FDA-Approved Tedizolid Phosphate Prevents Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss Without Decreasing Its Anti-tumor Effect

PURPOSE

Cisplatin is a low-cost clinical anti-tumor drug widely used to treat solid tumors. However, its use could damage cochlear hair cells, leading to irreversible hearing loss. Currently, there appears one drug approved in clinic only used for reducing ototoxicity associated with cisplatin in pediatric patients, which needs to further explore other candidate drugs.

METHODS

Here, by screening 1967 FDA-approved drugs to protect cochlear hair cell line (HEI-OC1) from cisplatin damage, we found that Tedizolid Phosphate (Ted), a drug indicated for the treatment of acute infections, had the best protective effect. Further, we evaluated the protective effect of Ted against ototoxicity in mouse cochlear explants, zebrafish, and adult mice. The mechanism of action of Ted was further explored using RNA sequencing analysis and verified. Meanwhile, we also observed the effect of Ted on the anti-tumor effect of cisplatin.

RESULTS

Ted had a strong protective effect on hair cell (HC) loss induced by cisplatin in zebrafish and mouse cochlear explants. In addition, when administered systemically, it protected mice from cisplatin-induced hearing loss. Moreover, antitumor studies showed that Ted had no effect on the antitumor activity of cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing analysis showed that the otoprotective effect of Ted was mainly achieved by inhibiting phosphorylation of ERK. Consistently, ERK activator aggravated the damage of cisplatin to HCs.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these results showed that FDA-approved Ted protected HCs from cisplatin-induced HC loss by inhibiting ERK phosphorylation, indicating its potential as a candidate for preventing cisplatin ototoxicity in clinical settings.

Special economic zone and infant mortality: Evidence from China

By exploiting the development of special economic zones (SEZs) in China as a quasi-natural experiment, this paper evaluates how such zones affect infant mortality. Difference-in-differences analysis reveals that SEZs significantly decrease the local infant mortality rate, and the impact is larger for male infants and infants with less-educated mothers. Further studies show that the SEZs, which acts as an economic growth shock, improve infant survival by increasing the local income. Furthermore, there is no supportive evidence that the SEZs significantly alter either women's fertility-associated behaviors or environmental pollution. These results highlight the previously ignored human capital-related consequences of place-based policies in China.

Efficacy of preventive interventions against ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients: an umbrella review of meta-analyses

Many meta-analyses have assessed the efficacy of preventive interventions against ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients. However, there has been no comprehensive analysis of the strength and quality of evidence to date. Systematic reviews of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials, which evaluated the effect of preventive strategies on the incidence of VAP in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation for at least 48 h, were included in this article. We identified a total of 34 interventions derived from 31 studies. Among these interventions, 19 resulted in a significantly reduced incidence of VAP. Among numerous strategies, only selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) was supported by highly suggestive (Class II) evidence (risk ratio (RR)=0.439, 95% CI: 0.362-0.532). Based on data from the sensitivity analysis, the evidence for the efficacy of non-invasive ventilation in weaning from mechanical ventilation (NIV) was upgraded from weak (Class IV) to highly suggestive (Class II) (RR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.22-0.46). All preventive interventions were not supported by robust evidence for reducing mortality. Early mobilization exhibited suggestive (Class III) evidence in shortening both intensive length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) (mean difference (MD)=-0.85, 95% CI: -1.21 to -0.49) and duration of mechanical ventilation (MD=-1.02, 95% CI: -1.41 to -0.63). In conclusion, SDD and NIV are supported by robust evidence for prevention against VAP, while early mobilization has been shown to significantly shorten the LOS in the ICU and the duration of mechanical ventilation. These three strategies are recommendable for inclusion in the ventilator bundle to lower the risk of VAP and improve the prognosis of critically ill patients.

Inhibition of Gpx4-mediated ferroptosis alleviates cisplatin-induced hearing loss in C57BL/6 mice

Cisplatin-induced hearing loss is a common side effect of cancer chemotherapy in clinics; however, the mechanism of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is still not completely clarified. Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is mainly associated with the production of reactive oxygen species, activation of apoptosis, and accumulation of intracellular lipid peroxidation, which also is involved in ferroptosis induction. In this study, the expression of TfR1, a ferroptosis biomarker, was upregulated in the outer hair cells of cisplatin-treated mice. Moreover, several key ferroptosis regulator genes were altered in cisplatin-damaged cochlear explants based on RNA sequencing, implying the induction of ferroptosis. Ferroptosis-related Gpx4 and Fsp1 knockout mice were established to investigate the specific mechanisms associated with ferroptosis in cochleae. Severe outer hair cell loss and progressive damage of synapses in inner hair cells were observed in Atoh1-Gpx4-/- mice. However, Fsp1-/- mice showed no significant hearing phenotype, demonstrating that Gpx4, but not Fsp1, may play an important role in the functional maintenance of HCs. Moreover, findings showed that FDA-approved luteolin could specifically inhibit ferroptosis and alleviate cisplatin-induced ototoxicity through decreased expression of transferrin and intracellular concentration of ferrous ions. This study indicated that ferroptosis inhibition through the reduction of intracellular ferrous ions might be a potential strategy to prevent cisplatin-induced hearing loss.

Modeling the pest-pathogen threats in a warming world for the red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens) and its symbiotic fungus (Leptographium procerum)

BACKGROUND

Dendroctonus valens along with its symbiotic fungi have caused unprecedented damage to pines in China. Leptographium procerum, its primary symbiotic fungus, facilitates the invasion and colonization of the pest, thereby aggravating ecological threats. Assessing shifts in the niches and ranges of D. valens and its symbiotic fungus could provide a valuable basis for pest control. Here, we conducted niche comparisons between native and invasive populations of D. valens. Then, we employed standard ecological niche models and ensembles of small models to predict the potential distributions of D. valens and L. procerum under climate change conditions and to estimate areas of overlap.

RESULTS

The niche of invasive population of D. valens in Chinese mainland only occupied a limited portion of the niche of native population in North America, leaving a substantial native niche unfilled and without any niche expansion. The suitable regions for D. valens are predicted in central and southern North America and central and northeastern Chinese mainland. The overlap with the suitable regions of L. procerum included eastern North America and the central and northeastern Chinese mainland under historical climatic scenarios. The regions susceptible to their symbiotic damage will shift northward in response to future climate change.

CONCLUSIONS

Projected distributions of D. valens and its symbiotic fungus, along with areas vulnerable to their symbiotic damage, provide essential insights for devising strategies against this association. Additionally, our study contributes to comprehending how biogeographic approaches aid in estimating potential risks of pest-pathogen interactions in forests within a warming world. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

China's prevention and control experience of echinococcosis: A 19-year retrospective

Echinococcosis poses a significant threat to public health. The Chinese government has implemented prevention and control measures to mitigate the impact of the disease. By analyzing data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Council of the People's Republic of China, we found that implementation of these measures has reduced the infection rate by nearly 50% between 2004 to 2022 (from 0.3975 to 0.1944 per 100,000 person-years). Nonetheless, some regions still bear a significant disease burden, and lack of detailed information limites further evaluation of the effects on both alveolar and cystic echinococcosis. Our analysis supports the continuing implementation of these measures and suggests that enhanced wildlife management, case-based strategies, and surveillance systems will facilitate disease control.

Effects of carbon-silicon structure on photochemical activity of biochars

Biochar has raised increasing concerns because of its great environmental impacts. It is known that the photocatalytic property of biochar is related to its carbon component and dissolved black carbon, but the effect of silicon component is ignored, and the effect of silicon and carbon phases was far less studied. This study systematically explored the photochemistry of silicon-rich and silicon-deficient biochar under light irradiation by using hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and sulfadiazine as representative pollutants for photoreduction and photooxidation, respectively. It was found that biochar had photoreduction activity under the enhancement of electron donors, and 80.1% Cr(VI) can be removed by biochar with crystalline silicon and carbon (i.e., RH900) after 12 h irradiation. Meanwhile after low temperature pyrolysis, biochar with amorphous silicon and carbon (i.e., RH600) had great photooxidation capacity, and 71.90% organic pollutant was degraded within 24 h. The reaction was illustrated by transient photocurrent response, and hydroxyl radical generation measurement, and other tests. A new photochemical mechanism of the synergy between silicon and carbon model was proposed to elucidate the redox reactions of pollutants under the light. Graphitic carbon or crystalline silicon formed under high temperature played a role of valence band which was excited under light irradiation and the effect of electron donors to benefit photoreduction, while amorphous silicon formed under low temperature facilitated photooxidation process by increasing reactive oxygen species concentration. This study provided a gist for biochar production and application in the field of photocatalysis, and contributed to the broader understanding of biochar geochemical behavior in natural sunlit system.

Integrative analysis reveals the recurrent genetic etiologies in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is increasingly recognized as a chronic, progressive and fatal lung disease with an unknown etiology. Current studies focus on revealing the genetic factors in the risk of IPF, making the integrative analysis of genetic variations and transcriptomic alterations of substantial value.

AIM

This study aimed to improve the understanding of the molecular basis of IPF through an integrative analysis of whole-exome sequencing (WES), bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data.

METHODS

WES is a powerful tool for studying the genetic basis of IPF, allowing for the identification of genetic variants that may be associated with the development of the disease. RNA-seq data provide a comprehensive view of the transcriptional changes in IPF patients, while scRNA-seq data offer a more granule view of cell-type-specific alterations.

RESULTS

In this study, we identified a comprehensive mutational landscape of recurrent genomic and transcriptomic variations, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms, CNVs and differentially expressed genes, in IPF populations, which may play a significant role in the development and progression of IPF.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provided valuable insights into the genetic and transcriptomic variations associated with IPF, revealing changes in gene expression that may contribute to disease development and progression. These findings highlight the importance of an integrative approach to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying IPF and may pave the way for identifying potential therapeutic targets.

[Molluscicidal effect of spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones against Oncomelania hupensis in hilly regions]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a snail control approach for spraying chemicals with drones against Oncomelania hupensis in complex snail habitats in hilly regions, and to evaluate its molluscicidal effect.

METHODS

The protocol for evaluating the activity of spraying chemical molluscicides with drones against O. hupensis snails was formulated based on expert consultation and literature review. In August 2022, a pretest was conducted in a hillside field environment (12 000 m2) north of Dafengji Village, Dacang Township, Weishan County, Yunnan Province, which was assigned into four groups, of no less than 3 000 m2 in each group. In Group A, environmental cleaning was not conducted and 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules were sprayed with drones at a dose of 40 g/m2, and in Group B, environmental cleaning was performed, followed by 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules sprayed with drones at a dose of 40 g/m2, while in Group C, environmental cleaning was not conducted and 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules were sprayed with knapsack sprayers at a dose of 40 g/m2, and in Group D, environmental cleaning was performed, followed by 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules sprayed with knapsack sprayers at a dose of 40 g/m2. Then, each group was equally divided into six sections according to land area, with Section 1 for baseline surveys and sections 2 to 6 for snail surveys after chemical treatment. Snail surveys were conducted prior to chemical treatment and 1, 3, 5, 7 days post-treatment, and the mortality and corrected mortality of snails, density of living snails and costs of molluscicidal treatment were calculated in each group.

RESULTS

The mortality and corrected mortality of snails were 69.49%, 69.09%, 53.57% and 83.48%, and 68.58%, 68.17%, 52.19% and 82.99% in groups A, B, C and D 14 days post-treatment, and the density of living snails reduced by 58.40%, 63.94%, 68.91% and 83.25% 14 days post-treatment relative to pre-treatment in four groups, respectively. The median concentrations of chemical molluscicides were 37.08, 35.42, 42.50 g/m2 and 56.25 g/m2 in groups A, B, C and D, and the gross costs of chemical treatment were 0.93, 1.50, 0.46 Yuan per m2 and 1.03 Yuan per m2 in groups A, B, C and D, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The molluscicidal effect of spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones against O. hupensis snails is superior to manual chemical treatment without environmental cleaning, and chemical treatment with drones and manual chemical treatment show comparable molluscicidal effects following environmental cleaning in hilly regions. The cost of chemical treatment with drones is slightly higher than manual chemical treatment regardless of environmental cleaning. Spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones is recommended in complex settings with difficulty in environmental cleaning to improve the molluscicidal activity and efficiency against O. hupensis snails.

Pharmacokinetics of YK-1169 in healthy subjects and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis by Monte Carlo simulation

OBJECTIVE

This study (NCT05588531) aimed to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of cefepime-avibactam (YK-1169) in healthy Chinese subjects and explore the optimal regimen for treating carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) based on the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluation.

METHODS

YK-1169 single-ascending doses (0.5, 1.25, 2.5 or 3.75 g, 2-h infusion) and multiple doses (2.5 or 3.75 g every 8 h [q8h], 2-h infusion) given for 7 days were evaluated in pharmacokinetic studies. Subjects were randomized to receive cefepime (2 g), avibactam (0.5 g) or YK-1169 (2.5 g) to assess drug-drug interactions. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of YK-1169 were determined by the broth microdilution method. Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate 10 different dose regimens.

RESULTS

Cefepime and avibactam both showed a linear pharmacokinetic profile. No accumulation was found after multiple doses. The cefepime Cmax,ss and AUC0-∞,ss were 9.20 and 16.0 μg/mL, 407.2 and 659.45 μg·h/mL in the 2.5 and 3.75 g multiple-dose groups, respectively. The avibactam Cmax,ss and AUC0-∞,ss were 0.545 and 0.837 μg/mL, 53.31 and 79.55 μg·h/mL in the 2.5 and 3.75 g multiple-dose groups, respectively. Cefepime and avibactam did not affect each other's pharmacokinetics. No serious adverse events occurred. All regimens achieved 90% probability of target attainment (PTA) goals when the MIC was ≤8 mg/L. The regimens of 2.5 (q8h, 2-h infusion), 3.75 (q8h, 2-, 3- and 4-h infusions) and 7.5 g (24-h continuous infusion) reached a 90% cumulative fraction of response.

CONCLUSION

YK-1169 had good antibacterial activity against CRKP and could be an option for CRKP infections. The regimen of 2.5 g q8h intravenously guttae (ivgtt) 2 h should be considered in future clinical trials.

[Research progress of optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography in noninfectious uveitis: a review]

Non-infectious uveitis (NIU) is a challenging type of intraocular inflammatory disease that tends to recur and can be resistant to treatment. It can cause both transient and permanent pathological changes in the retina and choroid. Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of these changes rely heavily on ophthalmic imaging methods. In recent years, the enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) have emerged as rapidly evolving ophthalmic imaging techniques that offer significant advantages in evaluating choroidal thickness, displaying the whole choroid, and monitoring choroidal blood flow. This review provides an overview of the current research status of EDI-OCT, SS-OCT, and SS-OCTA in evaluating intraocular inflammation and other choroid-related complications in noninfectious intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, and panuveitis, and also highlights their future prospects.

[Progress of schistosomiasis control in People's Republic of China in 2022]

This report presented the endemic status of schistosomiasis and analyzed the data collected from the national schistosomiasis prevention and control system and national schistosomiasis surveillance program in the People's Republic of China in 2022. Among the 12 provinces (municipality and autonomous region) endemic for schistosomiasis, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to maintain the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination, and Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces maintained the criteria of transmission interruption, while Yunnan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces maintained the criteria of transmission control by the end of 2022. A total of 452 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2022, with 27 434 endemic villages covering 73 424 400 people at risk of infections. Among the 452 endemic counties (cities, districts), 75.89% (343/452), 23.45% (106/452) and 0.66% (3/452) achieved the criteria of elimination, transmission interruption and transmission control of schistosomiasis, respectively. In 2022, 4 317 356 individuals received serological tests for schistosomiasis, and 62 228 were sero-positive. A total of 208 646 individuals received stool examinations for schistosomiasis, with one positive and another two cases positive for urine microscopy, and these three 3 cases were imported schistosomiasis patients from Africa. There were 28 565 cases with advanced schistosomiasis documented in China by the end of 2022. Oncomelania hupensis snail survey was performed in 18 891 endemic villages in China in 2022 and O. hupensis snails were found in 6 917 villages (36.62% of all surveyed villages), with 8 villages identified with emerging snail habitats. Snail survey was performed at an area of 655 703.01 hm² and 183 888.60 hm² snail habitats were found, including 110.58 hm² emerging snail habitats and 844.35 hm² re-emerging snail habitats. There were 477 200 bovines raised in the schistosomiasis endemic areas of China in 2022, and 113 946 bovines received serological examinations for schistosomiasis, with 204 sero-positives detected. Among the 131 715 bovines received stool examinations, no positives were identified. In 2022, there were 19 726 schistosomiasis patients receiving praziquantel chemotherapy, and expanded chemotherapy was performed in 714 465 person-time for humans and 234 737 herd-time for bovines in China. In 2022, snail control with chemical treatment was performed at an area of 119 134.07 hm², and the actual area of chemical treatment was 65 825.27 hm², while environmental improvements were performed at an area of 1 163.96 hm². Data from the national schistosomiasis surveillance program of China showed that the mean prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections was both zero in humans and bovines in 2022, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in O. hupensis snails. These data demonstrated that the endemic status of schistosomiasis continued to decline in China in 2022, with 3 confirmed schistosomiasis patients that had a foreign nationality and all imported from Africa, and the areas of snail habitats remained high. Further improvements in the construction of the schistosomaisis surveillance and forecast system, and reinforcement of O. hupensis survey and control are required to prevent the re-emerging schistosomiasis.

Dyslexia-Related Hearing Loss Occurs Mainly through the Abnormal Spontaneous Electrical Activity of Spiral Ganglion Neurons

Dyslexia is a reading and spelling disorder due to neurodevelopmental abnormalities and is occasionally found to be accompanied by hearing loss, but the reason for the associated deafness remains unclear. This study finds that knockout of the dyslexia susceptibility 1 candidate 1 gene (Dyx1c1^-/- ) in mice, the best gene for studying dyslexia, causes severe hearing loss, and thus it is a good model for studying the mechanism of dyslexia-related hearing loss (DRHL). This work finds that the Dyx1c1 gene is highly expressed in the mouse cochlea and that the spontaneous electrical activity of inner hair cells and type I spiral ganglion neurons is altered in the cochleae of Dyx1c1^-/- mice. In addition, primary ciliary dyskinesia-related phenotypes such as situs inversus and disrupted ciliary structure are seen in Dyx1c1^-/- mice. In conclusion, this study gives new insights into the mechanism of DRHL in detail and suggests that Dyx1c1 may serve as a potential target for the clinical diagnosis of DRHL.

Occupancy of orbitals and the quadrupole collectivity in 45Sc nucleus

In the present work, the Doppler Shift Attenuation method (DSAM) was used to analyze the observed lineshapes of transitions from excited states in ⁴⁵Sc, populated in the reaction ³⁶Ar + ¹²C at a beam energy of 145 MeV. The interpretation and comparison of the experimental results have been performed with large-scale shell model calculations, involving different interactions like: GX1A, GX1J, FPD6, KB3 and ZBM2. KB3 and FPD6 (present work) interactions in the negative parity states, and in positive parity states ZBM2 are most pre-eminent in reproducing the results, due to the large configuration space describing strong collective effects. Furthermore, the present work also looks at the details of the shell model helping in improving the understanding for the occupancy of orbitals. The present investigation suggests the observation of stronger collectivity for positive parity states over negative parity states with predicted enhanced collectivity of states in ⁴⁵Sc nucleus.

[Activation of GABAergic neurons in the zona incerta accelerates anesthesia induction with sevoflurane and propofol without affecting anesthesia maintenance or awakening in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the regulatory effects of GABAergic neurons in the zona incerta (ZI) on sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia.

METHODS

Forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice divided into 8 groups (n=6) were used in this study. In the study of sevoflurane anesthesia, chemogenetic experiment was performed in 2 groups of mice with injection of either adeno-associated virus carrying hM3Dq (hM3Dq group) or a virus carrying only mCherry (mCherry group). The optogenetic experiment was performed in another two groups of mice injected with an adeno-associated virus carrying ChR2 (ChR2 group) or GFP only (GFP group). The same experiments were also performed in mice for studying propofol anesthesia. Chemogenetics or optogenetics were used to induce the activation of GABAergic neurons in the ZI, and their regulatory effects on anesthesia induction and arousal with sevoflurane and propofol were observed; EEG monitoring was used to observe the changes in sevoflurane anesthesia maintenance after activation of the GABAergic neurons.

RESULTS

In sevoflurane anesthesia, the induction time of anesthesia was significantly shorter in hM3Dq group than in mCherry group (P < 0.05), and also shorter in ChR2 group than in GFP group (P < 0.01), but no significant difference was found in the awakening time between the two groups in either chemogenetic or optogenetic tests. Similar results were observed in chemogenetic and optogenetic experiments with propofol (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Photogenetic activation of the GABAergic neurons in the ZI did not cause significant changes in EEG spectrum during sevoflurane anesthesia maintenance.

CONCLUSION

Activation of the GABAergic neurons in the ZI promotes anesthesia induction of sevoflurane and propofol but does not affect anesthesia maintenance or awakening.

Peroxisome Deficiency in Cochlear Hair Cells Causes Hearing Loss by Deregulating BK Channels

The peroxisome is a ubiquitous organelle in rodent cells and plays important roles in a variety of cell types and tissues. It is previously indicated that peroxisomes are associated with auditory function, and patients with peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are found to have hearing dysfunction, but the specific role of peroxisomes in hearing remains unclear. In this study, two peroxisome-deficient mouse models (Atoh1-Pex5^-/- and Pax2-Pex5^-/- ) are established and it is found that peroxisomes mainly function in the hair cells of cochleae. Furthermore, peroxisome deficiency-mediated negative effects on hearing do not involve mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage. Although the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling is shown to function through peroxisomes, no changes are observed in the mTORC1 signaling in Atoh1-Pex5^-/- mice when compared to wild-type (WT) mice. However, the expression of large-conductance, voltage-, and Ca2⁺ -activated K⁺ (BK) channels is less in Atoh1-Pex5^-/- mice as compared to the WT mice, and the administration of activators of BK channels (NS-1619 and NS-11021) restores the auditory function in knockout mice. These results suggest that peroxisomes play an essential role in cochlear hair cells by regulating BK channels. Hence, BK channels appear as the probable target for treating peroxisome-related hearing diseases such as PBDs.

Detection of haemodynamic obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using the sub-aortic complex: a cardiac MRI and Doppler study

AIM

To investigate the "sub-aortic complex (SAC)", a new cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI)-derived parameter, for the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), compared with conventional CMRI parameters and Doppler echocardiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 157 consecutive patients with HCM were recruited retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups, 87 with LVOT obstruction and 70 without obstruction. The SAC was defined as a specific anatomical SAC affecting the LVOT, which were measured on the LV three-chamber steady-state free precession (SSFP) cine image at the end-systolic phase. The relations between the existence and severity of obstruction and SAC index (SACi) were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and logistic regression.

RESULTS

The SACs were significantly different between the obstructive and non-obstructive groups. The ROC curves indicated that the SACi was able to discriminate obstructive and non-obstructive patients with the best predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.949, p<0.001). The SACi was an independent predictor of LVOT obstruction and there was a significant negative correlation between resting LVOT pressure gradient and SACi (r=0.72 p<0.001). In the subgroup of patients with or without severe basal septal hypertrophy, the SACi was still able to predict LVOT obstruction with excellent diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.944 and 0.948, p<0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The SAC is a reliable and straightforward CMRI marker for assessing LVOT obstruction. It is more effective than CMRI two-dimensional flow in diagnosing the severity of obstruction in patients with HCM.

Macrophage-mediated immune response aggravates hearing disfunction caused by the disorder of mitochondrial dynamics in cochlear hair cells

Mitochondrial dynamics is essential for maintaining the physiological function of the mitochondrial network, and its disorders lead to a variety of diseases. Our previous study identified mitochondrial dynamics controlled anti-tumor immune responses and anxiety symptoms. However, how mitochondrial dynamics affects auditory function in the inner ear remains unclear. Here, we show that the deficiency of FAM73a or FAM73b, two mitochondrial outer membrane proteins that mediate mitochondrial fusion, leads to outer hair cells (HCs) damage and progressive hearing loss in FVB/N mice. Abnormal mitochondrial fusion causes elevated oxidative stress and apoptosis of HCs in the early stage. Thereafter, the activation of macrophages and CD4+ T cell is found in the mutant mice with the increased expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-12 and IFN-γ compared with control mice. Strikingly, a dramatically decreased number of macrophages by Clophosome®-A-Clodronate Liposomes treatment alleviates the hearing loss of mutant mice. Collectively, our finding highlights that FAM73a or FAM73b deficiency affects HCs survival by disturbing the mitochondrial function, and the subsequent immune response in the cochleae worsens the damage of HCs.

[Prevalence and related factors of visual disability, hearing disability and comorbidity of visual and hearing disability among the elderly in China]

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of visual disability, hearing disability and comorbidity of visual and hearing disability among the elderly in China, and explore the related factors of comorbidity of visual and hearing disability in the elderly. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Based on the Second China National Sample Survey on Disability in 2006, the data of the elderly with visual and hearing disability were extracted and combined for descriptive analysis. Meanwhile, multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors of comorbidity of visual and hearing disability among the elderly. Results: A total of 250 752 cases were in the final analysis (119 120 males and 131 632 females), and there were 164 003, 74 156 and 12 593 cases with the age of 65-<75, 75-<85 and ≥ 85 years, respectively. The prevalence of visual disability and hearing disability of the elderly in China was 8.10% (95%CI: 8.00%-8.21%), 13.41% (95%CI: 13.29%-13.54%), respectively, while the prevalence of comorbidity of visual and hearing disability was 1.97% (95%CI: 1.92%-2.02%). The severity of disability of the elderly with comorbidity of visual and hearing disability was higher, and the percentage of mild disabilities (18.31%, 966/5 277) was lower than those with visual (53.06%, 11 208/21 123) or hearing disabilities (32.96%, 11 536/34 995). Moreover, 19.40% (1 024/5 277) of visual or hearing disability occurred in the same year. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that education level below primary school (OR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.61-0.70, P<0.001), having a spouse (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.64-0.72, P<0.001), living in an urban area (OR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.71-0.82, P<0.001) and having a per capita household income higher than the national average (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.68-0.78, P<0.001) were protective factors for comorbidity of visual and hearing disability among the elderly. Conclusions: Visual disability is correlated with hearing disability in the elderly. Attention should be paid to the prevention and control of associated disabilities such as visual and hearing co-disabilities in the elderly population, with emphasis on strengthening publicity and education on prevention and control of visual and hearing disabilities for the elderly who are economically disadvantaged, have no spouse and live in remote areas.

Sitafloxacin pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics against multidrug-resistant bacteria in a dynamic urinary tract infection in vitro model

OBJECTIVES

Sitafloxacin is one of the newer generation fluoroquinolones with highly active against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Our objectives were to identify the sitafloxacin pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) index and breakpoints against MDR isolate in the urinary tract infection model.

METHODS

Forty-eight MDR isolates underwent sitafloxacin and levofloxacin microdilution susceptibility testing. A 24 h in vitro model was established that simulated the healthy subjects urodynamics of sitafloxacin fumarate injection. Ten MDR isolates (four carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli, three carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa and three vancomycin-resistant E. faecium) were selected. The drug efficacy was quantified by the change in log colony counts within 24 h. A sigmoid Emax model was fitted to the killing effect data. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to assess target attainment for the sitafloxacin fumarate doses of 100 and 200 mg q24h.

RESULTS

Analysis indicated that the MICs of sitafloxacin were all significantly lower than that of levofloxacin (P < 0.01). The UAUC0-24h/MIC targets required to achieve stasis, 1-log10 killing and 2-log10 killing were 63.60, 79.49 and 99.45 (carbapenem-resistant E. coli), 60.85, 90.31 and 128.95 (carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa), 65.91, 77.81 and 103.11 (vancomycin-resistant E. faecium). Monte Carlo simulation showed the infusion of sitafloxacin fumarate 100 mg q24h was able to achieve 90% probability of target attainment against bacteria with MIC of 8 mg/L for the common complicated urinary tract infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Sitafloxacin fumarate injection is an alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of UTIs caused by MDR isolates.

A Case of ALECT2 Renal Amyloidosis Associated with IgG4 Related Kidney Disease, Membranous Nephropathy and Early Diabetic Kidney Injury

Introduction/Objective

ALECT-2 amyloidosis is a rare type of amyloidosis that mostly involves kidneys with other organs rarely affected. It has a high prevalence among patients of Hispanic descent. Membranous nephropathy is one of the most common causes of proteinuria in adults. IgG4-related disease is a systemic disease, which commonly involves the pancreas, but occasionally affects the kidney and manifests as chronic renal insufficiency. Here we describe a very unusual case of concurrence of membranous nephropathy, IgG4 disease involving the kidney, ALECT2 amyloidosis, and early diabetic kidney injury.

Methods/Case Report

A 49-year-old Hispanic male patient with a history of diabetes and IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis presented with abrupt onset of proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia. A kidney biopsy was performed and showed severe interstitial plasma cell-rich inflammatory infiltrates and interstitial fibrosis which had a storiform pattern. The glomerular basement membranes (GBM) showed focal pinpoint holes but no spikes by silver stain. Immunofluorescence microscopy (IF) showed diffuse and finely granular capillary loop staining for IgG, with Kappa and lambda light chains of equal intensity. IF for Anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) was negative. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stain showed IgG4 positivity in about 60% of IgG-positive plasma cells. Congo red was positive for birefringent deposits predominantly in the interstitium and arteriolar walls with focal deposits in the glomerular mesangium and capillary wall. IHC stain for Amyloid AA and DNAJB9 were negative. Electron microscopy showed scattered subepithelial immune complex-type electron dense deposits consistent with membranous nephropathy, randomly oriented fibrils in interstitium, mesangium and GBM, consistent with amyloidosis, and thickening of GBM (average 559 nm), consistent with early diabetic kidney change. The tissue was sent for mass spectrometry which showed a peptide profile consistent with ALECT-2 (Leukocyte chemotactic factor 2) type amyloidosis.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

NA

Conclusion

In up to a third of cases reported in the literature, a concomitant renal pathology was present. Diabetic nephropathy was the most common concurrent pathology, to be followed by IgA nephropathy and membranous nephropathy. However, the concurrence of membranous nephropathy, IgG4 disease involving the kidney, ALECT2 amyloidosis, and early diabetic kidney injury has never been described before.

The Factors Influencing Public Satisfaction with Community Services for COVID-19: Evidence from a Highly Educated Community in Beijing

The satisfaction of highly educated citizens with community services for COVID-19 represents the attitude of the middle class and plays an important role in both the social and political stability of a country. The aim of this paper was to determine which factors influence public satisfaction with COVID-19 services in a highly educated community. Through a literature review and using the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) model, this paper constructed a public satisfaction model of community services for COVID-19 and proposed relevant research hypotheses. A community with many highly educated residents in Beijing was selected as the case study, where 450 official questionnaires were distributed based on the age ratio of residents, with 372 valid questionnaires being collected from May 2021 to July 2021. The study results obtained by a structural equation model (SEM) show that: (1) public satisfaction is significantly and positively influenced by quality perception (0.305 **), public demand (0.295 **), and service maturity (0.465 ***); (2) public satisfaction has a significantly positive effect on service image (0.346 ***) and public trust (0.232 **), and service image significantly affects public trust (0.140 *); (3) service maturity is positively influenced by public demand (0.460 ***) and quality perception (0.323 *); and (4) public demand is positively influenced by quality perception (0.693 ***) (* p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.00). The conclusions of the study can provide suggestions and recommendations to improve the satisfaction of highly educated residents with community healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thermally enhanced bioremediation: A review of the fundamentals and applications in soil and groundwater remediation

Thermally enhanced bioremediation (TEB), a new concept proposed in recent years, explores the combination of thermal treatment and bioremediation to address the challenges of the low efficiency and long duration of bioremediation. This study presented a comprehensive review regarding the fundamentals of TEB and its applications in soil and groundwater remediation. The temperature effects on the bioremediation of contaminants were systematically reviewed. The thermal effects on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soil, and the corresponding changes of contaminants bioavailability and microbial metabolic activities were summarized. Specifically, the increase in temperature within a suitable range can proliferate enzymes enrichment, extracellular polysaccharides and biosurfactants production, and further enhancing bioremediation. Furthermore, a systematic evaluation of TEB applications by utilizing traditional in situ heating technologies, as well as renewable energy (e.g., stored aquifer thermal energy and solar energy), was provided. Additionally, TEB has been applied as a biological polishing technology post thermal treatment, which can be a cost-effective method to address the contaminants rebounds in groundwater remediation. However, there are still various challenges to be addressed in TEB, and future research perspectives to further improve the basic understanding and applications of TEB for the remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater are presented.

[Clinical features and risk factors for early relapse of pediatric ulcerative colitis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) and analyze the risk factors of disease relapse. Methods: The clinical data of 79 children with UC diagnosed in Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into early relapse group and non-early relapse group according to the clinical relapse within 12 months after diagnosis. T-test, rank sum test, χ² test or Fisher's exact test were used to compare the variables between the 2 groups, including the clinical features, laboratory examination results and treatments. The Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of early relapse. The cumulative relapse rate during follow-up was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Among the 79 UC children, 46 were males and 33 were females, and the age of onset was 10.6 (6.4, 12.7) years. The children were mainly characterized by extensive disease (E3) and pancolitis (E4) (51/79, 65%), moderate to severe activity (48/79, 61%) and moderate to severe inflammation of colonic mucosa (71/79, 90%). Thirty-eight (48%) patients had atypical phenotype and 17 (22%) had extraintestinal manifestations. The follow-up period was 43.9 (22.8, 61.3) months, and of the 41 patients rechecked with colonoscopy, 7 (17%) had disease progression. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, the cumulative relapse rate of the 79 cases at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after diagnosis were 27% (21/79), 47% (37/79), 57% (45/79) and 73% (53/73), respectively. There were 45 children (57%) in early relapse group and 34 (43%) in non-early relapse group. In early relapse group, hemoglobin and mucosal healing rate were both significantly lower (105 (87, 122) vs. 120 (104, 131) g/L, 28% (7/25) vs. 7/9, Z=-2.38, χ²=4.87, both P<0.05). The rate of steroid-dependent, E3 and step-up therapy during the induction period were all significantly higher than those in non-early relapse group (11/19 vs. 1/12, 24% (11/45) vs. 6% (2/34), 29% (13/45) vs. 6% (2/34), χ²=5.67, 4.85, 6.66, all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that extraintestinal manifestations (OR=4.33, 95%CI 1.05-17.83), E3 (OR=8.27, 95%CI 1.47-46.46) and step-up therapy during the induction period (OR=5.58, 95%CI 1.01-30.77) were independent risk factors for early relapse. Conclusions: Pediatric UC is usually extensive and severe, with atypical phenotype, a high rate of relapse and a risk of disease progression. Extraintestinal manifestations, E3 and step-up therapy during the induction period are independent risk factors for early relapse.

Probing ^{93m}Mo Isomer Depletion with an Isomer Beam

The isomer depletion of ^{93m}Mo was recently reported [Chiara et al., Nature (London) 554, 216 (2018)NATUAS0028-083610.1038/nature25483] as the first direct observation of nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC). However, the measured excitation probability of 1.0(3)% is far beyond the theoretical expectation. In order to understand the inconsistency between theory and experiment, we produce the ^{93m}Mo nuclei using the ^{12}C(^{86}Kr,5n) reaction at a beam energy of 559 MeV and transport the reaction residues to a detection station far away from the target area employing a secondary beam line. The isomer depletion is expected to occur during the slowdown process of the ions in the stopping material. In such a low γ-ray background environment, the signature of isomer depletion is not observed, and an upper limit of 2×10^{-5} is estimated for the excitation probability. This is consistent with the theoretical expectation. Our findings shed doubt on the previously reported NEEC phenomenon and highlight the necessity and feasibility of further experimental investigations for reexamining the isomer depletion under low γ-ray background.

Gstm1/Gstt1 is essential for reducing cisplatin ototoxicity in CBA/CaJ mice

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. However, its clinical utility is limited because of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) was found to play a vital role in reducing cisplatin ototoxicity in mice. Deletion polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1, members of the GST family, are common in humans and are presumed to be associated with cisplatin-induced hearing impairment. However, the specific roles of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in cisplatin ototoxicity are not completely clear. Here, under cisplatin treatment, simultaneous deletion of Gstm1 and Gstt1 lead to a more profound hearing loss in CBA/CaJ mice (Gstm1/Gstt1-DKO) than in wild-type mice. The Gstm1/Gstt1-DKO mice, in which phase II detoxification genes were upregulated, exhibited more severe oxidative stress and higher outer hair cell apoptosis in the cochleae than the control mice. Thus, our study revealed that Gstm1 and Gstt1 protect auditory hair cells from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in the CBA/CaJ mice, and genetic screening for GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms could help determine a standard cisplatin dose for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

MicroRNA-29a-3p regulates chemosensitivity in hypopharyngeal carcinoma via targeting Cdc42

INTRODUCTION

Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is one kind of high malignant tumour followed by poor prognosis in head and neck carcinomas. This study aimed to detect miR-29a-3p and Cdc42 in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of miR-29a-3p and Cdc42 mRNA were detected, and the correlation between miR-29a-3p/Cdc42 and clinical stages was investigated.

RESULTS

The relative expression of miR-29a-3p in stage II, III and IV hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues was significantly lower than that of stage I (P< 0.05). The relative expression of Cdc42 mRNA in stage I, III and IV tissues was significantly higher than that of stage I (P< 0.05). The expression of miR-29a-3p in hypopharyngeal carcinoma with lymph node metastasis was significantly lower than that without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

MiR-29a-3p and Cdc42 mRNA could be potential diagnostic biomarkers of hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

The effect of neuropilin-1 silencing on the transforming growth factor-β1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colon cancer SW480 cells and its effect on the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells

This study aimed to investigate the effect of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) silencing on epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) mediated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and on the proliferation and migration of colon cancer SW480 cells. After transfection of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA)-NRP-1 into colon cancer SW480 cells, the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels of NRP-1 were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Four EMT models were induced using 0, 2, 5, and 10 ng/mL TGF-β1, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8, and the protein levels of EMT markers E-cadherin and vimentin were detected using Western blot. EMT was induced in the transfected SW480 cells using TGF-β1, after which four groups were created: a negative control group (siRNA-Ncontrol), a transfection group (siRNA-NRP-1), an induction group (TGF-β1), and a transfection + induction group (siRNA-NRP-1+TGF-β1). Western blot was then used to detect the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin, and cell proliferation and migration were detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and scratch assay. After transfection with siRNA-NRP-1, the mRNA and protein expression levels of SW480 cells were significantly decreased (P<0.05). After 48 hours of induction with 10 ng/mL TGF-β1, cell proliferation was obvious, E-cadherin expression decreased, and vimentin expression significantly increased (P<0.05), indicating that EMT had been successfully induced compared with the induction group, the transfection + induction group had significantly increased E-cadherin expression after corresponding treatments (including transfection and induction alone) (P<0.05), and the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells decreased (P<0.05). In conclusion: silencing, NRP-1 in colon cancer SW480 cells can partially reverse TGF-β1-mediated EMT, reduce the proliferation activity of colon cancer cells, and slow their migration ability. Therefore, NRP-1 may become a new target for the treatment of colon cancer.

[Analysis of failure causes and countermeasures of automatic coagulation analyzer detection of thrombin time]

To study the failure alarm information displayed on the automatic coagulation analyzer (coagulation method) of thrombin time (TT), and formulate the coping strategies combined with clinical information. Methods: A total of 233 failed TT blood samples [132 males, 101 females, with a median age of 73 (66, 79) years] were selected from 21 359 inpatients in Peking University First Hospital from January to June 2021. The statistical analysis was made and the failure causes and solutions were summarized according to the coagulation curve and the error codes displayed on the coagulation instrument, in combination with the clinical information, sample characteristics, medication status and other reasons. Meanwhile, a total of 96 TT detection failed lipid blood samples [56 males, 40 females, with a median age of 72 (65, 79) years] were analyzed from the inpatients in Peking University First Hospital from July to November 2021. TT results were obtained by artificial coagulation curve interpretation method, magnetic bead method and high-speed centrifugal re-detection method, respectively. The TT results of the three methods were compared. Results: The proportion of 233 failed TT tests from the total number of samples was 1.1% (233/21 359). There were 41.2% (96/233) samples with lipids, 23.2% (54/233) samples with heparin interference, 22.3% (52/233) samples with oral anticoagulant, and 13.3% (31/233) samples with micro-coagulation or insufficient plasma volume among these test failure samples. The classifications for these alarm information of coagulation curves showed on the instrument were as follows: 32.6% (76/233) of samples with higher changes in absorbance at baseline (SD>2 mAbs), 30.5% (71/233) of samples without peak values of second derivative, 25.8% (60/233) of samples with absorbance difference<35 mAbs between baseline and plateau period, 8.6% (20/233) samples with too low starting point or no starting point, and 2.6% (6/233) samples without coagulation curves. Among these 233 samples, there were 55.8% (130/233) samples that could be manually judged according to the reaction principle and standard coagulation curve pattern. Among the 96 samples that failed in coagulation method due to lipemia, there were 78 samples with sufficient blood volume tested by magnetic bead method. The TT results of the high-speed centrifugal redetection method, artificial coagulation curve interpretation method and magnetic bead method were 14.10 (14.80, 13.38) s, 14.30 (14.99, 13.60) s, and 15.65 (17.25, 14.65) s, respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.055). For 78 lipid samples, there was a correlation between the results of the artificial coagulation curve interpretation method and the results of magnetic bead method (r=0.99,P=0.001). Conclusions: For those samples failed in TT detection by coagulation method on automatic coagulation instrument, the cause of failure can be analyzed through coagulation curve and alarm information. For the lipid samples, TT results can be obtained by manual interpretation method, high-speed centrifugation method and magnetic bead method.

[Preliminary study on differentially expressed proteins in a mouse model of secondary cystic echinococcosis based on data independent acquisition proteomics]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the differentially expressed proteins in different liver tissues in the mouse model of cystic echinococcosis (CE), so as to provide insights into the research and development of therapeutic drugs targeting CE.

METHODS

Female Kunming mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly assigned into the CE group and the control group. Mice in the CE group were intraperitoneally infected with 2 000 Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces, while mice in the control group were injected with the same volume of physiological saline. All mice in both groups were sacrificed after breeding for 350 d, and the lesions (the lesion group) and peri-lesion specimens (the peri-lesion group) were sampled from the liver of mice in the CE group and the normal liver specimens (the normal group) were sampled from mice in the control group for data independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics analysis, and the differentially expressed proteins were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 26 differentially expressed proteins were identified between the lesion group and the normal group and between the peri-lesion group and the normal group, including 8 up-regulated proteins and 18 down-regulated proteins. GO term enrichment analysis showed that these differentially expressed proteins were predominantly enriched in endoplasmic reticulum membrane (biological components), oxidoreductase activity (molecular function) and oxoacid metabolic process and monocarboxylic acid metabolic process (biological processes). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed protein Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (Acox1), which contributed to primary bile acid biosynthesis during the fatty acid oxidation, was involved in peroxisome signaling pathway, and the differentially expressed protein fatty acid binding protein 1 (Fabp1), which contributed to fatty acid transport, was involved in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Differentially expressed proteins are identified in the liver specimens between mouse models of CE and normal mice, and some differentially expressed proteins may serve as potential drug targets for CE.

[Preliminary study on differentially expressed proteins in a mouse model of secondary alveolar echinococcosis based on data independent acquisition proteomics]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the differentially expressed proteins in different liver tissues in the mouse model of alveolar echinococcosis using high-resolution mass spectrometry with data independent acquisition (DIA), and to identify the key proteins contributing to the pathogenesis of alveolar echinococcosis.

METHODS

Protoscoleces were isolated from Microtus fuscus with alveolar echinococcosis and the experimental model of alveolar echinococcosis was established in female Kunming mice aged 6 to 8 weeks by infection with Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces. Mice were divided into the experimental and control groups, and animals in the experimental group was injected with approximately 3 000 protoscoleces, while mice in the control group were injected with the same volume of physiological saline. Mouse liver specimens were sampled from both groups one year post-infection and subjected to pathological examinations. In addition, the lesions (the lesion group) and peri-lesion specimens (the peri-lesion group) were sampled from the liver of mice in the experimental group and the normal liver specimens (the normal group) were sampled from mice in the control group for DIA proteomics analysis, and the differentially expressed proteins were subjected to bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1 020 differentially expressed proteins were identified between the lesion group and the normal group, including 671 up-regulated proteins and 349 down-regulated proteins, and 495 differentially expressed proteins were identified between the peri-lesion group and the normal group, including 327 up-regulated proteins and 168 down-regulated proteins. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these differentially expressed proteins were involved in peroxisome, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and fatty acid degradation pathways, and the peroxisome and PPAR signaling pathways were found to correlate with liver injury. Several differentially expressed proteins that may contribute to the pathogenesis of alveolar echinococcosis were identified in these two pathways, including fatty acid binding protein 1 (Fabp1), Acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 1 (Acsl1), Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (Acox1), Enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (Ehhadh) and Acetyl-Coenzyme A acyltransferase 1B (Acaa1b), which were down-regulated in mice in the experimental group.

CONCLUSIONS

A large number of differentially expressed proteins are identified in the liver of the mouse model of alveolar echinococcosis, and Fabp1, Acsl1, Acox1, Ehhadh and Acaa1b may contribute to the pathogenesis of alveolar echinococcosis.

P(III) vs P(V): A P(V) Reagent for Thiophosphoramidate Linkages and Application to an Asymmetric Synthesis of a Cyclic Dinucleotide STING Agonist

A highly stereoselective synthesis of a cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) STING agonist containing two chiral thiophosphoramidate linkages is described. These rare yet key functional groups were, for the first time, installed efficiently and with high diastereoselectivity using a specially designed P(V) reagent. By utilizing this strategy, the CDN was prepared in greater than 16-fold higher yield than the prior P(III) approach, with fewer hazardous reagents and chromatographic purifications.

[Microscopic observation of the enamel microstructures of SD rats with different degrees of fluorosis]

Objective: To establish a dental fluorosis model of SD rats with various degrees, to observe the microstructures of enamel samples under scanning electron microscope and to clarify the changes of enamel microstructures with various degrees of dental fluorosis, so as to provide clinical reference for the treatment of patients with moderate and severe dental fluorosis. Methods: Thirty male SD rats (6 weeks of age) were randomly divided into 3 groups with 10 rats in each group. The control group was fed with deionized water without fluoride, the low fluoride group was fed with 50 mg/L NaF deionized water and the high fluoride group was fed with 100 mg/L NaF deionized water in order to establish the dental fluorosis model of rats. After feeding for 6 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the mandibular incisor teeth were collected and recorded. The surface and sagittal plane of each tooth were observed by scanning electron microscopy and the enamel thickness was measured. Results: In the control group, the enamel color was brown yellow. Enamel color discoloration occurred both in low-fluoride group and high-fluoride group. The enamel color in low-fluoride group was mostly yellow and white striped while in high-fluoride group was mostly chalky white. Under electronic microscope, the enamel rods were alternately arranged and their structure was clear and plump in the control group. The enamel rods of moderate fluorosis were arranged in a straight orientation like tips of bamboo shoots. The enamel rods of severe fluorosis, however, became thinner and the tips of rods were broken. In the control group, sagittal images of enamel turned out to be a dense outer structure with clear boundaries among the inner. The structure of the middle layer was reticulated showing a clear boundary with middle and outer layers. The structure of enamel rods in the inner layers was arranged vertically and horizontally. In the moderate fluorosis group, the outer layer of the enamel became thinner and the middle layer disappeared although the boundary between the outer and middle layers was still clear. In the inner layer, the vertically arranged enamel rods seemed still clear, however the horizontal enamel rods disappeared. In the severe fluorosis group, the outer layer could not be traced. The middle layer was exposed to the air and the inner enamel rods contracted. The inner layers of the enamel had gradually become thinner with the development of the dental fluorosis. The thicknesses of inner layers in control, moderate and the severe groups were (180.71±7.01), (157.10±11.04) and (121.10±12.56) μm respectively. As for the thicknesses of the full layers in the above mentioned three groups, the same trend was observed. The thicknesses, in order of the severity of dental fluorosis, were (241.54±7.76), (207.42±14.36) and (143.79±14.60) μm. Conclusions: With the development of dental fluorosis, the outer enamel layers became thinner or disappeared and the inner enamel layers became thinner or lost its normal structure as well. It is highly recommended that the resin penetration could be used for the proper treatment of moderate and severe dental fluorosis and the strong bleaching and the micro-grinding should be used cautiously.