Glutathione ligand self-assembly enables luminescence from Au15 nanoclusters for highly sensitive and selective monitoring of blood Pb(II) ions

Lead Pb(II) ions is a cumulative toxicant that impacts several biological systems and poses severe harm to young children. Accurate Pb(II) ions monitoring is thus of paramount importance. Here, we present the synthesis and application of glutathione-capped Au15 nanoclusters (Au15(SG)13) as a luminescence probe for the accurate and selective monitoring of blood Pb(II). The introduction of Pb(II) ions triggers orderly self-assembly of Au15 nanoclusters, resulting in the formation of rigid shell around Au nuclei. This limits the localized vibration of the glutathione ligands and their interaction with water molecules, greatly reducing non-radiative energy loss, and thereby enhancing the photoluminescence signal. Consequently, Au15(SG)13 nanoclusters exhibit high sensitivity for Pb(II) detection. The detection signal displays a linear relationship with Pb(II) over a wide detection range (0-800 μg/L), demonstrating a substantial sensitivity of 35.29 μg/L. Moreover, the developed nanoclusters show superior selectivity for Pb(II) ions, distinguishing them from other prevalent heavy metals. This work pave the way for the development of advanced Pb(II) sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity.

High Throughput Automated Characterization of Enamel Microstructure using Synchrotron Tomography and Optical Flow Imaging

The remarkable damage-tolerance of enamel has been attributed to its hierarchical microstructure and the organized bands of decussated rods. A thorough characterization of the microscale rod evolution within the enamel is needed to elucidate this complex structure. While prior efforts in this area have made use of single particle tracking to track a single rod evolution to various degrees of success, such a process can be both computationally and labor intensive, limited to the evolution path of a single rod, and is therefore prone to error from potentially tracking outliers. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is a well-established algorithm to derive field information from image sequences for processes that are time-dependent, such as fluid flows and structural deformation. In this work, we demonstrate the use of PIV in extracting the full-field microstructural distribution of rods within the enamel. Enamel samples from a wild African lion were analyzed using high-energy synchrotron X-ray micro-tomography. Results from the PIV analysis provide sufficient full-field information to reconstruct the growth of individual rods that can potentially enable rapid analysis of complex microstructures from high resolution synchrotron datasets. Such information can serve as a template for designing damage-tolerant bioinspired structures for advanced manufacturing. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Thorough characterization and analysis of biological microstructures (viz. dental enamel) allows us to understand the basis of their excellent mechanical properties. Prior efforts have successfully replicated these microstructures via single particle tracking, but the process is computationally and labor intensive. In this work, optical flow imaging algorithms were used to extract full-field microstructural distribution of enamel rods from synchrotron X-ray computed tomography datasets, and a field method was used to reconstruct the growth of individual rods. Such high throughput information allows for the rapid production/prototyping and advanced manufacturing of damage-tolerant bioinspired structures for specific engineering applications. Furthermore, the algorithms used herein are freely available and open source to broaden the availability of the proposed workflow to the general scientific community.

Respiratory pathogenic microbial infections: a narrative review

Respiratory infectious diseases have long been recognised as a substantial global healthcare burden and are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, particularly in vulnerable individuals. In the post COVID-19 era, there has been a surge in the prevalence of influenza virus A and other multiple known viruses causing cold compared with during the same period in the previous three years, which coincided with countries easing COVID-19 restrictions worldwide. This article aims to review community-acquired respiratory illnesses covering a broad spectrum of viruses, bacteria, and atypical microorganisms and focuses on the cluster prevalence of multiple known respiratory pathogens in China, thereby providing effective prevention and control measures.

Immune-Related Adverse Event-Related Adrenal Insufficiency Mediates Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Efficacy in Cancer Treatment

Purpose

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved the outcomes of patients with cancer; however, these agents may initiate immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Previous studies have demonstrated a robust correlation between disease prognosis and the occurrence of irAEs, specifically skin or endocrine irAEs. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between irAE-related adrenal insufficiency (AI) and ICI treatment efficacy.

Patients and methods

Patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal, respiratory, head and neck, urological, skin and gynecologic cancers treated with anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody as monotherapy or combined therapy (combined with chemotherapy or targeted therapy) were divided into irAE-A (patients with irAE-related AI), irAE-B (patients with other irAEs) and non-irAE groups. Immunotherapy efficacy was assessed based on the disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test.

Results

Of the 192 patients enrolled in our study, 17 developed irAE-related AI and 83 developed other irAEs. The DCR of the irAE-A and irAE-B groups were higher than that of the non-irAE group (P<0.05). Multiple extended Cox regression analyses showed that irAE status (irAE-A vs non-irAE, P=0.008; irAE-B vs non-irAE, P=0.020), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status (P=0.045), tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (P=0.000), and treatment line (P=0.002) were independent predictors of PFS. Contrarily, irAE status (irAE-A vs non-irAE, P=0.009; irAE-B vs non-irAE, P=0.013), ECOG status (P=0.007), TNM stage (P=0.035), treatment line (P=0.001) and treatment modality (P=0.008) were independent predictors for OS.

Conclusion

IrAE-related AI was significantly associated with ICI treatment efficacy in patients with cancer, which could be a potentially predictable marker. Due to the destruction of adrenal tissue by T cells with enhanced activity, AI reflects enhanced T cell activity to some extent.

Bioinspired Hierarchical Self-Assembled Nanozyme for Efficient Antibacterial Treatment

Along with the rapid development and ever-deepening understanding of nanoscience and nanotechnology, nanomaterials hold promise to mimic the highly evolved biological exquisite nanostructures and sophisticated functions. Here, inspired by the ubiquitous antibacterial nanostructures on the wing surfaces of some insects, a NiCo2 O4 nanozyme with self-adaptive hierarchical nanostructure is developed that can capture bacteria of various morphotypes via the physico-mechanical interaction between the nanostructure and bacteria. Moreover, the developed biomimetic nanostructure further exhibits superior peroxidase-like catalytic activity, which can catalytically generate highly toxic reactive oxygen species that disrupt bacterial membranes and induce bacterial apoptosis. Therefore, the mechano-catalytic coupling property of this NiCo2 O4 nanozyme allows for an extensive and efficient antibacterial application, with no concerns of antimicrobial resistance. This work suggests a promising strategy for the rational design of advanced antibacterial materials by mimicking biological antibiosis.

Alpha-fetoprotein predicts the treatment efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors for gastric cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are commonly used in conjunction with chemotherapy to improve treatment outcomes for patients with gastric cancer. Since AFP could influence immunity by both inhibiting natural killer (NK) cells and regulating negatively the function of dendritic cells, we evaluated the influence of baseline serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels on the curative effect of ICIs in advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 158 AGC patients who underwent ICI treatment. The patients were divided into high and low groups based on the AFP threshold of 20 ng/ml. The efficacy of ICI treatment was assessed using objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The higher levels of baseline AFP were found to be associated with a decrease in the effectiveness of ICIs, as evidenced by a DCR of 50.0% in the group with high AFP levels compared to 87.7% in the group with low AFP levels (P < 0.001). Further analysis using Kaplan-Meier survival techniques indicated that a high AFP level was linked to shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (P < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.001) in AGC individuals receiving ICIs. After propensity score matching, a log rank test revealed that the high AFP group had a decrease in median PFS (P = 0.011) and median OS (P = 0.036) compared to the low AFP group. The high AFP levels also showed its association with shorter PFS and OS in the subgroup analysis of ICI plus chemotherapy patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline AFP levels may predict immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment efficacy in AGC patients.

Genome-wide association study identifies multiple loci influencing duck serum biochemical indicators in the laying period

1. Laying performance is an important economic trait in poultry. The blood is essential in transporting nutrients to the yolk and albumen and is necessary for egg formation.2. This study calculated the phenotypic relationships of duck egg quality, egg production efficiency and 22 serum parameters in the egg-laying stage. Using a variety of methodologies, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out to uncover the genetic foundations of the 22 serum biochemical markers of laying ducks.3. Spearman correlation coefficients between the egg production (226-329 per day) and the serum parameters were all weak, being less than 0.3. This analysis was done on 22 serum parameters, with total protein (TP), total triglycerides (TG), calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) having the highest correlation coefficients (r = 0.56-0.88). The coefficients for blood markers, such as total cholesterol (CHOL), total bilirubin (TBIL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) varied from 0.70-0.94.4. Based on single-marker single-trait genome-wide analyses by a mixed linear model program of EMMAX, nine candidate genes were associated with enzyme traits (AST/ALT aspartate transaminase/glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, creatine kinase) and 19 candidate genes were associated with metabolism and protein-related serum parameters (glucose, total bile acid, uric acid (UA), albumin (ALB).5. The mvLMM (multivariate linear mixed model) of GEMMA software was used to carry out multiple trait integrated GWAS. Two candidate genes were found in the TP-TG-CA-P analysis and seven candidate genes in the CHOL_LDL-C_HDL-C_TBIL study. There was a high genetic correlation between the two groups.

A long lifetime and highly sensitive wearable microneedle sensor for the continuous real-time monitoring of glucose in interstitial fluid

The short lifetime and low sensitivity of the current glucose electrochemical sensors are two major issues for implementing continuous real-time monitoring of glucose in vivo. Here we show that a unique microneedle-based glucose monitoring skin patch (termed here MGMSP) can continuously measure glucose in real time in live animals with micromolar sensitivity and over 14 days of service life. This MGMSP employs a glucose oxidase (GOD) and carbon nanotube (CNT) modified hollow syringe as electrochemical sensor for glucose monitoring, an integrated circuit for signal processing and transmission, and the real-time glucose levels are displayed on smartphone via Bluetooth. The designed microneedle device protects the stability of the sensing molecules immobilized within the inner surface of hollow syringe and simultaneously the interior space of hollow syringe substantially increases the amount of immobilized sensing molecules. This microneedle design thus extends the lifetime as well as improves the detection sensitivity. The final MGMSP enables the continuous real-time monitoring of glucose in the interstitial fluid of live rats. This innovative microneedle-based MGMSP could potentially provide the public with high-accuracy continual glucose monitoring.

Mitochondrial displacement loop region single nucleotide polymorphisms and mitochondrial DNA copy number associated with risk of ankylosing spondylitis

AIM

The pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) seems to be associated with genetics, the environment, heredity, and oxidative stress. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the displacement loop (D-loop) region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and mtDNA copy number were investigated for their correlation with AS patients.

METHODS

This study included 83 AS patients and 100 healthy controls from the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. DNAs were extracted from blood samples for polymerase chain reaction analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Plasma reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by fluorescent probe technology.

RESULTS

The distribution frequencies of the minor alleles of nucleotides 16304C (p = .037), 16311C (p = .027), and 152C (p = .034) were remarkably higher in AS patients than in healthy controls, which indicated that the16304C, 16311C, and 152C alleles were correlated with an increased risk of AS. Simultaneously, mtDNA copy number was statistically higher in patients with AS compared with controls (1.450 ± 0.876 versus 0.835 ± 0.626, p < .001). We also observed an increased ROS generation in AS patients compared with controls (27 066.169 ± 18 364.819 versus 14 758.330 ± 5854.946, p < .001) subsequently. In addition, the AS susceptible SNP 16311C is associated with high ROS levels (35 065.177 ± 26 999.934 vs. 25 005.818 ± 14 999.495, p = .043).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that SNPs in the mtDNA D-loop could be AS risk biomarkers with the potential to promote oxidative stress levels; mtDNA copy number-induced mitochondrial dysfunction may also be involved in AS pathogenesis.

HBV precore G1896A mutation promotes growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating ERK/MAPK pathway

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HBV genome is prone to mutate and several variants are closely related to the malignant transformation of liver disease. G1896A mutation (G to A mutation at nucleotide 1896) is one of the most frequently observed mutations in the precore region of HBV, which prevents HBeAg expression and is strongly associated with HCC. However, the mechanisms by which this mutation causes HCC are unclear. Here, we explored the function and molecular mechanisms of the G1896A mutation during HBV-associated HCC. G1896A mutation remarkably enhanced the HBV replication in vitro. Moreover, it increased tumor formation and inhibited apoptosis of hepatoma cells, and decreased the sensitivity of HCC to sorafenib. Mechanistically, the G1896A mutation could activate ERK/MAPK pathway to enhanced sorafenib resistance in HCC cells and augmented cell survival and growth. Collectively, our study demonstrates for the first time that the G1896A mutation has a dual regulatory role in exacerbating HCC severity and sheds some light on the treatment of G1896A mutation-associated HCC patients.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Child-Pugh Class B Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are increasingly used in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, data on ICI therapy in patients with advanced HCC and impaired liver function are scarce.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of ICI treatment for advanced HCC with Child-Pugh B liver function.

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies from inception through June 15, 2022.

Study Selection

Randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, or single-group studies that investigated the efficacy or safety of ICI therapy for Child-Pugh B advanced HCC were included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guideline was followed to extract data. A random-effects model was adopted if the heterogeneity was significant (I2 > 50%); otherwise, a fixed-effect model was used.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS) were considered to be the primary efficacy outcomes of ICI treatment for Child-Pugh B advanced HCC, and the incidence of treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) was set as the primary measure for the safety outcome.

Results

A total of 22 studies including 699 patients with Child-Pugh B and 2114 with Child-Pugh A advanced HCC comprised the analytic sample (median age range, 53-73 years). Upon pooled analysis, patients treated with ICIs in the Child-Pugh B group had an ORR of 14% (95% CI, 11%-17%) and disease control rate (DCR) of 46% (95% CI, 36%-56%), with a median OS of 5.49 (95% CI, 3.57-7.42) months and median progression-free survival of 2.68 (95% CI, 1.85-3.52) months. The rate of any grade trAEs in the Child-Pugh B group was 40% (95% CI, 34%-47%) and of grade 3 or higher trAEs was 12% (95% CI, 6%-23%). Compared with the Child-Pugh A group, the ORR (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.43-0.81; P < .001) and DCR (odds ratio, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.50-0.81; P < .001) were lower in the Child-Pugh B group. Child-Pugh B was independently associated with worse OS in patients with advanced HCC treated with ICIs (hazard ratio, 2.72 [95% CI, 2.34-3.16]; adjusted hazard ratio, 2.33 [95% CI, 1.81-2.99]). However, ICIs were not associated with increased trAEs in the Child-Pugh B group.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that although the safety of ICI treatment was comparable between patients with HCC with vs without advanced liver disease and the treatment resulted in a significant number of radiologic responses, survival outcomes are still inferior in patients with worse liver function. More study is needed to determine the effectiveness of ICI treatment in this population.

Randomized phase II adjuvant trial to compare two treatment durations of icotinib (2 years versus 1 year) for stage II-IIIA EGFR-positive lung adenocarcinoma patients (ICOMPARE study)

BACKGROUND

Despite the prolonged median disease-free survival (DFS) by adjuvant targeted therapy in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, the relationship between the treatment duration and the survival benefits in patients remains unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase II trial, eligible patients aged 18-75 years with EGFR-mutant, stage II-IIIA lung adenocarcinoma and who had not received adjuvant chemotherapy after complete tumor resection were enrolled from eight centers in China. Patients were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to receive either 1-year or 2-year icotinib (125 mg thrice daily). The primary endpoint was DFS assessed by investigator. The secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and safety. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01929200).

RESULTS

Between September 2013 and October 2018, 109 patients were enrolled (1-year group, n = 55; 2-year group, n = 54). Median DFS was 48.9 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 33.1-70.1 months] in the 2-year group and 32.9 months (95% CI 26.6-44.8 months) in the 1-year group [hazard ratio (HR) 0.51; 95% CI 0.28-0.94; P = 0.0290]. Median OS for patients was 75.8 months [95% CI 64.4 months-not evaluable (NE)] in the 2-year group and NE (95% CI 66.3 months-NE) in the 1-year group (HR 0.34; 95% CI 0.13-0.95; P = 0.0317). Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were observed in 41 of 55 (75%) patients in the 1-year group and in 36 of 54 (67%) patients in the 2-year group. Grade 3-4 TRAEs occurred in 4 of 55 (7%) patients in the 1-year group and in 3 of 54 (6%) patients in the 2-year group. No treatment-related deaths or interstitial lung disease was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-year adjuvant icotinib was shown to significantly improve DFS and provide an OS benefit in EGFR-mutant, stage II-IIIA lung adenocarcinoma patients compared with 1-year treatment in this exploratory phase II study.

High glucose induces tau hyperphosphorylation in hippocampal neurons via inhibition of ALKBH5-mediated Dgkh m6A demethylation: a potential mechanism for diabetic cognitive dysfunction

Tau hyperphosphorylation in hippocampal neurons has an important pathogenetic role in the development of diabetic cognitive dysfunction. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is the most common modification of eukaryotic mRNA and is involved in regulating diverse biological processes. However, the role of m6A alteration in tau hyperphosphorylation of hippocampus neurons has not been reported. We found lower ALKBH5 expression in the hippocampus of diabetic rats and in HN-h cells with high-glucose intervention, accompanied by tau hyperphosphorylation. ALKBH5 overexpression significantly reversed tau hyperphosphorylation in high-glucose-stimulated HN-h cells. Furthermore, we found and confirmed by m6A-mRNA epitope transcriptome microarray and transcriptome RNA sequencing coupled with methylated RNA immunoprecipitation that ALKBH5 regulates the m6A modification of Dgkh mRNA. High glucose inhibited the demethylation modification of Dgkh by ALKBH5, resulting in decreases in Dgkh mRNA and protein levels. Overexpression of Dgkh reversed tau hyperphosphorylation in HN-h cells after high-glucose stimulation. Overexpression of Dgkh by adenovirus suspension injection into the bilateral hippocampus of diabetic rats significantly ameliorated tau hyperphosphorylation and diabetic cognitive dysfunction. In addition, ALKBH5 targeted Dgkh to activate PKC-α, leading to tau hyperphosphorylation under high-glucose conditions. The results of this study reveal that high glucose suppresses the demethylation modification of Dgkh by ALKBH5, which downregulates Dgkh and leads to tau hyperphosphorylation through activation of PKC-α in hippocampal neurons. These findings may indicate a new mechanism and a novel therapeutic target for diabetic cognitive dysfunction.

Improved Measurement of the Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

Reactor neutrino experiments play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of neutrinos. In this Letter, the evolution of the flux and spectrum as a function of the reactor isotopic content is reported in terms of the inverse-beta-decay yield at Daya Bay with 1958 days of data and improved systematic uncertainties. These measurements are compared with two signature model predictions: the Huber-Mueller model based on the conversion method and the SM2018 model based on the summation method. The measured average flux and spectrum, as well as the flux evolution with the ^{239}Pu isotopic fraction, are inconsistent with the predictions of the Huber-Mueller model. In contrast, the SM2018 model is shown to agree with the average flux and its evolution but fails to describe the energy spectrum. Altering the predicted inverse-beta-decay spectrum from ^{239}Pu fission does not improve the agreement with the measurement for either model. The models can be brought into better agreement with the measurements if either the predicted spectrum due to ^{235}U fission is changed or the predicted ^{235}U, ^{238}U, ^{239}Pu, and ^{241}Pu spectra are changed in equal measure.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Combined Therapy in a Patient with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Case Report

Case

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) have dramatically revolutionized the therapeutic approaches by which we treat a series of cancers accompanied by immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Herein, we reported an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma male patient with a history of ankylosing spondylitis developing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) under ICI combined therapy with pembrolizumab and lenvatinib. The indirect measurement of cardiac ultrasound showed a pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of 72mmHg after 21 three-week cycles of ICI combined therapy. The patient partially responded to the treatment of glucocorticoid and mycophenolate mofetil. The PAP decreased to 55mmHg 3 months after the ICI combined therapy was discontinued, but increased to 90mmHg after the ICI combined therapy was rechallenged. We treated him with adalimumab -an antitumor necrosis factor-alpha (ani-TNF-α) antibody- combined with glucocorticoid and immunosuppressants under lenvatinib monotherapy. The patient responded again with PAP decreasing to 67mmHg after 2 two-week cycles of adalimumab. Accordingly, we diagnosed him to have irAE-related PAH. Our findings supported the use of glucocorticoid disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) as a treatment option in refractory PAH.

Precision Measurement of Reactor Antineutrino Oscillation at Kilometer-Scale Baselines by Daya Bay

We present a new determination of the smallest neutrino mixing angle θ_{13} and the mass-squared difference Δm_{32}^{2} using a final sample of 5.55×10^{6} inverse beta-decay (IBD) candidates with the final-state neutron captured on gadolinium. This sample is selected from the complete dataset obtained by the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment in 3158 days of operation. Compared to the previous Daya Bay results, selection of IBD candidates has been optimized, energy calibration refined, and treatment of backgrounds further improved. The resulting oscillation parameters are sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0851±0.0024, Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.466±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the normal mass ordering or Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.571±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the inverted mass ordering.

[Chinese expert consensus on perioperative management of renal tumor cryoablation (2022 edition)]

In recent years, the incidence of renal cancer has been increasing continuously. Surgical resection is the "gold standard" for the treatment of small renal cancer. However, local ablation therapy of renal cancer is undoubtedly the best choice for patients with short life expectancy, other complications, and impaired renal function who are not suitable for surgery. In recent years, with the development of ablation techniques and long-term follow-up, local ablation has shown good therapeutic effects. As many domestic hospitals are performing or planning to perform renal tumor cryoablation to improve the clinical cure rate and surgical safety of renal tumor cryoablation, it is necessary to standardize the surgical indications, contraindications, perioperative management, efficacy evaluation, and other common problems. Currently, there is no expert consensus regarding perioperative renal tumor cryoablation in China. To standardize the perioperative management of renal tumor cryoablation and related technical operations in clinical practice, and improve the effectiveness and safety of cryoablation, the expert committee of Tumor Interventional and Minimally Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Continuing Education Base of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association convened experts in related fields to discuss and formulate this consensus, which is hereby published, for clinical reference and application.

Bacterial antibiotic resistance among cancer inpatients in China: 2016-20

BACKGROUND

The incidence of infections among cancer patients is as high as 23.2-33.2% in China. However, the lack of information and data on the number of antibiotics used by cancer patients is an obstacle to implementing antibiotic management plans.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance in Chinese cancer patients to provide a reference for the rational use of antibiotics.

DESIGN

This was a 5-year retrospective study on the antibiotic resistance of cancer patients.

METHODS

In this 5-year surveillance study, we collected bacterial and antibiotic resistance data from 20 provincial cancer diagnosis and treatment centers and three specialized cancer hospitals in China. We analyzed the resistance of common bacteria to antibiotics, compared to common clinical drug-resistant bacteria, evaluated the evolution of critical drug-resistant bacteria and conducted data analysis.

FINDINGS

Between 2016 and 2020, 216 219 bacterial strains were clinically isolated. The resistance trend of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem was relatively stable and did not significantly increase over time. The resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to all antibiotics tested, including imipenem and meropenem, decreased over time. In contrast, the resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii strains to carbapenems increased from 4.7% to 14.7%. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) significantly decreased from 65.2% in 2016 to 48.9% in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

The bacterial prevalence and antibiotic resistance rates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, S. aureus and MRSA were significantly lower than the national average.

[Selection of classic laryngeal mask airway size based on ideal body mass in patients with low body mass index: a randomized trial]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) size selection based on ideal and actual body mass on the success rate of first insertion in patients with low body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

This study was performed in 137 patients aged 18-60 years with BMI below 18.5 kg/m², in whom discrepancies occurred in the selection of LMA size based on their actual body mass and the ideal body mass. The patients were randomized divided into ideal body mass group and actual body mass group, in which the size of LMA was selected based on the ideal body mass and their actual body mass, respectively. The success rate of first LMA insertion, overall success rate, fiberoptic visual field grade, leakage pressure, and LMA-related complications of the patients were recorded during the maintenance and recovery of anesthesia.

RESULTS

The success rate of first LMA insertion was significantly higher in ideal body mass group than in the actual body mass group (86.8% vs 68.1%, P=0.016). Compared with those in the actual body mass group, the patients in the ideal body mass group used larger LMA (P < 0.005) and had better fiberoptic field scores (P=0.001) and higher airway seal pressure (P < 0.005). The peak inspiratory pressure (P=0.154) or the incidence of LMA-related complications during anesthesia maintenance and recovery did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The size selection of LMA based on the ideal body mass of the patients, determined according to their height and sex, can significantly improve the success rate of first LMA insertion in patients with low BMI.

Risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms of mitochondrial D-loop mediate imbalance of cytokines and redox in rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

We have identified rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mitochondrial displacement loop (D-loop) including the major alleles of nucleotides 195T/C, 16260C/T, and 16519C/T as well as the minor alleles of nucleotides 146T/C and 150C/T previously.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the potential relationships of these SNPs with status for oxidative stress and inflammation cytokines.

METHODS

The DNA was extracted from blood samples of RA patients, and the SNPs of DNA D-loop were verified by polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequence analysis. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines including interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by cytometric bead array. Plasma reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by fluorescent probe technology.

RESULTS

The RA risk-related allele 16519C was significantly associated with high IFN-γ levels (100.576 ± 11.769 vs 64.268 ± 8.199, 95% confidence interval [CI] -66.317 to -6.299, P = 0.018). This allele also associated with ROS at borderline statistics level (619.295 ± 36.687 vs 526.979 ± 25.896, 95% CI -186.145 to -1.513, P = 0.054). The subsequent analysis also showed that the ROS levels were positively correlated with IFN-γ levels (R = 0.291, P = 0.002). Further analysis showed that RA patients with high C-reactive protein levels displayed a higher ROS level (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our results imply that the 16519C allele of the mtDNA D-loop might promote ROS and IFN-γ levels by altering the replication and transcription of mtDNA, thereby modifying RA development.

REMARK

The potential relationships of RA-associated SNPs in the mitochondrial D-loop with status for oxidative stress and inflammation were evaluated. The 16519C allele of the mtDNA D-loop might promote ROS and IFN-γ levels by altering the replication and transcription of mtDNA to modify RA development.

Dicer Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Interleukin-8 Pathway

Background

Elevated level of interleukin-8 (IL-8) promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and contributes to poor prognosis. Previously, we have proved that Dicer inhibits HCC progression. In this study, we evaluated the potential interaction between IL-8 and Dicer as well as their influence on HCC.

Methods

Hepatocellular carcinoma cells of SMMC-7721 were divided into 2 groups for subsequent analysis: pCMV-Dicer group for Dicer-overexpressing lentivirus transfected cells (pCMV-Dicer cells) and pCMV-NC group for empty lentivirus transfected cells (pCMV-NC cells). Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK8), wound healing, and transwell were used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Dicer overexpression on proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. The level of IL-8 was measured by flow cytometry bead-based immunoassays. Male nude BALB/c mice injected with pCMV-Dicer or pCMV-NC cell suspensions was used for transplant of HCC tumor.

Results

We found that the secretion of IL-8 was reduced in the medium of pCMV-Dicer cells (P = .027). Recombinant human IL-8 (rhIL-8) reversed the inhibitory effect of Dicer on proliferation (P < .01), migration (P = .003), and invasion (P = .001), whereas IL-8 inhibitor of reparixin enhanced inhibitory effect of Dicer on proliferation (P < .05), migration (P = .008), and invasion (P = .000). Lenvatinib downregulated the IL-8 level of HCC cells (P = .000) as well as promote Dicer-induced inhibition for HCC cells referring to proliferation (P < .05), migration (P = .000), and invasion (P = .000). Animal experiments also demonstrated that Dicer cooperated with lenvatinib to inhibit the growth of HCC tumors (P < .05).

Conclusions

Dicer cooperated with lenvatinib to inhibit HCC growth via downregulating IL-8, and Dicer displayed its potential capability to enhance the anti-tumor effect of lenvatinib.

Young patients show poor efficacy for immune checkpoint inhibitor combined therapy in metastatic gastrointestinal cancers

Background

The impact of age on the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy remains controversial. The previous studies simply classified patients into younger and older groups, which might not reflect the real impact of young age on immunotherapy efficacy. The current study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combined therapy in young (aged 18-44 years), middle-aged (aged 45-65 years), and old (aged >65 years) patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancers (GICs), and further determine the role of immunotherapy in young patients.

Methods

Patients with metastatic GIC including esophageal cancer (EC), gastric cancer (GC), hepatocellular cancer (HCC), and biliary tract cancer (BTC) who received ICI combination therapy were enrolled, divided into young (aged 18-44 years), middle-aged (aged 45-65 years), and old (aged >65 years) groups. The clinical characteristics, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were compared among three groups.

Results

A total of 254 patients were finally included, with 18, 139, and 97 cases in the young (aged 18-44 years), middle-aged (aged 45-65 years), and old (aged >65 years) groups, respectively. Compared to middle-aged and old patients, young patients had lower DCR (all p < 0.05) and also had inferior PFS (p < 0.001) and OS (p = 0.017). The multivariate analyses showed that young age was an independent prognostic factor for PFS [hazard ratio (HR) 3.474, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.962-6.150, p < 0.001] and OS (HR 2.740, 95% CI 1.348-5.570, p = 0.005). Subsequent safety analyses referring to irAEs demonstrated no significant differences for distribution frequency among each age group (all p > 0.05), whereas patients with irAEs displayed better DCR (p = 0.035) and PFS (p = 0.037).

Conclusion

Younger GIC patients (aged 18-44 years) showed poor efficacy for ICI combined therapy, and irAEs could be used as a clinical biomarker to predict ICI efficacy in metastatic GIC patients.

Correction: The influence of electron utilization pathways on photosystem I photochemistry in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D2RA01295B.].

Are anti-PD-1-associated immune related adverse events a harbinger of favorable clinical prognosis in patients with gastric cancer?

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has shown remarkable benefit in the treatment of a range of cancer types, although it may initiate immune related adverse events (irAEs) in patients. Some studies have shown that there is a close relationship between the occurrence of irAEs and prognosis. In present study, we have attempted to establish whether the occurrence of irAEs after the use of anti PD-1 antibodies is associated with treatment efficacy in people with advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Methods

This study included patients treated with the anti-PD-1 antibodies for AGC patients at The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University. IrAEs were identified clinically and graded as per the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events ver. 4.03. Efficacy was evaluated with objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The analysis was performed to determine the association between irAEs and clinical outcomes.

Result

Of the 74 AGC patients in our study, 24 developed irAEs. The DCR of the irAE displayed a trend better than that of non-irAE group but without statistical difference (41.70% VS 6.0%, p = 0.118). Median PFS in the irAE group was superior to that in the non-irAE group (176 days VS 94 days, p = 0.001). Median OS also showed this trend of difference at borderline statistical level (292 days VS 239 days, p = 0.057). Multivariate analysis also demonstrated irAE (HR = 0.269, 95%CI: 0.088 to 0.822, p = 0.021) were associated independently with the better prognosis for AGC patients.

Conclusion

In advanced gastric cancer treated with anti PD-1 antibodies, the occourence of irAEs might contribute to the improved prognosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-10199-x.

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Taxanes Plus Platinum and Fluorouracil Plus Platinum in the First-Line Treatment of Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Fluoropyrimidine plus platinum (FP) and taxanes plus platinum (TP) are standard treatments for esophageal cancer (EC). This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to explore the difference in the therapeutic effect and toxicity of FP and TP regimens in EC patients. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were fully searched and analyzed to find relevant articles on EC patients treated with FP and TP regimens up to 22 March 2022. Thirty-one studies, with a total of 3432 participants, were included in this review. The primary outcomes showed that the prognosis and therapeutic efficacy of TP groups were better than those of FP groups for the EC patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy treatment (3-year OS: RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.08−1.44, p = 0.003; 3-year PFS: RR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.17−1.75, p = 0.0006; ORR: RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.06−1.29, p = 0.001). However, TP therapy was significantly correlated with a higher incidence of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia (p < 0.05). In the preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy group, these two groups had a similar survival time (p > 0.05). The FP regimen corresponded to a higher incidence of thrombocytopenia, while the TP regimen was associated with an increased incidence of febrile leukopenia (p < 0.05). Therefore, TP regimens could generate both superior clinical response and survival benefits when compared with FP regimens in EC patients undergoing definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Semen parameters and sex hormones as affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection: A systematic review

Background

Impaired semen quality and reproductive hormone levels were observed in patients during and after recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which raised concerns about negative effects on male fertility. Therefore, this study systematically reviews available data on semen parameters and sex hormones in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

Systematic search was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar until July 18th, 2022. We identified relevant articles that discussed the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on male fertility.

Results

A total number of 1,684 articles were identified by using a suitable keyword search strategy. After screening, 26 articles were considered eligible for inclusion in this study. These articles included a total of 1,960 controls and 2,106 patients. When all studies were considered, the results showed that the semen parameters and sex hormone levels of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 exhibited some significant differences compared with controls. Fortunately, these differences gradually disappear as patients recover from COVID-19.

Conclusion

While present data show the negative effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility, this does not appear to be long-term. Semen quality and hormone levels will gradually increase to normal as patients recover.

Recent progress in single-atom nanozymes research

Single-atom nanozyme (SAzyme) is the hot topic of the current nanozyme research. Its intrinsic properties, such as high activity, stability, and low cost, present great substitutes to natural enzymes. Moreover, its fundamental characteristics, i.e., maximized atom utilizations and well-defined geometric and electronic structures, lead to higher catalytic activities and specificity than traditional nanozymes. SAzymes have been applied in many biomedical areas, such as anti-tumor therapy, biosensing, antibiosis, and anti-oxidation therapy. Here, we will discuss a series of representative examples of SAzymes categorized by their biomedical applications in this review. In the end, we will address the future opportunities and challenges SAzymes facing in their designs and applications.

MiR-221-5p/Smad3 axis in osteoclastogenesis and its function: Potential therapeutic target for osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE

To probe the role of miR-221-5p in osteoclastogenesis and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Serum from patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis and healthy controls was collected for determination of miR-221-5p expression. For in vitro experiment, RAW264.7 macrophages, in which the expression of miR-221-5p and/or Smad3 was altered, were induced by RANKL to differentiate into osteoclasts. For in vivo experiment, ovariectomy was performed to construct osteoporosis mouse models, followed by tail vein injection of miR-221-5p agomir. qRT-PCR and/or western blot were applied to measure the expression of miR-221-5p, Smad3, and osteoclastogenesis-related genes (NFATc1 and TRAF6). TRAP staining was utilized for assessment of osteoclast formation, MTT assay for assessment of osteoclast viability, and H&E staining for observation of histomorphological changes. The targeting relationship between miR-221-5p and Smad3 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis had decreased miR-221-5p expression and lower lumbar vertebra bone mineral density. MiR-221-5p expression was decreased and Smad3 level was increased during osteoclastogenesis. The osteoclastogenesis was suppressed by miR-221-5p and promoted by Smad3, as evidenced by diminished number and viability of osteoclasts following overexpression of miR-221-5p or knockdown of Smad3. MiR-221-5p negatively mediated Smad3 expression. Smad3 suppression nullified the pro-osteoclastogenesis effect of miR-221-5p inhibition. Consistent results were observed in osteoporosis mouse models.

CONCLUSION

MiR-221-5p may alleviate postmenopausal osteoporosis through suppressing osteoclastogenesis via Smad3, which provides new ideas for molecule-targeted therapy of osteoporosis.

Growth hormone associated with treatment efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in gastric cancer patients

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with chemotherapy have been widely employed to improve the outcome of gastric cancer patients. In the present study, the impact of posttreatment growth hormone (GH) levels on the treatment efficacy of ICIs for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients was assessed.

Methods

Seventy-five AGC patients treated with anti-PD-1 antibodies at The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were involved. We divided AGC patients into two groups as high-GH group and low-GH group based on the GH level. Immunotherapy efficacy was assessed in terms of objective response rate, disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines. The enumeration data were compared by χ² test or Fisher’s exact test. Survival curves were drawn by the Kaplan–Meier method, and comparisons between the curves were made using the log-rank test. Multivariate survival analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

The higher GH levels were associated with a lower DCR of ICIs with a DCR of 30.0% in the high-GH group and 53.3% in the low-GH group (P = 0.046). The subsequent univariate analysis showed that a high GH level was associated with both shorter PFS (P = 0.016) and shorter OS at the borderline statistical level (P = 0.052) in AGC patients treated with ICIs. Cox model analysis also proved that the GH level was an independent risk factor for the outcome of AGC patients (PFS: P = 0.013, HR, 2.424, 95% CI, 1.202–4.890; OS: P = 0.014, HR, 3.301, 95% CI, 1.279–8.519).

Conclusions

The post-treatment GH level might be a predictor for ICIs treatment in AGC patients.

First Measurement of High-Energy Reactor Antineutrinos at Daya Bay

This Letter reports the first measurement of high-energy reactor antineutrinos at Daya Bay, with nearly 9000 inverse beta decay candidates in the prompt energy region of 8-12 MeV observed over 1958 days of data collection. A multivariate analysis is used to separate 2500 signal events from background statistically. The hypothesis of no reactor antineutrinos with neutrino energy above 10 MeV is rejected with a significance of 6.2 standard deviations. A 29% antineutrino flux deficit in the prompt energy region of 8-11 MeV is observed compared to a recent model prediction. We provide the unfolded antineutrino spectrum above 7 MeV as a data-based reference for other experiments. This result provides the first direct observation of the production of antineutrinos from several high-Q_{β} isotopes in commercial reactors.

[VIPR1 promoter methylation promotes transcription factor AP-2α binding to inhibit VIPR1 expression and promote hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the transcriptional regulation mechanism and biological function of low expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 (VIPR1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

We constructed plasmids carrying wild-type VIPR1 promoter or two mutant VIPR1 promoter sequences for transfection of the HCC cell lines Hep3B and Huh7, and examined the effect of AP-2α expression on VIPR1 promoter activity using dual-luciferase reporter assay. Pyrosequencing was performed to detect the changes in VIPR1 promoter methylation level in HCC cells treated with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DAC). Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to evaluate the binding ability of AP-2α to VIPR1 promoter. Western blotting was used to assess the effect of AP-2α knockdown on VIPR1 expression and examine the differential expression of VIPR1 in the two cell lines. The effects of VIPR1 overexpression and knockdown on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of HCC cells were analyzed using CCK8 assay and flow cytometry. We also observed the growth of HCC xenograft with lentivirus-mediated over-expression of VIPR1 in nude mice.

RESULTS

Compared with the wild-type VIPR1 promoter group, co-transfection with the vector carrying two promoter mutations and the AP-2α-over-expressing plasmid obviously restored the luciferase activity in HCC cells (P < 0.05). DAC treatment of the cells significantly decreased the methylation level of VIPR1 promoter and inhibited the binding of AP-2α to VIPR1 promoter (P < 0.01). The HCC cells with AP-2α knockdown showed increased VIPR1 expression, which was lower in Huh7 cells than in Hep3B cells. VIPR1 overexpression in HCC cells caused significant cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase (P < 0.01), promoted cell apoptosis (P < 0.001), and inhibited cell proliferation (P < 0.001), while VIPR1 knockdown produced the opposite effects. In the tumor-bearing nude mice, VIPR1 overexpression in the HCC cells significantly suppressed the increase of tumor volume (P < 0.001) and weight (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

VIPR1 promoter methylation in HCC promotes the binding of AP-2α and inhibits VIPR1 expression, while VIPR1 overexpression causes cell cycle arrest, promotes cell apoptosis, and inhibits cell proliferation and tumor growth.

Body mass index increases the recurrence risk of breast cancer: a dose-response meta-analysis from 21 prospective cohort studies

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the recurrence risk of breast cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

Dose-response meta-analysis.

METHODS

Cohort studies that included BMI and the recurrence of breast cancer were selected through various databases including PubMed, Web of Science, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals (VIP), and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (WanFang) until November 30, 2021. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of literature. A two-stage random-effects meta-analysis was performed to assess the dose-response relationship between BMI and breast cancer recurrence risk. Heterogeneity between studies is assessed using I².

RESULTS

The relative risk (RR) of BMI <25 kg/m² vs BMI ≥25 kg/m², BMI <30 kg/m² vs BMI ≥30 kg/m² were 1.09 (95% CI: 1.00-1.19) and 1.15 (95% CI: 1.04-1.27), suggesting that BMI had a significant effect on the recurrence risk of breast cancer, and there might be a dose-response relationship between them. A total of 21 studies were included in dose-response meta-analysis, which showed that there was a positive linear correlation between BMI and the risk of recurrence (RR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03). For every 1 kg/m² increment of BMI, the risk of recurrence increased by approximately 2%. In subgroup analyses, positive linear dose-response relationships between BMI and recurrence risk were observed among Asian and study period >10 years groups. For every 1 kg/m² increment of BMI, the risk of recurrence increased by 3.41% and 1.87%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The recurrence risk of breast cancer increases with BMI, which is most obvious among Asian women.

Radiotherapy-induced abscopal effect on the metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary origin: a case report and literature review

OBJECTIVE

Abscopal effect of radiotherapy refers to a clinical phenomenon that is characterized by the eradication of distant metastatic tumors following localized irradiation. Reports on the abscopal effect following pure radiotherapy have been relatively rare.

CASE REPORT

Herein, we reported a 70-year-old male patient, who has been subjected to swelling and pain in the left neck. Computed tomography examination presented a metastatic lymph node of the left cervical and an intra-abdominal mass which was located in hepatogastric space, upward of the pancreatic head. Histopathology of the left cervical lymph node further ensured a poorly-moderately differentiated form of squamous cell carcinoma. But the primary origin was not defined. This patient received radiotherapy on the metastatic lymph nodes of the left cervical (dose: 60 Gray in 30 fractions) only. After treatment, the pain in the left neck dramatically improved and the swelling of the radiation exposure site diminished gradually. Computed tomography examination also confirmed that the abdominal mass was significantly reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

The abscopal effect, in this case, may help us to get a better understanding of the impact of radiotherapy.

[Analysis the influence factors of treatment free remission outcome with chronic myeloid leukemia patients who discontinued tyrosine kinase inhibitors]

Objective: To explore the related factors affecting the outcome of treatment free remission (TFR) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Methods: Clinical data of CML patients with automatic discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) from the CML cooperative organization of Henan province between June 2, 2013 to March 27, 2021 and the follow-up time was ≥ 6 months were retrospectively analyzed. Log-rank test was used for univariate analysis and Cox proportional risk regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 135 patients were enrolled, and 69 patients (51.1%) were femal and 66 patients (48.9%)were male. Median age was[M(Q₁,Q₃)] 49 years (38, 58)at discontinuation.Before discontinuation, 72 patients (53.3%) were on treatment with second-generation TKI, 63 patients (46.7%) were on treatment with IM, 17patients (12.6%) had a history of TKI reduction/withdrawal;median duration of treatment was months 84 (68, 108) for all patients;median time of TKI treatment to DMR was months 12(8, 26);median duration of DMR was months 65 (54, 84), and 9 patients (6.7%) had unsustained DMR.The median follow-up time was months 16(6-96), 35 patients (25.9%) lost MMR at a median months 3(1-22), overall estimated TFR was 74.1%.The univariate analysis results showed that:second-generation TKI was used, the time of TKI treatment to DMR was ≤12 months, DMR duration time ≥48 months, had sustained DMR, without TKI reduction/withdrawal history were favorable factors affecting of TFR in patients with TKI discontinuation (all P<0.05).The TFR rate of the second-generation TKI therapy group was significantly higher than the IM therapy group (81.9% vs 65.1%, P=0.019).The multivariate analysis results showed that second-generation TKI treatment[RR=0.451, 95%CI (0.227-0.896), P=0.023] and had sustained DMR [RR=0.120, 95%CI (0.053-0.271), P<0.001] were the protective factors of TFR in patients with TKI discontinuation. Conclusions: Treated with second-generation TKI and had sustained DMR are the protective factors of TFR in patients with TKI discontinuation.The CML patients who had sustained DMR more≥48 months before TKI discontinuation showed a better TFR.

The influence of electron utilization pathways on photosystem I photochemistry in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

The capacity of cyanobacteria to adapt to highly dynamic photon flux and nutrient availability conditions results from controlled management and use of reducing power, and is a major contributing factor to the efficiency of photosynthesis in aquatic environments. The response to changing conditions includes modulating gene expression and protein-protein interactions that serve to adjust the use of electron flux and mechanisms that control photosynthetic electron transport (PET). In this regard, the photochemical activity of photosystem I (PSI) reaction centers can support balancing of cyclic (CEF) and linear electron flow (LEF), and the coupling of redox carriers for use by electron utilization pathways. Therefore, changes in the utilization of reducing power might be expected to result in compensating changes at PSI as a means to support balance of electron flux. To understand this functional relationship, we investigated the properties of PSI and its photochemical activity in cells that lack flavodiiron 1 catalyzed oxygen reduction activity (ORR1). In the absence of ORR1, the oxygen evolution and consumption rates declined together with a shift in the oligomeric form of PSI towards monomers. The effect of these changes on PSI energy and electron transfer properties was examined in isolated trimer and monomer fractions of PSI reaction centers. Collectively, the results demonstrate that PSI photochemistry is modulated through coordination with the depletion of electron demand in the absence of ORR1.

Nonsynonymous C1653T Mutation of Hepatitis B Virus X Gene Enhances Malignancy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Public attitudes and influencing factors toward COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents/children: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically clarify attitudes and influencing factors of the public toward COVID-19 vaccination for children or adolescents.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a scoping review.

METHODS

This scoping review screened, included, sorted, and analyzed relevant studies on COVID-19 vaccination for children or adolescents before December 31, 2021, in databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Wiley.

RESULTS

A total of 34 studies were included. The results showed that the public's acceptance rate toward COVID-19 vaccination for children or adolescents ranged from 4.9% (southeast Nigerian mothers) to 91% (Brazilian parents). Parents' or adolescents' age, gender, education level, and cognition and behavior characteristics for the vaccines were the central factors affecting vaccination. The vaccine's safety, effectiveness, and potential side-effects were the main reasons affecting vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

Realizing current public attitudes of COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents or children can effectively develop intervention measures and control the pandemic as soon as possible through herd immunity.

Mitochondrial Displacement Loop Region SNPs Modify Sjögren’s Syndrome Development by Regulating Cytokines Expression in Female Patients

Mitochondrial dysfunction could induce innate immune response with cytokines releasing to initiate Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) onset. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mitochondrial displacement loop (D-loop) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number of female SS patients were evaluated for their association with SS in female patients. At the nucleotide site of 152, 16304, 16311 and 16362 in the D-loop, the frequencies for the minor alleles of 152C (p = 0.040, odds ratio [OR] = 0.504), 16304C (p = 0.045, OR = 0.406), 16311C (p = 0.045, OR = 0.406) and 16362C (p = 0.028, OR = 0.519) were significantly higher in the SS patients than those in the female controls, which indicated that 152,C, 16304C, 16311C, and 16362C allele in the D-loop of mtDNA were associated with the risk of SS. Meanwhile, the excessive SNPs were accumulated in D-loop region of SS patients (8.955 ± 2.028 versus 7.898 ± 1.987, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.477–1.637) and mtDNA copy number increased in SS patients (1.509 ± 0.836 versus 1.221 ± 0.506, p = 0.006, 95% CI: 0.086–0.490) by a case-control analysis. The subsequent analysis showed that SS risk-related allele 16311C was associated with higher IL-2 levels (p = 0.010) at significantly statistical level whereas 152C associated with lower IL-10 levels (p = 0.058) at a borderline statistical levels. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial D-loop SNPs are predictors for SS risk, it might modify the SS development by regulating cytokine expression.

Joint Determination of Reactor Antineutrino Spectra from ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu Fission by Daya Bay and PROSPECT

A joint determination of the reactor antineutrino spectra resulting from the fission of ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu has been carried out by the Daya Bay and PROSPECT Collaborations. This Letter reports the level of consistency of ^{235}U spectrum measurements from the two experiments and presents new results from a joint analysis of both data sets. The measurements are found to be consistent. The combined analysis reduces the degeneracy between the dominant ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu isotopes and improves the uncertainty of the ^{235}U spectral shape to about 3%. The ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu antineutrino energy spectra are unfolded from the jointly deconvolved reactor spectra using the Wiener-SVD unfolding method, providing a data-based reference for other reactor antineutrino experiments and other applications. This is the first measurement of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu spectra based on the combination of experiments at low- and highly enriched uranium reactors.