Metabolic habitat imaging with hemodynamic heterogeneity predicts individual progression-free survival in high-grade glioma

AIM

We design a feasibility study to obtain a set of metabolic-hemodynamic habitats for tackling tumor spatial metabolic patterns with hemodynamic information.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Preoperative data from 69 high-grade gliomas (HGG) patients with subsequent histologic confirmation of HGG were prospectively collected (January 2016 to March 2020) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Four vascular habitats were automatically segmented by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The metabolic information, either at enhancing or edema tumor regions, was obtained by two neuroradiologists. The relative habitat volumes were used for weight estimation procedures for computing the coefficients of a linear regression model using weighted least squares (WLS) for metabolite semiquantifications (i.e. the Cho/NAA ratio and the Cho/Cr ratio) at vascular habitats. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses are used to obtain the odds ratio (OR) and develop a nomogram using weighted estimators corresponding to each covariate derived from Cox regression coefficients.

RESULTS

There was a strongly correlation between perfusion indexes and the Cho/Cr ratio (rCBV, r=0.71) or Cho/NAA ratio (rCBV, r=0.66) at high-angiogenic enhancing tumor habitats (HAT) habitat. Compared isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation to their wild type, the IDH wild type had significantly decreased Cho/Cr ratio (IDH mutation: Cho/Cr ratio = 2.44 ± 0.33, IDH wildtype: Cho/Cr ratio = 2.66 ± 0.36, p=0.02) and Cho/NAA ratio (IDH mutation: Cho/Cr ratio = 4.59 ± 0.61, IDH wildtype: Cho/Cr ratio = 4.99 ± 0.66, p=0.022) at the HAT. The C-index for the median progression-free survival (PFS) prediction was 0.769 for the Cho/NAA nomogram and 0.747 for the Cho/Cr nomogram through 1000 bootstrapping validation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that spatial metabolism combined with hemodynamic heterogeneity is associated with individual PFS to HGG patients post-CCRT.

Patient-reported outcomes with selpercatinib treatment in patients with RET-driven cancers in the phase I/II LIBRETTO-001 trial

BACKGROUND

This post-hoc retrospective study describes long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for REarranged during Transfection (RET)-altered non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), non-MTC thyroid cancer (TC), and tumor agnostic (TA) patients (Data cut-off: January 2023) from the LIBRETTO-001 trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30). Patients with MTC also completed a modified version of the Systemic Therapy-Induced Diarrhea Assessment Tool (mSTIDAT). The proportion of patients with improved, stable, or worsened status after baseline was reported. PROs were summarized at 3 years (cycle 37) post-baseline for the NSCLC and MTC cohorts, and at 2 years (cycle 25) post-baseline for the TC and TA cohorts. Time-to-event outcomes (time to first improvement or worsening and duration of improvement) were reported.

RESULTS

The baseline assessment was completed by 200 (63.3%), 209 (70.8%), 50 (76.9%), and 38 (73.1%) patients in the NSCLC, MTC, TC, and TA cohorts, respectively. The total compliance rate was 80%, 82%, 70%, and 85%, respectively. Approximately 75% (NSCLC), 81% (MTC), 75% (TC), and 40% (TA) of patients across all cohorts reported improved or stable QLQ-C30 scores at year 3 (NSCLC and MTC) or year 2 (TC and TA) with continuous selpercatinib use. Across cohorts, the median time to first improvement ranged from 2.0 to 19.4 months, the median duration of improvement ranged from 1.9 to 28.2 months, and the median time to first worsening ranged from 5.6 to 44.2 months. The total compliance rate for the mSTIDAT was 83.7% and the proportion of patients with MTC who reported diarrhea on the mSTIDAT was reduced from 80.8% at baseline to 35.6% at year 3.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of patients with RET-driven cancers improved or remained stable on most QLQ-C30 domains, demonstrating favorable health-related quality of life as measured by the QLQ-C30 during long-term treatment with selpercatinib.

Prediction model for mild cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes using the autonomic function test

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment, and reduced heart rate variability (HRV) has been correlated with cognitive impairment in elderly individuals. This study investigated risk factors and validated a predictive model for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with T2DM using an autonomic function test.

METHODS

Patients with T2DM, 50-85 years of age, who attended the diabetes clinic at Gyeongsang National University Hospital between March 2018 and December 2019, were included. A total of 201 patients had been screened; we enrolled 124 patients according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in this study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean version (MOCA-K); MCI was defined as a total MOCA-K score ≤ 23. Risk factors for MCI in patients with T2DM, including demographic- and diabetes-related factors, and autonomic function test results, were analyzed. Based on multivariate logistic regression, a nomogram was developed as a prediction model for MCI.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine of 124 patients were diagnosed with MCI. Age, education, and decreased cardiovagal function were associated with a high risk for MCI, with cardiovagal function exerting the greatest influence. However, diabetes-related factors, such as glycemic control, duration of diabetes, or medications, were not associated with the risk for MCI. The nomogram demonstrated excellent discrimination (area under the curve, 0.832) and was well calibrated.

CONCLUSION

Approximately one-third of patients had MCI; as such, carefully evaluating cognitive function in elderly T2DM patients with reduced HRV is important to prevent progression to dementia.

[Analysis of ultrasound images features and diagnostic model establishment of alveolar soft part sarcoma and intramuscular capillary-type hemangiomas]

Objective: The ultrasonography features of alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) and intramuscular capillary-type hemangiomas (ICTH) were analyzed, and the diagnostic model of ASPS was established. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. The clinical data of 52 patients [28 males and 24 females, aged (20.7±15.1) years] with pathologically confirmed ASPS and ICTH admitted to People's Hospital of Henan Province from January 2005 to February 2023 were included in the study. According to pathological types, the patients were divided into ASPS group and ICTH group. Clinical data of patients were retrospectively collected, and meaningful indicators in the univariate analysis were included in the regression analysis for screening. After comprehensive consideration of clinical significance and statistical significance, eligible indicators were selected for inclusion in the regression analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to screen the factors that distinguished the pathological types of ASPS and ICTH, and the diagnostic model was established. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of the diagnostic model in distinguishing ASPS from ICTH. Results: There were 20 patients in ASPS group, 10 males and 10 females, aged (26.9±13.5) years, and 32 patients in ICTH group, 18 males and 14 females, aged (16.8±15.0) years. The age difference between the ASPS group and the ICTH group was statistically significant (P<0.05), and there were statistically significant differences in the ultrasound imaging features of "clear boundary" "peripheral lobe" "thin blood vessels inside the lesion are straight and out of shape" "intra-lesion liquification" "peripheral thick blood vessels" and "peripheral muscle fiber disruption" between the two groups (all P<0.001).Variables with clinical and statistical significance were selected as independent variables. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that peripheral muscle fiber interruption (OR=97.358, 95%CI:6.833-1 387.249) and internal thin blood vessels were flat and out of shape (OR=0.052, 95%CI:0.003-0.921) was the correlation factor to distinguish the pathological types of ASPS and ICTH. Two ultrasonic image features of "peripheral muscle fiber interruption" and "internal thin blood vessels are straight and out of shape" were used to establish the diagnostic model. The sensitivity of "peripheral muscle fiber interruption" diagnostic model was 81.3%, and the specificity was 95.0%. The AUC was 0.811(95%CI: 0.761-0.954). The sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the diagnosis model of "internal thin vessels with flat misshape" were 90.0%, 96.9% and 0.934(95%CI: 0.830-0.984). The sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the combined diagnosis model of "peripheral muscle fiber interruption" and "internal thin blood vessel straight out of shape" were 96.9%, 90.0% and 0.974(95%CI:0.877-0.999). Conclusion: Ultrasonography can be used to distinguish ASPS from ICTH, and the combined diagnostic model based on the two ultrasonic imaging features of "peripheral muscle fiber interruption" and "internal thin blood vessel straight out of shape" can further improve the diagnostic efficiency.

Different tumor growth pattern of clinically nonfunctioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumor according to sex and age: a longitudinal study

PURPOSE

Asymptomatic patients with clinically non-functional pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (CNF-PitNETs) are usually followed up. However, the natural course of CNF-PitNETs according to sex and age remains unclear. Therefore, this study assessed growth patterns of CNF-PitNETs according to sex and age.

METHODS

In this longitudinal study, we enrolled 431 consecutive patients with CNF-PitNETs who were treated at Seoul National University Hospital from 1997 to 2021. The patients underwent hormone function testing and visual field testing, and were subsequently followed up with imaging over a median duration of 66 months.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 53.0 years, and 37.1% (n = 160) were men. Men were older and harbored more macroadenomas than women. The annual tumor volume change was higher in men than in women (0.21 vs. 0.04 cm3/year, P < 0.001). The estimated cutoff value of age for significant tumor growth was 51 years. In men, the annual tumor volume change was similar across all age groups. In women, those aged ≤ 50 years showed significantly lower annual tumor volume change than those aged > 50 years (0.01, 0.11, and 0.17 cm3/year, P = 0.001). When comparing sexes within the same age group, the annual tumor volume changes was significantly lower for women than for men, only in patients aged ≤ 50 years (0.01 vs. 0.15 cm3/year, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with CNF-PitNET, tumor growth was slower in women aged ≤ 50 years than in men and women aged > 50. These findings may guide the customization of surveillance strategies for CNF-PitNETs according to sex and age.

A machine learning model for prediction of sarcopenia in patients with Parkinson's Disease

OBJECTIVE

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have an increased risk of sarcopenia which is expected to negatively affect gait, leading to poor clinical outcomes including falls. In this study, we investigated the gait patterns of patients with PD with and without sarcopenia (sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups, respectively) using an app-derived program and explored if gait parameters could be utilized to predict sarcopenia based on machine learning.

METHODS

Clinical and sarcopenia profiles were collected from patients with PD at Hoehn and Yahr (HY) stage ≤ 2. Sarcopenia was defined based on the updated criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. The gait patterns of the patients with and without sarcopenia were recorded and analyzed using a smartphone application. The random forest model was applied to predict sarcopenia in patients with PD.

RESULTS

Data from 38 patients with PD were obtained, among which 9 (23.7%) were with sarcopenia. Clinical parameters were comparable between the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups. Among various clinical and gait parameters, the average range of motion of the hip joint showed the highest association with sarcopenia. Based on the random forest algorithm, the combined difference in knee and ankle angles from standing still before walking to the maximum angle during walking (Kneeankle_diff), the difference between the angle when standing still before walking and the maximum angle during walking for the ankle (Ankle_dif), and the min angle of the hip joint (Hip_min) were the top three features that best predict sarcopenia. The accuracy of this model was 0.949.

CONCLUSIONS

Using smartphone app and machine learning technique, our study revealed gait parameters that are associated with sarcopenia and that help predict sarcopenia in PD. Our study showed potential application of advanced technology in clinical research.

Multimodel habitats constructed by perfusion and/or diffusion MRI predict isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation status and prognosis in high-grade gliomas

AIM

To determine whether tumour vascular and cellular heterogeneity of high-grade glioma (HGG) is predictive of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status and overall survival (OS) by using tumour habitat-based analysis constructed by perfusion and/or diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-eight HGG patients that met the 2021 World Health Organization WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System, 5th edition (WHO CNS5), were enrolled to predict IDH mutation status, of which 32 grade 4 patients with unmethylated O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter were enrolled for prognostic analysis. The deep-learning-based model nnU-Net and K-means clustering algorithm were applied to construct the Traditional Habitat, Vascular Habitat (VH), Cellular Density Habitat (DH), and their Combined Habitat (CH). Quantitative parameters were extracted and compared between IDH-mutant and IDH-wild-type patients, respectively, and the prediction potential was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. OS was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Compared with IDH-mutants, median relative cerebral blood volume (rCBVmedian) values in the whole enhancing tumour (WET), VH1, VH3, CH1-4 habitats were significantly increased in IDH-wild-type HGGs (all p<0.05). Additionally, the accuracy of rCBVmedian values in CH1 outperformed other habitats in identifying IDH mutation status (p<0.001) at a cut-off value of 4.83 with AUC of 0.815. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis highlighted significant differences in OS between the populations dichotomised by the median of rCBVmedian in WET, VH1, CH1-3 habitats (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The habitat imaging technique may improve the accuracy of predicting IDH mutation status and prognosis, and even provide a new direction for subsequent personalised precision treatment.

TonEBP Haploinsufficiency Attenuates Microglial Activation and Memory Deficits in Middle-Aged and Amyloid β Oligomer-Treated Mice

Age-related microglial activation is associated with cognitive impairment. Tonicity-responsive enhancer-binding protein (TonEBP) is a critical mediator of microglial activation in response to neuroinflammation. However, the precise role of TonEBP in the middle-aged brain is not yet known. We used TonEBP haploinsufficient mice to investigate the role of TonEBP in middle-aged or amyloid β oligomer (AβO)-injected brains and examined the effect of TonEBP knockdown on AβO-treated BV2 microglial cells. Consistent with an increase in microglial activation with aging, hippocampal TonEBP expression levels were increased in middle-aged (12-month-old) and old (24-month-old) mice compared with young (6-month-old) mice. Middle-aged TonEBP haploinsufficient mice showed reduced microglial activation and fewer memory deficits than wild-type mice. Electron microscopy revealed that synaptic pruning by microglial processes was reduced by TonEBP haploinsufficiency. TonEBP haploinsufficiency also reduced dendritic spine loss and improved memory deficits in AβO-treated mice. Furthermore, TonEBP knockdown attenuated migration and phagocytosis in AβO-treated BV2 cells. These findings suggest that TonEBP plays important roles in age-related microglial activation and memory deficits.

Incidence, Radiologic and Dosimetric Parameters Associated with Radiation Induced Breast Lymphedema

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Radiation induced breast lymphedema (BL) is an underreported but common finding. This study aimed to report the incidence of clinical BL and investigate the radiologic and dosimetric parameters associated with higher risk of BL.

MATERIALS/METHODS

This IRB approved study included women with breast cancer who underwent breast conservative surgery followed by adjuvant radiation therapy between 2019 and 2021 at our institution. We reviewed the eligible patients' charts for incidence of clinical BL resulting in symptoms and requiring physical therapy referral. Thickness of the skin at defined center and bottom points of the breast was measured for patient' baseline and follow up mammograms. Dosimetric parameters were imported from patients' radiation plans including mean, maximum doses, and volumes receiving 20, 30, 40, & 50 Gy (V20, V30, V40, & V50), of the whole breast (WB), breast_eval (BE), and breast skin (BS) (defined as the superficial 5 mm of the skin). A chi-square test was used to test the association between clinical BL and radiation treatment regimens and beam energies and the association of skin thicknesses between those who had clinical BL and those who did not. A Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to test the association of the dosimetric parameters with clinical BL.

RESULTS

We identified 268 patients who were eligible for the study. After chart and radiologic review, 119 patients had complete records available and were included in this study. Twenty-nine patients (24.4%) of the patients presented with symptomatic BL. Most patients (68%) received hypofractionated (42.56 Gy with or without 10 Gy boost), while 25% received conventional and 7% received ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy. There was no association between the fractionation and incidence of BL (p = 0.4). There was no association between breast size and BL (mean 1065 cc vs 1232 cc, p = 0.35). There was significant association between BL and BS V30 (142cc vs 162 cc, p = 0.02), and BS V40 (82 cc vs 102 cc, p = 0.02), and a trend towards significant association with BS V20 (172cc vs. 193cc, p = 0.08), BS V50 (8 cc vs. 16 cc, p = 0.06). There was no significant association between BL and BS mean dose (36.9 Gy vs 39 Gy p = 0.11), or BS max dose (53.9 Gy vs 54.1 Gy, p = 0.21). None of the dosimetric parameters of WB and BE had significant association with clinical BL. Utilizing ROC analysis, there was significant association between clinical BL and the change of baseline mammogram breast skin thickness and skin thickness at 6 months follow up mammograms (+13 mm center point p = 0.04, +9 mm bottom point p<0.5), and at 12 months mammograms (+15 mm center point p<0.5, +11 mm bottom point p<0.5).

CONCLUSION

Almost 1 in 4 women experienced radiation induced BL in our cohort. BS V30 & V40 are significantly associated with higher risk of BL. There was significant association between increased skin thickening in 6- and 12-months follow up mammograms and BL. Further analysis will follow to assess the association between surgical and clinical characteristics and BL.

Clinical Outcomes with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer: Results from a Prospective Registry Trial

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Metastasis-directed radiation therapy using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in oligometastatic prostate cancer (Oligo PCa) has a demonstrated benefit for local control and biochemical recurrence free survival for men with oligorecurrent PCa; however, the impact of SBRT within other oligometastatic states and in the context of systemic therapy remains poorly characterized. In this study, we investigate prognostic factors for clinical outcomes in a prospective cohort of Oligo PCa patients treated with metastasis-directed SBRT.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Using a single-institution registry trial, we analyzed a prospective cohort of 86 patients with Oligo PCa (≤5 metastatic lesions) and treated with metastasis-directed SBRT between 2017- 2022. Patients were classified as synchronous, metachronous, or induced oligometastatic disease as per the ESTRO guidelines. We evaluated the time to radiographic progression (TTRP), defined as the time from SBRT start date to radiographic progression, as well as time to initiation of new treatment (TTNT), defined as the time from SBRT end date to initiation of new therapy (systemic or radiation therapy). Time to event (TTE) was defined as the time from SBRT start date to radiographic progression or initiation of new therapy, whichever occurred first. Patients without documented events were censored at the date of last disease assessment. Comparative analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression methods.

RESULTS

Eighty-six men with Oligo PCa treated with SBRT were followed for a median of 16.4 months with M0 (73%), Oligo PCa (21%) or polymetastatic PCa (6%) GS > = 8 (63%) at initial diagnosis. At the time of treatment with initial SBRT, 21% had synchronous oligometastatic disease, 63% had metachronous or repeat oligorecurrence or oligoprogression, and 16% had induced oligometastatic disease. Most patients were treated to 1-3 sites (94%), which predominantly included bone (86%), and the median dose was 35 Gy/5F. Concurrent systemic therapy during SBRT was seen in 85% of patients, including (60.5% with new generation androgen receptor signaling inhibitors). Overall survival at 1-year and 2-years was 96.9% [95% CI, 88.2-99.2%] and 94.4% [95% CI, 83.2-98.2%]. Using univariable analysis, those who did not receive systemic treatment during SBRT had significantly shorter TTRP (HR 3.67, [95% CI, 1.62-8.32], p = 0.002), TTNT (HR 3.24, 95% CI [1.49-7.06], p = 0.003), and TTE (HR 3.05, [95% CI, 1.44-6.45], p = 0.004). Additionally, patients treated with SBRT for metachronous (HR 2.89, [95% CI 0.68-12.30]) and induced metastatic disease (HR 8.96, [95% CI 1.85-43.37]) had significantly shorter TTE compared to synchronous oligometastatic disease (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Using a prospective registry cohort of men with Oligo PCa treated with SBRT, we identify an association of oligometastatic state and the use of concurrent systemic therapy with improved TTRP and TTNT. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Auditory cortex hyperconnectivity before rTMS is correlated with tinnitus improvement

INTRODUCTION

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used as a potential treatment for tinnitus; however, its effectiveness is variable and unpredictable. We hypothesized that resting-state functional connectivity before rTMS may be correlated with rTMS treatment effectiveness.

METHODS

We applied 1-Hz rTMS to the left primary auditory (A1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) of 10 individuals with tinnitus and 10 age-matched controls. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies were performed approximately one week before rTMS. Seed-based connectivity analyses were conducted for each individual, with seed regions as rTMS target areas.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, the left superior temporal areas showed significantly increased positive connectivity with the left A1 and negative connectivity with the left DLPFC in the tinnitus group. The left frontoparietal and right cerebellar areas showed significantly increased negative connectivity with the left A1 and positive connectivity with the left DLPFC. Seed-based hyperconnectivity was correlated with tinnitus improvement (pre-rTMS vs. 2-week post-rTMS Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores). Tinnitus improvement was significantly correlated with left A1 hyperconnectivity; however, no correlation was observed with left DLPFC connectivity. Positive rTMS outcomes were associated with significantly increased positive connectivity in bilateral superior temporal areas and significantly increased negative connectivity in bilateral frontal areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that oversynchronisation of left A1 connectivity before rTMS of the left A1 and DLPFC is associated with treatment effectiveness.

Hufsiella ginkgonis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Hufsiella arboris sp. nov., isolated from tree barks

Two Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, bacteria that formed pale-pinkish colonies, designated HMF7056T and HMF7647T were isolated from Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) and Korean cornel dogwood (Cornus offcinalis), respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of 16S rRNA genes and 92 core genes indicated that two strains represent novel species within the family Sphingobacteriaceae. HMF7056T and HMF7647T showed high 16S rRNA sequence similarities to Daejeonella lutea N7d-4T (93.9 % and 95.7 %, respectively). The genomes of HMF7056T and HMF7647T were 5.2 and 4.8 Mbp in size with 50.5 and 42.5 % DNA G+C contents, respectively. Menaquinone-7 was the main respiratory quinone. The predominant fatty acids of HMF7056T and HMF7647T were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The major polar lipid of both strains was phosphatidylethanolamine. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of HMF7056T, HMF7647T and related species were well below the threshold limit for species delineation (<68.9 and <20.8 %, respectively). The average amino acid identity values of HMF7056T, HMF7647T with related type strains were below 67.8 and 68.3 %, respectively. On the basis of the results of phenotypic and phylogenetic characterizations, the two strains are considered to represent members of a novel genus of the family Sphingobacteriaceae, for which the names Hufsiella ginkgonis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Hufsiella arboris sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are HMF7056T (=KCTC 72282T =NBRC 113964T) and HMF7647T (=KCTC 72283T =NBRC 113965T), respectively.

Exploratory Multisite MR Spectroscopic Imaging Shows White Matter Neuroaxonal Loss Associated with Complications of Type 1 Diabetes in Children

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Type 1 diabetes affects over 200,000 children in the United States and is associated with an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction. Prior single-site, single-voxel MRS case reports and studies have identified associations between reduced NAA/Cr, a marker of neuroaxonal loss, and type 1 diabetes. However, NAA/Cr differences among children with various disease complications or across different brain tissues remain unclear. To better understand this phenomenon and the role of MRS in characterizing it, we conducted a multisite pilot study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 25 children, 6-14 years of age, with type 1 diabetes across 3 sites, we acquired T1WI and axial 2D MRSI along with phantom studies to calibrate scanner effects. We quantified tissue-weighted NAA/Cr in WM and deep GM and modeled them against study covariates.

RESULTS

We found that MRSI differentiated WM and deep GM by NAA/Cr on the individual level. On the population level, we found significant negative associations of WM NAA/Cr with chronic hyperglycemia quantified by hemoglobin A1c (P < .005) and a history of diabetic ketoacidosis at disease onset (P < .05). We found a statistical interaction (P < .05) between A1c and ketoacidosis, suggesting that neuroaxonal loss from ketoacidosis may outweigh that from poor glucose control. These associations were not present in deep GM.

CONCLUSIONS

Our pilot study suggests that MRSI differentiates GM and WM by NAA/Cr in this population, disease complications may lead to neuroaxonal loss in WM in children, and deeper investigation is warranted to further untangle how diabetic ketoacidosis and chronic hyperglycemia affect brain health and cognition in type 1 diabetes.

The microRNA-485-3p concentration in salivary exosome-enriched extracellular vesicles is related to amyloid β deposition in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVES

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive long-term memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. Neuroimaging tests for abnormal amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition are considered the most reliable methods for the diagnosis of AD; however, the cost for such testing is very high and generally not covered by national insurance systems. Accordingly, it is only recommended for individuals exhibiting clinical symptoms of AD supported by clinical cognitive assessments. Recently, it was suggested that dysregulated microRNA-485-3p (miRNA-485-3p) in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid is closely related to pathogenesis of AD. However, a relationship between circulating miRNA-485-3p in salivary exosome-enriched extracellular vesicles (EE-EV) and Aβ deposition in the brain has not been observed.

DESIGN & METHODS

Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we analyzed miRNA-485-3p concentration in salivary EE-EV. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to evaluate its predictive value for Aβ positron emission tomography (Aβ-PET) positivity in patients with AD.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the miRNA-485-3p concentration in salivary EE-EV isolated from patients with AD was significantly increased compared with that in the healthy controls (p<0.0001). In the analysis of all participants, the miRNA-485-3p concentration was significantly increased in Aβ-PET-positive participants compared to Aβ-PET-negative participants (p<0.0001). Further analysis using only AD patients also showed that the miRNA-485-3p concentration was significantly increased in Aβ-PET-positive AD patients vs. Aβ-PET-negative AD patients (p=0.0063). The ROC curve analysis for differentiating Aβ-PET-positive and negative participants showed that the area under the curve for miRNA-485-3p was 0.9217.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that the miRNA-485-3p concentration in salivary EE-EV was closely related to Aβ deposition in the brain and had high diagnostic accuracy for predicting Aβ-PET positivity.

Treatment outcomes of multidrug-resistant TB with selective use of new drugs

SETTING: This was a nationwide cohort study.OBJECTIVE: To assess the treatment outcomes in patients with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) who underwent treatment guided by a national TB expert review committee in South Korea.DESIGN: We enrolled all patients with MDR-TB submitted for approval for the use of new TB drugs, including bedaquiline and delamanid, from 2016 to 2019. Patients were classified into two groups: those on new TB drugs and those not on new TB drugs. We compared the final treatment outcomes between the groups and analysed the prognostic factors.RESULTS: Of a total of 785 patients, respectively 754 (96.1%) and 31 (3.9%) were classified into the "new TB drugs" group and "no new TB drugs" group. The new TB drugs group had a higher acid-fast bacilli smear positivity rate and higher resistance rate to second-line injectable drugs or fluoroquinolones. Of all the patients, 97.8% achieved culture conversion (97.7% vs. 100%), and 80.4% achieved treatment success (80.2% vs. 86.7%); there was no difference between the two groups.CONCLUSIONS: New drugs are currently recommended for use in all MDR-TB treatment regimens, and the use of new drugs, as determined by an expert committee, in mainly quinolone-susceptible MDR-TB, did not compromise the treatment success rate.

[Clinical features and prognosis of cutaneous melanoma]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and prognosis of patients with cutaneous melanoma. Methods: The clinical data and follow-up data of 125 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) treated in the Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology between February 2008 and August 2019 were collected. Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank test were used for survival analysis, and Cox proportional risk regression model was used for impact factor analysis. Results: Among the 125 patients, 12 were stage Ⅰ, 62 were stage Ⅱ, 30 were stage Ⅲ, and 21 were stage Ⅳ; 76 were acral and 49 were non-acral. The median survival time was 44 months, and the 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates were 85.4%, 63.2% and 38.7%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier univariate survival analysis showed that Karnofsky performance status score, tumor stage, primary site, vascular infiltration, Ki-67, BRAF, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and surgical treatment were related to the prognosis of patients (P<0.05). The median overall survival (OS) time of patients receiving interferon treatment was 53 months, which was better than 40 months of patients not receiving interferon treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.448). Among stage Ⅲ patients, the median OS time of patients receiving interferon therapy was 40 months, which was better than 17 months of patients not receiving interferon therapy (P=0.012). Among stage Ⅱ patients, the 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates of acral patients were 97.1%, 84.7%, and 65.8%, and the 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates of non-acral patients were 93.3%, 70.0% and 17.0%. The prognosis of patients with stage Ⅱ acral type was better than that of non-acral type (P=0.043). The median survival time of stage Ⅲ patients with acral type was 32 months, better than 17 months of non-acral type, but the difference was not statistical significance (P=0.164). The median survival time of acral type and non-acral type was 8 months and 11 months respectively (P=0.458). Cox multivariate analysis showed that tumor stage and preoperative LDH level were independent prognostic risk factors for cutaneous melanoma. Conclusions: Interferon treatment can improve the prognosis of patients with stage Ⅲ, and stage Ⅱ acral type patients have better prognosis than that of non-acral type patients. Tumor stage and preoperative LDH level were independent prognostic risk factors for cutaneous melanoma.

Deinococcus betulae sp. nov. and Deinococcus arboris sp. nov., novel bacteria isolated from bark of birch tree (Betula platyphylla)

Two reddish-coloured bacterial strains (HMF7604T and HMF7620T) were isolated from bark of birch tree (Betula platyphylla) together with two strains (designed as HMF7603 and HMF7618). Cells were observed to be Gram-stain-negative, oval- to short rod-shaped and non-motile. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the four isolates belonged to the genus Deinococcus , family Deinococcaceae . They had the highest similarities (95.4–95.6 %) to Deinococcus multiflagellatus ID1504T, with which they formed a clade in phylogenetic trees. Menaquinone-8 was the only respiratory quinone. The predominant fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1  ω7c and/or C16 : 1  ω6c), C15 : 1  ω6c, C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. Strain HMF7604T contained two unidentified phosphoglycolipids, nine unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified aminolipid, three unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified polar lipids, while strain HMF7620T contained one unidentified phosphoglycolipid, four unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified polar lipid. The DNA G+C contents of strains HMF7604T and HMF7620T were 65.6 and 65.7 mol%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between the two isolates and their close relative D. multiflagellatus were 81.1–95.3 and 24.5–61.6 %, respectively. Based on the results of phenotypic and phylogenetic characterizations, the four isolates are considered to represent two novel species of the genus Deinococcus , for which the names Deinococcus betulae sp. nov. and Deinococcus arboris sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are HMF7604T (=KCTC 43354T=NBRC 115489T) and HMF7620T (=KCTC 43051T=NBRC 113959T).

[Activation of cannabinoid receptor 2 alleviates acute lung injury in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) activation against acute lung injury in rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Forty-eight SD rats were randomly assigned into control group, model group, CB2 agonist group and P38 MAPK inhibitor group (n=12). In the latter 3 groups, the rats received intraperitoneal injection of LPS to induce sepsis, and the control rats were given saline injection. In CB2 agonist group, JWH133 (3 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before LPS injection; in P38 MAPK inhibitor group, the rats received intraperitoneal injection of SB203580 (5 mg/kg) 30 min prior to JWH133 injection. The changes in lung histopathology, water content, fluid clearance rate, inflammatory factors, pulmonary expressions of CB2 and tight junctionrelated genes, and phosphorylation of P38 MAPK in the lung tissues were examined.

RESULTS

The rat models of sepsis showed severe damage of alveolar structures with significantly decreased fluid clearance rate, lowered pulmonary expressions of CB2, occludin and ZO-1 mRNA and proteins, increased water content in the lung tissue, and increased phosphorylation level of P38 MAPK and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in lung lavage fluid (all P < 0.05). Treatment with JWH133 improved alveolar pathology in the septic rats, but there was still inflammatory infiltration; lung tissue water content, phosphorylation of P38 MAPK, and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in lung lavage fluid were all significantly decreased, and the fluid clearance rate, pulmonary expressions of CB2, occludin and ZO-1 were significantly increased (all P < 0.05). Additional treatment with SB203580 resulted in further improvements of alveolar pathologies, lowered phosphorylation levels of P38 MAPK in the lung tissue and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in lung lavage fluid, and increased the protein expressions of occludin and ZO-1 (P < 0.05) without causing significant changes in mRNA and protein expression of CB2 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In rats with LPS-induced sepsis, activation of CB2 can inhibit the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, reduce the release of inflammatory factors in the lung tissues, promote tight junction protein expressions, and thus offer protection against acute lung injury.

P02.01.B The telomere maintenance mechanism spectrum and its dynamics in gliomas

The activation of the telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) is one of the critical drivers of cancer cell immortality. In gliomas, TERT expression and TERT promoter mutation are considered to reliably indicate telomerase activation, while ATRX mutation indicates alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). However, these relationships have not been extensively validated in tumor tissues. Here, we show through the direct measurement of telomerase activity and ALT in a large set of glioma samples that the TMM in glioma cannot be defined in the dichotomy of telomerase activity and ALT, regardless of TERT expression, TERT promoter mutation and ATRX mutation. Moreover, we observed that a considerable proportion of gliomas lack both telomerase activity and ALT (Neither group). And this Neither group exhibited evidence of slow growth potential. From a set of longitudinal samples from a separate cohort of glioma patients, we discovered that the TMM is not fixed but changes with glioma progression. Collectively, these results suggest that the TMM is a dynamic entity and that reflects the plasticity of the oncogenic biological status of tumor cells and that the TMM should be defined by the direct measurement of telomerase enzyme activity and evidence of ALT.

Holter electrocardiogram research trends and hotspots: bibliometrics and visual analysis

OBJECTIVE

With the help of metrology, we can identify research hotspots and development trends in dynamic electrocardiography, and thereby provide corresponding reference material to aid further theoretical research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All research data derived from the core collection of Web of Science, and all searches were completed on the same day (February 6, 2022). The obtained data were stored in plain text format and imported into CiteSpace for subsequent analysis. Citation analysis and visualization technology were used to draw a visual map of the research elements, using factors such as annual literature volume, country, journal, author, abstract, keywords, and citation.

RESULTS

After screening, 2,937 papers were obtained. Research on ambulatory electrocardiography is increasing worldwide every year. Using research hotspots, keyword-clustering time-zone maps, and high-frequency emerging words, the research in this field was roughly divided into two stages, with 2017 as the divider. The first stage primarily focuses on areas such as atrial fibrillation, stroke, autonomic nerve function, catheter ablation, and T-wave alternation. The second stage saw the focus shift to wearable devices, sudden cardiac death, obstructive sleep apnea, feature extraction, cryptogenic stroke, and similar topics.

CONCLUSIONS

With the development of various wearable technologies, the daily monitoring of healthy people engaged in sporting activities and the development of innovative analysis algorithms providing more accurate data may represent the hotspots and direction of future research.

The use of percutaneous thermal sensing microchips for non-invasive measurement of body temperature in foals during summer seasons in a subtropical region

Continuous accurate attainment of the body temperature of foals is important to detect early stages of severe heat stress or fever due to a systemic illness. Among a number of methods to measure body temperature, measuring rectal temperature with a digital thermometer is most frequently used due to being relatively fast and simple method. It is also comparatively accurate and correlates well with the core body temperature. However, this method requires restraining the foal for a few seconds to obtain the temperature, and it can be dangerous for the handling person. Percutaneous thermal sensing microchips (PTSMs) are a means of monitoring the body temperature of horses, which offers a non-invasive, hygienic, quick, and accurate way to measure body temperature and provide an identification number for each individual, once it is implanted. This study tested the hypothesis that PTSM has a strong relationship with a conventional body temperature measurement, i.e., measuring rectal temperature with a digital thermometer of foals during summer seasons. Thirty-two foals in three consecutive foaling seasons (2018, 2019, and 2020 season) were implanted a PTSM into the right pectoral muscle, the right splenius muscle, the right gluteal muscle, and the nuchal ligament as early as two weeks after birth. The four PTSM temperatures, rectal temperature, and climate conditions (air temperature, relative humidity, and wet-bulb globe temperature) were obtained simultaneously during the three summer seasons and paired for comparison analysis. Among the PTSM temperatures, the pectoral muscle had the highest correlation and the least differences with rectal temperature. Using PTSM was safe, easy, and reliable for attaining body temperature in foals.

Fibrella aquatilis sp. nov., Fibrella rubiginis sp. nov. and Fibrella forsythiae sp. nov., isolated from freshwater, rusty iron and forsythia flower

Three novel strains, designated as HMF5036T, HMF5335T and HMF5405T, were isolated from freshwater, rusty iron and forsythia flower, in Yong-in, Republic of Korea, respectively. They were Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, reddish-pigmented and rod-shaped bacteria. The predominant fatty acids of three strains were C16 : 1  ω5c and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1  ω7c and/or C16 : 1  ω6c). They were found to contain MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified lipid. Strains HMF5036T, HMF5335T and HMF5405T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 91.8, 92.6 and 93.6 % to Fibrella aestuarina BUZ 2T and less than 88.7 % to other members of the family Spirosomaceae . Similarity values among the three isolates ranged from 94.9 to 96.6 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the three isolates revealed that they formed a distinct clade within the family Spirosomaceae . The genome sizes of strains HMF5036T, HMF5335T and HMF5405T were 6.8, 6.4 and 7.8 Mbp, and their DNA G+C contents were 54.9, 54.0 and 52.1 mol%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity, digital DNA–DNA hybridization and amino acid identity values between three isolates and F. aestuarina BUZ 2T were 73.8–82.2, 19.6–25.4 and 75.0–87.5 %, respectively. These values were lower than the recommended threshold values for species delimitation. Based on the results of the phenotypic, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic investigations, three novel species, Fibrella aquatilis sp. nov., Fibrella rubiginis sp. nov. and Fibrella forsythiae sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are HMF5036T (=KCTC 82476T=NBRC 115092T), HMF5335T (=KCTC 82477T=NBRC 115093T) and HMF5405T (=KCTC 82478T=NBRC 115094T), respectively.

Gender bias in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background/introduction

Women receive less aggressive treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD), partly due to a delayed or incorrect diagnosis. However, there is little research into whether this gender bias extends to primary prevention of CVD (i.e. prevention of CVD in those individuals with no prior CVD events), and the reasons behind this bias.

Purpose

This study analysed gender differences in the primary prevention of CVD in the USA, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2015-2018. It also explored the drivers behind these differences. The hypothesis was that the known gender bias in CVD treatment also extends to primary prevention.

Methods

The risk of developing CVD over the next ten years was calculated using the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCEs) for 9,623 healthy men and women aged 40 to 79 years. 3,035 participants were found to be at higher CVD risk (ASCVD score above 7.5%) and potentially eligible for statins. Individuals with prior diagnosis of CVD were excluded from this study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) in the usage of preventive treatment between genders.

Results

The results showed that men were 21% more likely to be prescribed statins than women whilst women were 20-37% more likely to be told to make behaviour modifications than men (Table 1). An interdisciplinary literature review showed that lower CVD risk perception in women is a likely driver of this gender difference.

Conclusion

The well-known gender bias in the treatment of CVD also appears to take place in the primary prevention of CVD with statin therapy. These findings have highlighted the gender bias in primary prevention of CVD, supporting the scarce existing literature on this topic and providing more recent evidence in line with the updated CVD prevention guidance. This has implications in developing interventions based in the health system and community context to improve the treatment and survival outcomes for women with CVD.

[Clinicopathological features of mature T/NK cell lymphoma with aberrant CD20 or CD79α expression]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of mature T/NK cell lymphomas with aberrant CD20 or CD79α expression. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 641 cases of mature T/NK cell lymphoma diagnosed from January 2014 to December 2020 was performed, and 14 cases of CD20-positive and one case of CD79α-positive mature T/NK-cell lymphoma were identified. Histological examination, immunohistochemical characterization, in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus encoded early RNA (EBER), and PCR testing for immunoglobulin and T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements were performed. Clinicopathological characteristics of these lymphomas were analyzed. Results: There were 13 males and 2 females, with a median age of 56 years. There were 8 cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), 3 cases of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL), 2 cases of monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) and 2 cases of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). Twelve cases were stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ lymphomas. The prognosis was overall poor. The histology, immunophenotype and TCR gene rearrangement were not significantly different from the corresponding types of lymphoma. Ki-67 proliferation index was over 70% in all cases. The expression of CD20 or CD79α was weak and heterogeneous. All 15 case of Ig gene rearrangement were polyclonal. Conclusions: Mature T/NK cell lymphoma with abnormal expression of CD20 or CD79α is rare, commonly found in advanced stage, and associated with poor prognosis. The expression of CD20 or CD79α in these cases is weaker than the corresponding mature T/NK cell lymphomas, while its proliferation index is higher. Histomorphology, extensive immunoprofiling and molecular detection are required for accurate diagnosis.

[Pollution characteristics, source analysis, and risk assessment of metal and metalloid in PM2.5 of Shijiazhuang city]

In 2020, the mass concentration of PM_2.5 in Shijiazhuang urban area was(80.30±71.43)μg/m³. The Spearman correlation analysis between metals and metalloids showed that Sb with Cd, Pb, Ni, Se, Cd with Pb, Ni, Se, Pb with Ni, Se, Ni with Se, and Se with Tl were positively correlated, with a coefficient greater than 0.5. The main sources of metals and metalloids of PM_2.5 were traffic emissions, fuel combustion, metal smelting and dust. The HQ values of Pb, Hg and Mn for each population were less than 1, with lower non-carcinogenic risk. The R values of carcinogenic risk of Ni and Cd in each population were less than 1×10^-6, which could be acceptable risk level for the population. The R values of carcinogenic risk of As and Cr in different populations were between 1×10^-6 and 1×10^-4, with potential carcinogenic risk, particularly higher in adult males.

Imaging Features of Symptomatic MCA Stenosis in Patients of Different Ages: A Vessel Wall MR Imaging Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The prevalence of intracranial artery stenosis is high in Asian people. This study aimed to investigate whether there are differences in the imaging features of symptomatic MCA stenosis in patients of different ages using vessel wall MR imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of consecutive patients with unilateral MCA stenosis based on a prospectively established vessel wall MR imaging data base between January 2017 and December 2018. According to age, the patients were divided into the young group (18-45 years of age) and the middle-aged and elderly group (older than 45 years of age).

RESULTS

Overall, 131 patients with unilateral MCA stenosis were included (45.8% in the young group and 54.2% in the middle-aged and elderly group). Middle-aged and elderly patients had a higher prevalence of hypertension (P = .01) and diabetes (P = .05). The lesion length (P < .0001), proportion of circular involvement (P = .006), and proportion of circular enhancement (P = .03) were higher in the young group than in the middle-aged and elderly group. The analysis of the atherosclerotic subgroup showed that compared with middle-aged and elderly patients, young patients had longer lesions (P = .002). The atherosclerotic-versus-nonatherosclerotic subgroup analysis showed that the maximal wall thickness in the patients with atherosclerosis was larger than that of patients without it (P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the middle-aged and elderly group, young patients with MCA stenosis tended to have longer lesions and more circular wall involvement and circular enhancement, which may indicate the differences in underlying vascular pathophysiologic and developmental mechanisms in symptomatic MCA stenosis.

Prediction of endogenous thrombolytic activity in patients with coronary artery disease

Background

Endogenous thrombolytic activity (ETA) has been suggested as an essential factor related to the acute coronary syndrome. However, there have been little data regarding clinical characteristics of ETA in East Asians.

Method

As an interim study of the entire cohort (n=2,000), we analyzed a total of 278 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Informed consent was obtained from all research subjects. Blood samples of patients were brought before the procedure. The Global Thrombosis Test (GTT, Thromboquest, UK), a novel test for examining ETA, was used. Lysis time (LT), which means the time interval between blood flow occlusion and restart, was used as an indicator for ETA. Clinical, laboratory and angiographic characteristics were obtained. LT=3000 seconds was used as a cut-off value to divide patients into two groups. P value&lt;0.05 was regarded as significant.

Results

LT of Korean CAD patients showed bimodal distribution. Median value was 1695 [IQR: 1099, 5932] and it was higher than previous data from Europeans (Figure 1). Patients with impaired ETA (LT&gt;3000) were older and more diabetic. They showed higher creatinine, aPTT, fibrinogen, D-dimer, c-reactive protein, and proBNP values. Moreover, they had lower hemoglobin and platelet levels. Intracoronary thrombus was more frequently observed in LT&gt;3000 group. In the multivariable regression analysis, hemoglobin (per g/dL, odds ratio 0.766, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.632–0.928) and fibrinogen level(per 10mg/L, odds ratio 1.054, 95% CI 1.015–1.095) could significantly predict impaired ETA.

Conclusion

East Asian patients showed a right-shifted distribution of ETA compared to that of Europeans. Patients with impaired ETA had different clinical, laboratory and angiographic characteristics from those with intact ETA. Hemoglobin and fibrinogen level were significantly associated with impaired ETA. Further studies are warranted to confirm causal relationship among these factors.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Research Foundation, Republic of Korea

A genome-wide association study reveals additive and dominance effects on growth and fatness traits in large white pigs

The dominance effect is a kind of non-additive effect due to the interaction between alleles at the same locus. Quantitative traits such as growth traits in farm animals have been found to be influenced by dominance effects. However, dominance effects are usually ignored in the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of complex traits for farm animals. In this study, we performed GWAS and genetic parameters estimation for the two traits age at 100 kg (AGE) and backfat thickness at 100 kg (BF) of 3572 Large White pigs. The pigs were from three breeding farms of China and were genotyped by an in-house designed 50k SNP chip. Our results showed significant non-zero variance for the dominance effect of AGE, while the dominance effect of BF was not significant. Using a GWAS model accounting for both additive and dominance effects, we identified three additive and two dominance significant SNPs for the trait AGE. For the trait BF, three genome-wide significant additive SNPs were detected, but no significant SNP was found for the dominance effect. In total, six important functional genes (NPAS3, USP16, PARN, ARL15, GPC3, ABHD4) near significant SNPs were identified as candidate genes associated with AGE or BF. Notably, ARL15 and PARN were associated with AGE near the dominance association signals. Overall, the newly detected SNPs and newly identified candidate genes in our study added new information about the genetic architectures of growth and fatness traits in pigs, and have the potential to be applied to the pig breeding program in the future.

High-Order Phase-Dependent Asymmetry in the Above-Threshold Ionization Plateau

Above-threshold ionization spectra from cesium are measured as a function of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) using laser pulses centered at 3.1  μm wavelength. The directional asymmetry in the energy spectra of backscattered electrons oscillates three times, rather than once, as the CEP is changed from 0 to 2π. Using the improved strong-field approximation, we show that the unusual behavior arises from the interference of few quantum orbits. We discuss the conditions for observing the high-order CEP dependence, and draw an analogy with time-domain holography with electron wave packets.

Mucilaginibacter aquatilis sp. nov., Mucilaginibacter arboris sp. nov., and Mucilaginibacter ginkgonis sp. nov., novel bacteria isolated from freshwater and tree bark

Three Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated as HME9299^T, HMF7410^T and HMF7856^T, were isolated from freshwater and tree bark collected in Yong-in, Republic of Korea. Strains HME9299^T, HMF7410^T and HMF7856^T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.2, 94.4 and 96.4 % to Mucilaginibacter daejeonensis Jip 10^T, Mucilaginibacter terrae CCM 8645^T and Mucilaginibacter phyllosphaerae PP-F2F-G21^T, respectively. Among themselves, the values were 94.1-95.7 %. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the three isolates revealed that they belonged to the genus Mucilaginibacter within the family Sphingobacteriaceae. The predominant fatty acids of three strains were summed feature 3 (comprising C_16 : 1  ω7c and/or C_16 : 1  ω6c) and iso-C_15 : 0. Strain HME9299^T contained a relatively large amount of C_16 : 1  ω5c. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. The genome sizes of strains HME9299^T, HMF7410^T and HMF7856^T were 4.33, 4.16 and 3.68 Mbp, respectively, and their DNA G+C contents were 41.6, 38.4 and 43.9 mol%, respectively. Based on the results of the phenotypic, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic investigation, three novel species, Mucilaginibacter aquatilis sp. nov, Mucilaginibacter arboris sp. nov. and Mucilaginibacter ginkgonis sp. nov., are proposed. The type strains are HME9299^T (=KCTC 42122^T=DSM 29146^T), HMF7410^T (=KCTC 62464^T=NBRC 113227^T) and HMF7856^T (=KCTC 72782^T=NBRC 114275^T), respectively.

Auditory cortex hyperconnectivity before rTMS is correlated with tinnitus improvement

INTRODUCTION

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used as a potential treatment for tinnitus; however, its effectiveness is variable and unpredictable. We hypothesized that resting-state functional connectivity before rTMS may be correlated with rTMS treatment effectiveness.

METHODS

We applied 1-Hz rTMS to the left primary auditory (A1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) of 10 individuals with tinnitus and 10 age-matched controls. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies were performed approximately one week before rTMS. Seed-based connectivity analyses were conducted for each individual, with seed regions as rTMS target areas.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, the left superior temporal areas showed significantly increased positive connectivity with the left A1 and negative connectivity with the left DLPFC in the tinnitus group. The left frontoparietal and right cerebellar areas showed significantly increased negative connectivity with the left A1 and positive connectivity with the left DLPFC. Seed-based hyperconnectivity was correlated with tinnitus improvement (pre-rTMS vs. 2-week post-rTMS Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores). Tinnitus improvement was significantly correlated with left A1 hyperconnectivity; however, no correlation was observed with left DLPFC connectivity. Positive rTMS outcomes were associated with significantly increased positive connectivity in bilateral superior temporal areas and significantly increased negative connectivity in bilateral frontal areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that oversynchronisation of left A1 connectivity before rTMS of the left A1 and DLPFC is associated with treatment effectiveness.