a component of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. However, molecular studies revealed a NSD3-NUTM1 fusion, which is characteristically identified in a subtype of squamous cell carcinoma know as NUT “midline” carcinoma.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

NA

Conclusion

Diagnosis of NC can be established by positive NUT nuclear immunohistochemical staining. Recognizing the typical morphology and keeping low threshold for the NUT immunohistochemical staining will increase the diagnostic efficacy.

Effects of chitosan oligosaccharides on intestinal oxidative stress and inflammation response in heat stressed rats

This study was to verify the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on intestinal integrity, oxidative status, and inflammatory response in a heat-stressed rat model. A total of 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 treatment: CON, the control group; HS, the heat stress group; HSC, the heat stress group with 200 mg/kg COS. Rats in the HS and HSC group exposed to a cyclical heat stress for 7 consecutive days. The CON and HS group provided basal diet, and the HSC group provided the same diet with 200 mg/kg COS. Compared with the HS group, rats in the HSC group had lower serum diamine oxidase and D-lactate acid level, higher villus height of jejunum and ileum, lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum mucosa, higher glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity in duodenum mucosa, higher T-AOC activity in jejunum mucosa, and higher glutathione (GSH) level in ileum mucosa. Compared with the HS group, rats in the HSC group had higher interleukin-10 (IL-10) level, but lower tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum mucosa. These results indicated that COS may alleviate intestinal damage under heat stress condition, probably by modulating intestinal inflammatory response and oxidative status.

Reference carbon cycle dataset for typical Chinese forests via colocated observations and data assimilation

Chinese forests cover most of the representative forest types in the Northern Hemisphere and function as a large carbon (C) sink in the global C cycle. The availability of long-term C dynamics observations is key to evaluating and understanding C sequestration of these forests. The Chinese Ecosystem Research Network has conducted normalized and systematic monitoring of the soil-biology-atmosphere-water cycle in Chinese forests since 2000. For the first time, a reference dataset of the decadal C cycle dynamics was produced for 10 typical Chinese forests after strict quality control, including biomass, leaf area index, litterfall, soil organic C, and the corresponding meteorological data. Based on these basic but time-discrete C-cycle elements, an assimilated dataset of key C cycle parameters and time-continuous C sequestration functions was generated via model-data fusion, including C allocation, turnover, and soil, vegetation, and ecosystem C storage. These reference data could be used as a benchmark for model development, evaluation and C cycle research under global climate change for typical forests in the Northern Hemisphere.

Effects of chitosan oligosaccharides on meat quality, muscle energy metabolism and anti-oxidant status in broilers that have experienced transport stress

Context Pre-slaughter transport, exposed broilers to various stressors, which resulted in detrimental effects on animal welfare, live bodyweight loss, mortality and meat quality. There was growing interest to explore effective ways to reduce the stress response and improve meat quality of transported broilers by using dietary feed additives. Aims The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on meat quality, muscle energy metabolism and anti-oxidant status of broilers having 3-h transport stress. Methods In total, of 144 35-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments, including a basal diet (96 broilers), or basal diet supplemented with COS at 200 mg/kg (48 broilers). There were eight broilers per cage, and 12 replication cages in the basal diet group and six replication cages in the basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS group. At the end of the experiment, after a 12-h fast, broilers in the basal diet group were randomly divided into two groups, with six replication cages in each group; then, the broilers were transported as per the following protocols: broilers in the basal diet group (CON group) were without transport stress; broilers in the basal diet group with 3 h of transport stress (TS group), and broilers in the basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS supplementation and 3 h of transport stress (TSC group). The serum corticosterone concentration, serum, liver and muscle anti-oxidant status, as well as meat quality and muscle energy metabolism were analysed. Key results Compared with the CON group, TS group showed increased bodyweight loss, serum corticosterone concentration, breakdown of muscle glycogen, increased muscle lactate dehydrogenase activity, as well as some changes of body anti-oxidant status (higher serum, liver and muscle MDA concentrations, lower serum SOD and GSH-Px, liver SOD and CAT, and lower muscle SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activity), accompanied with lower pH45min and pH24h. Nevertheless, compared with the TS group, dietary COS supplementation reduced bodyweight loss, decreased muscle MDA concentration, increased muscle SOD and CAT activity, and was accompanied with improving pH24h. Conclusions The results suggested that the positive effects of dietary COS supplementation in maintaining meat quality were mainly due to the improved muscle anti-oxidant status. Implications Dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg COS could serve as a beneficial and effective way to alleviate transport-impaired meat quality of broilers.

Grape-seed polyphenols inhibit AAA in mice via regulation of macrophage polarization

AIM

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is characterized by macrophage polarization, and at present, no drug therapy is available. Although grape-seed polyphenols (GSP) showed an anti-AAA effect, the role of GSP in the phenotype shift in macrophages remains unknown.

METHOD

The main phenolic compounds in GSP were determined by LC-MS. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four equal groups, namely sham group, CaPO4 group, CaPO4+GSP low-dose group, and CaPO4+GSP high-dose group. GSP was administered intragastrically after CaPO4 application. Molecular expressions were histologically evaluated and analyzed by various staining assays and FACS.

RESULTS

GSP administration inhibited CaPO4-induced AAA formation, which correlated with a decrease in macrophage infiltration and retainment of vascular smooth muscle layer as compared to those in the CaPO4 group. FACS assay showed that the GSP administration dose-dependently decreased the CD54 expression (low-dose group: 11.4 ± 2.1 % and high-dose group: 4.8 ± 1.4 % vs 23.2 ± 3.6 %; p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and increased the CD206 expression of F4/80-positive cells in GSP-administered groups as compared with that in CaPO4-injured aortas in the CaPO4 group (low-dose group: 22.4 ± 3.3 % and high-dose group: 26.7 ± 4.2 % vs 8.1 ± 1.3 %; p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

GSP could be a pharmacologically potent agent in the treatment of AAA (Tab. 1, Fig. 3,Ref. 20). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: grape-seed polyphenols, abdominal aortic aneurysm, macrophage, inflammatory, polarization.

Chitosan oligosaccharide as an effective feed additive to maintain growth performance, meat quality, muscle glycolytic metabolism, and oxidative status in yellow-feather broilers under heat stress

This study investigated the effects of dietary chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) supplementation on growth performance; corticosterone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration; relative organ weight; liver function; meat quality; muscle glycolytic metabolism; and oxidative status in yellow-feather broilers under heat stress. A total of 108 35-day-old Chinese yellow-feather broilers (BW, 470.31 ± 13.15 g) was randomly allocated to 3 dietary treatments as follow: control group, basal diet and raised under normal temperature (24°C); HS group, basal diet and raised under cycle heat stress (34°C from 10:00 to 18:00 and 24°C for the rest time); and HSC group, basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS supplementation and raised under cycle heat stress. Each treatment had 6 replication pens and 6 broilers per pen. Results indicated that heat stress decreased ADG, ADFI, gain:feed ratio, the relative weight of thymus, bursa of Fabricius, pancreas, proventriculus, gizzard, and liver, growth hormone concentration, pH_24h, muscle glycogen content, muscle superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, as well as increased corticosterone, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase level, cooking loss, muscle lactate and malondialdehyde content. Compared with the HS group, broilers in the HSC group had higher ADG, the relative weight of thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and liver, growth hormone concentration, pH_24h, muscle glycogen content, muscle superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, and lower serum corticosterone, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase level, cooking loss, and muscle lactate and malondialdehyde content. In conclusion, the results suggested that COS could be used as an effective feed additive to maintain growth performance, liver function, meat quality, muscle glycolytic metabolism, and oxidative status of yellow-feather broilers under heat stress. The improved meat quality is possibly through reducing muscle glycolysis metabolism and improving muscle oxidative status by dietary COS supplementation in broilers under heat stress.

Spatial genetic structure and historical demography of East Asian wild boar

Pleistocene climatic fluctuations may have had a profound impact on the evolutionary history of many species. The geographical pattern of European wild boar (Sus scrofa) is clearly studied, and it was greatly influenced by ancient climatic events, especially the Last Glacial Maximum. Previous research on genetic variation has mainly focused on the origin and distribution histories of domestic pigs. However, some questions have not been answered, including those concerning the genetic diversity, geographical pattern and possible historic influence of climate on East Asian wild boar (EAWB). Employing the control region of mtDNA (511 bp), we investigated the contributions of historic climate, which possibly shaped the genetic pattern of wild boar. Given that the level of genetic diversity of wild boars is higher in East Asia than in Europe, 172 haplotypes were detected from 680 individuals. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the complex phylogeographic structure of EAWB. Mismatch analysis, neutrality tests and the Bayesian Skyline Plot results all retrieved signals of a rapid population expansion, which might have played an important role in driving the formation of complex spatial genetic structure. Genetic data and species distribution modelling showed that the Last Glacial Maximum had weak effect on the distribution of the EAWB. We suggest that, in shaping spatial genetic structure in East Asian, long-term gene flow and population history played more important roles than Pleistocene climate fluctuations.

Identification of potential crucial genes associated with vasculogenic mimicry in human osteosarcoma based on gene expression profile

We previously reported the presence of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in human osteosarcoma. However, the mechanistic basis of osteosarcoma VM remains unclear. Three hundred eighty-one upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 526 downregulated DEGs between human osteosarcoma cell line 143B and HOS cell exposed to Matrigel were screened out by microarray. GO categories such as "cell adhesion", "angiogenesis" were enriched in 143B group. PATHWAY analysis showed enriched TGF-beta, Wnt and VEGF signaling pathway in 143B group. The hub gene ITGA2 in signal-network of DEGs exhibited pro-VM and pro-metastasis effect. Our study provides fundamental data for further studies regarding molecules involved in osteosarcoma VM.

[Comparison of antibiotics and saline irrigation with tube drainage in the treatment of postoperative abdominal and pelvic infectious effusion]

Objective: To compare the efficiency of saline irrigation, antibiotics irrigation and high-concentration antibiotics perfusion with tube drainage in the treatment of infectious effusion. Methods: Clinical and sonographic features of abdominal and pelvic infectious effusion of 64 patients with malignant tumor collected from September 2013 to September 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The changes of effusion size and temperature, catheterization time were evaluated in saline irrigation group and antibiotics irrigation group. The catheterization time was compared between antibiotics irrigation group and high-concentration antibiotics perfusion group. Results: The effective rates of the saline irrigation group and the antibiotics irrigation group were 68.6% and 86.8%, respectively, and the times of catheterization were 11.9±8.4 days and 7.8±4.8 days, respectively, with significantly statistical difference (both P<0.05). However, the effective rates of the antibiotics irrigation group and the high concentration antibiotic perfusion group were 86.8% and 100.0%, respectively (P=0.067), while the times of catheterization were 7.8±4.8 days and 3.6±3.1 days, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: The antibiotic irrigation with tube drainage, especially the high concentration perfusion is more effective than saline in the treatment of abdominal and pelvic infection effusion.

P01.01 The role of exosome miRNA between tumor cells and microglias during the progression of medulloblastoma

BACKGROUND

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant paediatric brain tumor. Recent studies show that M2 cells were relative more abundant in Shh subtype of MBs compared with other three subtypes. It’s known that M2 cells have close relationship with many tumors’ progression. But if they play any role in the progression of Shh subtype of MB is not yet clear. Many studies demonstrate that exosomes carring miRNAs have close relationship with tumor invasion. The aim of present study is to clarify the role of exosome miRNA between tumor cells and microglias during the progression of Shh subtype of medulloblastoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Immunofluerescence staining using iNOS and Arg1, which is M1 and M2 specific marker, respectively, was performed in four subtypes of MBs. After coculture of exosomes extracted from Shh subtype of MB cell (DAOY) with microglia cell (BV2), Q-PCR and ELISA assay were done to evaluate the polarization status of the microglia. Transwell and scratch assay were then performed to detect the migration ability of DAOY cell after treatment of exosomes from polirized M2 cells. MiRNA sequencing by Ion Proton technology was then done to analyze the miRNAs expression level between Shh subtype and other subtype of MBs. Transformation assay was used to overexpress and inhibit the expression of these miRNAs respectively to further clarify the role of exosome miRNA in the polarization of BV2 cells.

RESULTS

M2 cells were observed more abundant than other three subtypes of tumors, supporting that M2 cells play some role in this subtype of MBs. Exosomes of DAOY cells can induce the polarization of M2 cells. The polarized M2 cells can improved the migration and invasion ability of DAOY cell. Dozens of miRNAs were identified with different expression level between Shh subtype of MBs and other subtype of MB cells. Among them, 4 miRNAs were reported to be related with polariztion of M2 in many other lesions. Three of the 4 miRNAs can induce the polarization of M2 in present study.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated exosome miRNA play a critical role between tumor cells and microglias during the progression of Shh subtype of medulloblastoma.

Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of a Novel Bis-Chelated Gold(I) Diphosphine Compound, Bis(2,3-bis(tert-butylmethylphosphino)Quinoxaline)Aurate(I), in Rats

GC20, a novel soluble bis-chelated gold(I)−diphosphine compound, has been reported as a promising anticancer candidate. Assessing the pharmacokinetic properties of GC20 is critical for its medicinal evaluation. First, a sensitive and specific liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and well validated to determine GC20 in rat plasma and rat tissue homogenate after one step protein precipitation. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Angilent ZORBAX-C18 column (3.5 μm, 2.1 × 50 mm) with gradient elution and mass spectrometry was performed on a triple quadrupole in positive ion mode using an electrospray ionization source. This method was then applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of GC20 in rats after intravenous administration. The results showed that the plasma exposure of GC20 in vivo increased with increasing doses after a single dose. However, after multiple doses, a significant accumulation and a saturation at elimination were observed for GC20 in rats. Moreover, after intravenous administration, GC20 was widely distributed in various tissues, with the highest levels in the lung, spleen, liver, and pancreas, followed by the kidney and heart, while the lowest level was found in the brain. This is the first report on the pharmacokinetic properties of GC20.

[miR-449a is a potential epigenetic biomarker for WNT subtype of medulloblastoma]

Objective: To identify the candidate epigenetic biomarkers of Wnt subtype of medulloblastoma(MB). Methods: MicroRNAs(miRNAs) expression array was used to detect the expression of miRNAs in MB cell lines with or without treatment by demethylation reagent. Nanostring gene expression array was used to detect the expression level of mRNA in 45 samples of primary MB. Molecular subtyping was performed based on the NanoString data. The status of methylation was confirmed by methylation specific PCR. The expression of candidate miRNA was confirmed by real-time PCR. Results: All 45 MBs except one were classified into the four molecular groups: 4 in WNT group, 8 in SHH group, 16 were in Group3 and 16 in Group4. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) assay confirmed miR-449a was silenced due to aberrant DNA methylation in MB cell lines.WNT subtype of MBs showed relatively higher expression of miR-449a comparing with other subgroups. Conclusion: MiR-449a, a candidate tumor suppressor gene regulated by hypermethylation, is a novel potential epigenetic marker for WNT subtype of MBs.

[The value of ultrasound classification in BI-RADS category 4 of breast complex cystic masses]

Objective: To analyze the feature of breast complex cystic masses and to classify it at ultrasonography (US), which applied to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categories 4a to 4c with pathological results as the golden standards. Methods: The ultrasonographic data and clinical features of 78 patients with complex cystic masses confirmed by pathology in Cancer Hospital from July 2014 to June 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The complex cystic breast masses were divided into four classes on the basis of their US features: type 1 [thick wall and (or) thick septa (> 0.5 mm)], type 2 (one or more intra-cystic masses), type 3 (mixed cystic and solid components with cystic components more than 50%) and type 4 (mixed cystic and solid components with solid components more than 50%). Positive values (PPVs) were calculated for each type. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the ultrasonographic features of the masses (lesion size, margins, blood flow resistance index, calcification, and axillary lymph nodes, etc.) with malignant correlation. Results: There were 81 lesions in 78 patients. Among the 81 masses based on US appearance, 14 (17.3%) were classified as type Ⅰ, 18 (22.2%) as type Ⅱ, 18 (22.2%) as type Ⅲ, and 31 (38.3%) as type Ⅳ. The positive predictive values of the malignant lesions of type Ⅰ, type Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were 7.1%, 16.7%, 61.1% and 48.3%, respectively (P=0.040). In all the 81 masses, 14 were BI-RADS categories 4a, 18 were BI-RADS categories 4b and 49 were BI-RADS categories 4c. Masses with maximum diameter equal to or larger than 2.0 cm, unclear margins, RI≥0.7 and presence of abnormal axillary nodes assessment had a high probability of malignancy (P=0.030, 0.038, <0.001 and 0.025, respectively). Conclusion: Ultrasound typing is helpful for differentiating benign and malignant breast complex cysts and classifying BI-AIDS 4a to 4c, thus providing clearer treatment for clinical practice.

[Caries prevention effectiveness of aresin based sealant and a glass ionomer sealants: a report of 5-year-follow-up]

Objective: To evaluate and compare the caries prevention effectiveness of a resin-based sealant and a glass ionomer sealant on permanent first molars in 7- to 9-years-old school children. Methods: A randomized controlled, examiner-blinded, 5-year clinical trial was conducted in 19 primary schools in Dalian, Liaoning province. Totally 419 children (with 664 first molars) who had at least one sound permanent first molar with deep fissures or fissures with signs of non-cavitated lesions were recruited and stratified and allocated randomly into three parallel groups. A resin-based sealant was used in Group R (136 children with 219 first molars) and a glass ionomer sealant was used in Group G (130 children with 218 first molars). The third group (Group N, 153 children with 227 first molars) with none of the two sealants applied was served as blank control. Follow-up examinations were conducted at 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 years after sealing in order to assess the retention of the sealants and the incidence of caries occurrence. Chi-square test was adopted to compare the differences of caries incidence among the 3 groups. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) was used to analyze the effective factors of caries incidence. Results: During the 5-year follow-up period, 13.4% (23/172) of the teeth in Group R, 22.5% (40/178) of the teeth in Group G and 34.5% (57/165) of the teeth in Group N were diagnosed as having developed cavitated lesions. And the differences in the incidence of caries among the three groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). According to GEE, the resin-based sealant and the glass ionomer sealant were found to be the protection factors and the non-cavitated lesion before sealing was found to be the risk factor. The resin-based sealant was found to be the protection factor to the glass ionomer sealant when the blank control group was removed. Conclusions: Both resin-based sealant and glass ionomer sealant could effectively prevent the permanent first molars from the occurrence of carious lesions in 5 years. The resin-based sealant was superior to the glass ionomer sealant in caries prevention.

Sensitive analysis and pharmacokinetic study of a novel gemcitabine carbamate prodrug and its active metabolite gemcitabine in rats using LC-ESI-MS/MS

FY363 is a new chemical entity of gemcitabine analog, which has been shown to have a significant inhibitory effect on cell proliferation in a variety of tumor cell lines in vitro. As a carbamate derivative, FY363 would be converted to the active metabolite gemcitabine through enzyme action in vivo. In order to clarify the exposure of FY363 prototype and its metabolite gemcitabine in vivo after administration of FY363, a sensitive and specific liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated to simultaneously determine FY363 and gemcitabine in rat plasma after liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a highly stable polar column of Synergi 4u Polar-RP 80A (4 μm, 4.6 × 250 mm) which has a unique ether - phenyl bonded phase. Gradient elution was accomplished with mobile phase system consisting of 5 mM ammonium formate buffer containing 0.1% formic acid and mixed organic solvents containing methanol-acetonitrile (3:2, v/v). Multiple reaction monitoring transitions were performed on triple quadrupole mass spectrometric detection in positive-ion mode with an electrospray ionization source. The calibration curves showed good linearity (r > 0.99) over the established concentration range of 1.0-1000 ng/mL both for FY363 and gemcitabine. The assay was validated to be selective, robust and reproducible. This well validated method was successfully applied to demonstrate the pharmacokinetic behavior and the metabolic transformation of FY363 in rats. Results revealed that about 20% of FY363 were converted into its active metabolite gemcitabine in rats by comparing the exposure of gemcitabine after the FY363 administration with that after direct gemcitabine administration at equimolar dose.