MRI-based radiomics model to preoperatively predict mesenchymal transition subtype in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

AIM

To develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics model for the preoperative identification of mesenchymal transition (MT) subtype in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and eighty-nine patients with histopathologically confirmed HGSOC were enrolled retrospectively. Among the included patients, 55 patients were determined as the MT subtype and the remaining 134 were non-MT subtype. After extracting a total of 204 features from T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and contrast-enhanced (CE)-T1WI images, the Mann-Whitney U-test, Spearman correlation test, and Boruta algorithm were adopted to select the optimal feature set. Three classifiers, including logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF), were trained to develop radiomics models. The performance of established models was evaluated from three aspects: discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility.

RESULTS

Seven radiomics features relevant to MT subtypes were selected to build the radiomics models. The model based on the RF algorithm showed the best performance in predicting MT subtype, with areas under the curves (AUCs) of 0.866 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.797-0.936) and 0.852 (95 % CI: 0.736-0.967) in the training and testing cohorts, respectively. The calibration curves, supported with Brier scores, indicated very good consistency between observation and prediction. Decision curve analysis (DCA) showed that the RF-based model could provide more net benefit, which suggested favorable utility in clinical application.

CONCLUSION

The RF-based radiomics model provided accurate identification of MT from the non-MT subtype and may help facilitate personalised management of HGSOC.

Y-tube assisted coprecipitation synthesis of iron-based Prussian blue analogues cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries

Prussian blue analogues possess numerous advantages as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries, including high energy density, low cost, sustainability, and straightforward synthesis processes, making them highly promising for practical applications. However, during the synthesis, crystal defects such as vacancies and the incorporation of crystal water can lead to issues such as diminished capacity and suboptimal cycling stability. In the current study, a Y-tube assisted coprecipitation method was used to synthesize iron-based Prussian blue analogues, and the optimized feed flow rate during synthesis contributed to the successful preparation of the material with a formula of Na1.56Fe[Fe(CN)6]0.90□0.10·2.42H2O, representing a low-defect cathode material. This approach cleverly utilizes the Y-tube component to enhance the micro-mixing of materials in the co-precipitation reaction, featuring simplicity, low cost, user-friendly, and the ability to be used in continuous production. Electrochemical performance tests show that the sample retains 69.8% of its capacity after 200 cycles at a current density of 0.5C (1C = 140 mA g-1) and delivers a capacity of 71.9 mA h g-1 at a high rate of 10C. The findings of this research provide important insights for the development of high-performance Prussian blue analogues cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

ARDS in solid organ transplant recipients hospitalized for COVID-19 based on the 2023 new definition

BACKGROUND

Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are more likely to suffer complications after being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to describe the clinical features of SOTRs infected with SARS-CoV-2 and to assess independent risk factors associated with the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following COVID-19 infection in SOTRs based on the new ARDS definition.

METHODS

358 SOTRs infected with SARS-CoV-2 were recruited and divided into two groups, patients with ARDS (n = 81) and patients without ARDS (n = 277). Demographic data, initial laboratory findings, therapeutic measures, and outcome indicators were compared between the two groups. The association between the onset of ARDS and related factors was analyzed using a logistic regression model. A nomogram was created to estimate the probability of developing ARDS.

RESULTS

Approximately 22.6 % (81/358) of hospitalized SOTRs infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed ARDS. In comparison to patients without ARDS, those with ARDS presented with more underlying conditions, decreased lymphocyte counts and serum albumin levels, but increased levels of leukocytes, serum creatinine, nitrogen urea, uric acid, and inflammatory markers. Cerebrovascular disease, leukocyte counts, albumin levels, and IL-6 levels were independent risk factors for the development of ARDS in this population. Furthermore, a nomogram prediction model was created utilizing the aforementioned factors to facilitate early prediction of ARDS, exhibiting an AUC (area under curve) of 0.81.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebrovascular disease, leukocyte counts, albumin levels, and IL-6 levels were independent risk factors for the development of ARDS following COVID-19 infection in SOTRs.

[The detecting value of virtual non-calcium technique of dual-energy CT for bone marrow edema around nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head]

Objective: To evaluate the value of virtual non-calcium (VNCa) technique of dual-energy CT (DECT) for detecting bone marrow edema (BME) around nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) using MRI as reference standard. Methods: Nontraumatic ONFH patients were prospectively studied in the Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from October 2022 to May 2023, and their MRI and DECT images were analyzed. The diagnostic efficiency of the subjective assessment of BME around ONFH by two radiologists in VNCa color-coded images were calculated using the MRI results as the reference standard. The BME ranges were compared between VNCa images and MRI. Traditional CT values and VNCa CT values were compared between normal bone marrow and BME. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was established based on the statistically different CT values, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to find the threshold to distinguish normal bone marrow from BME and evaluate the diagnostic efficacy. Results: Thirty patients with ONFH were included, including 24 males and 6 females, aged (39±12) years. There were 18 bilateral hips and 12 unilateral hips, with a total of 48 hips, 34 hips of which showed BME on MRI. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of subjective detection of BME on VNCa color coded maps by two physicians were 97.1% (33/34) and 97.1% (33/34), 92.9% (13/14) and 71.4% (10/14), 97.1% (33/34) and 89.2% (33/37), 92.9% (13/14) and 90.9% (10/11), 95.8% (46/48) and 89.6% (43/48), respectively, with no statistical difference (all P>0.05).There was no statistical difference between VNCa color-coded images and MRI in the BME range (P=1.160). The traditional CT values measured by the two radiologists were in good agreement with VNCa CT values, with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.948 (95%CI: 0.908-0.971) and 0.982 (95%CI: 0.969-0.990), respectively. The traditional CT value of normal bone marrow was (400.7±82.8) HU, and that of BME was (443.7±65.7) HU, with no statistical difference (P=0.062). The VNCa CT value of normal bone marrow was (-103.1±27.8) HU, and that of BME was (-32.9±25.7) HU, with statistical difference (P<0.001). The AUC of distinguishing normal bone marrow from BME based on VNCa CT value was 0.958 (95%CI: 0.857-0.995). The best cut-off value was -74.5 HU, and when the VNCa CT value was higher than -74.5 HU, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of diagnosing BME were 97.1%, 92.9%, 97.1%, 92.9% and 95.8 %, respectively. Conclusion: The VNCa technique of DECT has high efficiency in detecting BME around ONFH, and can accurately demonstrate the range of BME.

[Echocardiographic two-dimensional strain evaluation of right ventricular function in healthy adults]

Objective: To explore the feasibility of using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography for measuring right ventricular strain and function in healthy adults, and to analyze the impact of age and gender. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study. Healthy adults who underwent physical examination in the Physical Examination Center of Beijing Hospital from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2021 were included. Two researchers independently measured various right ventricular longitudinal strain indices using the Echopac software, including (global longitudinal strain (GLS), apical longitudinal strain (ALS), midventricle longitudinal strain (MLS), basal longitudinal strain (BLS), free wall GLS (FWGLS), free wall ALS (FWALS), free wall MLS (FWMLS) and free wall BLS (FWBLS)) as well as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and right ventricle-fraction of area change (RVFAC). The above indicators were taken as the average of two physicians. The consistency of the measurements by two physicians was evaluated by the within-group correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: A total of 233 subjects were included, including 137 males, aged (58.5±14.2) years. ICC values was all above 0.8 with excellent agreement. The values of FWGLS and GLS in healthy adults were -26.63% and -21.89%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in TAPSE ((2.06±0.41)cm vs. (2.10±0.39)cm, P=0.510) and RVFAC ((51.17±9.91)% vs. (50.89±8.65)%, P=0.826) between males and females. The values of various right ventricular long axis strain indicators (GLS, ALS, MLS, BLS, FWGLS, FWMLS, FWMLS, FWBLS) in females aged 18 to 40 and 41 to 65 years were higher than those in males of the same age (all P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference in the values of various right ventricular long axis strain indicators between the sexes in subjects aged 65 years and above (all P>0.05). In females, the right ventricular GLS, ALS, MLS, FWGLS, FWALS, FWMLS, and FWBLS values in the groups aged 18 to 40 and 41 to 65 years were significantly higher than those in the group aged 65 years and above (all P<0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were found in these indices among different age groups in males (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Using two-dimensional speckle tracking technology in echocardiography to measure right ventricular strain indicators is feasible and highly reproducible. Gender and age have an impact on right ventricular strain indicators.

Reliability and validity test and application of the Chinese version of the Feeling of Satisfaction with Inhaler

OBJECTIVES

Inhaler satisfaction is an important factor affecting inhaler adherence and the efficacy of inhalers in chronic airway diseases. Using a scientific and effective method to assess patients' satisfaction with inhalers is of great significance for improving clinical outcomes. The Feeling of Satisfaction with Inhaler-10 (FSI-10) is specifically designed to assess patients' inhaler satisfaction in chronic airway diseases, but the application research on this scale is not available in China. This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of FSI-10, describe the current status of inhaler satisfaction and discuss the associated variables in Chinese patients with chronic airway disease.

METHODS

Based on the English version of FSI-10, items of the Chinese version of FSI-10 were determined after forward⁃backward translation and cultural adaption. Totally, 322 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma were enrolled from the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from June to October 2022. We collected associated clinical variables and inhaler satisfaction using the Chinese version of FSI-10. The content validity of the scale was expressed by content validity index (CVI) and the construct validity was analyzed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The reliability of the scale was expressed by Cronbach's α coefficient, the split-half reliability and test-retest reliability. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine variables related to inhaler satisfaction.

RESULTS

The reliability and validity analysis showed that the CVI was 0.983. One factor was extracted from the Chinese version of FSI-10 and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 73.114%. The Cronbach's α of the scale was 0.913, the Guttman's half-reliability coefficient was 0.905, and the test-retest reliability was 0.727 (P<0.001). In addition, the total score of the scale for patients was 38.92±4.26 points and the proportion of high satisfaction (the score of FSI-10≥40) in patients with COPD was significantly lower than that in asthma patients (71.3% vs 87.9%, P<0.01). Older age (age≥70 years) was a risk factor of lower inhaler satisfaction and asthma diagnosis was a protective factor.

CONCLUSIONS

The Chinese version of FSI-10 has good reliability and validity in patients with COPD and asthma, which may be further promoted and applied in patients with chronic airway disease in China. Doctors should regularly evaluate the inhaler satisfaction of patients with chronic airway diseases, especially for those elder or with severe symptoms and a long course of illness.

Scalable Synthesis of a Porous Micro Si/Si-Ti Alloy Anode for Lithium-Ion Battery from Recovery of Titanium-Blast Furnace Slag

The extensive utilization of Si-anode-based lithium-ion batteries faces obstacles due to their substantial volume expansion, limited intrinsic conductivity, and low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE). In this study, we present a straightforward, cost-effective, yet scalable method for producing a porous micro Si/Si-Ti alloy anode. This method utilizes titanium-blast furnace slag (TBFS) as a raw material and combines aluminothermic reduction with acid etching. By adjusting the Al:TBFS ratio, the specific surface area of the material can be facilely tailored, ranging from 25.89 to 43.23 m2 g-1, enhancing the ICE from 78.2 to 85.5%. The incorporation of the Si-Ti alloy skeleton and porous structure contributes to the enhanced cyclic stability (capacity retention from 50.7 to 96.9%) and conductivity (Rct from 107.7 to 76.6 Ω). The Si/Si-Ti anode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, including delivering a specific capacity of 1161 mAh g-1 at 200 mA g-1 after 200 cycles and 1112 mAh g-1 at 500 mA g-1 after 100 cycles, with an improved ICE of 81.2%. This study introduces a successful methodology for designing novel Si anodes from recycling waste materials, providing valuable insights for future advancements in this area.

Lymphocyte Count Kinetics and the Effect of Different Radiotherapy Techniques on Radiation-Induced Lymphopenia in Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Hypofractionated Postmastectomy Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) is associated with poor prognosis in solid tumors. This study aimed to describe the lymphocyte kinetics in patients with breast cancer receiving hypofractionated postmastectomy radiotherapy (RT) and to investigate the association of different RT techniques with RIL.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We assessed 607 patients who received hypofractionated postmastectomy RT for breast cancer in our prospective clinical database from 8 hospitals. All patients received irradiation to the chest wall and supraclavicular fossa. RT techniques included integrated RT with the photon-based intensity modulated techniques to irradiate all target volumes (integrated RT) and a hybrid approach combining photon irradiation to supraclavicular nodes and electron irradiation to the chest wall (hybrid RT). Peripheral lymphocyte counts (PLC) were tested prior to RT (baseline), weekly during RT, at 1, 2 weeks, 3, 6 months after RT, and then every 6 months. Grade 3+ RIL was defined as PLC nadir during RT of <0.5 ×103/ml. Mean PLC was compared by the t test. Univariate, multivariate, and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were used to evaluate the effect of different RT techniques on grade 3+ RIL.

RESULTS

During RT, 121 (19.9%) of patients had grade 3+ RIL. The PLC started to recover at 1 week and reached baseline levels 1 year after RT. A greater proportion of the patients treated with the integrated RT (90/269, 33.5%) developed grade 3+ PLC compared with those receiving hybrid RT (31/338, 9.2%, P < 0.001). After conducting PSM, multivariate analyses showed lower baseline PLC (HR = 0.15, P<0.001) and RT technique (the integrated RT vs. hybrid RT, HR = 4.76, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for grade 3+ RIL. The PLC in patients receiving the integrated RT after RT were higher than that in those receiving hybrid RT (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

RT technique affect the risk of and recovery from RIL, which may impact survival. Choosing appropriate RT technique to minimize RIL might be considered to benefit their outcomes.

Retrograde Drilling and Bone Graft for Hepple Stage V Subchondral Bone Lesion of Talus Using 3D Image-Based Navigation-Assisted Endoscopic Technique

BACKGROUND

Retrograde drilling remains technically challenging, because of the difficulty of identifying the accurate location of cysts during surgery. This study's aim was to evaluate the 3-dimensional (3D) image-based surgical navigation-assisted endoscopic retrograde drilling technique for subchondral bone lesions of the talus.

METHODS

From March 2017 to June 2020, a total of 21 cases with Hepple stage V subchondral bone lesions of the talus were treated with 3D image-based surgical navigation-assisted endoscopic retrograde drilling and bone graft technique. Arthroscopic views were categorized per Pritsch classifications. The correlation between the drilled tunnel with preoperative cystic lesions were assessed under postoperative computer tomographic (CT) scans. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) sports scales were evaluated at the preoperative and final consultation. All complications were recorded.

RESULTS

On postoperative CT scans, in 20 cases (95.2%), the drilled tunnel was judged to have been in the center of previous cysts. Only 9 cases (42.9%) showed intact normal cartilage (grade 0, group A); 12 cases (57.1%) had intact, but soft, cartilage (grade I, group B). The median follow-up time was 24 (24, 30) months, and at final follow-up, there were no significant differences between the mean AOFAS and VAS scores in both groups (89.0 ± 6.4 vs 88.3 ± 7.0 and 1 vs 0.5) or postoperative FAAM sports scales (28.2 ± 2.2 vs 26.6 ± 4.9, P = .363). Two patients had revision surgery in group B.

CONCLUSION

The 3D image-based surgical navigation-assisted endoscopic retrograde drilling and bone graft technique for the subchondral bone lesions of the talus in this small case series showed encouraging results.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective case series.

Quality Assurance in a Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized Trial of POstmastectomy radioThErapy in Node posiTive Breast Cancer with or without Internal mAmmary nodaL Irradiation (POTENTIAL): A Planning Dummy Run

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To report the planning dummy run results of the POstmastectomy radioThErapy in Node posiTive breast cancer with or without Internal mAmmary nodaL irradiation (POTENTIAL) trial-a multicenter, randomized, phase 3 trial-to evaluate postmastectomy radiotherapy, with or without internal mammary nodal irradiation, for patients with high-risk breast cancer.

MATERIALS/METHODS

All participating institutions were provided the contours of the dummy run case, and they generated radiotherapy (RT) plans per protocol guidelines. The plans were reviewed and feedback were provided by the quality assurance team, after which the institutions resubmitted revised plans. The information on beams arrangement, skin flash, inhomogeneity corrections, and protocol compliance was assessed both in the primary and final submission.

RESULTS

Theplans from 26 institutions were included in the analysis. A number of major deviations were found in the primary submission, such as less strict constraint on organs at risk (OARs) V5Gy, and no application of chest wall skin flash. The protocol compliance rates of the dose coverage for the planning target volume of the chest wall (PTVcw), PTV of supra/infraclavicular fossa plus axilla levels I, II, III (PTVsc+ax), and PTV of the IMN region (PTVim) were all significantly improved in the final submission compared with those in the primary submission, which were 96.2% vs. 69.2%, 100% vs. 76.9%, and 88.4% vs. 53.8, respectively. For OARs, the protocol compliance rates of heart Dmean, left anterior descending coronary artery V40Gy, ipsilateral lung V5Gy, and stomach V5Gy were significantly improved.

CONCLUSION

All major deviations were corrected and protocol compliance was significantly improved and of high level in the final submission. Moreover, the variations were reduced. Therefore, a planning dummy run was essential to guarantee good RT plan quality and inter-institutional consistency for multicenter trials.

Van der Waals isotope heterostructures for engineering phonon polariton dispersions

Element isotopes are characterized by distinct atomic masses and nuclear spins, which can significantly influence material properties. Notably, however, isotopes in natural materials are homogenously distributed in space. Here, we propose a method to configure material properties by repositioning isotopes in engineered van der Waals (vdW) isotopic heterostructures. We showcase the properties of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) isotopic heterostructures in engineering confined photon-lattice waves-hyperbolic phonon polaritons. By varying the composition, stacking order, and thicknesses of h10BN and h11BN building blocks, hyperbolic phonon polaritons can be engineered into a variety of energy-momentum dispersions. These confined and tailored polaritons are promising for various nanophotonic and thermal functionalities. Due to the universality and importance of isotopes, our vdW isotope heterostructuring method can be applied to engineer the properties of a broad range of materials.

The differences in virus shedding time between the Delta variant and original SARS-CoV-2 infected patients

Background

The worldwide epidemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved into multiple variants. The Delta variant is known for its ability to spread and replicate, while data are limited about the virus shedding time in patients infected by the Delta variant.

Methods

56 Delta variant and 56 original SARS-CoV-2 infected patients from Hunan, China, matched according to age and gender divided into two groups and compared the baseline characteristics and laboratory findings with appropriate statistical methods.

Results

Patients infected with the Delta variant had significantly fewer symptoms of fever (p < 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.004), anorexia (p < 0.001), shortness of breath (p = 0.004), diarrhea (p = 0.006), positive pneumonia rate of chest CT (p = 0.019) and chest CT ground glass opacities (p = 0.004) than those of patients with the original SARS-CoV-2. Patients of the Delta variant group had a significantly longer virus shedding time [41.5 (31.5, 46.75) vs. 18.5 (13, 25.75), p < 0.001] compared with the original SARS-CoV-2 group. The correlation analyses between the virus shedding time and clinical or laboratory parameters showed that the virus shedding time was positively related to the viral strain, serum creatinine and creatine kinase isoenzyme, while negatively correlated with lymphocyte count, total bilirubin and low-density lipoprotein. Finally, the viral strain and lymphocyte count were thought of as the independent risk factors of the virus shedding time demonstrated by multiple linear regression.

Conclusion

COVID-19 patients infected with the Delta variant exhibited fewer gastrointestinal symptoms and prolonged virus shedding time than those infected with the original SARS-CoV-2. Delta variant and fewer lymphocyte were correlated with prolonged virus shedding time.

[Opportunities and challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of optic chiasm lesions: a clinical and research perspective]

The optic chiasm is a critical component of the visual pathway, and lesions in the pituitary and sellar regions can cause irreversible damage to a patient's visual function, resulting in a significant decrease in their quality of life. As a result, neuro-ophthalmology evaluation is a crucial part of the multidisciplinary treatment of pituitary diseases. However, due to the significant variation in the anatomical structure of the optic chiasm and the sellar region, as well as the complexity of the injury mechanism, chiasm injury can result in diverse manifestations and severity levels, which can make it difficult to correlate with anatomical parameters. In recent years, research has increasingly focused on the early recognition of optic chiasm compression, the prediction of visual function after intervention, and the long-term neurodegenerative effects, while optical coherence tomography (OCT), electrophysiological examinations, and functional magnetic resonance imaging are currently the most commonly used methods for evaluating sellar region lesions. However, the role of these methods, represented by OCT, in clinical diagnosis and treatment, still lacks high-level clinical evidence support, and the evaluation and prediction of optic chiasm function remain key areas for further study. In addition to compression lesions, lesions such as inflammation, infiltration, and demyelination in the sellar region, caused by systemic multi-system diseases, can also lead to visual function damage and require recognition in clinical practice.

[Study on related factors and characteristics of multimorbidity of overweight and obesity-related diseases in children in Hunan Province]

From January 2019 to December 2021, overweight and obese children who visited in health outpatient Center of Hunan Children's Hospital were studied to explore and analyze the rate, related factors and patterns of multimorbidity of overweight and obesity-related diseases in children in Hunan Province. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the multimorbidity-related factors of overweight and obesity-related diseases in children. Association rules (apriori algorithm) were used to explore the multimorbidity patterns of overweight and obesity-related diseases in children. A total of 725 overweight and obese children were included in this study. The multimorbidity rate of overweight and obesity-related diseases in children was 46.07% (334/725). Age, waist circumference, the frequency of food consumption such as hamburgers and fries and adding meals before bedtime were multimorbidity-related factors of overweight and obesity-related diseases in children. The multimorbidity associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was relatively common. The patterns with the top three support degrees were "NAFLD+dyslipidemia","NAFLD+hypertension" and "NAFLD+hyperuricemia". The patterns with the top three confidence and elevation degrees were "Hypertension+dyslipidemia => NAFLD","Hyperuricemia => NAFLD" and "NAFLD+hypertension => dyslipidemia".

The Potential of NLRP3 Inflammasome as a Therapeutic Target in Neurological Diseases

NLRP3 (NLRP3: NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome is the best-described inflammasome that plays a crucial role in the innate immune system and a wide range of diseases. The intimate association of NLRP3 with neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases and strokes, further emphasizes its prominence as a clinical target for pharmacological intervention. However, after decades of exploration, the mechanism of NLRP3 activation remains indefinite. This review highlights recent advances and gaps in our insights into the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, we present several emerging pharmacological approaches of clinical translational potential targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome in neurological diseases. More importantly, despite small-molecule inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome, we have focused explicitly on Chinese herbal medicine and botanical ingredients, which may be splendid therapeutics by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome for central nervous system disorders. We expect that we can contribute new perspectives to the treatment of neurological diseases.

Quantitatively biomechanical response analysis of posterior musculature reconstruction in cervical single-door laminoplasty

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The current trend of laminoplasty is developing toward the goal of muscle preservation and minimum tissue damage. Given this, muscle-preserving techniques in cervical single-door laminoplasty have been modified with protecting the spinous processes at the sites of C2 and/or C7 muscle attachment and reconstruct the posterior musculature in recent years. To date, no study has reported the effect of preserving the posterior musculature during the reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate the biomechanical effect of multiple modified single-door laminoplasty procedures for restoring stability and reducing response level on the cervical spine.

METHODS

Different cervical laminoplasty models were established for evaluating kinematics and response simulations based on a detailed finite element (FE) head-neck active model (HNAM), including ① C3 - C7 laminoplasty (LP_C37), ② C3 - C6 laminoplasty with C7 spinous process preservation (LP_C36), ③ C3 laminectomy hybrid decompression with C4 - C6 laminoplasty (LT_C3 + LP_C46) and ④ C3 - C7 laminoplasty with unilateral musculature preservation (LP_C37 + UMP). The laminoplasty model was validated by the global range of motion (ROM) and percentage changes relative to the intact state. The C2 - T1 ROM, axial muscle tensile force, and stress/strain levels of functional spinal units were compared among the different laminoplasty groups. The obtained effects were further analysed by comparison with a review of clinical data on cervical laminoplasty scenarios.

RESULTS

Analysis of the locations of concentration of muscle load showed that the C2 muscle attachment sustained more tensile loading than the C7 muscle attachment, primarily in flexion-extension (FE) and in lateral bending (LB) and axial rotation (AR), respectively. Simulated results further quantified that LP_C36 primarily produced 10% decreases in LB and AR modes relative to LP_C37. Compared with LP_C36, LT_C3 + LP_C46 resulted in approximately 30% decreases in FE motion; LP C37 + UMP also showed a similar trend. Additionally, when compared to LP_C37, LT_C3 + LP_C46 and LP C37 + UMP reduced the peak stress level at the intervertebral disc by at most 2-fold as well as the peak strain level of the facet joint capsule by 2-3-fold. All these findings were well correlated with the result of clinical studies comparing modified laminoplasty and classic laminoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Modified muscle-preserving laminoplasty is superior to classic laminoplasty due to the biomechanical effect of the posterior musculature reconstruction, with a retained postoperative ROM and loading response levels of the functional spinal units. More motion-sparing is beneficial for increasing cervical stability, which probably accelerates the recovery of postoperative neck movement and reduces the risk of the complication for eventual kyphosis and axial pain. Surgeons are encouraged to make every effort to preserve the attachment of the C2 whenever feasible in laminoplasty.

Optimization of polymyxin B regimens for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant organism nosocomial pneumonia: a real-world prospective study

BACKGROUND

Polymyxin B is the first-line therapy for Carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO) nosocomial pneumonia. However, clinical data for its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationship are limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between polymyxin B exposure and efficacy for the treatment of CRO pneumonia in critically ill patients, and to optimize the individual dosing regimens.

METHODS

Patients treated with polymyxin B for CRO pneumonia were enrolled. Blood samples were assayed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Population PK analysis and Monte Carlo simulation were performed using Phoenix NLME software. Logistic regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were employed to identify the significant predictors and PK/PD indices of polymyxin B efficacy.

RESULTS

A total of 105 patients were included, and the population PK model was developed based on 295 plasma concentrations. AUC_ss,24 h/MIC (AOR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, p = 0.009), daily dose (AOR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, p = 0.028), and combination of inhaled polymyxin B (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.11-0.94, p = 0.039) were independent risk factors for polymyxin B efficacy. ROC curve showed that AUC_ss,24 h/MIC is the most predictive PK/PD index of polymyxin B for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia caused by CRO, and the optimal cutoff point value was 66.9 in patients receiving combination therapy with another antimicrobial. Model-based simulation suggests that the maintaining daily dose of 75 and 100 mg Q12 h could achieve ≥ 90% PTA of this clinical target at MIC values ≤ 0.5 and 1 mg/L, respectively. For patients unable to achieve the target concentration by intravenous administration, adjunctive inhalation of polymyxin B would be beneficial.

CONCLUSIONS

For CRO pneumonia, daily dose of 75 and 100 mg Q12 h was recommended for clinical efficacy. Inhalation of polymyxin B is beneficial for patients who cannot achieve the target concentration by intravenous administration.

Environmental-friendly and effectively regenerate anode material of spent lithium-ion batteries into high-performance P-doped graphite

Recycling graphitefrom spentlithium-ionbatteries has been largely ignored.In the present work, we propose a novel purification process, which modifies the structure of graphite through phosphoric acid leaching-calcination to obtain high-performance phosphorus (P)-doped graphite (LG-temperature) and lithium phosphate products. The content analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscope focused ion beam (SEM-FIB) indicates that the LG structure is deformed by the doped P atom. The results of In-situ fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (In-situ-FTIR), density functional theory (DFT) calculation and XPS analysis show that the surface of the leached spent graphite contains rich oxygen groups, which react with phosphoric acid at high temperatures and form stable C-O-P and C-P bonds, making it easier to form stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer. The increase of layer spacing is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and transmission electron microscope (TEM), which is conducive to the formation of efficient Li⁺ transport channels. What is more, Li/LG-800 cells possess high reversible specific capacities of 359, 345, 330 and 289 mA h g^-1 at 0.2C, 0.5C, 1C and 2C, respectively. After100cyclesat0.5C, the specific capacityis as high as 366 mAh g^-1, demonstrating the outstanding reversibility and cycle performance. This study proves and highlights a promising recovery route for exhausted lithium-ion batteries anodes, making complete recycling possible.

ZBP1 and heatstroke

Heatstroke, which is associated with circulatory failure and multiple organ dysfunction, is a heat stress-induced life-threatening condition characterized by a raised core body temperature and central nervous system dysfunction. As global warming continues to worsen, heatstroke is expected to become the leading cause of death globally. Despite the severity of this condition, the detailed mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of heatstroke still remain largely unknown. Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1), also referred to as DNA-dependent activator of IFN-regulatory factors (DAI) and DLM-1, was initially identified as a tumor-associated and interferon (IFN)-inducible protein, but has recently been reported to be a Z-nucleic acid sensor that regulates cell death and inflammation; however, its biological function is not yet fully understood. In the present study, a brief review of the main regulators is presented, in which the Z-nucleic acid sensor ZBP1 was identified to be a significant factor in regulating the pathological characteristics of heatstroke through ZBP1-dependent signaling. Thus, the lethal mechanism of heatstroke is revealed, in addition to a second function of ZBP1 other than as a nucleic acid sensor.

The Association Between Alveolar-Arterial Oxygen Tension Difference and the Severity of COVID-19 in Patients

INTRODUCTION

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged as a global pandemic and resulted in a significantly high death toll. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find a potential biomarker related to the disease severity that can facilitate early-stage intervention.

METHODS

In the present study, we collected 242 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-infected patients. The patients were grouped according to the alveolar to arterial oxygen tension difference (P_A-aO₂) value of COVID-19 infection after admission.

RESULTS

Among the 242 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19- infected patients, 155 (64.05%) had an abnormal P_A-aO₂ value on admission. Compared with the normal P_A-aO₂ group, the median age of the abnormal P_A-aO₂ group was significantly older (p = 0.032). Symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath were more obvious in the abnormal P_A-aO₂ group. The proportion of severe events in the abnormal P_A-aO₂ group was higher than the normal P_A-aO₂ group (10.34% vs. 23.23%, p = 0.013). The abnormal P_A-aO₂ group had a higher possibility of developing severe events compared with the normal P_A-aO₂ group (HR 2.622, 95% CI 1.197-5.744, p = 0.016). After adjusting for age and common comorbidities (hypertension and cardiovascular disease), the abnormal P_A-aO₂ group still exhibited significantly elevated risks of developing severe events than the normal P_A-aO₂ group (HR 2.986, 95% CI 1.220-7.309, p = 0.017). Additionally, the abnormal P_A-aO₂ group had more serious inflammation/coagulopathy/fibrinolysis parameters than the normal P_A-aO₂ group.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal P_A-aO₂ value was found to be common in COVID-19 patients, was strongly related to severe event development, and could be a potential biomarker for the prognosis of COVID-19 patients.

The role of NLRP3 inflammasome in sepsis: A potential therapeutic target

Sepsis is the host immune imbalance following infection and leads to organ dysfunction, with highly complicated pathophysiology. To date, sepsis still lacks effective therapies with high mortality rates. Recently, numerous studies have highlighted the potential of NLRP3 inflammasome as a therapeutic target during sepsis. NLRP3 inflammasome is a protein complex that could induce the activation of caspase-1 and the following release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18. It was demonstrated that NLRP3 inflammasome was involved in the development and progression of sepsis. In contrast, inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation could mitigate the inflammatory response, protect organ function, and improve outcomes and mortality. This paper illustrated the activation pathways of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its possible molecular mechanisms in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Meanwhile, the beneficial effects of inhibiting NLRP3 activation in sepsis-related organ damage were also presented. In addition, the diverse role of NLRP3 inflammasome in bacterial clearance was addressed. Of note, several herbal extracts targeting NLRP3 inflammasome in the treatment of sepsis were emphasized. We hope that this paper could provide a basis for further drug research targeting NLRP3 inflammasome.

[Research progress on moderate and deep sedation during wound dressing change in pediatric burn patients]

Moderate and deep sedation can effectively relieve or eliminate the pain and body discomfort during wound dressing change in pediatric burn patients, relieve anxiety, agitation, and even delirium of the children, reduce the metabolic rate of the children, make them in a quiet, comfortable, and cooperative state, which is conducive to the smooth completion of dressing change. This paper summarized the three aspects of moderate and deep sedation in pediatric burn patients, including the overview, main points of implementation, and effects, and further introduced the moderate and deep sedation medication regimens for different routes of administration, as well as the content of evaluation and monitoring. Suggestions on the prevention and management of related complications and the management of moderate and deep sedation implementation procedures were put forward, in order to provide references for the development of moderate and deep sedation for wound dressing change in pediatric burn patients in China.

Pulmonary fibrosis in patients with COVID-19: A retrospective study

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused substantial threats to people's physical health and lives, claiming the lives of over 6 million people worldwide. Although the mortality rate of COVID-19 is very low, many survivors may have different degrees and various sequelae. Previous studies have shown that pulmonary fibrosis (PF) were common on discharged COVID-19 patients, and PF itself is a poor prognostic factor.

Methods

227 COVID-19 hospitalized patients' clinical and laboratory data from the first 15 days following admission were collected in this retrospective study. Groups were based on with or without PF of COVID-19. Categorical variables were compared with the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Continuous variables were tested by Wilcoxon rank-sum test for the non-normal distribution. Spearman correlations were used to assess the correlations between PF with clinic parameters of multiple time points. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze for risk factors of COVID-19 patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Results

Sixty cases of COVID-19 patients were diagnosed with PF. Compared with 167 non-PF patients, those with PF were older and had higher proportions of fever, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, abdominal pain, hypertension, cardiovascular, diabetes, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), severe disease, and virus shedding duration. Furthermore, the correlation analysis between PF and clinic parameters showed that PF were positively related to the C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and negatively correlated with hemoglobin (HGB) and albumin (ALB) at all time points in the first 15 days after admission. Moreover, We found that PF were significantly correlated with coagulation indexes prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fib) and fibrinolysis index D-Dimer at some phases. In addition, Univariate logistic regression analyses showed that age, fever, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, hypertension, cardiovascular, diabetes, HFNC, severe disease were the risk factors of COVID-19 patients with PF. However, multivariate logistic regression showed that age was the risk factor of COVID-19 patients with PF.

Conclusion

Combining various factors, advanced age is an independent risk factor of COVID-19 patients with PF. PF was significantly related with clinic parameter of inflammation/coagulopathy/fibrinolysis.

Performance of D-dimer to lymphocyte ratio in predicting the mortality of COVID-19 patients

Background

Nowadays, there is still no effective treatment developed for COVID-19, and early identification and supportive therapies are essential in reducing the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. This is the first study to evaluate D-dimer to lymphocyte ratio (DLR) as a prognostic utility in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 611 patients and separated them into groups of survivors and non-survivors. The area under the curve (AUC) of various predictors integrated into the prognosis of COVID-19 was compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. In order to ascertain the interaction between DLR and survival in COVID-19 patients, the Kaplan-Meier (KM) curve was chosen.

Results

Age (OR = 1.053; 95% CI, 1.022-1.086; P = 0.001), NLR (OR = 1.045; 95% CI, 1.001-1.091; P = 0.046), CRP (OR = 1.010; 95% CI, 1.005-1.016; P < 0.001), PT (OR = 1.184; 95% CI, 1.018-1.377; P = 0.029), and DLR (OR = 1.048; 95% CI, 1.018-1.078; P = 0.001) were the independent risk factors related with the mortality of COVID-19. DLR had the highest predictive value for COVID-19 mortality with the AUC of 0.924. Patients' survival was lower when compared to those with lower DLR (Log Rank P <0.001).

Conclusion

DLR might indicate a risk factor in the mortality of patients with COVID-19.

Prevention and treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia in COVID-19

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common acquired infection in the intensive care unit. Recent studies showed that the critical COVID-19 patients with invasive mechanical ventilation have a high risk of developing VAP, which result in a worse outcome and an increasing economic burden. With the development of critical care medicine, the morbidity and mortality of VAP remains high. Especially since the outbreak of COVID-19, the healthcare system is facing unprecedented challenges. Therefore, many efforts have been made in effective prevention, early diagnosis, and early treatment of VAP. This review focuses on the treatment and prevention drugs of VAP in COVID-19 patients. In general, prevention is more important than treatment for VAP. Prevention of VAP is based on minimizing exposure to mechanical ventilation and encouraging early release. There is little difference in drug prophylaxis from non-COVID-19. In term of treatment of VAP, empirical antibiotics is the main treatment, special attention should be paid to the antimicrobial spectrum and duration of antibiotics because of the existence of drug-resistant bacteria. Further studies with well-designed and large sample size were needed to demonstrate the prevention and treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia in COVID-19 based on the specificity of COVID-19.

[A review on heat-wave early warning based on population health risk]

Global warming has caused frequent heat waves worldwide. In order to respond to heat waves and enhance the public's protection abilities, Europe, the United States and other countries have extensively carried out research on heat-health early warning, and initially achieved good health benefits based on a heat-health early warning system. However, the research on heat-health early warning is still limited in China, especially on health risks at the population level. Based on evidence-based thinking, our study combs the research progress of heat-health early warning from four aspects: early warning indicators, early warning models, early warning thresholds, and early warning ranks, and clarifies the key points of the construction of heat-health early warning models and rank schemes, in order to provide early warning technology for the rapid development of national heat-heath early warning in China.

Heart failure across the range of preserved ejection fraction in United States clinical practice

Introduction

Recent clinical trials of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have observed varying patient profiles by ejection fraction (EF), with attenuation of treatment benefits as EF increases. In routine clinical practice, the degree to which patients hospitalized for HF with EF≥60% may differ from those with lower EF is unknown.

Purpose

To compare patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes across the range of EF among patients hospitalized for HFpEF.

Methods

Using the Humedica electronic medical records database between Jan 2010 and Dec 2020, patients hospitalized for a primary diagnosis of HF with EF&gt;40% and who were haemodynamically stable at admission, without concurrent acute coronary syndrome or end-stage renal disease, and treated with intravenous (IV) diuretic agents within 48 h of admission were identified. Patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes were compared by EF ranges of 41–49%, 50–59%, and ≥60%.

Results

Of 47,026 patients hospitalized with HFpEF, 6,335 (13%) had EF 41–49%, 18,603 (40%) had EF 50–59%, and 22,088 (47%) had EF≥60%. Across all 3 groups, patients were similar with respect to age (median 77 years for each group), race (83–84% White, 12–13% Black), systolic blood pressure (137–138 mmHg at admission), and eGFR (63–64 mL/min/1.73 m2 at admission). With progressively higher EF group, the proportion of women increased (45% vs 54% vs 65%) and median NT-proBNP decreased (4,221 vs 2,945 vs 2,234 pg/mL). Patients with EF ≥60% had the lowest rates of coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, and the highest rates of chronic pulmonary disease (Figure 1, Panel A). Discharge medications were generally similar, with exception of less beta-blocker use and more calcium channel blocker use among those with EF ≥60% (Figure 1, Panel B). Discharge use of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor therapies were each &lt;1% in all groups. Hospital length of stay (median 4 days for each group) and in-hospital mortality (1.1–1.3%) were similar across groups, but rates of in-hospital acute respiratory failure were higher among patients with EF ≥60% (27% vs 230-25% for lower EF groups). Rates of 30-day and 12-month post-discharge clinical events were high irrespective of EF, without meaningful differences between groups (Figure 2).

Conclusion

In a contemporary real-world population of US patients hospitalized for HF with EF &gt;40%, nearly half had an EF≥60%. While clinical profiles and discharge medications varied, post-discharge outcomes were similarly poor irrespective of EF. There remain important opportunities to improve the care and outcomes for patients with HF across the range of preserved ejection fraction.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): MyoKardia, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb

Population estimates of obstructive and non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the UK and Germany

Background

While numerous publications have estimated the prevalence of diagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), none have quantified the real-world proportion of obstructive and non-obstructive HCM using nationally representative data sources in any European countries.

Purpose

To estimate the prevalence of diagnosed HCM and its subtypes in the UK and Germany.

Methods

Patients with HCM were identified in the UK from 01 Apr 2009 to 30 Oct 2020 and Germany from 2011 to 2019. UK patients with HCM were identified using electronic health records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) primary care data linked with Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) secondary care data using ICD-10 (I42.1, I42.2), Read, Medcode, SNOMED, and OPCS codes. German patients with HCM were identified using a nationally representative administrative claims data pool (WIG2 Benchmark database) from several German Statutory Health Insurance (SHI)-insurances using ICD-10 and OPS codes. Obstructive HCM was identified as any obstructive HCM diagnosis, any HCM diagnosis with septal reduction therapy, and any HCM diagnosis and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO; not in German claims data). Non-obstructive HCM was any non-obstructive or unspecified HCM diagnosis without evidence of any obstructive HCM. Annual prevalence was calculated for each year in the respective study periods and average annual prevalence across the study period.

Results

The average annual prevalence rate of HCM was 4.15/10,000 in the UK and 8.61/10,000 in Germany, while the average annual prevalence rate of obstructive HCM was 2.84/10,000 in the UK and 4.18/10,000 in Germany (Table). The proportion of HCM that was obstructive HCM was 68% in the UK and 49% in Germany. The prevalence rates of diagnosed HCM and obstructive HCM tended to increase over time (Figure).

Conclusion

The prevalence of HCM, obstructive HCM and the proportion of HCM that is obstructive varied between the UK and Germany. The prevalence of HCM was generally consistent with previously published estimates. Although there are limitations with coding in administrative data, it is important to differentiate obstructive HCM from non-obstructive HCM given their unique treatments and disease progression and management, especially since at least 49–68% of HCM is obstructive.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Bristol Myers-Squibb

A semiparametric model for between-subject attributes: Applications to beta-diversity of microbiome data

The human microbiome plays an important role in our health and identifying factors associated with microbiome composition provides insights into inherent disease mechanisms. By amplifying and sequencing the marker genes in high-throughput sequencing, with highly similar sequences binned together, we obtain operational taxonomic units (OTUs) profiles for each subject. Due to the high-dimensionality and nonnormality features of the OTUs, the measure of diversity is introduced as a summarization at the microbial community level, including the distance-based beta-diversity between individuals. Analyses of such between-subject attributes are not amenable to the predominant within-subject-based statistical paradigm, such as t-tests and linear regression. In this paper, we propose a new approach to model beta-diversity as a response within a regression setting by utilizing the functional response models (FRMs), a class of semiparametric models for between- as well as within-subject attributes. The new approach not only addresses limitations of current methods for beta-diversity with cross-sectional data, but also provides a premise for extending the approach to longitudinal and other clustered data in the future. The proposed approach is illustrated with both real and simulated data.

[Effectiveness, safety and cost of urinary follicle stimulating hormone in controlled ovarian stimulation in China: multi-center retrospective cohort study of 102 061 in vitro fertilization cycles]

Objective: To explore the effectiveness, safety and cost between urinary follicle stimulating hormone (uFSH) and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) in controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in China. Methods: Data were collected from 16 reproductive centers in China covering oocytes collection time from May 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018. Eligible patients were over 18 years old, adopting COS with uFSH (uFSH group) or rFSH (rFSH group) as start gonadotropins (Gn), and using in vitro fertilization (IVF) and (or) intracytoplasmic sperm injection for fertilisation, excluding frozen embryo recovery cycle. Generalised estimating equation was used to address the violation of independency assumption between cycles due to multiple IVF cycles for one person and clustering nature of cycles carried out within one center. Controlling variables included age, body mass index, anti-Müllerian hormone level, cause of infertility, ovulation protocol, type of fertilisation, number of embryos transferred, number of days of Gn use. Results: Totally 102 061 cycles met eligibility criteria and were included in the analyses. In terms of effectiveness, after controlling relevant unbalanced baseline characteristics, compared with rFSH group, the high oocyte retrieval (>15 oocytes was considered high retrieval) rate of uFSH group significantly decreased in gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol (OR=0.642, P<0.01) and in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol (OR=0.556, P=0.001), but the clinical pregnancy rate per transfer cycle and the live birth rate per transfer cycle significantly increased (OR=1.179, OR=1.169, both P<0.01) in both agonist and antagonist protocols. For safety, multiple analysis result demonstrated that in the agonist protocol, compared with rFSH group, the incidence of moderate to severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome of uFSH group significantly decreased (OR=0.644, P=0.002). The differences in ectopic pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancy rate between the uFSH and rFSH groups were not significant (P=0.890, P=0.470) in all patients. In terms of cost, compared with rFSH group, the uFSH group had lower total Gn costs for each patient (P<0.01). Conclusion: For patients who underwent COS, uFSH has better safety, and economic profiles over rFSH in China.

Case Report: Therapeutic Strategy With Delayed Debridement for Culture-Negative Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections Diagnosed by Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) caused by group A streptococcus is a rare condition that rapidly developed to multiple organ failure even death. Therefore, prompt diagnosis, initiate appropriate antibiotics and other supportive treatments are critical. Here we reported a case of STSS caused by group A streptococcus infection. A healthy 39-year-old man presented a sudden pain in the left lower extremity, followed by a high fever (40.0 °C) with dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. Twenty-four hours before the visit, the patient showed anuria. The patient was then admitted to the intensive care unit. Blood examination revealed elevated levels of inflammatory markers and creatinine. He suffered from septic shock, dysfunction of coagulation, acute kidney dysfunction, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and acute liver function injury. The diagnosis was obtained through clinical manifestation and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) drawn from the pustule and deep soft tissue (lower limb) samples while all bacterial cultures came back negative. The pustule mNGS report detected a total of 132 unique group A streptococcus sequence reads, representing 96.3% of microbial reads while the soft tissue mNGS report identified a total of 142474 unique group A streptococcus sequence reads, representing 100% of microbial reads. The patient was treated with aggressive fluid resuscitation, antibiotics comprising piperacillin/tazobactam and clindamycin, respiratory support, following the delayed surgical debridement. Intravenous immunoglobulin was also used for 5 days. On the 14th day after admission, he was transferred to the general ward for follow-up treatment. Our case highlighted, for the first time, the key role of mNGS in the early diagnosis of culture-negative invasive group A streptococcal infection. The case also suggested that clindamycin combined with beta-lactam antibiotics and adjunction of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy with delayed debridement performed well in the management of unstable STSS patients.

Effective adsorption of antimony (V) from contaminated water by a novel composite manganese oxide/oxyhydroxide as an adsorbent

To obtain an efficient and low-cost adsorbent for the Sb(V) removal in Sb(V)-contaminated water, a novel composite manganese oxide/oxyhydroxide (CMO) was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The results revealed that the as-prepared CMO adsorbent possessed a porous structure consisting of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles and MnOOH nanorods. Batch experiments showed that the adsorption behaviours were well fitted by the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, reaching the maximum adsorption capacity of 119.63 mg/g at 25 °C. The application of CMO adsorbent showed that the Sb(V) removal efficiency in 6.24 L Sb(V)-containing water with a concentration of 3.6 mg/L was more than 90%. The reusability of CMO adsorbent demonstrated that the Sb(V) removal efficiency was still more than 80% even after five times of regeneration. The adsorption mechanism for Sb(V) can be described as ligand exchange between hydroxyl groups on the adsorbent surface and hydroxyl groups in Sb(OH)₆^- molecules by forming inner-sphere complexes. Those results suggested that the CMO adsorbent can be considered as a potential adsorbent to remove Sb(V) from contaminated water.

[MiR-4484 regulates the expression of integrin α 6 in gastric cancer tissues and its significance]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression of integrin α 6 (ITGA6), miR-4484 and the pathologic stage of gastric cancer. Methods: Gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric mucosa tissues adjacent to cancer (>5 cm from tumor margin) of 30 patients with primary gastric cancer who underwent direct surgical resection without adjuvant therapy from June to September 2017 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were selected. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-4484 and ITGA6, western blot was used to detect the expression level of ITGA6 protein, dual luciferase reporter gene was used to verify the relationship between ITGA6 and miR-4484. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between miR-4484 and ITGA6 expression levels in gastric cancer tissues. Results: The expression level of ITGΑ6 in gastric cancer (32.30±13.47) was higher than that in matched normal gastric tissues (24.55±10.25, P=0.015), the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.660 and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 43.3% and 96.7%, respectively. The expression level of miR-4484 in gastric cancer (4.11±2.87) was lower than that of matched normal gastric tissues (5.75±2.80, P=0.029), the area under the ROC curve was 0.690 and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 30.0% and 86.7%, respectively. The expression level of miR-4484 was negatively correlated with ITGA6 in gastric cancer tissues (r=-0.621, P<0.001). The expression level of ITGA6 protein in gastric cancer tissues (0.65±0.19) was higher than that in normal adjacent tissues (0.26±0.12, P<0.001). Compared with ITGA6 3'UTR wild-type+ miR-NC group, ITGA6 3'UTR wild-type+ miRNA mimics group had lower luciferase activity (50.69±5.10, 34.00±1.19, P<0.001), while the luciferase activity of ITGA6 3'UTR wild-type+ ASO miR-4484 group was higher than that of ITGA6 3'UTR wild-type+ miR-NC group (82.44±6.37, 50.69±5.10, P<0.001), indicated that ITGA6 was the direct target gene of miR-4484. The expression levels of miR-4484 in T1, T2, T3 and T4 (4a and 4b) gastric cancer tissues were 9.98±2.24, 5.28±2.03, 2.92±2.04 and 4.11±2.87, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). The expression levels of ITGA6 in N0, N1, N2 and N3 gastric cancer tissues were 29.55±8.32, 21.71±3.75, 24.60±8.79 and 40.69±15.83, respectively, with statistical significance (P=0.022). The expression levels of miR-4484 in N0, N1, N2 and N3 gastric cancer tissues were 5.01±3.52, 5.48±2.76, 5.88±1.83 and 2.30±1.56, respectively, with statistical significance (P=0.032). The expression levels of ITGA6 in M0 and M1 gastric cancer tissues were 26.28±7.66 and 52.08±8.12, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). The expression levels of miR-4484 in M0 and M1 gastric cancer tissues were 4.95±2.74 and 1.34±0.80, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). Conclusions: ITGA6 is upregulated in gastric cancer tissues, while miR-4484 is downregulated in the gastric cancer group, and its expression level is related to the clinicopathological features of gastric cancer. ITGA6 is the direct target gene of miR-4484, implicates that miR-4484 may inhibit the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer by regulating the expression of ITGA6. Both miR-4484 and ITGA6 may be the new prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets of gastric cancer.

[Observation of microstructure and vessel density changes in the superficial retinal layer in buried optic disc drusen patients]

Objective: To investigate the changes of the microstructure and vascular density in the superficial retinal layer of buried optic disc drusen (ODD) patients. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. A total of 36 ODD eyes (20 patients) and 26 normal control eyes were recruited in Beijing Union Medical College Hospital from January 2018 to July 2020. Measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, slit lamp, fundus examination and visual field examination were performed. The images and data of spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were analyzed and summarized. The differences of nasal retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness and macular superficial vascular density (VD) between ODD patients and normal controls were compared by independent sample t-test or Mann Whitney U test (the right eye was selected in bilateral ODD patients). Results: The 20 ODD patients and 26 normal controls were all female. There was no significant difference in age between the two groups (P>0.05). The BCVA and visual field examination was normal in all ODD patients. The SD-OCT examination showed an oval low signal shadow under the nasal outer nuclear layer of the optic disc, or local accumulation like a medium signal shadow with a clear boundary, and a high signal capsule in ODD patients. The RNFL in the upper nasal side of the ODD group was significantly different from the normal control group [(102.6±19.1) μm vs. (119.0±13.8) μm; t=-2.81; P<0.01]. Compared with normal control group [101.0 (100.0, 102.0) μm], the average GCC thickness in the ODD group [97.0 (89.3, 99.8) μm] was significantly different (U=48.50; P<0.01). The OCTA en-face scan showed that the vascular network in the macular area of the affected eyes was sparser than that of the control eyes. There was significant difference in superficial macular VD beteeen the ODD group (48.5%±2.8%) and the control group (51.0%±2.3%) (t=-2.63; P<0.05). Conclusions: There is thinning in the RNFL upper nasal side and GCC layer of the macular region in buried ODD patients, and the superficial VD of the macular region in buried ODD patients is lower than that in the normal controls.

[The progress in the application of optical coherence tomography angiography in multiple sclerosis]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory reactive autoimmune disease characterized by diffuse axonal degeneration of the central nervous system. The exact etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Optical coherence tomography angiography is a new technology of angiography, which can obtain the images of each layer of blood vessels in the scanning area. It is non-invasive, fast and quantifiable. Observation of retinal vasculopathy may assist in the evaluation of brain diseases. This article reviews the previous research results at home and abroad of ocular blood flow changes observed by optical coherence tomography angiography in MS in recent years, in order to provide reference for the study of the underlying pathogenesis of MS and clinical evaluation.

Association between inflammatory cytokines and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 patients may experience "cytokine storm" when human immune system produces excessive cytokines/chemokines. However, it remains unclear whether early responses of inflammatory cytokines would lead to high or low titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled a cohort of 272 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2. Laboratory assessments of serum cytokines (IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α), anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM antibodies, and peripheral blood biomarkers were conducted during hospitalization.

RESULTS

At hospital admission, 36.4% patients were severely ill, 51.5% patients were ≥ 65 years, and 60.3% patients had comorbidities. Higher levels of IL-2R and IL-6 were observed in older patients (≥65 years). Significant differences of IL-2R (week 2 to week ≥5 from symptom onset), IL-6 (week 1 to week ≥5), IL-8 (week 2 to week ≥5), and IL-10 (week 1 to week 3) were observed between moderately-ill and severely ill patients. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers were significantly higher in severely ill patients than in moderately ill patients, but such difference was not observed for IgM. High titers of early-stage IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α (≤2 weeks after symptom onset) were positively correlated with high titers of late-stage IgG (≥5 weeks after symptom onset). Deaths were mostly observed in severely ill older patients (45.9%). Survival analyses revealed risk factors of patient age, baseline COVID-19 severity, and baseline IL-6 that affected survival time, especially in severely ill older patients.

CONCLUSION

Early responses of elevated cytokines such as IL-6 reflect the active immune responses, leading to high titers of IgG antibodies against COVID-19.

The Role of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in COVID-19 Pathogenesis and Therapy

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a new public health crisis threatening the world. Dysregulated immune responses are the most striking pathophysiological features of patients with severe COVID-19, which can result in multiple-organ failure and death. The cytochrome P450 (CYP) system is the most important drug metabolizing enzyme family, which plays a significant role in the metabolism of endogenous or exogenous substances. Endogenous CYPs participate in the biosynthesis or catabolism of endogenous substances, including steroids, vitamins, eicosanoids, and fatty acids, whilst xenobiotic CYPs are associated with the metabolism of environmental toxins, drugs, and carcinogens. CYP expression and activity are greatly affected by immune response. However, changes in CYP expression and/or function in COVID-19 and their impact on COVID-19 pathophysiology and the metabolism of therapeutic agents in COVID-19, remain unclear. In this analysis, we review current evidence predominantly in the following areas: firstly, the possible changes in CYP expression and/or function in COVID-19; secondly, the effects of CYPs on the metabolism of arachidonic acid, vitamins, and steroid hormones in COVID-19; and thirdly, the effects of CYPs on the metabolism of therapeutic COVID-19 drugs.

Case Report: Next-Generation Sequencing in Diagnosis of Atypical Aspiration Pneumonia

Since the pandemic of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially in the centers most affected, the symptoms such as fever, cough, myalgia or fatigue, and radioactive signs typically related to COVID-19 like ground-glass opacity (GGO) often distract the attention of physicians from other diseases. Aspiration pneumonia and COVID-19 share similarities in some aspects. There may be risk of misdiagnosis in the case of considering radiological patterns of pneumonia. Early diagnosis and treatment often greatly improve prognosis. We herein reported a case of 40-year-old patient who underwent chest CT scan with the discovery of ground-glass opacity, intralobular reticular opacity and interlobular septal thickening, consolidation, and air bronchogram sign, which were mainly located in the middle and upper lobes of the right lung. It was considered to be infection related pneumonia based on the negative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) result of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The next-generation sequencing (NGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was performed and detected nucleic acid sequences of Klebsiella sp. Consequently, the patient accepted sensitive intravenous antibiotics therapy for 13 days and had a remarkable clinical and radiological improvement. His case was followed up through imaging procedures. Because of possible radiologic and clinical similarities between aspiration and COVID-19 pneumonia, COVID-19 can be of some value in proposing a differential diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia. Clinicians could suggest a correct diagnosis by careful examination of the CT images together with attention to the clinical history and judicious utilization of NGS, especially.

Incidence of malignancies among patients with chronic hepatitis B in US health care organizations, 2006-2018

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes hepatocellular carcinoma but its association with other cancers is not well established. We compared age-adjusted incidence of primary cancers among 5,773 HBV-infected persons with US cancer registries during 2006-2018. Compared with the US population, substantially higher incidence among HBV-infected persons was observed for hepatocellular carcinoma (Standardized rate ratio [SRR] 30.79), gastric (SRR 7.95), neuroendocrine (SRR 5.88), cholangiocarcinoma (SRR 4.62), and ovarian (SRR 3.72) cancers, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (SRR 2.52). Clinicians should be aware of a heightened potential for certain non-hepatic malignancies among hepatitis B patients, as earlier diagnosis favors improved survival.

[A case of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after uneventful cataract surgery in a diabetic patient]

A diabetic patient complained of sudden visual field defect on the third day after cataract surgery. The fundus examination showed optic disc edema in the left eye, which was diagnosed as anterior ischemic optic neuropathy by optical coherence tomography and visual field examinations. The optic neuropathy was induced by the excessive application of tropicamide phenylephrine eye drops by herself before cataract surgery. After timely treatment, the patient's vision and visual field recovered well.

Fulvic–polyphosphate composite embedded in ZnO nanorods (FA–APP@ZnO) for efficient P/Zn nutrition for peas (Pisum sativum L.)

A nano-fertilizer (FA–APP@ZnO) was designed and prepared based on the copolymer of fulvic acid (FA) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) with ZnO nanorods embedded, to tackle the antagonism between phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) in fertilization. FA–APP@ZnO was confirmed to revert the precipitability of H₂PO₄⁻ and Zn²⁺ into a synergistic performance, where FA and APP can disperse ZnO nanorods, and in return, ZnO catalyzes the hydrolysis of the absorbed APP. The hydrolysis rate constant of pyrophosphates consequently increased 8 times. The dry biomass of pea (Pisum sativum L.) under the FA–APP@ZnO hydroponics for 7 days increased by 119%, as compared with the situation employing the conventional NH₄H₂PO₄ and ZnSO₄ compound fertilizer. Moreover, the uptake of seedlings for P and Zn was enhanced by 54% and 400%, respectively. The accelerated orthophosphate release due to ZnO catalysis and the well-dispersed ZnO nanorods enabled by APP met the urgent demand for P and Zn nutrients for peas, especially at their vigorous seedling stage. This work would provide a new idea for constructing nano-platforms to coordinate the incompatible P and Zn nutrients for the improvement of agronomic efficiency.

Phyto-nanotechnology can improve the nutrient efficiency and alleviate the environmental stress caused by eluvial agricultural chemicals, contributing to sustainable agriculture.