Lianhua Qingwen protects LPS-induced acute lung injury by promoting M2 macrophage infiltration

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine Lianhua Qingwen (LHQW) was used to treat regular seasonal influenza. In recent years, LHQW exerts significant therapeutic effects in treating influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the potential mechanisms are not yet understood and need further study.

AIM OF STUDY

This study aims to look into the influence of LHQW on lung inflammation and macrophage phenotype, and to clarify the connection between macrophage plasticity and LHQW.

METHODS

The cell viability, marker expression, response to LPS stimulation, and phagocytosis of Raw264.7 were detected after LHQW treatment. In an LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model, the alleviating effect of LHQW on lung injury was investigated. The total macrophages and M2 macrophages in mice lungs and the peripheral blood monocytes after LHQW treatment were detected. The cell viability and polarization of peripheral blood macrophages treated with LHQW were detected.

RESULTS

Here, we demonstrate that LHQW protects LPS-induced ALI by promoting M2 macrophage infiltration. LHQW treatment inhibited the inflammatory response and pro-inflammatory phenotype of Raw264.7 macrophages. High concentrations of LHQW promoted the phagocytic capacity of Raw264.7 macrophages. In an ALI mouse model, LHQW alleviated lung injury and no significant hepatotoxicity was observed. By Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis, LHQW increased the infiltration of macrophages, mainly M2 macrophages. Consistent with Raw264.7, LHQW also decreased the expression of M1 markers in peripheral blood macrophages. In addition, LHQW blood plasma promoted the M2-type polarization of peripheral blood macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our data demonstrate that LHQW reduces the inflammatory response and ameliorates acute lung injury by promoting anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages.

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

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

[A preliminary study on the tear matrix metalloproteinase 9 point-of-care assay using a domestic kit]

Objective: To compare the point-of-care assays for tear matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) using domestic and InflammaDry kits, and to evaluate the feasibility of diagnosing dry eye with the domestic kit. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Thirty dry eye patients and 30 age-and sex-matched normal volunteers were continuously enrolled in this cross-sectional study from June 2022 to July 2022. Both domestic and InflammaDry kits were used to detect the tear MMP-9 levels. The positive rates were recorded for qualitative analysis, and the gray ratios of bands (the gray value of detection bands to that of control bands) were collected for quantitative analysis. The correlations of MMP-9 levels with age, ocular surface disease index, fluorescence tear break-up time, tear meniscus height, Schirmer's Ⅰ test score, corneal fluorescein staining score, and meibomian gland dropout were analyzed. The Mann-Whitney U test, paired Chi-square test, Kappa test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. Results: There were 14 males and 16 females (30 eyes) in the control group, and their age was (39.37±19.55) years. In the dry eye group, 11 males and 19 females (30 eyes), aged (46.87±17.85) years, had moderate to severe dry eye. The positive rates of MMP-9 in tear fluid were significantly different between dry eye patients (InflammaDry: 86.67%; domestic kit: 70.00%) and controls (InflammaDry: 16.67%, P<0.001; domestic kit: 6.67%, P<0.001). Although the sensitivity of the domestic kit was lower than that of the InflammaDry kit (70.0% vs. 86.7%, P=0.001), the specificity was higher (93.3% vs. 83.3%, P=0.001). In dry eye patients, the positive coincidence rate was 80.7% (21/26), the negative coincidence rate was 100% (4/4), and the total coincidence rate was 83.3% (25/30), with no significant difference between the two kits (McNemar test: χ²=3.20, P>0.05), and the results of both kits were consistent (Kappa=0.53, P=0.001). The Spearman's correlation coefficient showed the gray ratios using both kits were positively correlated with the corneal fluorescein staining score (InflammaDry: ρ=0.48, P<0.05; domestic kit: ρ=0.52, P=0.003). Conclusion: The performances of the domestic and InflammaDry kits are consistent in the point-of-care assay for tear MMP-9, and the domestic kit has lower sensitivity but higher specificity.

[Hsa_circ_0000670 promoted the progression of gastric cancer through the miR-515-5p/SIX1 molecular axis]

Objective: To explore whether hsa_circ_0000670 promotes the progression of gastric cancer by regulating the miR-515-5p/SIX1 molecular axis. Methods: The gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues of 35 gastric cancer patients admitted to Rugao Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University from 2014 to 2015 were collected. The expression levels of circ_0000670, miR-515-5p and Sine oculis homeobox 1 (SIX1) in gastric cancer tissues and cells were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The correlations between circ_0000670 and miR-515-5p, miR-515-5p and SIX1, circ_0000670 and SIX1 were analyzed by the Pearson method. Patients were divided into low circ_0000670 expression group (17 cases) and high circ_0000670 expression group (18 cases) based on the median of circ_0000670 expression level, and Kaplan-Meier was used to analyze the 5-year survival of patients. Cell proliferation was assessed via clone formation assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to detect cell migration and invasion ability. The targeting relationship between miR-515-5p and circ_0000670 or SIX1 was confirmed by the dual luciferase reporter assay. Nude mice were injected into HGC-27 cells transfected with sh-NC or sh-circ_0000670, and the volume and weight of the transplanted tumor were measured, also, the levels of circ_0000670, miR-515-5p and SIX1 in the transplanted tumor tissue were detected. Results: The expression levels of circ_0000670 and SIX1 in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the expression levels of miR-515-5p were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The survival rate of patients in the low circ_0000670 expression group (82.4%) was significantly higher than that in the high circ_0000670 expression group (28.7%, P=0.034). Circ_0000670 was negatively correlated with miR-515-5p (r=-0.846, P<0.001), and miR-515-5p was negatively correlated with SIX1 (r=-0.615, P<0.001), but circ_0000670 was positively correlated with SIX1 (r=0.814, P<0.001). Transfection of si-circ_0000670 or miR-515-5p mimic could significantly reduce the number of clone-forming cells, migration distance, migration and invasion cells (P<0.05), and increase the ratio of G(0)/G(1) phase cells, apoptosis rate and the protein level of E-cadherin (P<0.05), decreased the proportion of S-phase cells and the protein level of Vimentin (P<0.05). The dual luciferase report assay confirmed that circ_0000670 could target miR-515-5p, and miR-515-5p could bind to SIX1. Co-transfection of si-circ_0000670 and miR-515-5p inhibitor could significantly attenuate the effects of si-circ_0000670 on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle and apoptosis (P<0.05). Co-transfection of miR-515-5p mimic and pcDNA-SIX1 could significantly reduce the effects of miR-515-5p mimic on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle and apoptosis (P<0.05). Compared with the sh-NC group [volume=(596.20±125.46) mm(3) and weight=(538.00±114.39) g], the volume and weight of transplanted tumors in the sh-circ_0000670 group [volume=(299.20±47.58) mm 3 and weight=(289.80±48.73 g)] were significantly reduced (P<0.05), the expression levels of circ_0000670 and SIX1 were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the expression level of miR-515-5p was significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Knockdown of circ_0000670 could inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion of gastric cancer cells, induce cell cycle arrest in G(0)/G(1) phase and promote cell apoptosis by regulating the miR-515-5p/SIX1 axis.

Adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Pattern Reduces the Risk of Head and Neck Cancer in American Adults Aged 55 Years and Above: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) pattern has been found to aid in the reduction of obesity, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, which are all strongly linked to the development of head and neck cancer (HNC). Nevertheless, no epidemiological studies have investigated the association between this dietary pattern and HNC risk. This study was conducted with the purpose of bridging this gap in knowledge.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study involving 98,459 American adults aged 55 years and older.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Data were drawn from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Trial. In the present study, participants with dependable energy intake data who furnished baseline and dietary history information were identified as the study population.

METHODS

Diet was assessed by food frequency questionnaires and the DASH score was calculated to assess each participant's adherence to DASH eating pattern. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the occurrence of HNC. To visualize the variation in cancer risk for HNC and its subtypes across the entire spectrum of DASH scores, restricted cubic spline plots were utilized. Additionally, a series of predefined subgroup analyses were performed to identify potential effect modifiers, and several sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the stability of the findings.

RESULTS

During a follow-up period of 871,879.6 person-years, 268 cases of HNC were identified, comprising 161 cases pertaining to oral cavity and pharynx cancers, as well as 96 cases of larynx cancer. In the fully adjusted model, adherence to the DASH diet was associated with a remarkable 57% reduction in the risk of HNC when comparing extreme quartiles (HR quartile 4 vs 1: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.66; P for trend < 0.001). The restricted cubic spline plots demonstrated a linear dose-response relationship between the DASH score and the risk of HNC as well as its subtypes. Subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of the DASH diet against HNC was particularly pronounced in individuals with lower daily energy intake. The primary association remained robust in the sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In American middle-aged and older population, adherence to the DASH diet may help prevent HNC, particularly for individuals with lower daily energy intake.

[Association of body mass index and waist circumference with frailty among people aged 80 years and older in Chinese]

Objective: To examine the association of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with frailty among oldest-old adults in China. Methods: A total of 7 987 people aged 80 years and older (oldest-old) who participated in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) in 2017-2018 were included. Information on demographic characteristics, behavior pattern, diet, activities of daily living, cognitive function, health status, disease condition were collected by questionnaire and physical examination. Generalized linear mixed model and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to analyze the association of BMI and WC with frailty. Results: The mean age of all participants was 91.7 years, and their mean BMI and WC were (21.3±3.5) kg/m² and (82.9±10.5) cm, respectively. The proportion of male was 42.3% (3 377/7 987), and the proportion of people with frailty was 33.7% (2 664/7 987). After controlling confounding factors, compared with T₂ (19.1-22.1 kg/m²) of BMI, the OR (95%CI) of the female T₁ (<19.1 kg/m²) and T₃ (≥22.2 kg/m²) group was 1.39 (1.17-1.65) and 1.27 (1.07-1.52), respectively. Compared with T₂ (77-85 cm) of WC, the OR (95%CI) of female T₁ (<77 cm) and T₃ (≥86 cm) group was 1.20 (1.01-1.42) and 1.10 (0.93-1.31), respectively. The results of multiple linear regression model with restrictive cubic spline showed that there was a non-linear association of BMI and WC with frailty in female. Conclusion: There is a U-shaped association of BMI and WC with frailty in female participants.

[Impact of composite clinical worsening events on outcome of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease]

Objective: To explore the impact of composite clinical worsening (cCW) events and its components on the prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH). Methods: This is a retrospective study. Patients who were diagnosed with CHD-PAH in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between January 2007 and July 2018, were included, and their baseline clinical data including demographic, clinical manifestations and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification were collected retrospectively. All-cause deaths and clinical worsening events were recorded, which included syncope, PAH related hospitalization, NYHA classification deterioration and ≥ 2 PAH related clinical symptoms (dyspnea, hemoptysis, edema, chest pain, palpitations, cyanosis) appearance/progress. Three kinds of cCW events were defined: cCW1 (included PAH related hospitalization, NYHA classification deterioration), cCW2 (increased syncope on the basis of cCW1) and cCW3 (increased ≥ 2 PAH related clinical symptoms appearance/progress on the basis of cCW2). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the long-term survival of the included patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to evaluate the impact of cCW events and their components on the risk of all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 525 patients with CHD-PAH were included in this study. The median age at diagnosis was 20.7 (11.2, 30.3) years. There were 43.8% children (<18 years), and 68.8% female patients. There were 431 patients (82.1%) with NYHA classification II. A total of 180 patients had PAH symptoms at diagnosis. The median follow-up time was 4.5 (2.6, 6.7) years. Forty-seven patients (9.0%) died during the follow-up period. Survival rates at 1, 5 and 10 years after diagnosis of PAH were 98.0%, 89.9% and 84.4%, respectively. Cox multivariate analysis showed that NYHA classification deterioration (HR=3.901, 95%CI 1.863-8.169, P<0.001), ≥2 PAH symptoms appearance/progress (HR=4.458, 95%CI 1.870-10.625, P<0.001), PAH-related hospitalization (HR=4.058, 95%CI 1.851-8.896, P<0.001) and syncope (HR=11.313, 95%CI 4.860-26.332, P<0.001) were independent predictors of increased risk of death. All 3 kinds of cCW events were significantly associated with the significantly increased risk of death, and cCW2 was highly predictive to increased risk of death (HR=15.476, 95%CI 4.346-37.576, P<0.001). Conclusions: The overall long-term prognosis of CHD-PAH patients in this study is relatively good. cCW events and its components (NYHA classification deterioration, ≥2 PAH symptoms occurrence/worsening, PAH-related hospitalization and syncope) have adverse influence on all-cause death in this patient cohort.

Large-cohort humanized NPI mice reconstituted with CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells are feasible for evaluating preclinical cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy has achieved impressive therapeutic effects in many cancers, while only a small subset of patients benefit from it and some patients even have experienced severe toxicity. It is urgent to develop a feasible large-cohort humanized mouse model to evaluate the pre-clinical efficacy and safety of cancer immunotherapy. Furthermore, developing potentially effective combination therapy between cancer immunotherapy and other therapies also needs humanized mouse model to adequately mimic clinical actual setting. Herein, we established a humanized mouse model engrafted with less human CD34⁺ HSCs than ever before and then evaluated reconstitution efficiency and the profiles of human immune cells in this humanized mouse model. Also, this humanized mouse model was used to evaluate the preclinical efficacy and safety of cancer immunotherapy. For each batch of CD34⁺ HSCs humanized mouse model, a relatively-large cohort with over 25% human CD45⁺ cells in peripheral blood was established. This humanized mouse model could efficiently reconstitute human innate and adaptive immune cells. This humanized mouse model supported patient-derived xenograft tumor growth and tumor infiltration of PD-1⁺ human T cells. Furthermore, therapeutic efficacy, re-activation of tumor-infiltrated T cells, and side effects of checkpoint blockade therapy could be monitored in this humanized mouse model. Human T cells from this humanized mouse model were successfully engineered with CD19-CAR. CD19 CAR-T cells could effectively deplete B cells and suppress tumor growth of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in vivo in this humanized mouse model. This humanized mouse model also could be used to demonstrate the efficacy of bispecific antibodies, such as anti-CD19/CD3. Overall, our work provides a feasible large-cohort humanized mouse model for evaluating a variety of cancer immunotherapy approaches including checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy, and bispecific antibody therapy, and demonstrates that human T cells from this humanized mouse model possess anti-tumor activities in vitro and in vivo.

Functional outcomes after submandibular gland-sparing neck dissection in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

The feasibility of submandibular gland (SMG) preservation during neck dissection has been described. The aim of this study was to analyse the functional outcomes in patients undergoing SMG preservation during neck dissection for cT1-2N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma. Consecutive patients were divided into two groups based on the management of the SMG, and underwent a saliva flow test before surgery, 7 days after surgery, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery. All enrolled patients completed the fourth version of the University of Washington Quality of Life (UWQOL) questionnaire at 12 months after surgery. In patients who underwent SMG preservation during neck dissection, the flow rate at 7 days after surgery was significantly lower than that preoperative; however, it gradually returned to baseline at 9 months after surgery. The saliva flow rate at 9 months after surgery was similar to that at 12 months after surgery. Further, patients with SMG preservation had higher scores for the activity, swallowing, chewing, and saliva domains than patients without SMG preservation. The results of the study suggest that saliva secretion ability can be preserved following SMG-sparing neck dissection, and that SMG preservation improves postoperative quality of life.

First-phase ejection fraction, a measure of pre-clinical heart failure, is strongly associated with increased mortality in patients with COVID-19

Introduction

Presence of heart failure is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. The aim of the present study was to examine whether first-phase ejection fraction (EF1), the ejection fraction measured in early systole up to the time of peak aortic velocity, a sensitive measure of pre-clinical heart failure, is associated with survival in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.

Methods

A retrospective outcome study was performed in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 who underwent echocardiography (n=380) at the West Branch of the Union Hospital, Wuhan, China and in patients admitted to King's Health Partners in South London UK. Association of EF1 with survival was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression. EF1 was compared in patients with COVID-19 and in historical controls with similar co-morbidities (n=266) who had undergone echocardiography before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

In patients with COVID-19, EF1 was a strong predictor of survival in each patient group (Wuhan and London). In the combined group, EF1 was a stronger predictor of survival than other clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic characteristics including age, co-morbidities and biochemical markers (figure 1). A cut-off value of 25% for EF1 gave a hazard ratio of 5.23 (95% CI: 2.85–9.60, p<0.001) unadjusted and 4.83 (95% CI: 2.35–9.95, p<0.001) when adjusted for demographics, co-morbidities, hs-cTnI and CRP (figure 2). EF1 was similar in patients with and without COVID-19 (23.2±7.3 vs 22.0±7.6%, p=0.092, adjusted for prevalence of risk factors and co-morbidities).

Conclusion

Impaired first-phase ejection fraction is strongly associated with mortality in COVID-19 and probably reflects pre-existing, pre-clinical heart failure.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) UKBritish Heart Foundation (BHF) UK

The plant hormone abscisic acid stimulates megakaryocyte differentiation from human iPSCs in vitro

In the clinic, the supply of platelets is frequently insufficient to meet transfusion needs. To address this issue, many scientists have established the derivation of functional platelets from CD34⁺ cells or human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). However, the yield of platelets is still far below what is required. Here we found that the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) could increase the generation of megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets from human induced PSCs (hiPSCs). During platelet derivation, ABA treatment promoted the generation of CD34⁺/CD45⁺ HPCs and CD41⁺ MKs on day 14 and then increased CD41⁺/CD42b⁺ MKs and platelets on day 19. Moreover, we found ABA-mediated activation of Akt and ERK1/2 signal pathway through receptors LANCL2 and GRP78 in a PKA-dependent manner on CD34⁺/CD45⁺ cells. In conclusion, our data suggest that ABA treatment can promote CD34⁺/CD45⁺ HPC proliferation and CD41⁺ MK differentiation.

[A cohort study on plasma uric acid levels and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus among the oldest old in longevity areas of China]

Objective: To investigate the effect of plasma uric acid level on the incident risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among the oldest old (those aged ≥80 years). Methods: Participants were recruited from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS), which conducted a baseline survey in 2008-2009 and follow-up of 3 times in 2011-2012, 2014, and 2017-2018, respectively. A total of 2 213 oldest old were enrolled in this study. The general demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle and disease data of the oldest old were collected, and physical measurements were made for the oldest old. Fasting venous blood was collected for uric acid and blood glucose detection. Information on the incident and death of T2DM were collected through the follow-up. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to explore the association of hyperuricemia and plasma uric acid level with the incidence of T2DM. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) function was used to explore the dose-response relationship of plasma uric acid levels with the risk of T2DM. Results: The age of participants was (93.2±7.6) years old, and 66.7% of the participants (1 475) were female. The plasma uric acid level at baseline was (289.1±88.0)μmol/L, and the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 13.3% (294 cases). During 9 years of cumulative follow-up of 7 471 person-years (average of 3.38 years for each), 122 new cases of T2DM occurred and the incidence density was 1 632.98/10⁵ person year. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that per 10μmol/L increase in plasma uric acid level, the risk of T2DM increased by 1.1% [HR (95%CI): 1.011 (1.004, 1.017)]. Compared with the participants with the lowest quintile of plasma uric acid (Q₁), the risk of diabetes increased by 20.7 % among the oldest old with uric acid in the highest quintile (Q₅) [HR (95%CI):1.207 (1.029, 1.416)]. The risk of T2DM was 19.2% higher in the hyperuricemia group than that in the oldest old with normal plasma uric acid [HR (95%CI): 1.192 (1.033, 1.377)]. RCS function showed that the risk of T2DM increased with the increase in plasma uric acid levels in a nonlinear dose-response relationship (P=0.016). Conclusion: The incident risk of T2DM increases with the elevates of plasma uric acid levels in the oldest old.

Prognosis of patients in prolonged coma after severe carbon monoxide poisoning

BACKGROUND

Late recovery in patients following prolonged coma from carbon monoxide poisoning have been reported, but the probability is unclear. The purpose of this research was to assess the prognosis of patients in prolonged coma after severe carbon monoxide poisoning and related clinical and imaging features.

METHODS

There were 13 patients who had been in a state of coma for >7 days after acute carbon monoxide poisoning in the retrospective observational study, and demographic data, clinical data, laboratory data, complications, and image data were collected. Outcome was assessed by means of the Glasgow outcome scale after 1 year. The relationship between complications and imaging manifestations and prognosis was also analyzed.

RESULTS

One year after severe carbon monoxide poisoning, two patients (15.4%) had died (GOS 1), nine (69.2%) were in a persistent vegetative state (GOS 2), one (7.7%) was moderately disabled (GOS 4), and one (7.7%) achieved a good recovery (GOS 5) with minimal disability.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with prolonged coma after severe carbon monoxide poisoning had a poor prognosis, although the younger patients had a better prognosis. Respiratory failure, hypotension and renal failure during the course of the disease were associated with a poor prognosis. The prognosis of patients with injuries in two sites in early CT was poor. Multiple lesions (≥3) and extensive white matter damage (Fazekas grade (PVH or DWMH) = 3) on MRI of chronic phase were also associated with a poor prognosis.

[Association of blood lead level with cognition impairment among elderly aged 65 years and older in 9 longevity areas of China]

Objective: To investigate the association between blood lead concentrations and cognition impairment among Chinese older adults aged 65 or over. Method: Data was collected in 9 longevity areas from Heathy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study between 2017 and 2018. This study included 1 684 elderly aged 65 years and older. Information about demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, health status and cognitive function score of respondents were collected by questionnaire survey and physical examination. Venous blood of the subjects was collected to detect the blood lead concentration. Subjects were stratified into four groups (Q₁-Q₄) by quartile of blood lead concentration. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between blood lead concentration and cognitive impairment. The linear or non-linear association between blood lead concentration and cognitive impairment were described by restrictive cubic splines (RCS). Results: Among the 1 684 respondents, 843 (50.1%) were female and 191 (11.3%) suffered from cognition impairment. After adjusting for confounding factors, the OR value and 95%CI of cognition impairment was 1.05 (1.01-1.10) for every 10 μg/L increase in blood lead concentration in elderly; Compared with the elderly in Q₁, the elderly with higher blood lead concentration had an increased risk of cognitive impairment. The OR value and 95%CI of Q₂, Q₃ and Q₄ groups were 1.19 (0.69-2.05), 1.45 (0.84-2.51) and 1.92 (1.13-3.27), respectively. Conclusion: Higher blood lead concentration is associated with cognitive impairment among the elderly aged 65 years and older in 9 longevity areas in China.

[Association of blood oxidative stress level with hypertriglyceridemia in the elderly aged 65 years and older in 9 longevity areas of China]

Objective: To investigate the association of blood oxidative stress level with hypertriglyceridemia in the elderly aged 65 years and older in China. Methods: A total of 2 393 participants aged 65 years and older were recruited in 9 longevity areas from Heathy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study, during 2017 to 2018. Information on demographics characteristic, life style and health status were collected by questionnaire and physical examination, and venous blood was collected to detect the levels of blood oxidative stress and hypertriglyceridemia. The linear or non-linear association between oxidative stress and hypertriglyceridemia was described by restrictive cubic splines (RCS) fitting multiple linear regression model. The generalized linear mixed effect model was conducted to assess the association between oxidative stress and hypertriglyceridemia. Results: A total of 2 393 participants, mean age was 84.6 years, the youngest was 65 and the oldest was 112, the male was 47.9%(1 145/2 393), the triglyceride level was (1.4±0.8) mmol/L. The hypertriglyceridemia detection rate was 9.99%(239/2 393). The results of multiple linear regression model with restrictive cubic spline fitting showed that MDA level was linear association with triglyceride level; SOD level was nonlinear association with triglyceride level. MDA level had significantly association with hypertriglyceridemia, and the corresponding OR value was 1.063 (95%CI: 1.046,1.081) with 1 nmol/ml increment of blood MDA; SOD level had significantly association with hypertriglyceridemia, and the corresponding OR value was 0.986(95%CI: 0.983,0.989) with 1 U/ml increment of blood SOD. Conclusion: Among the elderly aged 65 and older in 9 longevity areas in China, MDA and SOD levels were associated with the risk of hypertriglyceridemia.

First-phase ejection fraction predicts response to cardiac resynchronization therapy and adverse outcomes

Background

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) is an important therapeutic treatment for chronic heart failure. However, even in carefully selected cases up to 40% of patient fail to respond. First-phase ejection fraction (EF1), the ejection fraction up to the time of maximal ventricular contraction, is a novel and more sensitive echocardiographic measure of early systolic function.

Purpose

We examined the value of EF1, to predict response to CRT and clinical outcomes after CRT.

Methods

We analysed echocardiograms from 197 patients who underwent CRT between 2009 and 2018 and were followed to determine clinical outcomes.

Results

Volumetric response rate (reduction in end-systolic volume ≥15%) was 92.3% vs. 12.1%, for those with EF1 in the highest vs. lowest tertiles (p&lt;0.001). A cut-off value of 11.9% for EF1 had &gt;85% sensitivity and specificity for prediction of response to CRT; on multivariate logistic regression analysis incorporating previously defined predictors, EF1 was the strongest predictor of response (OR: 1.563, 95% CI: 1.371–1.782, p&lt;0.001) (table 1). EF1 was also the strongest predictor of a clinical composite score (OR: 1.115, 95% CI: 1.044–1.191, p=0.001). Improvement in EF1 at 6 months after CRT implantation (6.5±5.8% vs 1.8±4.3% in responders vs. non-responders, p&lt;0.001) was the best predictor of heart failure re-hospitalization and death after median follow-up of 29.2 months (HR: 0.819, 95% CI:0.765–0.876, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

EF1 is a promising marker to identify patients likely to respond to CRT and most likely provides a measure of myocardial viability that determines response.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): British Heart Foundation, Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Medical Engineering

A joint analysis strategy reveals genetic changes associated with artificial selection between egg-type and meat-type ducks

Egg-type ducks and meat-type ducks are predominantly commercial or indigenous and have been subjected to artificial directional selection. These two duck types differ substantially in body shape, production performance and reproductivity. However, the genetic changes associated with phenotypic differences remain unclear. Here, we compared the two duck types at the genomic and transcriptomic levels. We identified a large number of SNPs and genes in genomic divergent regions in terms of F_ST and θπ values. The corresponding genes were mainly enriched in embryonic development function and metabolic pathway. RNA-seq analysis also revealed differential gene expression in the liver and gonads. The differentially expressed genes were functionally associated with signal transmission and substance metabolism respectively. Furthermore, we found that seven genes were related to differentiation between the two types by both g genome and transcriptome analysis and were plausible candidate genes. These genes were annotated to GO categories of cell development and disease immunity. These findings will enable a better understanding of the artificial selection history of meat and egg ducks and provide a valuable resource for future research on the breeding of these two lineages.

LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 delayed fracture healing through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) KCNQ1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) on fracture healing and its possible mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Abnormal lncRNAs were compared between patients with delayed fracture healing and those with normal fracture healing using gene expression profiling method. LncRNA expression in patients was verified by quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Subsequently, the model of tibial fracture was successfully established in rabbits. The effect of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression on tibial fracture healing in rabbits was explored. Meanwhile, the effects of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 on cell proliferation and apoptosis were investigated by knockdown and overexpression experiments with HC-a as a cell model. Furthermore, Western blotting was used to explore the expressions of proteins in signaling pathway affected by lncRNA KCNQ1OT1.

RESULTS

Gene expression profiling and qRT-PCR revealed that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 was significantly down-regulated in bone tissues of patients with delayed fracture healing. Compared with the control group, knocking down lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 remarkably reduced the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in rabbits, and markedly decreased bone trabecular growth index (p<0.05). In HC-a cells, overexpression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which could be suppressed by knocking down lncRNA KCNQ1OT1. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester (CFSE) results manifested that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 remarkably promoted the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of HC-a cells by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 plays a vital role in delayed fracture healing. Moreover, it can induce cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, KCNQ1OT1 may be used as a biomarker to predict the occurrence of delayed fracture healing.

[Risk factors for death and the clinical features of different subtypes of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension related to congenital heart disease]

Objective: To explore the risk factors for death in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension related to congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD) and the clinical characteristics of different subtypes in patients with PAH-CHD. Methods: It was a retrospective study. A total of 507 PAH-CHD patients, who were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Cardiology of Beijing Anzhen Hospital between September 2005 and May 2019, were included. Patients were divided into 4 subgroups: (1) Eisenmenger syndrome(ES) group. (2) PAH associated with prevalent systemic-to-pulmonary shunts(SP) group. (3) PAH associated with small defects(SD) group. (4) PAH after defect correction(CD) group. According to the complexity of cardiac malformation, patients were divided into simple-medium complex malformation group and complex malformation group. According to the location of shunts, patients were divided into pre-tricuspid group, post-tricuspid group, and mixed group or complex deformity group. Baseline clinical data of patients were collected from the electronic medical record system. Demographic data (age, gender, etc.), percutaneous oxygen saturation(SPO(2)), New York Heart Association(NYHA) cardiac function classification, 6 minutes walking distance(6MWD), and B type natriuretic peptide(BNP), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure(sPAP) estimated by echocardiography and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), mean right atrial pressure(mRAP), cardiac index(CI), and calculated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) estimated by right heart catheterization were compared among various groups. The results of regular follow-up of all enrolled patients were collected, including the status of monotherapy or combination of PAH-targeted drugs during the follow-up period, cardiac-related adverse events(hemopysis, syncope, edema, arrhythmia, etc.) and primary endpoint event(all-cause death) were obtained and analyzed. Risk factors for all-cause death were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis model. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 23.1(13.9,32.1) years, 345 cases(68.0%) were female. Two hunderds and thirty-five cases(46.4%) were diagnosed with ES; 193 cases(38.1%) were diagnosed with CD, 47 cases (9.3%) were diagnosed with SD. Among them, 32 cases(6.3%) were in the SP group. All 507 patients underwent echocardiography examination, there were significant differences in sPAP among different clinical subgroups(P<0.001). A total of 289 patients(57.0%) received right heart catheterization examination, the results showed that the ES group had the highest mPAP and PVR and the lowest mRAP(all P<0.001), the CD group had the highest mRAP and CI(both P<0.001). The 6MWD in the ES group was significantly shorter than that in the SP, SD, and CD groups(all P<0.001). The proportion of patients with NYHA class Ⅲ/Ⅳ was higher in SD group than in SP group(P<0.001), which was similar between SD, ES and CD groups (P values were 0.077 and 0.072, respectively). At admission, the proportion of patients with NYHA class Ⅰ/Ⅱwas the highest in SP group(96.9% (31/32) ), followed by CD group (85.5%(165/193)) and the ES group(85.1%(200/235)), and the SD group(75.0%(35/47)). The BNP level at admission was also higher in SD group than in SP, ES and CD groups(P<0.001). Of the 507 patients, 379(74.8%) patients received PAH-targeted drug therapy at the last follow-up, and the treatment plan was mainly monotherapy(75.7%(287/379)). The median follow-up time was 3.6(2.0, 5.6) years and 37(7.3%) patients died, including 13 in the CD group, 17 in the ES group, and 7 in the SD group. No deaths occurred in the SP group. Right heart failure was the most common cause of death(11(29.7%)), followed by severe hemoptysis dyspnea(7(18.9%)), sudden cardiac death(6(16.2%)), and pulmonary hypertensive crisis(4(10.8%)). Kaplan-Meier curve showed that survival rates of end-point-free events at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years after diagnosis of PAH were 98.0%, 95.4%, 89.9%, and 84.4%, respectively; there were statistically significant differences in survival among the subgroups(P=0.026); there was no significant difference in the survival rate between the ES group and the CD group(P=0.918), and both were higher than the SD group(P values were 0.011 and 0.013, respectively). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that NYHA class Ⅲ/Ⅳ and BNP>100 ng/L at admission were the risk factors for all-cause death in patients with PAH-CHD(HR=6.452, 95%CI 3.378-12.346, P<0.001, and HR=2.481, 95%CI 1.225-5.025, P=0.012). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that NYHA class Ⅲ/Ⅳ was an independent risk factor for all-cause death in patients with PAH-CHD(HR=4.998, 95%CI 1.246-20.055, P=0.023). Conclusions: PAH-CHD patients with different clinical subtypes have different clinical symptoms, cardiac functional class, hemodynamic characteristics, and mid to long-term survival rates. SP patients have the best prognosis, outcome of ES and CD patients is similar, and SD patients have the worst prognosis. NYHA class Ⅲ/Ⅳ is an independent risk factor for all-cause death in patients with PAH-CHD.

Potential benefits, mechanisms, and uncertainties of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in China led to a public health emergency of international concern, putting all health organizations on high alert in the beginning of 2020. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly infectious and has resulted in thousands of deaths which exceeded that of the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) outbreak back in 2002 and 2003 in China. Besides, the number of diagnosed patients, patients who are suspected to have contracted the disease, and deaths are increasing worldwide. Unfortunately, effective drugs and vaccines to combat SARS-CoV-2 are still lacking. Convalescent plasma, a seemingly successful treatment for COVID-19 patients, proved to be of huge value in terms of saving severely ill patients. This review introduces the reported effects, potential mechanisms, and future uncertainties of convalescent plasma therapy in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, in the hopes that it will provide useful information for relevant physicians and researchers.

[Characteristics of rare diseases in Zhejiang province, 2007-2017]

Objective: To understand the characteristics of 24 388 inpatients with rare diseases in Zhejiang province during 2007-2017 and provide evidence for rare disease prevention and control. Methods: Inpatient data of rare diseases and the number of hospitalization in each year were collected in 10 hospitals of class Ⅲ (A) in Zhejiang province from 2007 to 2017, and descriptive statistical analysis was used. Results: A total of 24 388 cases of rare diseases were found, accounting for 2.69‰ (24 388/9 054 201) of total hospitalized cases. The top 3 types of rare diseases were "diseases of blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving immune mechanism" (32.81%, 8 001/24 388), "congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities" (24.87%, 6 065/24 388) and "diseases of the nervous system" (19.01%, 4 635/24 388). The number of rare disease cases increased year by year from 2007 to 2017 with an average annual growth of 19.69%, however, the proportion of rare disease cases in the annual number of hospitalized cases only showed upward trend during 2016-2017, the time distribution of different types of rare diseases had different characteristics. The male to female ratio of rare diseases cases was 1.35∶1(13 990/10 398), "diseases of the digestive system" (4.45∶1, 1 180/265), "consequences of injury, poisoning and other external causes" (3.51∶1, 281/80) and "diseases of the nervous system" (2.26∶1, 3 213/1 422) had the highest male to female ratio. The distributions of rare disease types and diseases of different types in different age groups varied. The top 10 rare diseases accounted for 53.55% (13 060/24 388) of the total cases, and the top 3 diseases were adult idiopathic neutropenia (14.41%, 3 515/24 388), corticobasal degeneration (7.60%, 1 854/24 388) and henock-schoenlein purpura (6.01%, 1 466/24 388). Conclusion: The analysis on the characteristics of 24 388 rare disease cases in Zhejiang during 2007-2017 provided reference evidence for the promotion of rare disease research, monitoring, building registration database, and development of the prevention and control strategy for rare diseases in China.

WHITE STRIPE LEAF8, encoding a deoxyribonucleoside kinase, is involved in chloroplast development in rice

WSL8 encoding a deoxyribonucleoside kinase (dNK) that catalyzes the first step in the salvage pathway of nucleotide synthesis plays an important role in early chloroplast development in rice. The chloroplast is an organelle that converts light energy into chemical energy; therefore, the normal differentiation and development of chloroplast are pivotal for plant survival. Deoxyribonucleoside kinases (dNKs) play an important role in the salvage pathway of nucleotides. However, the relationship between dNKs and chloroplast development remains elusive. Here, we identified a white stripe leaf 8 (wsl8) mutant that exhibited a white stripe leaf phenotype at seedling stage (before the four-leaf stage). The mutant showed a significantly lower chlorophyll content and defective chloroplast morphology, whereas higher reactive oxygen species than the wild type. As the leaf developed, the chlorotic mutant plants gradually turned green, accompanied by the restoration in chlorophyll accumulation and chloroplast ultrastructure. Map-based cloning revealed that WSL8 encodes a dNK on chromosome 5. Compared with the wild type, a C-to-G single base substitution occurred in the wsl8 mutant, which caused a missense mutation (Leu 349 Val) and significantly reduced dNK enzyme activity. A subcellular localization experiment showed the WSL8 protein was targeted in the chloroplast and its transcripts were expressed in various tissues, with more abundance in young leaves and nodes. Ribosome and RNA-sequencing analysis indicated that some components and genes related to ribosome biosynthesis were down-regulated in the mutant. An exogenous feeding experiment suggested that the WSL8 performed the enzymic activity of thymidine kinase, especially functioning in the salvage synthesis of thymidine monophosphate. Our results highlight that the salvage pathway mediated by the dNK is essential for early chloroplast development in rice.

563 Early systolic function is impaired in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction and is a more important predictor of clinical outcomes than diastolic function

Funding Acknowledgements

British Heart Foundation

Aims

First-phase ejection fraction (EF1), the ejection fraction up to the time of maximal ventricular contraction may be impaired in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), with homeostatic mechanisms preserving the overall ejection fraction. We examined whether EF1 is impaired and whether it predicts adverse outcomes in patients with HFpEF.

Methods and Results

We examined EF1 in patients with HFpEF diagnosed according to European Society of Cardiology guidelines, in subjects with pre-clinical diastolic dysfunction and in control subjects with no evidence of heart failure. The predictive value of EF1 for a combined end-point of re-hospitalisation for heart failure and death from any cause was compared to that of conventional echocardiographic and other indices. There was a progressive impairment of EF1 in patients with diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF compared to those without evidence of heart failure (P &lt; 0.001). In 180 HFpEF patients followed for a median of 14.7 months, 101 patients reached the primary endpoint (61 deaths and 40 hospitalisations). EF1 was the most powerful predictor of events (table 1). A cut-off value of 19.4% gave hazard ratios (for EF1 &lt; 19.4% compared to ≥19.4%) of 3.04 (figure 1), (95% confidence interval 2.014 – 4.604, P &lt; 0.001) unadjusted, and 2.976 (1.887 – 4.695, P &lt; 0.001) adjusted for age, gender, other echocardiographic indices (including EF, E/e’ ratio, stroke volume and left atrial volume index) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.

Conclusion

Early systolic function is impaired in HFpEF and is a powerful predictor of clinical outcomes. Therapies targeted at improving early systolic function may improve outcomes in HFpEF.

Table 1 HR CI (95%) P value Age 1.020 1.001 - 1.039 0.042 Female Gender 1.989 1.254 - 3.156 0.003 ln NT-proBNP 1.354 1.096 - 1.672 0.005 Haemoglobin 0.992 0.980 - 1.005 0.225 eGFR 0.997 0.988 - 1.006 0.568 Structural Heart Disease 0.748 0.439 - 1.274 0.285 Diastolic Dysfunction 0.694 0.445 - 1.082 0.107 Ejection Fraction 1.031 0.996 - 1.068 0.082 Stroke Volume index 0.963 0.940 - 0.986 0.002 TPAVF 0.995 0.980 - 1.005 0.230 EF1 0.900 0.869 - 0.932 &lt;0.001 Multivariate analysis of predictors of events

Abstract 563 Figure 1 Kaplan-Meier Curve

Increased expression of miR-330-3p: a novel independent indicator of poor prognosis in human breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

Previous study has reported that miR-330-3p was highly expressed in breast cancer (BC) patients. However, the effect of miR-330-3p in BC progression remains largely unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of miR-330-3p expression in BC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of miR-330-3p was detected by quantitative Real-time PCR in BC tissues and matched normal breast tissues. The association of miR-330-3p expression with clinicopathological factors of BC patients was also analyzed by x2-test. Prognosis value of patients with BC was assessed by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model, respectively.

RESULTS

Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression level of miR-330-3p was significantly higher in BC specimens than that in corresponding noncancerous tissues (p < 0.01). The levels of miR-330-3p were positively correlated with the status of TNM stage (p = 0.011) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.006). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that 5-year overall survival of BC patients with high miR-330-3p expression was shorter compared to those patients with low miR-330-3p expression (p < 0.0001). Moreover, univariate and multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that miR-330-3p was an independent prognostic factor in BC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that miR-330-3p upregulation maybe concurrently associated with prognosis in patients with BC, suggesting that miR-330-3p may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with BC.

Whole exome sequencing identified a second pathogenic variant in HOMER2 for autosomal dominant non-syndromic deafness

Hearing loss is one of the most common sensory disorders worldwide, and about half of all occurrences are attributable to genetic factors. Here, we have identified a novel pathogenic variant in HOMER2 in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant, non-syndromic hearing loss. This is the second family reported globally with hearing loss caused by a variant in HOMER2. The pathogenic variant c.840_841insC in HOMER2 (NM_199330), segregating with the hearing-loss phenotype in the family, leads to a premature stop codon producing a truncated protein. The coiled-coil domain in the C-terminal of HOMER2 protein is essential for protein multimerization and HOMER2-CDC42 interaction. We compared the phenotypes in the two families and found that hearing impairment in this Chinese family was more severe. Furthermore, we found that the ability of this insertion mutant type HOMER2 (HOMER2_MU ) to multimerize decreased more significantly than wild-type HOMER2 (HOMER2_WT ) and the reported c.554G>C (NM_004839) mutant HOMER2. HOMER2_MU protein tended to be distributed in a diffuse manner, whereas HOMER2_WT and the reported mutant HOMER2 tended to cluster together. Our research provides a validating second family for variants in HOMER2 causing non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss. HOMER2 homo-/hetero-multimerization might be the first step in exerting its normal function.

Diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria with flowcytometry panels including CD157: Data from the real world

BACKGROUND

Several studies have used CD157 in white blood cells with or without proaerolysin (fluorescein-labeled proaerolysin [FLAER])-based flow cytometry assays in the diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).

METHODS

We designed a seven-color CD marker panel comprising FLAER, CD15, CD64, CD24, CD14, CD157, and CD45 to verify CD157's clinical applicability and diagnostic performance in a clinical setting.

RESULTS

A total of 356 samples were tested. These included 43 PNH-positive samples and 313 PNH-negative samples. PNH clones confirmed by the CD157/FLAER combination were almost identical in size to the clones detected by the CD24/CD14/FLAER combination, and the accuracy of the CD157/FLAER combination was 100% in granulocytes and 99.7% in monocytes. Substitution of FLAER with CD157 resulted in 1.9% and 3.5% false-positives in granulocytes and monocytes, respectively. The accuracy was 98.3% and 96.9% in granulocytes and monocytes, respectively. Moreover, the loss of CD157 expression in granulocytes and monocytes was commonly observed in non-PNH patients. Some monocytes in non-PNH patients had weak expression of CD14 but normal expression of FLAER. In this study, PNH clones in granulocytes were always lower than those in matched monocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

We performed the first prospective exploration of the clinical usefulness of FLAER and CD157 in simultaneously recognizing PNH clones in granulocytes and monocytes and verified the applicability of CD157 in substitute for both CD14 and CD24. In the conditions where FLAER is not available, substitution of FLAER with CD157 is acceptable for the identification of PNH clones under the premise of giving full attention to the potential for false-positives.

Recognizing basal cell carcinoma on smartphone-captured digital histopathology images with a deep neural network

BACKGROUND

Pioneering effort has been made to facilitate the recognition of pathology in malignancies based on whole-slide images (WSIs) through deep learning approaches. It remains unclear whether we can accurately detect and locate basal cell carcinoma (BCC) using smartphone-captured images.

OBJECTIVES

To develop deep neural network frameworks for accurate BCC recognition and segmentation based on smartphone-captured microscopic ocular images (MOIs).

METHODS

We collected a total of 8046 MOIs, 6610 of which had binary classification labels and the other 1436 had pixelwise annotations. Meanwhile, 128 WSIs were collected for comparison. Two deep learning frameworks were created. The 'cascade' framework had a classification model for identifying hard cases (images with low prediction confidence) and a segmentation model for further in-depth analysis of the hard cases. The 'segmentation' framework directly segmented and classified all images. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the overall performance of BCC recognition.

RESULTS

The MOI- and WSI-based models achieved comparable AUCs around 0·95. The 'cascade' framework achieved 0·93 sensitivity and 0·91 specificity. The 'segmentation' framework was more accurate but required more computational resources, achieving 0·97 sensitivity, 0·94 specificity and 0·987 AUC. The runtime of the 'segmentation' framework was 15·3 ± 3·9 s per image, whereas the 'cascade' framework took 4·1 ± 1·4 s. Additionally, the 'segmentation' framework achieved 0·863 mean intersection over union.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the accessible MOIs via smartphone photography, we developed two deep learning frameworks for recognizing BCC pathology with high sensitivity and specificity. This work opens a new avenue for automatic BCC diagnosis in different clinical scenarios. What's already known about this topic? The diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is labour intensive due to the large number of images to be examined, especially when consecutive slide reading is needed in Mohs surgery. Deep learning approaches have demonstrated promising results on pathological image-related diagnostic tasks. Previous studies have focused on whole-slide images (WSIs) and leveraged classification on image patches for detecting and localizing breast cancer metastases. What does this study add? Instead of WSIs, microscopic ocular images (MOIs) photographed from microscope eyepieces using smartphone cameras were used to develop neural network models for recognizing BCC automatically. The MOI- and WSI-based models achieved comparable areas under the curve around 0·95. Two deep learning frameworks for recognizing BCC pathology were developed with high sensitivity and specificity. Recognizing BCC through a smartphone could be considered a future clinical choice.

[Effect of two kinds of materials on the prevention of early erosive enamel wear]

Objective: To investigate the preventive effect of resin infiltration and adhesive on early erosive enamel wear. Methods: Orthodontic reduction premolars collected from Central Laboratory of Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University were used to prepare 70 specimens. Forty samples were divided into eight groups (n=5) and treated with different conditions (pH=1.6, 2.4, 3.2 or 4.0 hydrochloric acid solution, etching time was 30 or 60 s), and the conditions for obtaining early erosive enamel samples were selected. Based on this procedure, thirty early erosive enamel samples were made and divided into three groups: control group, resin infiltration group, and adhesive group. And the treatment of 30 days acid abrasion cycle was carried out. Confocal microscopy was used to measure the thickness changes of enamel or material before and after cycle. Results: Early erosive enamel samples was obtained when pH was 4.0 and etching time was 60 s. After 30 days cycle, the wear of enamel was (29.71±6.72) μm in control group, (5.60±2.24) μm in resin infiltration group and (2.89±1.03) μm in adhesive group. In infiltration group and adhesive group, lower enamel was not affected by the cycle, and the material loss ratios of the infiltration resin group and adhesive group were 0.41±0.14 and 0.29±0.13, respectively. The ratio of material loss was not significantly different (P>0.05). But infiltration group lost (12.95±2.22) μm of enamel during the application of the material. Conclusions: Resin infiltration and adhesive have the same short-term protective effect against early erosive enamel wear. Adhesive has less damage to enamel and better effect.

[Clinical analysis of MRS and DWI in predicting delayed brain edema after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage]

Objective: Prediction of delayed brain edema after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage by magnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with diffusion weighted imaging, and to explore the causes and treatment of delayed brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods: The patients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage diagnosed by CT from January 2015 to June 2018 in our hospital were analyzed. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion weighted imaging examinations were performed on the third day after hemorrhage. It was diagnosed as delayed brain edema that the edema range enlarged more than 1 cm in CT scan on the 14th day Compare with the 7th Day. The patients were divided into the delayed brain edema group and the control group(n=27 for each). The NAA/Cr value and rADC value of the edema area in the two groups were analyzed by T test. Results: The NAA/Cr value (1.67±0.38) in the edema area of patients with delayed brain edema was significantly decreased Compare with the control group(1.92±0.42), and the rADC value (2.59±0.42) reduced significantly Compare with the control group (2.93±0.51), the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: MRS and DWI were susceptive in showing delayed brain edema lesions at hyper-early phase. Combination of MRS and DWI can provide a basis for clinical individual treatment programs selection and prognostic evaluation.

Low Platelet Counts at Diagnosis Predict Better Survival for Patients with Intermediate-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia

BACKGROUND

Aggressive growth of primitive and immature cells in the bone marrow results in reductions in megakaryocyte and platelet (PLT) counts, leading to thrombocytopenia in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, not all AML patients show thrombocytopenia at the time of diagnosis, and the association of PLT count with patient survival is largely unknown.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed to determine PLT counts at diagnosis in the peripheral blood in 291 newly diagnosed AML patients and assess the association of PLT counts with the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of these patients.

RESULTS

Low PLT counts (≤40 × 109/L) were associated with better outcomes for the whole cohort (5-year OS, 55.1 ± 3.8 vs. 35.3 ± 3.5%, p < 0.001; 5-year DFS, 49.1 ± 3.8 vs. 25.7 ± 4.0%, p < 0.001) and intermediate-risk patients (5-year OS, 64.5 ± 5.4 vs. 41.0 ± 4.8%, p < 0.001; 5-year DFS, 60.8 ± 5.6 vs. 28.6 ± 5.6%, p < 0.001). Moreover, low PLT counts were related to deeper molecular remission. Low PLT counts correlated with better survival of intermediate-risk AML patients treated with chemotherapy only. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation attenuated the negative impact of high PLT counts on the survival of intermediate-risk patients. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that PLT count at diagnosis was an independent prognostic factor for intermediate-risk AML.

CONCLUSION

PLT count at diagnosis predicts survival for patients with intermediate-risk AML.

[Association of arsenic with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion: a case-control study]

Objective: To explore the association of arsenic with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). Methods: A case-control study was conducted to select URSA patients who were admitted to the Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from April to October 2018 as a case group. Women who had a normal pregnancy in the Family Planning Department of the hospital but volunteered to have an abortion were selected as a control group. The case and control group were paired in a 1: 1 ratio. The inclusion criteria of the case group were patients with newly diagnosed recurrent spontaneous abortion who had clinically confirmed more than 2 spontaneous abortions and had 20 weeks prior to pregnancy, excluding patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion caused by abnormal blood coagulation (anti-phospholipid antibody positive), abnormal physiological anatomy (B-ultrasound), abnormal immune factors (anti-nuclear antibody positive, anti-cardiolipin antibody, etc.), genetic chromosomal abnormalities (karyotype analysis) and pathogenic microbial infection. The control group was matched according to the age of the case group (±3 years old) and the gestational age (±2 weeks) to exclude adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirth, congenital malformation, premature delivery and low birth weight infants. A total of 192 subjects were included. Questionnaires were used to collect information of all subjects, and 12 ml of peripheral venous blood was collected to detect blood arsenic levels. Blood arsenic levels were divided into low concentration group (<1.00 μg/L), medium concentration group (1.00-1.50 μg/L) and high concentration group (>1.50 μg/L). The multivariate conditional logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between blood arsenic exposure and URSA and explore the influencing factors of blood Arsenic. Results: The geometric mean values of blood arsenic level in the cases group and control group were 1.68 (1.50-1.86) μg/L and 1.26 (1.17-1.37) μg/L, respectively. The blood arsenic level in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The results of multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for tobacco exposure during pregnancy, pre-pregnancy body mass index and the effects of residential decoration in past five years, the risk of URSA was higher in the high-concentration group compared with the low-concentration group (OR=2.56, 95%CI:1.06-6.24). Conclusion: Blood arsenic may increase the risk of URSA in women of childbearing age.