Potent inhibition of human and rat 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 by curcuminoids and the metabolites: 3D QSAR and in silico docking analysis

Curcumin, an extensively utilized natural pigment in the food industry, has attracted considerable attention due to its potential therapeutic effects, such as anti-tumorigenic and anti-inflammatory activities. The enzyme 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (17β-HSD1) holds a crucial position in oestradiol production and exhibits significant involvement in oestrogen-responsive breast cancers and endometriosis. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of curcuminoids, metabolites, and analogues on 17β-HSD1, a key enzyme in oestradiol synthesis. Screening 10 compounds, including demethoxycurcumin (IC50, 3.97 μM) and dihydrocurcumin (IC50, 5.84 μM), against human and rat 17β-HSD1 revealed varying inhibitory potencies. These compounds suppressed oestradiol secretion in human BeWo cells at ≥ 5-10 μM. 3D-Quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) and molecular docking analyses elucidated the interaction mechanisms. Docking studies and Gromacs simulations suggested competitive or mixed binding to the steroid or NADPH/steroid binding sites of 17β-HSD1. Predictive 3D-QSAR models highlighted the importance of hydrophobic regions and hydrogen bonding in inhibiting 17β-HSD1 activity. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the inhibitory effects and mode of action of curcuminoids, metabolites, and analogues on 17β-HSD1, which may have implications in the field of hormone-related disorders.

A novel potential cause of extreme precipitation in the northwest China

The northwest China is a climate change-sensitive and ecologically vulnerable area. Under the backdrop of global warming, this region exhibits clear characteristics of warming and wetting. In recent years, the causes of climate change in the northwest China has become a widely-focused topic. Previous research has mainly attributed the increase in precipitation to changes in the westerly belt and enhanced local convective activity caused by global warming. South Asia, beside the Tibetan Plateau from the northwest China, is one of the regions with the fastest growth in global atmospheric pollutant emissions. This study utilizes reanalysis data such as ERA5 and MERRA-2. Statistical methods, including Theil-Sen Median trend analysis and Singular Value Decomposition analysis, are employed to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of South Asian aerosols, extreme precipitation in the northwest China, and the correlation between the two. The study reveals the existence of two key aerosol-precipitation response areas. Synthetic analysis of the meteorological elements of the response events in both regions is conducted to explore the possible physical mechanisms behind the correlation between South Asian aerosols and precipitation in the northwest China. The result of this study is to provide a new perspective on the causes of extreme precipitation in the arid region of northwest China.

The top 100 most-cited papers in incisional hernia: a bibliometric analysis from 2003 to 2023

PURPOSE

Incisional hernia (IH) is one of the most common complications after abdominal surgeries and may bring great suffering to patients. This study aims to evaluate the global trends in IH research from 2003 to 2023 and visualize the frontiers using bibliometric analysis.

METHODS

The literature search was conducted on the Web of Science for IH studies published from 2003 to 2023 and sorted by citation frequency. The top 100 most-cited articles were analyzed by the annual publication number, prolific countries and institutions, influential author and journal, and the number of citations through descriptive statistics and visualization.

RESULTS

The top paper was cited 1075 times and the median number of citations was 146. All studies were published between 2003 and 2019 and the most prolific year was 2003 with 14 articles. Jeekel J and Rosen M were regarded as the most productive authors with ten articles each and acquired 2738 and 2391 citations, respectively. The top three institutions with the most productive articles were Erasmus Mc, Carolinas Med Ctr, and Univ Utah, while the top three countries were the United States, Netherlands and Germany. The most frequent keyword was "incisional hernia" with 55 occurrences, followed by "mesh repair", "randomized controlled trial", and "polypropylene".

CONCLUSION

The 100 most-cited papers related to IH were published predominantly by USA and European countries, with randomized controlled trial (RCT) and observational study designs, addressing topics related to risk factors, complications, mesh repair, and mesh components.

The causal association between body fat distribution and risk of abdominal wall hernia: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

PURPOSE

Obesity and a high body mass index (BMI) are considered as risk factors for abdominal wall hernia (AWH). However, anthropometric measures of body fat distribution (BFD) seem to be better indicators in the hernia field. This Mendelian randomization analysis aimed to generate more robust evidence for the impact of waist circumstance (WC), body, trunk, arm, and leg fat percentages (BFP, TFP, AFP, LFP) on AWH.

METHODS

A univariable MR design was employed and the summary statistics allowing for assessment were obtained from the genome-wide association studies (GWASs). An inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was applied as the primary analysis, and the odds ratio value was used to evaluate the causal relationship between BFD and AWH.

RESULTS

None of the MR-Egger regression intercepts deviated from null, indicating no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy (p > 0.05). The Cochran Q test showed heterogeneity between the genetic IVs for WC (p = 0.005; p = 0.005), TFP (p < 0.001; p < 0.001), AFP-L (p = 0.016; p = 0.015), LFP-R (p = 0.012; p = 0.009), and LFP-L (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Taking the IVW random-effects model as gold standard, each standard deviation increment in genetically determined WC, BFP, TFP, AFP-R, AFP-L, LFP-R, and LFP-L raised the risk of AWH by 70.9%, 70.7%, 56.5%, 69.7%, 78.3%, 87.7%, and 72.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study proves the causal relationship between AWH and BFD, attracting more attention from BMI to BFD. It provides evidence-based medical evidence that healthy figure management can prevent AWH.

Risk factors for incisional hernia after gastrointestinal surgeries in non-tumor patients

PURPOSE

Incisional hernia (IH) is a common secondary ventral hernia after abdominal incisions and there is still little reliable evidence to predict and prevent IH. This study aimed to estimate risk factors of its incidence, especially concentrating on blood results.

METHODS

96 patients received midline laparotomy for gastrointestinal benign diseases and suffered from IH were enrolled in the IH group. A control group of 192 patients were randomly selected from patients underwent midline laparotomy for gastrointestinal benign diseases without IH.

RESULTS

Patients in the IH group exhibited higher age (P < 0.001), BMI (P < 0.001), hernia history (P = 0.001) and laparotomy history (P < 0.001). Rate of coronary heart disease (P = 0.046), hypertension (P < 0.001), diabetes (P = 0.008), incisional infection (P = 0.004) and emergency surgery (P = 0.041) were also higher in the IH group. Patients with IH had lower levels of Hb (P = 0.002), TP (P = 0.013), ALB (P < 0.001), A/G (P = 0.019), PA (P < 0.001), HDL-C (P = 0.008) and ApoA1 (P = 0.005). Meanwhile, patients in the control group bore lower levels of LDH (P = 0.008), GLU (P = 0.007), BUN (P = 0.048), UA (P = 0.021), TG (P = 0.011), TG/HDL-C (P = 0.002), TC/HDL-C (P = 0.013), ApoB/ApoA1 (P = 0.001) and Lp(a) (P = 0.001). A multivariate logistic regression revealed that high BMI, laparotomy history, incisional infection, decreased PA, elevated levels of UA, Lp(a) and ApoB/ApoA1 were independent risk factors of IH.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to reveal the relationship between IH and serum biochemical levels, and give a prediction through the nomograph model. These results will help surgeons identify high-risk patients, and take measures to prevent IH during the perioperative period.

[The efficacy of chemotherapy re-challenge in third-line setting for metastatic colorectal cancer patients: a real-world study]

Objective: To explore the efficacy of chemotherapy re-challenge in the third-line setting for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in the real world. Methods: The clinicopathological data, treatment information, recent treatment efficacy, adverse events and survival data of mCRC patients who had disease progression after treatment with oxaliplatin-based and/or irinotecan-based chemotherapy and received third-line chemotherapy re-challenge from January 2013 to December 2020 at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital were retrospectively collected. Survival curves were plotted with the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the prognostic factors. Results: A total of 95 mCRC patients were included. Among them, 32 patients (33.7%) received chemotherapy alone and 63 patients (66.3%) received chemotherapy combined with targeted drugs. Eighty-three patients were treated with dual-drug chemotherapy (87.4%), including oxaliplatin re-challenge in 35 patients and irinotecan re-challenge in 48 patients. The remaining 12 patients were treated with triplet chemotherapy regimens (12.6%). Among them, as 5 patients had sequential application of oxaliplatin and irinotecan in front-line treatments, their third-line therapy re-challenged both oxaliplatin and irinotecan; 7 patients only had oxaliplatin prescription before, and these patients re-challenged oxaliplatin in the third-line treatment. The overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) reached 8.6% (8/93) and 61.3% (57/93), respectively. The median progression free survival (mPFS) and median overall survival (mOS) were 4.9 months and 13.0 months, respectively. The most common adverse events were leukopenia (34.7%) and neutropenia (34.7%), followed by gastrointestinal adverse reactions such as nausea (32.6%) and vomiting (31.6%). Grade 3-4 adverse events were mostly hematological toxicity. Cox multivariate analysis showed that gender (HR=1.609, 95% CI: 1.016-2.548) and the PFS of front-line treatments (HR=0.598, 95% CI: 0.378-0.947) were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: The results suggested that it is safe and effective for mCRC patients to choose third-line chemotherapy re-challenge, especially for patients with a PFS of more than one year in front-line treatments.

Dark-Channel Soft-Constrained and Object-Perception-Enhanced Deep Dehazing Networks Used for Road Inspection Images

Haze seriously affects the visual quality of road inspection images and contaminates the discrimination of key road objects, which thus hinders the execution of road inspection work. The basic assumptions of the classical dark-channel prior are not suitable for road images containing light-colored lane lines and vehicles, while typical deep dehazing networks lack physical model interpretability, and they focus on global dehazing effects, neglecting the preservation of object features. For this reason, this paper proposes a Dark-Channel Soft-Constrained and Object-Perception-Enhanced Deep Dehazing Network (DCSC-OPE-Net) for the information recovery of road inspection images. The network is divided into two modules: a dark-channel soft-constrained dehazing module and a near-view object-perception-enhanced module. Unlike the traditional dark-channel algorithms that impose strong constraints on dark pixels, a dark-channel soft-constrained loss function is constructed to ensure that the features of light-colored vehicles and lane lines are effectively maintained. To avoid resolution loss due to patch-based dark-channel processing for image dehazing, a resolution enhancement module is used to strengthen the contrast of the dehazed image. To autonomously perceive and enhance key road features to support road inspection, edge enhancement loss combined with a transmission map is embedded into the network to autonomously discover near-view objects and enhance their key features. The experiments utilize public datasets and real road inspection datasets to validate the performance of the proposed DCSC-OPE-Net compared with typical networks using dehazing evaluation metrics and road object recognition metrics. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed DCSC-OPE-Net can obtain the best dehazing performance, with an NIQE score of 4.5 and a BRISQUE score of 18.67, and obtain the best road object recognition results (i.e., 83.67%) among the comparison methods.

Warming and Wetting will continue over the Tibetan Plateau in the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways

We have used bias-corrected data from CMIP6 models to drive a regional climate model and project climate on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in the 21st century. Changes in two background fields, namely, 2-meter air temperature and total precipitation, were analyzed. The results show that the WRF simulations capture the terrain effect that cannot be represented in low-resolution models. The simulation of temperature is better in summer than in winter, while the simulated precipitation is the opposite. By the end of the 21st century, the entire TP region experiences significant warming, with an average warming of 3°C and 7°C in the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios, respectively. The western region shows a greater warming amplitude, with a maximum of more than 10°C in the SSP585 scenario. Most regions of the TP had significant increases in precipitation by the end of the 21st century, with precipitation increasing by 90 mm and 200 mm in the two scenarios, respectively. However, in the low-altitude areas of southeastern TP, total winter precipitation is significantly reduced in the SSP585 scenario. The strengthening of the East Asian summer monsoon and westerly disturbances collectively leads to a significant increase in precipitation within the TP region. By the end of the 21st century, the average annual precipitation in the TP is projected to reach approximately 600 millimeters.

Parents of preschoolers use multiple strategies to feed their children: Findings from an observational video pilot study

The current study leveraged observational data collection methods to fill gaps in our understanding of parent approach to feeding as well as child responses to various parental approaches. Specifically, the study aimed to: 1) characterize the broad range of food parenting practices used by parents of preschoolers during shared mealtimes at home, including differences by child gender, and 2) describe child responses to specific parent feeding practices. Forty parent-child dyads participated by recording two in-home shared meals. Meals were coded using a behavioral coding scheme that coded the occurrence of 11 distinct food parenting practices (e.g. indirect and direct commands, praise, bribes) and eight child responses (e.g., eat, refuse, cry/whine) to food parenting practices. Results revealed that parents engaged in a broad range of food parenting practices at meals. On average, parents in our sample used 10.51 (SD 7.83; Range 0-30) total food parenting practices per mealtime with a mean use of 3.38 (SD 1.67; Range 0-8) unique food parenting practices per mealtime. Use of indirect and direct commands to eat were most common; direct and indirect commands were used by 97.5% (n = 39) and 87.5% (n = 35) of parents at meals, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed by child gender. No one specific feeding practice consistently yielded compliance or refusal to eat from the child, instead child responses were often mixed (e.g., compliance followed by refusal and/or refusal followed by compliance). However, use of praise to prompt eating was the practice that most often resulted in child compliance; 80.8% of children complied following parent's use of praise as a prompt to eat. Findings deepen our understanding of the types and frequency of food parenting practices used by parents of preschoolers during meals eaten at home and illuminate child responses to specific food parenting practices.

Measurement of Direct-Photon Cross Section and Double-Helicity Asymmetry at sqrt[s]=510 GeV in p[over →]+p[over →] Collisions

We present measurements of the cross section and double-helicity asymmetry A_{LL} of direct-photon production in p[over →]+p[over →] collisions at sqrt[s]=510  GeV. The measurements have been performed at midrapidity (|η|<0.25) with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. At relativistic energies, direct photons are dominantly produced from the initial quark-gluon hard scattering and do not interact via the strong force at leading order. Therefore, at sqrt[s]=510  GeV, where leading-order-effects dominate, these measurements provide clean and direct access to the gluon helicity in the polarized proton in the gluon-momentum-fraction range 0.02<x<0.08, with direct sensitivity to the sign of the gluon contribution.

[Clinical efficacy and safety analysis of 125I seed implantation in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer]

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ¹²⁵I seed implantation in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer. Methods: Clinical data of 36 patients who underwent CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation for mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer from August 2013 to April 2020 in three hospitals of the Northern radioactive particle implantation treatment collaboration group were retrospectively collected, including 24 males and 12 females, aged 46 to 84 years. Cox regression model was used to analyze the relationship between local control rate, survival rate and tumor stage, pathological type, postoperative D90, postoperative D100 and other variables, and to analyze the occurrence of complications. Results: The objective response rate of CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer was 75% (27/36), the median control time was 12 months, the 1-year local control rate was 47.2% (17/36), and the median survival time was 17 months. The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 61.1% (22/36) and 22.2% (8/36) respectively. Univariate analysis showed that in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis with CT-guided ¹²⁵I implantation, factors related to local control included tumor stage (HR=5.246, 95%CI: 2.243-12.268, P<0.001), postoperative D90 (HR=0.191, 95%CI: 0.085-0.431, P<0.001), postoperative D100 (HR=0.240, 95%CI: 0.108-0.533, P<0.001); The factors affecting survival were tumor stage (HR=2.712, 95%CI: 1.356-5.425, P=0.005), postoperative D90 (HR=0.110, 95%CI: 0.041-0.294, P<0.001), postoperative D100 (HR=0.212, 95%CI: 0.092-0.489, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor stage (HR=5.305, 95%CI: 2.187-12.872, P<0.001) and postoperative D100 (HR=0.237, 95%CI: 0.099-0.568, P<0.001) were correlated with local control rate. Tumor stage (HR=2.347, 95%CI: 1.095-5.032, P=0.028) and postoperative D90 (HR=0.144, 95%CI: 0.051-0.410, P<0.001) were correlated with survival. In terms of complications, 9 of the 36 patients had pneumothorax, and 1 of them was cured by closed thoracic drainage for severe pneumothorax; 5 cases developed pulmonary hemorrhage and 5 cases developed hemoptysis, which recovered after hemostasis treatment. One case developed pulmonary infection and recovered after anti-inflammatory treatment. No radiation esophagitis and radiation pneumonia occurred; No grade 3 or higher complications occurred. Conclusion: ¹²⁵I seed implantation in the treatment of lung cancer mediastinal lymph node metastasis has a high local control rate and controllable adverse effects.

[Validation of calculation method for dose distribution around radioactive iodine-125 particles based on AAPM TG43 report]

Objective: According to the formula provided by the TG43 report [AAPM TG43 (2004)] proposed by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) in 2004, we calculated the dose distribution around the radioactive iodine-125 particles, and verified the calculation accuracy of the radioactive iodine-125 particles treatment planning system. Methods: AAPM TG43 (2004) report provides two calculation methods when calculating the dose around a single radioactive source. The calculation method that does not consider the geometric structure of the radioactive source is called point source calculation method, and the calculation method that considers the geometric structure of the radioactive source is called line source calculation method. Assuming a single Amersham 6711 radioactive iodine-125 particle with an activity of 100 U, the following point doses were calculated according to the two calculation methods provided by AAPM TG43 (2004) report, at 0°, 90° directions, distances 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6 cm; In the direction of 45°, the doses at 0.71, 1.41, 2.12, 2.83, 3.54, 4.24, 4.95, 5.66, 6.36, 7.07, 7.78 and 8.49 cm. On the clinically used brachytherapy planning system variseeds 8.0, the above two calculation methods are used to calculate the corresponding activity and the dose around the corresponding type of radioactive iodine-125 particles, and the function of capturing points to templates built in the planning system is used to accurately find the above corresponding point position, using a single measurement of the above corresponding point dose; and comparation of the results were performed to see if there is a statistical difference. Results: The AAPM TG43 report uses point source calculation method to calculate the dose of single Amersham 6711 radioactive iodine-125 particles with activity of 100 U at 0° and 90° directions. The points with the same distance and the same dose are 8 082.18, 1 870.08, 756.58, 381.47, 217.11, 131.91, 86.55, 58.32, 39.97, 27.42, 19.74, 14.13 Gy, respectively, at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6 cm away from them. In the 45° direction, the doses at the distances of 0.71, 1.41, 2.12, 2.83, 3.54, 4.24, 4.95, 5.66, 6.36, 7.07, 7.78 and 8.49 cm are 3 957.37, 865.83, 329.99, 155.69, 84.10, 48.50, 28.49, 17.80, 11.37, 7.38, 4.98 and 3.39 Gy, respectively; For line source calculation method, radioactive particles are at the same distance as above. The doses at each point in the direction of 0° are 3 128.71, 755.44, 330.30, 180.53, 107.74, 68.56, 46.40, 32.22, 22.70, 16.00, 11.51, 8.24 Gy, respectively. The doses at each point in the direction of 90° are 8 306.46, 1 981.01, 802.74, 405.38, 230.60, 140.03, 91.83, 61.84, 42.36, 29.05, 20.91, 14.97 Gy; In the 45° direction, the dose at the corresponding distance as above is 4 020.78, 877.43, 333.49, 156.93, 84.69, 48.81, 28.65, 17.89, 11.42, 7.41, 4.99 and 3.40 Gy, respectively. The maximum dose difference (0.3%) between the two methods is 7.78 cm in the 45° direction, the maximum difference (-0.3%) between the two methods is 8.49 cm in the 45° direction, and the value of other sampling points is less than 0.3%. The closer the Amersham 6711 iodine-125 particles are to the source in the directions of 0°, 45°, and 90°, the faster the dose will drop, and the dose will drop gradually as the distance increases. Conclusion: The brachytherapy planning system variseeds 8.0 and the AAPM TG43 report calculate a maximum dose difference of 0.3%, which can accurately calculate the dose distribution around radioactive iodine-125 seeds, and provide a reliable tool for the clinical implementation of radioactive iodine-125 particles implantation for tumor treatment.

AB0228 THE CONNECTION BETWEEN NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND DISEASE ACTIVITY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background

Nutritional status is closely associated with a person’s physical condition. As for patients with autoimmune disease, nutritional status may affect the balance of immune system, which successively affects disease activity.

Objectives

The prognostic nutritional index (PNI), nutritional risk index (NRI), controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and body mass index (BMI) are four widely used nutritional indices [1]. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nutritional status and disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

168 RA patients and 50 healthy volunteers were retrospectively enrolled. According to the disease activity score using 28 joint counts-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), the cohort of RA patients was divided into the lower disease activity groups (DAS28-ESR≤3.2) and the higher disease activity groups (DAS28-ESR>3.2). We recorded clinical assessment and laboratory data for further analysis. Spearman’s correlation, receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves, binary logistic regression analysis were carried out.

Results

Compared to the higher disease activity group, the lower disease activity group had low-level total protein (TP), ESR and CRP (all P<0.05), while high-level albumin and PNI (all P<0.05). PNI and NRI were negatively correlated with DAS28-ESR (r=-0.395, and r=-0.200, all P<0.05), while CONUT score was positively correlated with DAS28-ESR (r=0.324, P<0.05). ROC curve illustrated that area under the curve (AUC) of PNI for RA patients with higher disease activity was superior to NRI, CONUT score and BMI. The AUC of PNI was 0.693.

Figure 1.

The diagnostic value of variables for disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis using ROC curve

Table 1.

The correlation between nutritional indices and disease activity score using 28 joint counts-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR)

PNINRICONUT scoreBMIrP valuerP valuerP valuerP valueNeutrophil(×109/L)-0.0610.4340.0450.5680.0250.7570.0790.313Monocyte(×109/L)0.1830.1630.1450.064-0.1040.1930.1520.052Lymphocyte(×109/L)0.4720.0000.2010.010-0.4360.0000.2080.007ESR (mm/h)-0.5610.000-0.2580.0010.3930.000-0.1820.020CRP (mg/L)-0.5200.000-0.0770.3260.3910.0000.0030.967RF(IU/ml)-0.2240.004-0.1160.1510.2600.001-0.0820.306CCP(IU/ml)-0.1390.088-0.2010.0140.1950.018-0.1880.022DAS28-ESR-0.3950.000-0.2000.0110.3240.000-0.1420.072

Conclusion

PNI may become a manageable marker for detector disease activity of RA patients.

References

[1]Ahn, S.S., et al., Comparison of the Clinical Implications among Five Different Nutritional Indices in Patients with Lupus Nephritis. Nutrients, 2019. 11(7).

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0799 BIOMARKER CHANGES IN TAKAYASU ARTERITIS AFTER TOFACITINIB TREATMENT AND THE MOLECULAR SIGNATURE ASSOCIATED WITH DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS

Background

Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) is a chronic, non-specific, granulomatous macrovasculitis and its pathogenesis is still unclear. The increasing evidence indicated that multiple pathological process involved in the development of TAK. According to previous reports, multiple biomarkers representative different pathological process (1-3), However, which biomarker can closely reflect disease activity or vascular changes and whether these abnormal processes can be prevented by current therapies remained unknown.

Objectives

To analyze changes of serum cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor profiles in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK) after tofacitinib treatment and explore potential molecular signatures related with various disease characteristics

Methods

Seventeen patients from a TAK cohort treated with tofacitinib and 12 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Potential biomarkers with TAK including cytokines, MMPs, chemokines and growth factors were detected in these patients (0, 6, 12 months) and healthy controls. Molecular changes, disease activity, disease remission, and vascular imaging changes were analyzed in these patients after treatment. Furthermore, molecule signatures associated with these clinical features/outcomes were explored via radar plot and correlation analysis.

Results

At baseline, all the patients were in active status. Meanwhile, patients’ cytokines (PTX3, IL-6, IFN-γ), chemokines (IL-16, CCL22, CCL2), growth factor (VEGF) and MMP9 were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (all p<0.05), while FGF-2 was significantly lower in patients with TAK (p=0.02). After treatment, 94.12% of patients achieved complete remission at 6 and 12 months; patients’ ESR and CRP levels were significantly reduced at 6 months (p=0.02, p=0.046 respectively); vascular improvement were observed in 6 (35.29%) patients at 12 months. With regards to these molecules, IL-10 was increased at 6 months compared with its baseline level (p=0.007). No changes were observed in other cytokines, chemokines, or growth factors. Besides, the radar plot demonstrated that PTX3 was closely correlated with disease activity. In addition, patients with vascular imaging improvement had relatively higher baseline levels of TNFα, ESR, and CRP (p=0.04, p=0.056, p=0.07, respectively), lower CCL22, FGF, and PDGF-AB levels (p=0.056, p=0.06 and p=0.08 respectively) compared with patients without it.

Conclusion

Multiple molecules representative different pathological mechanism participated in the pathogenesis of TAK. PTX3 was a prominent marker for disease activity, and CCL22 may have a predictive value for vascular imaging changes.

References

[1]Dagna L, Salvo F, Tiraboschi M, et al. Pentraxin-3 as a marker of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis. Ann Intern Med. 2011;155(7):425-433. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-155-7-201110040-00005

[2]Sun Y, Kong X, Wu S, et al. YKL-40 as a new biomarker of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis. Int J Cardiol. 2019; 293: 231-237

[3]Dong H, Zhang Y, Zou Y, et al. Elevated chemokines concentration is associated with disease activity in Takayasu arteritis. Cytokine. 2021; 143: 155515

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0491 A COMPREHENSIVE PROFILE OF CHEMOKINES IN THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD AND VASCULAR TISSUE OF PATIENTS WITH TAKAYASU ARTERITIS

Background

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a chronic granulomatous large vessel vasculitis with multiple immune cells involved [1]. In TAK, vascular lesions originate from the vascular adventitia. The vascular adventitia is rich in vasa vasorum, which can transport peripheral immune cells to active vascular lesions in the early stage of lesion development [2]. Thus, chemokines played critical roles in the pathogenesis of TAK. It has been reported that the levels of RANTES, CCL2, CCL20, CXCL8, and CXCL10 were elevated in TAK, and their levels were correlated with disease activity [3, 4]. However, the profile of chemokines in TAK has not been clearly elucidated.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate chemokine profile in peripheral blood and vascular tissue of patients with TAK.

Methods

A total of 58 patients with TAK and 53 healthy controls were enrolled. Chemokine array assay was performed in five patients with TAK and three controls. Chemokines with higher levels were preliminarily validated in 20 patients and controls. The validated chemokines were further confirmed in another group of samples with 25 patients and 25 controls. Their expression and distribution were also examined in vascular tissue from 8 patients and 5 controls. Correlations between these chemokines and peripheral immune cells, cytokines, disease activity parameters were analyzed. Their serum changes were also investigated in these 45 patients after glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive treatment.

Results

Patients and controls were age and sex-matched. Twelve higher chemokines and 4 lower chemokines were found based on the chemokine array. After validation, increase of 5 chemokines were confirmed in patients with TAK, including CCL22, RANTES, CXCL16, CXCL11, and IL-16. Their expressions were also increased in vascular tissue of patients with TAK. In addition, levels of RANTES and IL-16 were positively correlated with peripheral CD3+CD4+ T cell numbers. Close localization of CCL22, CXCL11 or IL-16 with inflammatory cells were also observed in TAK vascular tissue. No correlations were found between these chemokines and cytokines (IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ) or inflammatory parameters (ESR, CRP). No differences were observed regarding with these chemokines between active and inactive patients. After treatment, increase of CCL22 and decrease of RANTES, CXCL16 were found, while no changes were showed in levels of CXCL11 and IL-16.

Conclusion

CCL22, RANTES, CXCL16, CXCL11, and IL-16 were identified as the major chemokines involved in the recruitment of immune cells in the vascular tissue of patients with TAK. Additionally, the persistently high levels of CCL22, CXCL11, and IL-16 observed after treatment indicate their role in vascular chronic inflammation or fibrosis and demonstrate the need for developing more efficacious treatment options.

References

[1]Seyahi E. Takayasu arteritis: an update. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2017 Jan;29(1):51-56.

[2]Corbera-Bellalta M, Planas-Rigol E, Lozano E, Terrades-García N, Alba MA, Prieto-González S, García-Martínez A, Albero R, Enjuanes A, Espígol-Frigolé G, Hernández-Rodríguez J, Roux-Lombard P, Ferlin WG, Dayer JM, Kosco-Vilbois MH, Cid MC. Blocking interferon γ reduces expression of chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 and decreases macrophage infiltration in ex vivo cultured arteries from patients with giant cell arteritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016 Jun;75(6):1177-86.

[3]Noris M, Daina E, Gamba S, Bonazzola S, Remuzzi G. Interleukin-6 and RANTES in Takayasu arteritis: a guide for therapeutic decisions? Circulation. 1999 Jul 6;100(1):55-60.

[4]Dong H, Zhang Y, Zou Y, Chen Y, Yue J, Liu H, Jiang X. Elevated chemokines concentration is associated with disease activity in Takayasu arteritis. Cytokine. 2021 Jul;143:155515.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared.

A descriptive assessment of a broad range of food-related parenting practices in a diverse cohort of parents of preschoolers using the novel Real-Time Parent Feeding Practices Survey

Background

Much of the research to-date on food parenting has evaluated typical use of various parent feeding practices via questionnaire. The Real-Time Parent Feeding Practices Measurement survey was developed for use within an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) protocol to capture momentary use of parent feeding practices in real-time.

Methods

This manuscript describes the development of the EMA-based Real-Time Parent Feeding Practices survey and highlights initial descriptive data on the real-time use of 22 individual parent feeding practices (e.g., pressure-to-eat, guided choices, etc.) as reported via EMA by parents of preschool-aged children (n = 116) over a 10-day data collection time period. A total of 3382 eating occasions were reported, with an average of 29.2 reported eating occasions per participant.

Results

Results revealed that most participants used a variety of food-related parenting practices day-to-day that span four higher-order domains: structure, autonomy support, coercive control and indulgence. Supportive feeding practices, defined as those from the structure and autonomy support domains, were reported most frequently, with one or more structure behavior (e.g., specific mealtime rules/routines) was used at 88.9% of reported eating occasions and one or more autonomy support behavior (e.g., involvement of the child in meal preparation) was used at 87.3% of eating occasions. While unsupportive feeding practices, defined as practices from within the coercive control (e.g., pressure-to-eat) and indulgent (e.g., anticipatory catering) feeding domains, were reported less frequently, one or more behaviors from each of these domains were still reported at over 25% of all eating occasions.

Conclusions

Results of the current study take a next step towards deepening our understanding of the use of a broad range of food-related parenting practices in real-time. Findings revealed that the vast majority of practices used by parents fall within the structure and autonomy support domains. However, most parents did not exclusively use supportive or unsupportive practices, rather they used a combination of food-related parenting practices across all domains. Future research should continue to explore a broad range of food-related parenting practices and seek to understand how parent approaches to feeding are associated with long-term child outcomes, including dietary intake, food preferences, and eating patterns.

Complete Genomic Data of Pantoea ananatis Strain TZ39 Associated with New Bacterial Blight of Rice in China

Pantoea ananatis is a phytopathogen infecting many economically important crops, including rice worldwide. Here, we report the complete genome of P. ananatis strain TZ39 identified as causative agent of a new bacterial blight of rice that emerged in China in 2020. The assembled genome consists of one circular chromosome of 4,483,976 bp and two plasmids of 135,135 and 276,579 bp. This complete genome of the first Chinese pathogenic P. ananatis strain will provide new insights into the traits of pathogenicity on genomic level from China and worldwide.

Probing Gluon Spin-Momentum Correlations in Transversely Polarized Protons through Midrapidity Isolated Direct Photons in p^{↑}+p Collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV

Studying spin-momentum correlations in hadronic collisions offers a glimpse into a three-dimensional picture of proton structure. The transverse single-spin asymmetry for midrapidity isolated direct photons in p^{↑}+p collisions at sqrt[s]=200  GeV is measured with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Because direct photons in particular are produced from the hard scattering and do not interact via the strong force, this measurement is a clean probe of initial-state spin-momentum correlations inside the proton and is in particular sensitive to gluon interference effects within the proton. This is the first time direct photons have been used as a probe of spin-momentum correlations at RHIC. The uncertainties on the results are a 50-fold improvement with respect to those of the one prior measurement for the same observable, from the Fermilab E704 experiment. These results constrain gluon spin-momentum correlations in transversely polarized protons.

Optical coherence tomography-defined vulnerable plaque characteristics in relation to functional severity of coronary stenoses stratified by quantitative flow ratio

Background

The functional severity and morphological features of epicardial lesions are both related to plaque vulnerability and adverse coronary events. However, their relationship remains controversial, especially in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).

Purpose

This study aimed to examine whether quantitative flow ratio (QFR), an angiography-based computation of fractional flow reserve, was associated with optical coherence tomography (OCT)-defined vulnerable plaques such as thin-cap fibroatheromas (TCFAs) in a board spectrum of population, including patients presenting stable angina and NSTE-ACS.

Methods

We identified patients who underwent OCT examinations from 2 prospective cohorts and then assessed interrogated vessels with QFR. Lesions were divided into tertiles: QFR-T1 (QFR &lt;0.85)&lt;qfr),&gt;, QFR-T2 (0.85 to 0.93) and QFR-T3 (QFR &gt;0.93).

Results

This post-hoc analysis included 83 lesions from 79 patients (mean age: 61.5±9.8 years, males: 58%). Patients with NSTE-ACS accounted for the majority of the population (67%). The median % diameter stenosis and median QFR value were 42% (36 to 49%) and 0.88 (0.83 to 0.95), respectively. The prevalence of OCT-TCFA was significantly higher in QFR-T1 (50%) than in QFR-T2 (14%) and QFR-T3 (19%) (p=0.003 and 0.018, respectively). Overall significant differences were observed among tertiles in maximum lipid arc, thinnest fibrous cap thickness (FCT), and minimal lumen area (MLA) (p=0.017, 0.040, and &lt;0.001, respectively). The Spearman's correlation analysis showed that QFR was significantly related to MLA (ρ = 0.537, p&lt;0.001), % area stenosis (ρ = –0.512, p&lt;0.001), maximum lipid arc (ρ = –0.360, p=0.002), lipid length (ρ = –0.242, p=0.038), lipid index (ρ = –0.333, p=0.004), and thinnest FCT (ρ = 0.315, p=0.006). In the multivariable analysis, QFR ≤0.80 remained as a significant determinant of TCFAs regardless of the presence of NSTE-ACS and the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (adjusted odds ratio = 4.387, 95% confidence interval: 1.297 to 14.839, p=0.017). In addition, QFR demonstrated moderate predictive ability for OCT-TCFA (area under the curve = 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.58 to 0.86, p=0.003) with the best cutoff of ≤0.86 (sensitivity: 65%; specificity: 73%; negative predictive value: 85%; accuracy: 71%).

Conclusions

Lower QFR was related to OCT-TCFA and other vulnerable plaque characteristics in angiographically mild-to-intermediate stable lesions and culprit lesions from NSTE-ACS. The QFR might be a useful tool for ruling out high-risk, rupture-prone plaques without using any pressure wires or vasodilators.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Program Flow diagram of patient selectionOCT findings according to QFR tertiles

AB0050 A NOVEL METHOD FOR ISOLATION OF EXOSOMES FROM SYNOVIAL FLUID

Background:

Exosomes in synovial fluid (SF) has a close relationship with the pathogenesis of rheumatiod arthritis. As a complex biological fluid, SF presents challenges for exosomes isolation using standard methods, such as ExoquickTM kit and ultracentrifugation.

Objectives:

The study aims to compared the quality of exosomes separated by ExoquickTM kit (TM), ExoquickTM kit+ExoquickTC kit (TM-TC), ultracentrifugation (UC) and TM-TC+UC(TM-TC-UC) from SF.

Methods:

Exosomes was separated by TM, TM-TC, UC and TM-TC-UC respectively. The size and concentrations of exosomes were detected by high sensitivity flow cytometry for nanoparticle analysis. Total protein and RNA were extracted from exosomes. SDS-PAGE was used to detect the protein distribution of exosomes. Western blot was used to examine the level of albumin and exosomes marker (TSG101 and CD81).

Results:

There was no statistic difference in the diameters of exosomes separated by the four methods. The concentrations of exosomes in TM, TM-TC, TM-TC-UC and UC were (5.65±0.93), (3.02±1.19), (1.67±0.25) and (4.61±0.73) *109Particles/mL. The protein concentrations of exosomes separated by the four methods were consistent with the concentrations of exosomes. SDS-PAGE showed that the protein distribution of exosomes separated by the four methods were different. Low levels of albumin were detected in TM-TC and TM-TC-UC, while high levels of albumin in TM and UC. Total RNA concentrations from exosomes in TM-TC was higher than other groups.

Conclusion:

TM-TC can be used to obtain higher quality exosomes from SF for the study of exosome-enriched components.

References:

[1]Helwa I, et al, A Comparative Study of Serum Exosome Isolation Using Differential Ultracentrifugation and Three Commercial Reagents. PloS one, 2017. 12(1): p. e0170628-e0170628.

Figure 1.

A: SDS-PAGE showed the protein distribution of exosomes; B: the detection of albumin, TSG101 and CD81 by western blot.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0817 A NOVEL MODEL TO ASSESS DISEASE ACTIVITY IN TAKAYASU ARTERITIS BASED ON 18F-FDG-PET/CT: A CHINESE COHORT STUDY

Background:

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a condition characterized by major large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), and is most commonly found in young women (age <40 years) of East Asia countries. 18F-FDG-PET/CT has been widely used in the diagnosis and follow-up of cancers to gather functional information based on metabolic activity. In the present study, we evaluated the value of different parameters in 18F-FDG-PET/CT for assessing active TA disease, and we establish a simple, quantifiable, and effective disease activity evaluation model based on 18F-FDG-PET/CT. A comparison in the ability to identify active disease was performed between the established Kerr score and the new 18F-FDG-PET/CT was also performed.

Objectives:

To investigate the utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) in assessing disease activity in TA.

Methods:

Ninety-one patients with TA, were recruited from a Chinese cohort from October 2017 to January 2019. Clinical data, acute-phase reactants (APRs), and 18F-FDG-PET/CT findings were simultaneously recorded. The Physician Global Assessment was used as the gold standard to assess TA disease activity. The value of using 18F-FDG-PET/CT to identify active disease was evaluated, using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as a reference. Disease activity assessment models were constructed and concordance index (C-index), net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination index (IDI) were evaluated to compare the benefits of the new modes with ESR and Kerr score.

Results:

In total, 64 (70.3%) cases showed active disease. Higher levels of ESR and CRP, and lower interleukin (IL)-2R levels, were observed in active cases. 18F-FDG-PET/CT parameters, including SUVmean, SUVratio1, SUVratio2, sum of SUVmean, and sum of SUVmax, were significantly higher in active disease groups. The C index threshold of ESR to indicate active disease was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69-0.88). The new activity assessment model combining ESR, sum of SUVmean, and IL-2R showed significant improvement in C index over the ESR method (0.96 vs. 0.78, P < 0.01; NRI 1.63, P < 0.01; and IDI 0.48, P < 0.01). The new model also demonstrated modest superiority to Kerr score assessment (0.96 vs. 0.87, P = 0.03; NRI 1.19, P < 0.01; and IDI 0.33 P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

A novel 18F-FDG-PET/CT-based method that involves combining the sum of SUVmean with ESR score and IL-2R levels demonstrated superiority in identifying active TA compared to conventional methods.

References:

[1]Kerr GS, Hallahan CW, Giordano J, Leavitt RY, Fauci AS, Rottem M, et al. Takayasu arteritis. Ann Intern Med 1994;120:919-29.

[2]Hoffman GS, Ahmed AE. Surrogate markers of disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis. A preliminary report from The International Network for the Study of the Systemic Vasculitides (INSSYS). Int J Cardiol 1998;66 Suppl 1:S191-4; discussion S195.

[3]Misra R, Danda D, Rajappa SM, Ghosh A, Gupta R, Mahendranath KM, et al. Development and initial validation of the Indian Takayasu Clinical Activity Score (ITAS2010). Rheumatology (Oxford) 2013;52:1795-801.

[4]Bardi M, Diamantopoulos AP. EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging in large vessel vasculitis in clinical practice summary. Radiol Med 2019;124:965-972.

[5]Spick C, Herrmann K, Czernin J. 18F-FDG PET/CT and PET/MRI Perform Equally Well in Cancer: Evidence from Studies on More Than 2,300 Patients. J Nucl Med 2016;57:420-30.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0187 THE PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN PREDICTING RELAPSE FOR IGG4-RELATED DISEASE: A LONG-TERM STUDY BASED ON THE CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PATIENTS

Background:

The relationship between the pathological findings and disease relapse has not been well established.

Objectives:

We aim to investigate the clinical and pathological manifestations in relation with disease relapse in IgG4-RD, as well as identify prognostic factors in predicting relapsed disease.

Methods:

This study enrolled 71 patients newly diagnosed with IgG4-RD between Jan 2011 and April 2020, all of whom had received pathological examinations. Their pathological manifestations and clinical data were collected. Multivariate Cox regression and AUC (area under curve) were used to identify predictors for relapsed disease and assess the predictive value of these predictors, respectively.

Results:

During a follow-up period of 26 (range, 6-123) months, 4.2% (3/71) patients died. The remaining 68 patients were all treated with glucocorticoids with or without immunosuppressor continuously. By the end of follow-up, 47 (69.1%) patients sustained clinical remission, and 21 (30.9%) patients suffered relapsed disease with a median relapse time at 10 (6-30) months. We found that IgG4 ≥ 6.5g/L (OR 1.52-11.06), IgG ≥ 20.8g/L (OR 1.11-7.23), IgG4-RD responder index (RI) ≥ 9 (OR 1.28-11.37), and more IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration (≥ 60 / HPF in visceral organs, or ≥ 200 / HPF in head and neck organs) (OR 1.79-22.41) were all independent predictive factors for disease relapse. A prognostic score was explored for predicting recurrence in IgG4-RD, including three predictive factors (IgG ≥ 20.8g/L, IgG4-RD RI ≥9, and more IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration). The three-year relapse rate for the patients with no, one, two, and three risk factors were 0%, 27.3%, 66.7%, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Patients’ earlier IgG4 ≥ 6.5g/L, IgG ≥ 20.8g/L, IgG4-RD RI ≥9, and more IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration independently predicted disease relapse. We explored a prognostic score for predicting recurrence in IgG4-RD include three predictive factors (IgG ≥ 20.8g/L, IgG4-RD RI ≥9, and more IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration), which might be used to evaluate the risk of recurrence in IgG4-RD.

References:

[1]DESHPANDE V, ZEN Y, CHAN J K, et al. Consensus statement on the pathology of IgG4-related disease[J]. Mod Pathol,2012,25(9): 1181-1192.

[2]JENNETTE J C, FALK R J, BACON P A, et al. 2012 revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides[J]. Arthritis Rheum,2013,65(1): 1-11.

[3]OKAZAKI K, UMEHARA H. Are Classification Criteria for IgG4-RD Now Possible? The Concept of IgG4-Related Disease and Proposal of Comprehensive Diagnostic Criteria in Japan[J]. Int J Rheumatol,2012,2012: 357071.

[4]SHIMOSEGAWA T, CHARI S T, FRULLONI L, et al. International consensus diagnostic criteria for autoimmune pancreatitis: guidelines of the International Association of Pancreatology[J]. Pancreas,2011,40(3): 352-358.

[5]OHARA H, OKAZAKI K, TSUBOUCHI H, et al. Clinical diagnostic criteria of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis 2012[J]. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci,2012,19(5): 536-542.

[6]KAWANO M, SAEKI T, NAKASHIMA H, et al. Proposal for diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related kidney disease[J]. Clin Exp Nephrol,2011,15(5): 615-626.

[7]GOTO H, TAKAHIRA M, AZUMI A. Diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related ophthalmic disease[J]. Jpn J Ophthalmol,2015,59(1): 1-7.

[8]MATSUI S, YAMAMOTO H, MINAMOTO S, et al. Proposed diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related respiratory disease[J]. Respir Investig,2016,54(2): 130-132.

[9]WEN ZHANG J H S. Management of IgG4-related disease[J]. Lancet Rheumatol,2019,1: e55-e65.

[10]EBBO M, DANIEL L, PAVIC M, et al. IgG4-related systemic disease: features and treatment response in a French cohort: results of a multicenter registry[J]. Medicine (Baltimore),2012,91(1): 49-56.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Temperature Induced Dimensional Tuning and Anomalous Deformation of Micro/Nanopores

Artificial nanopores have become a common toolbox in nanotechnologies, with dimension and geometry as predominant factors. Most fabrication technologies determine the pore size beforehand, but few exist that enable size-tuning post-manufacturing. In this work, we reported a type of ion track etched micro/nanopores on uniaxially drawn PET foils that enable irreversible thermal shrinkage, thus tuning the pore dimensions by increasing ambient temperatures. Importantly, we found a complex pore deformation process, which for a specific range of pore sizes and temperatures resulted in a peculiar "eye"-shaped appearance of the pore openings. We analyzed the mechanical stresses and theoretically illustrated the complex deformation process by a phase diagram. Temperature-induced dimensional tuning nanopores reduced maximally over 98% of ionic conduction in a single nanopore and 99% of pressure-driven flow in a pore-array membrane within few seconds at 90 °C, which is useful for temperature-modulated mass transport in nanotechnology and energy applications.

Contribution of South Asian biomass burning to black carbon over the Tibetan Plateau and its climatic impact

This study used a regional climate-chemistry transport model, WRF-Chem v3.9.1, to evaluate the impact of South Asian biomass burning on black carbon (BC) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and its climatic effects for an entire year. The simulation, which was validated by comparing surface meteorological parameters and BC concentration against in-situ observations over South Asia and the TP, provided a perspective on the seasonal variations and regional spatial patterns of BC concentration. Using a sensitivity simulation where BC emissions from biomass burning were removed from South Asia, this study found South Asian biomass burning emissions contributed up to 90% of BC mass over the TP during the pre-monsoon season, specifically emissions from western India for the simulated year. The emissions led to reduced surface radiative forcing, causing the temperature to decrease accordingly. However, column cloud water was increased. This study suggested that the biomass burning emissions from South Asia have significant impact on atmospheric BC over the TP, especially during the pre-monsoon season. Therefore, reducing biomass burning emissions from South Asia is potentially important for alleviating the effects of BC on climatic and environmental conditions over the TP and surrounding regions.

Investigation of black carbon climate effects in the Arctic in winter and spring

Black carbon (BC) exerts a potential influence on climate, especially in the Arctic, where the environment is very sensitive to climate change. Therefore, the study of climate effects of BC in this region is particularly important. In this study, numerical simulations were performed using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) in the Arctic in winter and spring for two years to investigate the atmospheric BC causing changes in surface radiation, meteorology, and atmospheric stability. Generally, WRF-Chem well reproduced the temporal variations of meteorological variables and BC concentration. Numerical simulations showed that BC concentrations in the Arctic in winter were mostly higher than those in spring, and the BC-induced near-surface temperature changes were also stronger. The effects of BC on near-surface water vapor mixing ratio were consistent with the spatial pattern of near-surface temperature changes. That was probably the result of the regional circulation anomaly due to the temperature changes. Additionally, the distributions of near-surface temperature changes and horizontal wind changes also reflected in the distribution of planetary boundary layer height. Ultimately, this study revealed that the downward longwave radiation related to cloudiness changes played an important role for driving near-surface temperature in the Arctic in winter. While in spring, the relatively less changes in near-surface temperature may be the result of the mutual compensation between the surface longwave and shortwave radiation effects.

FRI0196 INVOLVEMENT OF THE PULMONARY ARTERIES IN PATIENTS WITH TAKAYASU ARTERITIS

Background:

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic, granulomatous large-vessel vasculitis. It involves the aorta and its main branches predominantly, and leads to vascular thickness, stenosis and occlusion [1]. Besides the aorta and its branches, pulmonary arteries (PAs) are involved in TA. PAs have been reported to be involved in 6.9% to 80% of TA patients from different populations [2-3].

Objectives:

We investigated the clinical characteristics, pulmonary parenchymal features and cardiac functions in TA patients with PA involvement by combining multiple imaging modalities (MRA, CTA, PET-CT, lung VQ scan, echocardiography and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)). Our aim was to elicit better understanding of TA patients with PA involvement to aid rational treatment for these patients and improve their prognosis.

Methods:

We enrolled 216 patients with TA from a large prospective cohort. PAI was assessed in each patient based on data from magnetic resonance angiography/computed tomography angiography. Pulmonary hypertension, cardiac function, and pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities were evaluated further in patients with PAI based on echocardiography, New York Heart Association Functional Classification and pulmonary computed tomography, respectively. These abnormalities related to PAI were followed up to evaluate treatment effects.

Results:

PAI was detected in 56/216 (25.93%) patients, which involved the pulmonary trunk, main PAs and small vessels in the lungs. Among patients with PAI, 28 (50%) patients were accompanied by pulmonary hypertension, which was graded as ‘severe’ in 9 (16.07%), ‘moderate’ in 10 (17.86%) and mild in 9 (16.07%). Forty (71.43%) patients had cardiac insufficiency (IV: 6, 10.71%; III: 20, 35.71%; II: 14, 25.00%). Furthermore, 21 (37.50%) patients presented with abnormal parenchymal features in the area corresponding to PAI (e.g., the mosaic sign, infarction, bronchiectasis). During follow-up, two patients died due to abrupt pulmonary thrombosis. In the remaining patients, the abnormalities mentioned above improved partially after routine treatment.

Conclusion:

PA involvement is very common in TA patients. Physicians should be alerted to PA involvement even if obvious pulmonary symptoms are absent because they can cause PH, cardiac insufficiency as well as pulmonary parenchymal lesions, which will worsen the prognosis.

References:

[1]M.L.F. Zaldivar Villon, J.A.L. de la Rocha, L.R. Espinoza. Takayasu Arteritis: Recent Developments. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2019; 21: 45.

[2]N. Matsunaga, K. Hayashi, I. Sakamoto, et al. Takayasu arteritis: protean radiologic manifestations and diagnosis. Radiographics 1997; 17: 579-594.

[3]M. Bicakcigil, K. Aksu, S. Kamali, et al. Takayasu’s arteritis in Turkey - clinical and angiographic features of 248 patients. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2009; 27: S59-64.

Figure 1.

Imaging of PA lesions in TA patientsA:Dilationof the pulmonary trunk; B: thickness of the pulmonary trunk; C: stenosis of the right main PA; D: embolism of lower PAs on both sides; E: inflammation of the pulmonary-trunk root upon PET–CT; F: absence of left PAs and stenosis of the right main PA; G–I: pulmonary MRA (G), CTA (H) and VQ scan (I) of a patient with TA. MRA shows a fine right main PA and low perfusion in the right lung (G); CTA demonstrates a fine right main PA and fewer PA branches in the right lung (H); lung VQ scan shows multiple arterial emboli in the right lung and obvious less blood supply to the right lung.

Figure 2.

Pulmonary lesions on HRCT.A: Themosaicsign in the left lung; B: Pulmonary infarction of the right middle lobe; C: Mild pleural effusion on the left side; D: Bronchiectasis in the right lung; E–F: Ground-glass opacity (E) in the right upper lobe of a TA patient with an embolism of the right upper pulmonary branches (F); G–I: Cavitation (G) and mass-like consolidation (H) in the patient with severe stenosis of right main pulmonary artery (I).

Acknowledgments:

None

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Investigating air pollutant concentrations, impact factors, and emission control strategies in western China by using a regional climate-chemistry model

In this study, in situ observations were conducted for six criteria air pollutants (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃) at 23 sites in western China for 1 year. Subsequently, the detailed Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) results for the pollutants were determined. The WRF-Chem model provided a clear perspective on the spatiotemporal distribution of air pollutants. High pollutant concentrations were mainly observed over highly populated mega-city regions, such as Sichuan and Guanzhong basins, whereas low concentration levels were observed over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). The TP also showed an increased concentration of O₃. Seasonally, all six pollutants except O₃ exhibited high concentration values during winter and low values during summer. O₃ concentrations exhibited an opposite seasonal variation in low-altitude regions. Unlike other pollutants that exhibited gradually decreasing concentrations with an increase in altitude, O₃ concentrations revealed an increasing trend. Furthermore, NO₂ concentrations gradually increased in the upper atmosphere possibly due to lighting and stratospheric transmission. Atmospheric pollution is closely related to emissions and meteorological variations in western China. Meteorological conditions in the summer are conducive to pollutant dispersion and wet scavenging; however, unfavourable weather conditions (high pressure as well as a low planetary boundary layer height and precipitation level) in the winter can further worsen air pollution. Atmospheric pollutants from various emission sectors generally exhibited varying monthly profiles. In six typical cities, pollutants were positively correlated with multiple emission sources except for industrial emissions. Further sensitivity simulations indicated that eliminating residential emissions resulted in the largest decrease (up to 70%) in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations. The most significant reductions in the concentrations of SO₂ and NO₂ were achieved by eliminating industrial and transportation emissions, respectively. The outcomes of this study could be helpful for future studies on pollution formation mechanisms as well as environmental and health risk assessments in western China.

Critical contribution of south Asian residential emissions to atmospheric black carbon over the Tibetan plateau

Black carbon (BC) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP), both in the air and deposited on the surface of snow and ice, has been shown to accelerate the retreat of mountain glaciers. Previous study indicated that South Asian anthropogenic emissions primarily contributed to atmospheric loading of BC over the TP, it is essential to further identify the major sector in South Asia and provide guidance for potential mitigation strategies. In this study, the regional atmospheric chemistry model WRF-Chem was run for an entire year. The results suggested that residential BC emissions from South Asia contributed the largest (25.8% in summer and 44.8% in winter) to BC concentrations over the TP compared to other anthropogenic emission sectors in the region. Furthermore, significant seasonal variability existed in the transport process of residential BC from South Asia to the TP. The South Asia monsoon during summer and the mountain-valley wind system during spring could transport South Asian residential BC across the Himalayas to the TP. However, the higher transportation flux along 30°N indicated that the transport was mainly influenced by westerly winds, implying that residential emissions from northern India were the critical source of BC aerosols over the TP. A further assessment of emission control strategies suggested that reducing emissions from South Asian residential sources can effectively reduce BC concentrations over the TP, which may potentially alleviate the TP's accelerating glacier melting.

Bioinspired Dual-Responsive Nanofluidic Diodes by Poly-l-lysine Modification

A smart nanofluidic device attracts attention as it enables to control the physicochemical properties and transportation phenomena, by using stimuli-responsive materials. This work reports a bioinspired modification of a conical ion track-etched polyethylene terephthalate nanopore surface by coating a layer of poly-l-lysine (PLL), which is a commonly used coating in biotechnology to achieve a dual-responsive nanofluidic channel by pH or temperature. The rectification of ionic transportation can be reversed by assembling PLL because of the change of surface bonds from the carboxyl to amine group. The PLL-modified nanopore becomes nonconductive as an "OFF" state at pH 11.5 and at a temperature of 70 °C in solution. The ionic transport in nanopores can be switched to the "ON" (conductive) state, by either decreasing pH or temperature. The transitions between "ON" and "OFF" states present excellent reversibility, which make the PLL-modified nanopores a promising smart nanofluidic device that can be used for drug delivery or biomimic ion/mass transport in future, besides the good biocompatibility and ease of use of PLL modification.

Geometry-on-demand fabrication of conductive microstructures by photoetching and application in hemostasis assessment

Photo-corrosion is a common phenomenon observed in the photocatalytic semiconductor materials, which can seriously harm the photoelectric properties and performances in the energy applications. However, in this paper, we demonstrated that the photo-corrosion effects can be used for the microfabrication of conductive structures on a photocatalytic film like zinc oxide (ZnO), named as "photoetching". Our results demonstrated that microstructures can be prepared within seconds with a precision at an order of tens of micrometers using our current devices. Different from the previous work, the etching process was achieved free of conducting layer under the ZnO film, avoiding the short-circuit of the conductive micro-patterns and enabling the use for the impedance sensing. We demonstrated the fabricated ZnO microelectrode pairs can work for the electrochemical impedance measurements like assessment of hemostasis integrated with a microfluidic chip. Compared to the noble metal microelectrodes, the ZnO conductive microelectrodes can be fabricated within seconds and the low costs make it possible as a disposable diagnostic device. Besides, the photoetching technique can be performed without a cleanroom reducing the technical barriers, possibly helpful for the low resources areas. We believe the simplicity of device, low costs and fast fabrication can be useful in the relevant fields such as biomedical and energy harvesting, especially for low resources areas.