[Immune reconstitution and influencing factors in HIV infected men who have sex with men with access to antiviral therapy in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2005 to 2021]

Objective: To analyze immune reconstitution and influencing factors in HIV infected men who have sex with men (MSM) with access to antiviral therapy (ART) in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi) during 2005-2021. Methods: The data were collected from Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The study subjects were HIV infected MSM with access to the initial ART for ≥24 weeks in Guangxi from 2005 to 2021 and HIV RNA lower than the detection limit within 24 months. The proportion of infected MSM who had immune reconstitution after ART was calculated. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of immune reconstitution. Software SPSS 24.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 3 200 HIV infected MSM were enrolled, in whom 15.56 % (498/3 200) had no immune reconstitution, 14.78% (473/3 200) had moderate immune reconstitution, and the rate of complete immune reconstitution was 69.66% (2 229/3 200). The M (Q1, Q3) of ART time for immune reconstitution was 12 (5, 27) months. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model analysis results showed that compared with those with initial ART at age ≥30 years, WHO clinical stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ illness, baseline BMI <18.50 kg/m2 and baseline CD4+T lymphocyte (CD4) counts <200 cells/µl, HIV infected MSM with initial ART at age <30 years, WHO clinical stageⅠ/Ⅱ illness, baseline BMI≥24.00 kg/m2 and baseline CD4 counts ≥200 cells/µl were more likely to have complete immune reconstitution. Conclusions: In the HIV infected MSM in Guangxi, failures to achieve moderate and complete immune reconstitution were observed. Surveillance and ART regimen should be improved for key populations, such as those with older age and low baseline CD4 counts.

Temporal Structures in Positron Spectra and Charge-Sign Effects in Galactic Cosmic Rays

We present the precision measurements of 11 years of daily cosmic positron fluxes in the rigidity range from 1.00 to 41.9 GV based on 3.4×10^{6} positrons collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the International Space Station. The positron fluxes show distinctly different time variations from the electron fluxes at short and long timescales. A hysteresis between the electron fluxes and the positron fluxes is observed with a significance greater than 5σ at rigidities below 8.5 GV. On the contrary, the positron fluxes and the proton fluxes show similar time variation. Remarkably, we found that positron fluxes are modulated more than proton fluxes with a significance greater than 5σ for rigidities below 7 GV. These continuous daily positron fluxes, together with AMS daily electron, proton, and helium fluxes over an 11-year solar cycle, provide unique input to the understanding of both the charge-sign and mass dependencies of cosmic rays in the heliosphere.

Corrigendum: Use of autologous cord blood mononuclear cells infusion for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely preterm neonates: a study protocol for a placebo-controlled randomized multicenter trial [NCT03053076]

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00136.].

[Analysis of late-diagnosis and associated factors in newly reported HIV infections among men who have sex with men in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 2005-2021]

Objective: To analyze the trend of late-diagnosis of HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) before and after the AIDS Conquering Project in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi) and its influencing factors, in order to find out the population groups that need priority intervention at the present stage. Methods: The HIV-infected MSM in Guangxi from 2005-2021 were selected from the National Integrated HIV/AIDS Control and Prevention Data System. The Joinpoint 4.9.1.0 software was used to test the time trend of late-diagnosis and non-late-diagnosis cases, and logistic regression was applied to analyze the factors influencing the proportion of late-diagnosis at each stage. Results: From 2005 to 2021, 5 764 HIV-infected MSM were reported in Guangxi from 2005 to 2021, with an overall late-diagnosis of 28.45% (1 640 cases). Under the 2015 baseline data as the boundary, the proportion of late-diagnosis cases showed a trend of sharp decline followed by stabilization from 2005 to 2015, average annual percent change= -6.90% (P<0.001). The effect of factors such as resident population, occupation as a farmer or worker, and sample originating from medical consultation on late-diagnosis changed considerably before and after the implementation of the project, and the factors influencing late-diagnosis at this stage were age, resident population, occupation as a farmer, worker or student. The factors influencing late-diagnosis at this stage are age, resident population, and occupation as a farmer, worker and a student. Conclusions: The proportion of late diagnosis cases of HIV-infected MSM in Guangxi decreased significantly before and after the project. However, late-diagnosis should not be neglected and precise prevention and control should be carried out for the resident population, farmers, workers or students.

Efficacy of Nimotuzumab plus Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy for Unresectable Esophageal Cancer: A Real-World Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The esophageal cancer ranked 7th in the morbidity of malignant cancer and the 6th contributed to carcinoma deaths. Most patients are diagnosed of advanced stage at first visiting. The 5-year survival rate of unresectable esophageal cancer is about 20% after the standard treatment of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. Nimotuzumab, a humanized anti-EGFR antibody, has shown good efficacy and low toxicity in epithelial tumors. This two-center, real-world study evaluated the efficacy and safety of nimotuzumab combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Totally 503 eligible unresectable ESCC patients from Jan 2014 to Dec 2020 were included. 1:2 nearest neighbor propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to match the Nimo group (nimotuzumab plus concurrent chemo-radiotherapy) and CRT group (concurrent chemo-radiotherapy), and the covariates included age, gender, tumor location, lesion length, TNM stage, clinical stage, and radiotherapy dose. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR).

RESULTS

A total of 61 patients were in Nimo group which received nimotuzumab (200 mg/w, 4-6 weeks) combined with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (chemotherapy: S-1/FP/TP/DP for 2-4 cycles; radiotherapy: 2DRT,3D-CRT or IMRT, 50-70 Gy in 25-35 fractions) and 107 patients in CRT group only received concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. The baseline characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. The efficacy of Nimo group was better than that of CRT group. The ORR was 85.2% vs. 71.0%, (P=0.037), the DCR was 98.4% vs. 91.6%, (P>0.05). The median PFS was 28.07 months vs. 19.54 months, and the 1-, 3- and 5-year PFS rates were 78.2% vs. 72.9%, 37.5% vs. 28.3%, and 29.1% vs. 21.3%, respectively (HR: 0.6860, 95% CI: 0.4902-0.9600, P=0.034). The median OS was 34.93 months vs. 24.30 months and the 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 88.5% vs. 81.3%, 46.8% vs. 35.2% and 37.4% vs. 28.0%, respectively (HR: 0.6701, 95% CI: 0.4792-0.9372, P=0.024). The adverse events including radiation esophagitis, radiation pneumonitis, bone marrow suppression, nausea, vomiting, and rash were no significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Nimotuzumab combined with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy improved the ORR, and prolonged PFS and OS in unresectable ESCC patients with a good tolerance.

Aortic smooth muscle TRPV4 channels regulate vasoconstriction in high salt-induced hypertension

Recent studies have focused on the contribution of vascular endothelial transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels to hypertension. However, in hypertension, TRPV4 channels in vascular smooth muscle remain unexplored. In the present study, we performed wire myograph experiments in isolated aortas from endothelial cell specific TRPV4 channel knockout (TRPV4EC-/-) mice to demonstrate that GSK1016790A (a specific TRPV4 channel agonist) triggered aortic smooth muscle-dependent contractions from mice on a normal-salt diet, and the contractions were enhanced in high-salt diet (HSD) mice. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and Ca2+ imaging assays showed that TRPV4-induced [Ca2+]i was significantly higher in aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) from HSD-induced hypertensive mice, and application of an inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) inhibitor markedly attenuated TRPV4-induced [Ca2+]i. IP3R2 expression was enhanced in ASMCs from HSD-induced hypertensive mice and the contractile response induced by TRPV4 was inhibited by the IP3R inhibitor. Whole-transcriptome analysis by RNA-seq and western blot assays revealed the involvement of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) in TRPV4-IRF7-IP3R2 signaling in HSD-induced hypertension. These results suggested that TRPV4 channels regulate smooth muscle-dependent contractions in high salt-induced hypertension, and this contraction involves increased [Ca2+]i, IP3R2, and IRF7 activity. Our study revealed a considerable effect of TRPV4 channels in smooth muscle-dependent contraction in mice during high-salt induced hypertension.

Novel bilayer cell patch combining epidermal stem cells and angiogenic adipose stem cells for diabetic wound healing

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most severe complications in patients with diabetes. However, the development of a promising therapeutic strategy for DFU is still challenging. In this article, we demonstrate a novel bilayer cell patch, and its therapeutic effects on diabetic wound healing have been systematically investigated. The experimental results revealed that diabetes mellitus exosomes (DM-Exos) could inhibit wound healing in normal C57/B6 mice. We identified three microRNAs (miRs) including miR-15a, miR-16, and miR-214 as anti-angiogenesis factors in DM-Exos. Furthermore, angiogenic-modified adipose stem cells (ADSCs, transfected with antagomiR-15a, antagomiR-16, and antagomiR-214) were found to enhance the angiogenesis ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by co-culture. In addition, our findings exhibited that the bilayer cell patch combining epidermal stem cells (EpSCs) and angiogenic-modified ADSCs transplantation could promote diabetic wound healing through enhancing angiogenesis and re-epithelization. These findings illustrate that the novel bilayer cell patch has great potential in diabetic wound healing.

Properties of Cosmic-Ray Sulfur and Determination of the Composition of Primary Cosmic-Ray Carbon, Neon, Magnesium, and Sulfur: Ten-Year Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

We report the properties of primary cosmic-ray sulfur (S) in the rigidity range 2.15 GV to 3.0 TV based on 0.38×10^{6} sulfur nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment (AMS). We observed that above 90 GV the rigidity dependence of the S flux is identical to the rigidity dependence of Ne-Mg-Si fluxes, which is different from the rigidity dependence of the He-C-O-Fe fluxes. We found that, similar to N, Na, and Al cosmic rays, over the entire rigidity range, the traditional primary cosmic rays S, Ne, Mg, and C all have sizeable secondary components, and the S, Ne, and Mg fluxes are well described by the weighted sum of the primary silicon flux and the secondary fluorine flux, and the C flux is well described by the weighted sum of the primary oxygen flux and the secondary boron flux. The primary and secondary contributions of the traditional primary cosmic-ray fluxes of C, Ne, Mg, and S (even Z elements) are distinctly different from the primary and secondary contributions of the N, Na, and Al (odd Z elements) fluxes. The abundance ratio at the source for S/Si is 0.167±0.006, for Ne/Si is 0.833±0.025, for Mg/Si is 0.994±0.029, and for C/O is 0.836±0.025. These values are determined independent of cosmic-ray propagation.

Temporal Structures in Electron Spectra and Charge Sign Effects in Galactic Cosmic Rays

We present the precision measurements of 11 years of daily cosmic electron fluxes in the rigidity interval from 1.00 to 41.9 GV based on 2.0×10^{8} electrons collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the International Space Station. The electron fluxes exhibit variations on multiple timescales. Recurrent electron flux variations with periods of 27 days, 13.5 days, and 9 days are observed. We find that the electron fluxes show distinctly different time variations from the proton fluxes. Remarkably, a hysteresis between the electron flux and the proton flux is observed with a significance of greater than 6σ at rigidities below 8.5 GV. Furthermore, significant structures in the electron-proton hysteresis are observed corresponding to sharp structures in both fluxes. This continuous daily electron data provide unique input to the understanding of the charge sign dependence of cosmic rays over an 11-year solar cycle.

Netrin-1 Monoclonal Antibody-Functionalized Nanoparticle Loaded with Metformin Prevents the Progression of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Background

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a global health and economic burden. Therapeutic strategies to inhibit the progression of AAAs are currently lacking. Recently, the therapeutic effect of metformin on aneurysms has attracted considerable interest. However, the unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties of metformin limit its feasibility for AAA treatment.

Methods and Results

We constructed a metformin-loaded netrin-1-responsive AAA-targeted nanoparticle (Tgt-NP-Met) for AAA management. Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of Tgt-NP-Met was performed by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our results showed that the binding of netrin-1 monoclonal antibodies enhanced the AAA-targeting capability of nanoparticles (NPs). Moreover, Tgt-NP-Met administration prevented AAA development and reduced the aneurysm diameter in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice that received continuous infusion of angiotensin II. Furthermore, metformin prevented AAA progression by inhibiting the transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from a contractile phenotype to a synthetic phenotype, which is mediated by macrophage infiltration and activation.

Conclusion

Our findings identify metformin as a functional suppressor for macrophage-mediated phenotypic transformation of VSMCs and Tgt-NP-Met as an efficient therapeutic strategy for AAA management.

U-shaped association between dietary thiamine intake and new-onset diabetes: a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

The association between dietary thiamine intake and the risk of diabetes remains unknown.

AIM

We aimed to evaluate the relation of dietary thiamine intake with new-onset diabetes and examine possible effect modifiers.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 16 272 participants who were free of diabetes at baseline were enrolled from China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Dietary nutrients intake information was collected by 3-day dietary recalls in addition to using a 3-day food-weighed method to assess cooking oil and condiment consumption. New-onset diabetes was defined as a fasting blood glucose ≥7.0 mmol/l or a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or diagnosed by a physician during the follow-up.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up duration of 9.0 years, new-onset diabetes occurred in 1101 participants. Overall, the association between dietary thiamine intake and new-onset diabetes followed a U-shape (P for non-linearity <0.001). Consistently, when thiamine intake was assessed as quartiles, compared with those in the 2-3 quartiles (0.75 to 1.10 mg/day), the significantly higher risks of new-onset diabetes were found in participants in the first quartile [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10, 1.61] and the fourth quartile (adjusted HR, 1.39; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.67). Similar results were found when further adjusting for the intake of other major nutrients or food groups; or using the propensity score weighting to control the imbalance of covariates.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that there was a U-shape association between dietary thiamine intake and new-onset diabetes in general Chinese adults, with a minimal risk at 0.75-1.10 mg/day.

Properties of Daily Helium Fluxes

We present the precision measurement of 2824 daily helium fluxes in cosmic rays from May 20, 2011 to October 29, 2019 in the rigidity interval from 1.71 to 100 GV based on 7.6×10^{8} helium nuclei collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the International Space Station. The helium flux and the helium to proton flux ratio exhibit variations on multiple timescales. In nearly all the time intervals from 2014 to 2018, we observed recurrent helium flux variations with a period of 27 days. Shorter periods of 9 days and 13.5 days are observed in 2016. The strength of all three periodicities changes with time and rigidity. In the entire time period, we found that below ∼7  GV the helium flux exhibits larger time variations than the proton flux, and above ∼7  GV the helium to proton flux ratio is time independent. Remarkably, below 2.4 GV a hysteresis between the helium to proton flux ratio and the helium flux was observed at greater than the 7σ level. This shows that at low rigidity the modulation of the helium to proton flux ratio is different before and after the solar maximum in 2014.

Periodicities in the Daily Proton Fluxes from 2011 to 2019 Measured by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station from 1 to 100 GV

We present the precision measurement of the daily proton fluxes in cosmic rays from May 20, 2011 to October 29, 2019 (a total of 2824 days or 114 Bartels rotations) in the rigidity interval from 1 to 100 GV based on 5.5×10^{9} protons collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer aboard the International Space Station. The proton fluxes exhibit variations on multiple timescales. From 2014 to 2018, we observed recurrent flux variations with a period of 27 days. Shorter periods of 9 days and 13.5 days are observed in 2016. The strength of all three periodicities changes with time and rigidity. The rigidity dependence of the 27-day periodicity is different from the rigidity dependences of 9-day and 13.5-day periods. Unexpectedly, the strength of 9-day and 13.5-day periodicities increases with increasing rigidities up to ∼10  GV and ∼20  GV, respectively. Then the strength of the periodicities decreases with increasing rigidity up to 100 GV.

Evaluation of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Background and Objectives

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) participate in vascular repair and predict cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between EPCs and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

Methods and Results

Patients (age 67±9.41 years) suffering from AAAs (aortic diameters 58.09±11.24 mm) were prospectively enrolled in this study. All patients received endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Blood samples were taken preoperatively and 14 days after surgery from patients with aortic aneurysms. Samples were also obtained from age-matched control subjects. Circulating EPCs were defined as those cells that were double positive for CD34 and CD309. Rat models of AAA formation were generated by the peri-adventitial elastase application of either saline solution (control; n=10), or porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE; n=14). The aortas were analyzed using an ultrasonic video system and immunohistochemistry. The levels of CD34^＋/CD309^＋ cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations were measured by flow cytometry. The baseline numbers of circulating EPCs (CD34^＋/CD309^＋) in the peripheral blood were significantly smaller in AAA patients compared with control subjects. The number of EPCs doubled by the 14th day after EVAR. A total of 78.57% of rats in the PPE group (11/14) formed AAAs (dilation ratio >150%). The numbers of EPCs from defined AAA rats were significantly decreased compared with the control group.

Conclusions

EPC levels may be useful for monitoring abdominal aorta aneurysms and rise after EVAR in patients with aortic aneurysms, and might contribute to the rapid endothelialization of vessels.

ADGRG1 enriches for functional human hematopoietic stem cells following ex vivo expansion-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress

The heterogeneity of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) under stress conditions such as ex vivo expansion is poorly understood. Here, we report that the frequencies of SCID-repopulating cells were greatly decreased in cord blood (CB) CD34+ HSCs and HPCs upon ex vivo culturing. Transcriptomic analysis and metabolic profiling demonstrated that mitochondrial oxidative stress of human CB HSCs and HPCs notably increased, along with loss of stemness. Limiting dilution analysis revealed that functional human HSCs were enriched in cell populations with low levels of mitochondrial ROS (mitoROS) during ex vivo culturing. Using single-cell RNA-Seq analysis of the mitoROS low cell population, we demonstrated that functional HSCs were substantially enriched in the adhesion GPCR G1-positive (ADGRG1+) population of CD34+CD133+ CB cells upon ex vivo expansion stress. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that HSC signature genes including MSI2 and MLLT3 were enriched in CD34+CD133+ADGRG1+ CB HSCs. Our study reveals that ADGRG1 enriches for functional human HSCs under oxidative stress during ex vivo culturing, which can be a reliable target for drug screening of agonists of HSC expansion.

Erratum: Properties of a New Group of Cosmic Nuclei: Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on Sodium, Aluminum, and Nitrogen [Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 021101 (2021)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.021101.

Defects in conformal crystals: Discrete versus continuous disclination models

We study the relationship between topological defect formation and ground-state 2D packings in a model of repulsions in external confining potentials. Specifically we consider screened 2D Coulombic repulsions, which conveniently parameterizes the effects of interaction range, but also serves as simple physical model of confined, parallel arrays of polyelectrolyte filaments or vortices in type II superconductors. The countervailing tendencies of repulsions and confinement to, respectively, spread and concentrate particle density leads to an energetic preference for nonuniform densities in the clusters. Ground states in such systems have previously been modeled as conformal crystals, which are composed of locally equitriangular packings whose local areal densities exhibit long-range gradients. Here we assess two theoretical models that connect the preference for nonuniform density to the formation of disclination defects, one of which assumes a continuum distributions of defects, while the second considers the quantized and localized nature of disclinations in hexagonal conformal crystals. Comparing both theoretical descriptions to numerical simulations of discrete particles clusters, we study the influence of interaction range and confining potential on the topological charge, number, and distribution of defects in ground states. We show that treating disclinations as continuously distributable well captures the number of topological defects in the ground state in the regime of long-range interactions, while as interactions become shorter range, it dramatically overpredicts the growth in total defect charge. Detailed analysis of the discretized defect theory suggests that that failure of the continuous defect theory in this limit can be attributed to the asymmetry in the preferred placement of positive vs negative disclinations in the conformal crystal ground states, as well as a strongly asymmetric dependence of self-energy of disclinations on sign of topological charge.

Properties of a New Group of Cosmic Nuclei: Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on Sodium, Aluminum, and Nitrogen

We report the properties of sodium (Na) and aluminum (Al) cosmic rays in the rigidity range 2.15 GV to 3.0 TV based on 0.46 million sodium and 0.51 million aluminum nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment on the International Space Station. We found that Na and Al, together with nitrogen (N), belong to a distinct cosmic ray group. In this group, we observe that, similar to the N flux, both the Na flux and Al flux are well described by the sums of a primary cosmic ray component (proportional to the silicon flux) and a secondary cosmic ray component (proportional to the fluorine flux). The fraction of the primary component increases with rigidity for the N, Na, and Al fluxes and becomes dominant at the highest rigidities. The Na/Si and Al/Si abundance ratios at the source, 0.036±0.003 for Na/Si and 0.103±0.004 for Al/Si, are determined independent of cosmic ray propagation.

Properties of Heavy Secondary Fluorine Cosmic Rays: Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

Precise knowledge of the charge and rigidity dependence of the secondary cosmic ray fluxes and the secondary-to-primary flux ratios is essential in the understanding of cosmic ray propagation. We report the properties of heavy secondary cosmic ray fluorine F in the rigidity R range 2.15 GV to 2.9 TV based on 0.29 million events collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment on the International Space Station. The fluorine spectrum deviates from a single power law above 200 GV. The heavier secondary-to-primary F/Si flux ratio rigidity dependence is distinctly different from the lighter B/O (or B/C) rigidity dependence. In particular, above 10 GV, the F/Si/B/O ratio can be described by a power law R^{δ} with δ=0.052±0.007. This shows that the propagation properties of heavy cosmic rays, from F to Si, are different from those of light cosmic rays, from He to O, and that the secondary cosmic rays have two classes.

Properties of Iron Primary Cosmic Rays: Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

We report the observation of new properties of primary iron (Fe) cosmic rays in the rigidity range 2.65 GV to 3.0 TV with 0.62×10^{6} iron nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment on the International Space Station. Above 80.5 GV the rigidity dependence of the cosmic ray Fe flux is identical to the rigidity dependence of the primary cosmic ray He, C, and O fluxes, with the Fe/O flux ratio being constant at 0.155±0.006. This shows that unexpectedly Fe and He, C, and O belong to the same class of primary cosmic rays which is different from the primary cosmic rays Ne, Mg, and Si class.

Self-Assembling Peptide-Based Hydrogels in Angiogenesis

Ischemic diseases, especially in the heart and the brain, have become a serious threat to human health. Growth factor and cell therapy are emerging as promising therapeutic strategies; however, their retention and sustainable functions in the injured tissue are limited. Self-assembling peptide (SAP)-based hydrogels, mimicking the extracellular matrix, are therefore introduced to encapsulate and controllably release cells, cell-derived exosomes or growth factors, thus promoting angiogenesis and tissue recovery after ischemia. We will summarize the classification, composition and structure of SAPs, and the influencing factors for SAP gelation. Moreover, we will describe the functionalized SAPs, and the combinatorial therapy of cells, exosomes or growth factors with functionalized SAPs for angiogenic process as well as its advantage in immunogenicity and injectability. Finally, an outlook on future directions and challenges is provided.

MiR-141 promotes cell proliferation and invasion in non-small cell lung cancer by targeting KLF9

OBJECTIVE

Non-small cell lung cancer is the cancer with the highest mortality rate in the whole world. MicroRNA-141 (miR-141) has been reported to be an abnormal expression in multiple tumors including in non-small cell lung cancer. The aim of this study was to verify the potential roles of miR-141 in non-small cell lung cancer and evaluate the effects on cell proliferative and invasive abilities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) and transwell assays were conducted to calculate the tissues and cell lines' proliferative and invasive abilities. Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting were utilized to evaluate the mRNA and protein levels of specific genes.

RESULTS

MiR-141 was significantly upregulated, while krüppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) downregulated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cell lines. MiR-141 and KLF9 mRNA levels had a negative correlation in NSCLC tissues. The overexpression of miR-141 promoted the proliferation and invasion of A549 cells, while caused contrast results when knockdown miR-141. In addition, KLF9 was a direct target gene of miR-141 and KLF9 partially reversed the roles of miR-141 in A549 cells. MiR-141 promoted the proliferation and invasion by binding to KLF9 in NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-141 promoted the proliferation and invasion by targeting the KLF9 in non-small cell lung cancer, and the newly identified miR-141/KLF9 axis provides novel insight into the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer.

Adult Cardiomyocyte Proliferation: a New Insight for Myocardial Infarction Therapy

Myocardial infarction leads to cardiomyocyte loss, ensuing ventricular pathological remodeling, dramatic impairment of cardiac function, and ultimately heart failure. Unfortunately, the existing therapeutical treatments cannot directly replenish the lost myocytes in the injured myocardium and the long-term prognosis of heart failure after myocardial infarction remains poor. Growing investigations have demonstrated that the adult mammalian cardiomyocytes possess very limited proliferation capacity, and that was not enough to restore the injured heart. Recently, many studies were targeting to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation via inducing cardiomyocyte cell cycle re-entry for cardiac repair after myocardial infarction. Indeed, these results showed it is a feasible way to stimulate terminally differentiated cardiomyocyte proliferation. Here, we reviewed the major mechanisms and the potential targets for stimulating mammalian adult cardiomyocyte proliferation specifically. This will provide a new therapeutic strategy for the clinical treatment of myocardial infarction by activating the endogenous regeneration. Graphical abstract.

Long noncoding RNA DUXAP8 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells via targeting miR-590-5p

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of lncRNA DUXAP8 on proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells, and to explore its potential mechanism. DUXAP8 interfering and overexpressing cell lines were constructed and the cell proliferation and apoptosis were tested. Hematoxylin-eosin, TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the effect of DUXAP8 on the ability of tumor formation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of miR-590-5p and YAP1, respectively. Dual luciferase assay was used to determine the target relationship between DUXAP8, miR-590-5p, and YAP1. DUXAP8 interference and miR-590-5p down-regulated cell lines were further constructed. Compared with normal ovarian cells, the expression of DUXAP8 in ovarian cancer cells was significantly increased, while the expression of miR-590-5p was decreased (p < 0.05). After DUXAP8 interference, cell proliferation and colony formation were decreased, and apoptosis was increased. The results of in vivo experiment are consistent with the in vitro experiments. The expression of miR-590-5p was up-regulated and the expression of YAP1 was decreased after DUXAP8 interference. Moreover, miR590-5p inhibitor can attenuate the effect of DUXAP8 interference on ovarian cancer cells. Taken together, lncRNA DUXAP8 can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of YAP1 gene by targeting miR-590-5p.

[Characteristics of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases with non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual transmission in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 2015-2018]

Objective: To understand the characteristics and associated factors of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases with non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual transmission, in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi), 2015-2018. Methods: Information of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases aged ≥18 years in Guangxi between 2015 and 2018 was collected from the National Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Information System. Unconditional logistic regression model was used to access those factors that were associated with HIV infections through non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual contact. Results: Between 2015 and 2018, a total number of 35 497 HIV/AIDS cases, aged ≥18 years were newly reported in Guangxi. Among them, 32 648 (92.0%) were infected heterosexually while 10 500 were infected through non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual behavior. Non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual transmission accounted for 29.6% (10 500/35 497) of the newly reported HIV/AIDS cases, and 32.2% (10 500/32 648) of those with heterosexual transmission. Males counted for 53.5% (5 617/10 500) of non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual transmission and males to females ratio was 1.2∶1 (5 617∶4 883). Those married or had regular sexual partners counted for 55.9% (5 873/10 500). Commercial heterosexual transmission appeared the main mode of HIV transmission for males (64.4%,16 516/25 633) while main mode for females was non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual transmission and counted for 49.5% (4 883/9 864). Results from the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that adjusted OR of female HIV/AIDS infected HIV via non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual transmission, was 3.98 times (95%CI: 3.78-4.20) hight than that of males. Among the group aged<50 years and the aged 50-59 years, the adjusted ORs were 1.35 times (95%CI: 1.27-1.44) and 1.13 times (95%CI: 1.05-1.21) hight than that of aged ≥60 years. Those who were single/divorced/widowed, the adjusted OR was 1.53 times (95%CI: 1.45-1.61) hight than that of those married/regular partners. Those with junior high school education, high school education and above the adjusted ORs were 1.22 times (95%CI: 1.16-1.29) and 1.18 times (95%CI: 1.10-1.27), compared to those only with education levels of primary school or below. Conclusions: The number of HIV/AIDS cases via non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual transmission accounted for nearly 30.0% of all the routes of HIV transmission in Guangxi, 2015-2018. Female, aged<60 years old, single/divorced/widowed and having had junior and above high school education etc., appeared as risk factors on non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual transmission, among newly reported HIV/AIDS in Guangxi.

[Influence on physical development of children aged 18 months from HIV-positive mothers for prevention mother to child transmission of HIV]

Objective: To explore influence on physical development of children aged 18 months from HIV-positive mothers for prevention mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, and provide evidence for the improvement PMTCT program. Methods: This retrospective case control study was conducted in 554 HIV negative infants aged 18 months whose HIV positive mothers had received PMTCT services reported through PMTCT system database from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2017 and 1 109 healthy infants born in 2017, whose mothers were healthy, in Lingshan, Luzhai, and Hengxian counties, ranking top three counties with high HIV infection prevalence, in Guangxi. PMTCT data and physical development data such as height, weight and head circumference of children aged 18 months were collected. The physical dysplasia in the infants was defined as at least one of the three main indicators of height, weight and head circumference below the normal range. Results: The number of HIV-positive mother and their infants in the case group were 667 and 554 respectively, and the PMTCT rates were 91.15% (608/667) and 96.57% (535/554) respectively. HIV positive rate, mortality rate and mother to child transmission rate of the infants aged 18 months were 1.44% (8/554), 3.07% (17/554) and 1.91% (8/418) respectively, and the physical examination results of the infants aged 18 months showed that the physical dysplasia rate was 30.51% (169/554). Among the 1 109 infants in the control group, the physical dysplasia rate was 9.83% (109/1 109). The difference between the case group and the control group was significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: The PMTCT rates of HIV positive mother and their children were more than 90.00%, respectively. However, poor physical development rate of infants aged 18 months were more than 30.00%. The possible influence of PMTCT on physical development of the infants aged 18 months of HIV positive mother's needs to be further studied.

Properties of Neon, Magnesium, and Silicon Primary Cosmic Rays Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

We report the observation of new properties of primary cosmic rays, neon (Ne), magnesium (Mg), and silicon (Si), measured in the rigidity range 2.15 GV to 3.0 TV with 1.8×10^{6}  Ne, 2.2×10^{6}  Mg, and 1.6×10^{6}  Si nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment on the International Space Station. The Ne and Mg spectra have identical rigidity dependence above 3.65 GV. The three spectra have identical rigidity dependence above 86.5 GV, deviate from a single power law above 200 GV, and harden in an identical way. Unexpectedly, above 86.5 GV the rigidity dependence of primary cosmic rays Ne, Mg, and Si spectra is different from the rigidity dependence of primary cosmic rays He, C, and O. This shows that the Ne, Mg, and Si and He, C, and O are two different classes of primary cosmic rays.

Evaluation of protection against bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 after vaccination of the calves with bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 combo inactivated vaccine

ABSTRACT This study was designed to evaluate the extent of the protection for bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 (BVDV-2) infection, afforded by vaccination with a combo inactivated vaccine, which contains bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 (BVDV-1) and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV). Five 3-4-month-old calves were intramuscularly vaccinated with a single dose of the combo vaccine and boosted with same dose three weeks after the first vaccination, with five mock immunized calves serving as a control group. Twenty-one days after the second vaccination, all calves were challenged with BVDV-2 SX08 strain by spray into nostril. The unvaccinated animals developed typical clinical signs of high rectal temperature, diarrhoea with erosions and a dramatic drop in leukocyte counts. These signs occured markedly less in all vaccinated animals, the rectal temperature, leukopenia and virarmia of which, were significantly less than the mock immunized calves. It can be concluded that vaccination with the combo inactivated vaccine affords cross-protection against clinical effects of a challenge-infection with BVDV-2 SX08 strain, although it was part protection.

Use of Autologous Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Infusion for the Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Extremely Preterm Neonates: A Study Protocol for a Placebo-Controlled Randomized Multicenter Trial [NCT03053076]

Background: Despite the rapid advance of neonatal care, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a significant burden for the preterm population, and there is a lack of effective intervention. Stem cell depletion because of preterm birth is regarded as one of the underlying pathological mechanisms for the arrest of alveolar and vascular development. Preclinical and small-sample clinical studies have proven the efficacy and safety of stem cells in treating and preventing lung injury. However, there are currently no randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the use of autologous cord blood mononuclear cells (ACBMNC) for the prevention of BPD in premature infants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of infusion of ACBMNC for the prevention of BPD in preterm neonates <28 weeks. Methods: In this prospective, randomized controlled double-blind multi-center clinical trial, 200 preterm neonates <28 weeks gestation will be randomly assigned to receive intravenous ACBMNC infusion (5 × 107 cells/kg) or placebo (normal saline) within 24 h after birth in a 1:1 ratio using a central randomization system. The primary outcome will be survival without BPD at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or at discharge, whichever comes first. The secondary outcomes will include the mortality rate, other common preterm complication rates, respiratory support duration, length, and cost of hospitalization, and long-term outcomes after a 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: This will be the first randomized, controlled, blinded trial to evaluate the efficacy of ACBMNC infusion as a prevention therapy for BPD. The results of this trial will provide valuable clinical evidence for recommendations on the management of BPD in extremely preterm infants. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03053076, registered 02/14/2017, retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S0006WN4&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0002PLA&ts=2&cx=9y23d4 (Additional File 2).

A mixture of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate improved fermentation quality of whole-plant corn silage by shifting bacterial communities

AIMS

To investigate the changes in fermentation quality of whole-plant corn silage ensiled with varying dosages of mixed organic acid salts (MS), and link these dosage changes to shifts in bacterial composition.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fermentation quality and bacterial community of corn silage ensiled with MS at four application rates (0, 0·67 g kg^-1 , 1·33 g kg^-1 , and 2·00 g kg^-1 ) were investigated. The MS consisted of 40% potassium sorbate and 60% sodium benzoate. The corn silages were conserved for 42 days. Dry matter losses and ammonia nitrogen concentration were linearly declined by up to 19·10 and 33·3% with increasing dosages of MS. MS treatments significantly reduced the pH of silage vs the control group. Further analysis indicated that the improvement of fermentation quality was the result of shifts in bacterial composition, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus paralimentarius and Pediococcus spp. increased while Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus coryniformis and Klebsiella declined with increasing dosages of MS.

CONCLUSIONS

MS effectively improved the fermentation quality of whole-plant corn silage with an optimum dosage of 2·00 g kg^-1 .

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The correlation between bacterial taxa and fermentation quality provides a potential for the development of novel silage inoculants and for the application of MS on controlling Klebsiella mastitis of livestock farms.

STAT3 signaling pathway in drug-resistant bladder cancer cell line

STAT3 signaling pathway is related to the proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis of tumor cells. The relationship between STAT3 and drug resistance is still unknown. We studied the inhibitors in STAT3 pathway and its downstream molecules to analyze the unique effects in drug-resistant bladder cancer cells. qRT-PCR and Western blot were implemented to study the expression level of JAK2, STAT3, p-STAT3, MMP2 and Cyclin D1 in Pumc-91 and Pumc-91/ADM cell lines, respectively. The effects of AG490 on the expression of STAT3, p-STAT3, MMP2 and Cyclin D1 in Pumc-91 were evaluated using qRT-PCR and Western blot. Pumc-91/ADM cells were treated with AG490. CCK-8 and wound healing assay were used to detect the cell proliferation and metastasis. Compared to Pumc-91, an obvious decrease of JAK2, p-STAT3 and increase of MMP2 were shown in Pumc-91/ADM cell line. After inhibition of STAT3 signaling pathway, the mRNA and protein levels of STAT3, p-STAT3, MMP2 and Cyclin D1 obviously decreased in the test group. The proliferation and migration of Pumc-91/ADM were suppressed by inhibiting of STAT3. STAT3 pathway regulated the proliferation and migration of bladder cancer drug-resistant cells by modulating the expression of Cyclin D1 and MMP2.

Properties of Cosmic Helium Isotopes Measured by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

Precision measurements by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) on the International Space Station of ^{3}He and ^{4}He fluxes are presented. The measurements are based on 100 million ^{4}He nuclei in the rigidity range from 2.1 to 21 GV and 18 million ^{3}He from 1.9 to 15 GV collected from May 2011 to November 2017. We observed that the ^{3}He and ^{4}He fluxes exhibit nearly identical variations with time. The relative magnitude of the variations decreases with increasing rigidity. The rigidity dependence of the ^{3}He/^{4}He flux ratio is measured for the first time. Below 4 GV, the ^{3}He/^{4}He flux ratio was found to have a significant long-term time dependence. Above 4 GV, the ^{3}He/^{4}He flux ratio was found to be time independent, and its rigidity dependence is well described by a single power law ∝R^{Δ} with Δ=-0.294±0.004. Unexpectedly, this value is in agreement with the B/O and B/C spectral indices at high energies.

Long non-coding RNA homeobox (HOX) A11-AS promotes malignant progression of glioma by targeting miR-124-3p

Glioma is the most common and serious form of primary tumor in adult central nervous system. HOXA11-AS is a LncRNA located in the HOXA gene cluster. In the present study, we investigated the expression and function of LncRNA HOXA11-AS in glioma tissues and cells. We found that LncRNA HOXA11-AS expression was markedly elevated in glioma tissues compared to normal brain tissues. The LncRNA HOXA11-AS expression in cases of high-grade glioma was significantly higher than that in cases of low-grade. Patients with high LncRNA HOXA11-AS expression had shorter OS time than those with low LncRNA HOXA11-AS expression. Moreover, silencing LncRNA HOXA11-AS inhibited cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and inhibited invasion and migration of glioma cells. Overexpression of LncRNA HOXA11- AS increased cell proliferation, decreased apoptosis, and increased invasion and migration of glioma cells. miR-124-3p has relevant binding sites in HOXA11-AS. Silencing HOXA11-AS significantly increased miR-124-3p expression. The miR-124-3p overexpression decreased the luciferase activity of the pMIR luciferase reporter containing HOXA11-AS-WT but not HOXA11-AS-MUT. Moreover, miR-124-3p was pulled down by HOXA11-AS probe. miR-124-3p mimics inhibited cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and inhibited invasion and migration of glioma cells. miR-124-3p mimics significantly suppressed overexpression of HOXA11-AS-induced increase of proliferation, decrease of apoptosis and increase of invasion and migration. miR-124-3p inhibitors suppressed the effect of siHOXA11-AS on proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration. In summary, the findings highlight the importance of LncRNA HOXA11-AS/miR-124-3p axis in the regulation of glioma progression. LncRNA HOXA11-AS/miR-124-3p might serve as a potential therapeutic target in glioma treatment in the future.

Melanoma-associated antigen A2 is overexpressed in glioma and associated with poor prognosis in glioma patients

Malignant glioma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor and the overall prognosis for glioma patients remains poor. Clarification of the molecular mechanism responsible for glioma progression is critical for the effective treatment of glioma. Melanoma antigen gene (MAGE)-A2 (MAGEA2) is a member of the MAGE-A family proteins widely studied for cancer vaccine development and identification of tumor markers. However, MAGEA2 clinical significance  and biological function in glioma remain unclear, especially for the prognosis of glioma patients. This study investigates MAGEA2 expression in glioma tissue samples and its significance in predicting glioma patient prognosis. MAGEA2 protein expression in tissue samples was measured by immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and MAGEA2 mRNA expression was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our results confirmed that MAGEA2 mRNA and protein expression levels were upregulated in glioma tissues, compared with normal brain tissue. The high expression of MAGEA2 in glioma tissues significantly correlated with World Health Organization advanced grade. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that high MAGEA2 expression is an independent prognostic factor for glioma patient poor overall survival. The P53 mRNA expression levels were downregulated in glioma tissues compared to noncancerous brain tissue and MAGEA2 expression negatively correlated with P53 expression. Taken together, our results suggest that MAGEA2 plays an oncogenic role in glioma progression, and they provide insight into MAGEA2 application as a novel predictor of clinical outcomes and a potential glioma biomarker.