Adrenalectomy for the treatment of hypotension in a cat with phaeochromocytoma associated with caudal vena cava syndrome

An 11-year-old spayed female, Persian cat was referred to the Jeonbuk Animal Medical Center for evaluation of a 2-month history of lethargy and anorexia. Physical examination revealed tachycardia and hypotension. Abdominal imaging via sonography and CT identified a right adrenal gland mass causing severe deviation and compression of the caudal vena cava. After stabilising the blood pressure and heart rate through positive inotropes and fluid therapy, right adrenalectomy was performed. Surgery confirmed the adrenal gland mass was severely compressing the caudal vena cava. Histopathological examination revealed that the mass was a pheochromocytoma. After adrenalectomy, blood pressure and heart rate stabilised and remained unaffected 8 months postsurgery. This report describes a rare case of an adrenal pheochromocytoma leading to caudal vena cava compression in a cat presenting with hypotension.

Standardization of monitoring data reassesses spatial distribution of aquatic microplastics concentrations worldwide

Microplastics are found in continental and oceanic waters worldwide, but their spatial distribution shows an intricate pattern. Their driving factors remain difficult to identify and widely discussed due to insufficient and unstandardized monitoring data. Here, based on in situ experiments and hundreds of river samples from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, we formulate a model to standardize aquatic microplastic measurements. The model was applied to existing data on a global scale. These data are standardized to a 20 µm mesh size, resulting in a new spatial distribution of aquatic microplastic densities, with average concentrations of 554.93 ± 1352.42 items/m3 in Europe, 2558.90 ± 4799.62 in North America and 1741.94 ± 3225.09 in Asia. Excessive contaminations (microplastic concentration > 10⁴ items/m3) are in the Yangtze River, the Charleston Harbor Estuary, the Bodega Bay and the Winyah Bay. We show that, based on these standardized concentrations, new driving factors could be used to predict the global or regional microplastic distribution in continental waters, such as the Human Development Index with a correlation of 75.86% on a global scale, the nighttime lights with a correlation of 37.26 ± 0.30% in Europe and 39.02 ± 0.54% in Asia, and the Mismanagement Plastic Waste with a correlation of 61.21 ± 19.86% in North America. Mapping standardized concentrations of aquatic microplastics enables a better comparison of contamination levels between regions and reveals more accurate hotspots to better adapt remediation efforts and future plastic pollution scenarios.

Cation Effects on the Acidic Oxygen Reduction Reaction at Carbon Surfaces

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a widely used green oxidant. Until now, research has focused on the development of efficient catalysts for the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e- ORR). However, electrolyte effects on the 2e- ORR have remained little understood. We report a significant effect of alkali metal cations (AMCs) on carbons in acidic environments. The presence of AMCs at a glassy carbon electrode shifts the half wave potential from -0.48 to -0.22 VRHE. This cation-induced enhancement effect exhibits a uniquely sensitive on/off switching behavior depending on the voltammetric protocol. Voltammetric and in situ X-ray photoemission spectroscopic evidence is presented, supporting a controlling role of the potential of zero charge of the catalytic enhancement. Density functional theory calculations associate the enhancement with stabilization of the *OOH key intermediate as a result of locally induced field effects from the AMCs. Finally, we developed a refined reaction mechanism for the H2O2 production in the presence of AMCs.

Ang1/Tie2/VE-Cadherin Signaling Regulates DPSCs in Vascular Maturation

Adding dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) to vascular endothelial cell-formed vessel-like structures can increase the longevity of these vessel networks. DPSCs display pericyte-like cell functions and closely assemble endothelial cells (ECs). However, the mechanisms of DPSC-derived pericyte-like cells in stabilizing the vessel networks are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the functions of E-DPSCs, which were DPSCs isolated from the direct coculture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and DPSCs, and T-DPSCs, which were DPSCs treated by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), in stabilizing blood vessels in vitro and in vivo. A 3-dimensional coculture spheroid sprouting assay was conducted to compare the functions of E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs in vitro. Dental pulp angiogenesis in the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse model was used to explore the roles of E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs in vascularization in vivo. The results demonstrated that both E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs possess smooth muscle cell-like cell properties, exhibiting higher expression of the mural cell-specific markers and the suppression of HUVEC sprouting. E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs inhibited HUVEC sprouting by activating TEK tyrosine kinase (Tie2) signaling, upregulating vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, and downregulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). In vivo study revealed more perfused and total blood vessels in the HUVEC + E-DPSC group, HUVEC + T-DPSC group, angiopoietin 1 (Ang1) pretreated group, and vascular endothelial protein tyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP) inhibitor pretreated group, compared to HUVEC + DPSC group. In conclusion, these data indicated that E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs could stabilize the newly formed blood vessels and accelerate their perfusion. The critical regulating pathways are Ang1/Tie2/VE-cadherin and VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling.

Application of a Contralateral Esophageal-Sparing Technique to Reduce Radiation Esophagitis in Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Twice-Daily Radiotherapy and Concurrent Chemotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Acute esophagitis (AE) is a common radiation-related toxicity after concurrent twice-daily hyperfractionated radiotherapy and chemotherapy in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) patients, which could limit dose-escalation of the target and make treatment postponed to decrease local tumor control. More esophageal protective techniques should be proposed to reduce radiation severe esophagitis of LS-SCLC patients.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrospectively applied a contralateral esophagus sparing technique (CEST) in 20 unresectable LS-SCLC patients, who had gross tumor within 1 cm of the esophagus and received a total dose of 45 Gy of concurrent twice-daily radiation and standard chemotherapy regimen. The contralateral esophagus (CE) was contoured as an avoidance structure, and the feasibility of CEST on promoting a steep dose falloff beyond the target volume near esophagus was analyzed. The appropriate dose constraints of CE were also investigated. The AE events were recorded according to the RTOG acute toxicity grading system.

RESULTS

We performed CEST in 20 LS-SCLC consecutive patients, among whom three patients experienced severe AE after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Each treatment plan of eligible patients assured high radiation doses delivering, with the planning and gross tumor volume covered by 95% and 100% of the prescription dose. Among these patients, the median maximum esophagus dose declined from 47.9 Gy (range, 46.6-49.7 Gy) to 41.3 Gy (range, 35.9-48.2 Gy), as well as V30 and V36 of esophagus decreased from 9.22 Gy (range, 0.42-17.71 Gy) and 7.39 Gy (range, 0-16.19 Gy) to 2.40 Gy (range, 0-5.68 Gy) and 0.53 Gy (range, 0 -2.69 Gy) after CEST applying, respectively (all p<0.001). The CE's median maximum dose, V30, and V36 were 41.3 Gy, 2.13 cc, and 0.24 cc, respectively.

CONCLUSION

By using proposed CE dose constraints of Dmax≤42 Gy, V30 ≤3.5 cc and V36 ≤0.5 cc, we confirmed the feasibility and efficacy of CEST to avoid exposing the esophagus cross-section to high prescription doses in LS-SCLC patients receiving twice-daily hyperfractionated IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy. These findings support the clinical practice of CEST in LS-SCLC patients, while more prospective and large-scale studies are warranted.

Quantitative and Qualitative Impact of CT-Based Radiotherapy Dose Maps on Radiologists' Interpretation of Post-treatment Thoracic Surveillance Imaging

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

For diagnostic radiologists, interpretation of surveillance imaging for oncology patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) can be challenging because (1) the imaging order may not adequately describe the radiation fields and (2) RT treatment effect and progression can appear similar. Volumetric dose visualization used for plan review is often inaccessible to radiologists. We hypothesize that displaying RT dose would improve radiologists' confidence and ability to correctly identify and distinguish irradiated targets and treatment effects.

MATERIALS/METHODS

CT images were read by a board-certified cardiothoracic radiologist and a diagnostic radiology resident. The readers interpreted pre-RT, treatment planning, and 3-4 month post-RT CT images in anonymized software sessions first without, then-after a 1 month "washout" period-with access to RT dose overlay. Six color-coded isodose lines ranging from 25% to 110% represented in absolute cGy were displayed along with a brief clinical history. RT fractionation schedules ranged in BED10 from 39 to 112.5 Gy. Readers were asked to label the treated lesion(s) and treatment effect(s), and record their confidence using a Likert scale of 1-5 and agreement with statements using yes/no responses.

RESULTS

Two readersindependently interpreted imaging for 32 patients who received thoracic RT to 1-5 lesion(s) for primary (24) or metastatic (8) cancer. Nineteen patients had 1 lesion and 13 patients had >1 lesion. Correct identification of all treated lesions significantly increased with the addition of dose visualization (61% to 81%; McNemar test, p = 0.00079), with the largest increase noted for cases with >1 lesion (15% to 54%; McNemar test, p = 0.0039). With the addition of dose information, the number of false negatives attributable to missed extranodal targets fell from 52% to 18%. Without dose information, 13% of labeled lesions and treatment effects fell outside of the 25% isodose lines, representing false positives. With the addition of dose information, false positives fell below 2% for both lesions and treatment effects. The readers' confidence that they had identified treated lesion(s) increased from a rating of 4.1 to 4.8 on a scale of 1-5 (Paired two-tail t test; p = 0.000005).

CONCLUSION

Whendiagnostic radiologists have access to dose visualization, correct identification rate of irradiated lesions and treatment effects, as well as confidence in these identifications significantly increased. The decrease in false negatives could reduce potential missed identification of tumor progression while the decrease in false positives could reduce inaccurate identification of treatment failure in a new or stable lesion. Our results demonstrate that adding volumetric visualization of dose to imaging could improve quality of surveillance care for patients with irradiated thoracic malignancies.

Improvement of soil acidification and ammonium nitrogen content in tea plantations by long-term use of organic fertilizer

Soil acidification is common in some Chinese tea plantations, which seriously affected growth of tea trees. Hence, it is essential to explore soil remediation in acidified tea plantations for sustainable development of the tea industry. We sought to determine how different fertilizers affect acidified soil and their N transformation in tea plantations. Different fertilizers were used on acidified tea plantation soils for 4 years (2017-2021), and changes in soil pH, indices related to soil N transformation and tea yield were analysed to construct interaction networks of these indices and find which had the largest influence on fertilization. Long-term use of sheep manure reduced soil acidification, increased soil pH, enhanced the number and intensity of N-fixing and ammonifying bacteria, urease, protease, asparaginase and N-acetamide glucose ribosidase activity and nifH gene expression. This treatment reduced the number and intensity of soil nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase activity, while the expression of amoA-AOA, nirK, nirS, narG and nosZ in turn increased ammonium N content of the soil, reduced nitrate N content, and enhanced tea yield. Topsis index weight analysis showed that ammonium N content in the soil had the largest impact among fertilization effects. Long-term use of sheep manure was beneficial in restoring the balance of the micro-ecosystem in acidified soil. This study provides an important practical basis for soil remediation and fertilizer management in acidified tea plantation soils.

A DFT and kinetic study: Is it possible to prepare epoxides without catalysts using the in-situ generated peroxy radicals or peroxides by one-step method?

DFT calculations and kinetic analysis have been employed to comprehensively explore the possibility to prepare epoxides by one-step method using the in-situ generated peroxy radicals or hydroperoxides as epoxidizing agents. Computational studies demonstrated that the selectivities for the reaction systems of O₂ /R2/R1, O₂ /CuH/R1, O₂ /CuH/styrene, O₂ /AcH/R1 were 68.2%, 69.6%, 100% and 93.3%, respectively. The in-situ generated peroxide radicals, such as HOO˙, CuOO˙ and AcOO˙, could react with R1 or styrene by attacking the CC double bond to form a CO bond and subsequently undergoing a cleavage of OO bond to yield epoxides. Peroxide radicals could abstract a hydrogen atom from methyl group on R1, forming unwanted by-products. It should be noted that the hydrogen atoms of HOO˙ is easy to be abstracted by CC double bond and simultaneously the oxygen atom is connected to the CH moiety to form an alkyl peroxy radical (Rad11), greatly limiting the selectivity. The comprehensive mechanistic studies provide a deep understanding on preparing epoxides by one-step method.

Crowd cluster data in the USA for analysis of human response to COVID-19 events and policies

We provide data on daily social contact intensity of clusters of people at different types of Points of Interest (POI) by zip code in Florida and California. This data is obtained by aggregating fine-scaled details of interactions of people at the spatial resolution of 10 m, which is then normalized as a social contact index. We also provide the distribution of cluster sizes and average time spent in a cluster by POI type. This data will help researchers perform fine-scaled, privacy-preserving analysis of human interaction patterns to understand the drivers of the COVID-19 epidemic spread and mitigation. Current mobility datasets either provide coarse-level metrics of social distancing, such as radius of gyration at the county or province level, or traffic at a finer scale, neither of which is a direct measure of contacts between people. We use anonymized, de-identified, and privacy-enhanced location-based services (LBS) data from opted-in cell phone apps, suitably reweighted to correct for geographic heterogeneities, and identify clusters of people at non-sensitive public areas to estimate fine-scaled contacts.

Optimized multilateral crop trade patterns can effectively mitigate phosphorus imbalance among the involved countries

Phosphorus imbalance for cropland can greatly influence environmental quality and productivity of agricultural systems. Resolving cropland phosphorus imbalance may be possible with more efficient multilateral crop trade within the involved trading countries; however, the driving mechanisms are unclear. This study calculates phosphorus budgets in China and five central Asian countries and proposes two optimal multilateral crop trade models to mitigate the phosphorus imbalance. Results show that the current trading pattern between China and Central Asia is causing a phosphorus imbalance intensification. Phosphorus surpluses in China and Uzbekistan are 41.7 and 8.9 kg/ha, while Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan exhibit phosphorus deficits with the negative value of -0.7, -1.2, -0.8, and -0.8 kg/ha, respectively. However, under the optimal multilateral crop trade patterns, phosphorus budget of China and Central Asia will become balanced. Phosphorus imbalance intensification for China is reduced to -2525 and -2472 kt under the single- and bilevel-objective-based crop trades. In Kyrgyzstan, it will drop 61.5 % and 50.0 % and change to 321 and 417 kt under the two optimal crop trades. Moreover, changes of phosphorus imbalance mitigations for other central Asian countries range from 11.9 % to 28.2 %. This provides a scientific basis when establishing policies for strengthening optimal multilateral crop trading across the world to promote global phosphorus management.

Prasugrel-based de-escalation vs. conventional therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention in ACS patients according to the renal function

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): A consortium of six companies in Korea (Daiichi Sankyo, Boston Scientific, Terumo, Biotronik, Qualitech Korea, and Dio).

Background

Patients with coronary artery disease and impaired renal function are at higher risk for both bleeding and ischemic adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Purpose

We assessed the efficacy and safety of a prasugrel based de-escalation strategy in patients with impaired renal function.

Methods

We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the HOST-REDUCE-POLYTECH-ACS study. Patients with available estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (n=2,311) were categorized into three groups. (high eGFR: ≥90 mL/min; intermediate eGFR: ≥60 and &lt;90 mL/min; low eGFR: &lt;60 mL/min). The endpoints were bleeding outcomes (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, or higher), ischemic outcomes (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, repeat revascularization, and ischemic stroke), and net adverse clinical events (all cause death, BARC 2 or greater bleeding, MI, stent thrombosis, repeat revascularization, and ischemic stroke) at 1 year follow-up. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% Confidence interval (CI) were calculated from the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Covariates that were considered clinically meaningful were included. The probability risk ratio was obtained by dividing ischemic hazard function from the bleeding hazard function.

Results

With respect to net adverse clinical events, prasugrel de-escalation was beneficial regardless of baseline renal function (p for interaction = 0.508). The relative reduction in bleeding risk from prasugrel de-escalation was higher in the low eGFR group compared with that from both the intermediate and high eGFR groups (relative reduction: 64% [HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.15–0.83] vs. 50% [HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28-0.90] and 52% [HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.21-1.13] for low, intermediate, and high eGFR groups, p for interaction=0.646). Ischemic risk from prasgurel de-escalation was not significant in all eGFR groups ([HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.47-2.98], [HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.53-1.69], and [HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.26-1.39)], respectively, p for interaction=0.119). The probability risk ratio was highest in low eGFR group (1.06 vs. 1.26 vs. 1.36, for high, intermediate, and low eGFR groups, respectively, p for trend&lt;0.001), suggesting higher relative bleeding risk above ischemic risk. Within those randomized to the de-escalation strategy, the mean probability risk ratio was not significantly different according to renal function (0.89, vs. 0.84 vs. 0.80 respectively, p for trend = 0.053), which was in contrast to those randomized to the conventional strategy where the mean probability risk ratio increased significantly as renal function decreased (1.24 vs. 1.67 vs. 1.94 respectively, p for trend&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

The beneficial effect of prasugrel-based de-escalation strategy was consistent regardless of the baseline renal function, which was mostly driven by a reduction in bleeding risk which was greatest in those with low eGFR.

Microstructure and Corrosive Wear Properties of CoCrFeNiMn High-Entropy Alloy Coatings

In order to improve the wear resistance of offshore drilling equipment, CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy coatings were prepared by cold spraying (CS) and high-speed oxygen fuel spraying (HVOF), and the coatings were subjected to vacuum heat treatment at different temperatures (500 °C, 700 °C and 900 °C). The friction and wear experiments of the coatings before and after vacuum heat treatment were carried out in simulated seawater drilling fluid. The results show that CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy coatings prepared by CS and HVOF have dense structure and bond well with the substrate. After vacuum heat treatment, the main peaks of all oriented FCC phases are broadened and the peak strength is obviously enhanced. The two types of coatings achieve maximum hardness after vacuum heat treatment at 500 °C; the Vickers microhardness of CS-500 °C and HVOF-500 °C are 487.6 and 352.4 HV_0.1, respectively. The wear rates of the two coatings at room temperature are very close. CS and HVOF coatings both have the lowest wear rate after vacuum heat treatment at 500 °C. The CS-500 °C coating has the lowest wear rate of 0.2152 mm³ m^-1 N^-1, about 4/5 (0.2651 mm³ m^-1 N^-1) of the HVOF-500 °C coating. The wear rates and wear amounts of the two coatings heat-treated at 700 °C and 900 °C decrease due to the decrease in microhardness. The wear mechanisms of the coatings before and after vacuum heat treatment are adhesive wear, abrasive wear, fatigue wear and oxidation wear.

[Efficacy and prognostic factors of endoscopic optic canal decompression in children with traumatic optic neuropathy]

Objective: To explore the efficacy and prognostic factors of endoscopic optic canal decompression in children with traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). Methods: The clinical data of 47 children with TON treated with endoscopic optic nerve decompression in the Department of Neurosurgery of Beijing Tongren Hospital from November 2010 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and the visual acuity before and after treatment was compared. The clinical factors were taken as independent variables, and visual improvement was taken as dependent variable for multivariate Cox regression analysis to observe the factors that may affect the efficacy. Results: There were 47 patients in this study, including 35 males and 12 females, and the age ranged from 3.0 to 12.0 (7.2±2.3) years. After surgery and hormone treatment, 28 (59.6%) cases obtained visual improvement. Univariate analysis showed that the improvement rate of visual acuity in patients with residual vision after injury was higher than that in patients without vision [85.0% (17/20) vs 40.7% (11/27), P=0.002], while the improvement rate of visual acuity in patients with dislocated optic canal fracture was lower than that in those without fracture [42.1% (8/19) vs 71.4% (20/28), P=0.044]. The improvement rate of visual acuity in patients with operation time interval ≤7 d was higher than that in patients with operation time interval>7 d [80.8% (21/26) vs 33.3% (7/21), P=0.001]. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that post-traumatic residual visual acuity (HR=3.805, 95%CI: 1.087-13.318, P=0.037) and operation time interval≤7 d (HR=2.883, 95%CI: 1.084-7.662, P=0.034) were protective factors for post-surgical visual acuity. Conclusions: Endoscopic optic nerve decompression can effectively improve the visual acuity of children with TON. Post-traumatic residual visual acuity and operation time interval ≤7 d are independent protective factors for post-surgical visual acuity.

Predictors and Impact of Sulcal SAH after Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients with Isolated M2 Occlusion

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Data on SAH after M2 mechanical thrombectomy are limited. We aimed to determine the prevalence of sulcal SAH after mechanical thrombectomy for M2 occlusion, its associated predictors, and the resulting clinical outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for isolated M2 occlusion. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of sulcal SAH after M2 mechanical thrombectomy. Angiographic and clinical outcomes were compared. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of sulcal SAH and unfavorable outcome (90-day mRS, 3-6).

RESULTS

Of the 209 enrolled patients, sulcal SAH was observed in 33 (15.8%) patients. The sulcal SAH group showed a higher rate of distal M2 occlusion (69.7% versus 22.7%), a higher of rate of superior division occlusion (63.6% versus 43.8%), and a higher M2 angulation (median, 128° versus 106°) than the non-sulcal SAH group. Of the 33 sulcal SAH cases, 23 (66.7%) were covert without visible intraprocedural contrast extravasation. Distal M2 occlusion (OR, 12.04; 95% CI, 4.56-35.67; P < .001), superior division (OR, 3.83; 95% CI, 1.43-11.26; P = .010), M2 angulation (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; P < .001), and the number of passes (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.22-2.09; P < .001) were independent predictors of sulcal SAH. However, covert sulcal SAH was not associated with an unfavorable outcome (P = .830).

CONCLUSIONS

After mechanical thrombectomy for M2 occlusion, sulcal SAH was not uncommon and occurred more frequently with distal M2 occlusion, superior division, acute M2 angulation, and multiple thrombectomy passes (≥3). The impact of covert sulcal SAH was mostly benign and was not associated with an unfavorable outcome.

Systemic Multimorbidity Clusters in People with Periodontitis

This study aimed to identify systemic multimorbidity clusters in people with periodontitis via a novel artificial intelligence-based network analysis and to explore the effect of associated factors. This study utilized cross-sectional data of 3,736 participants across 3 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009 to 2014). Periodontal examination was carried out by trained dentists for participants aged ≥30 y. The extent of periodontitis was represented by the proportion of sites with clinical attachment loss (CAL)≥ 3 mm, split into 4 equal quartiles. A range of systemic diseases reported during the survey were also extracted. Hypergraph network analysis with eigenvector centralities was applied to identify systemic multimorbidity clusters and single-disease influence in the overall population and when stratified by CAL quartile. Individual factors that could affect the systemic multimorbidity clusters were also explored by CAL quartile. In the study population, the top 3 prevalent diseases were hypertension (63.9%), arthritis (47.6%), and obesity (45.9%). A total of 106 unique systemic multimorbidity clusters were identified across the study population. Hypertension was the most centralized disease in the overall population (centrality [C]: 0.50), followed closely by arthritis (C: 0.45) and obesity (C: 0.42). Diabetes had higher centrality in the highest CAL quartile (C: 0.31) than the lowest (C: 0.26). "Hypertension, obesity" was the largest weighted multimorbidity cluster across CAL quartiles. This study has revealed a range of common systemic multimorbidity clusters in people with periodontitis. People with periodontitis are more likely to present with hypertension and obesity together, and diabetes is more influential to multimorbidity clusters in people with severe periodontitis. Factors such as ethnicity, deprivation, and smoking status may also influence the pattern of multimorbidity clusters.

OP0151 PREDICTION OF RADIOGRAPHIC PROGRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS: USING GROUP-BASED TRAJECTORY MODELING AND DECISION TREE ANALYSIS

Background

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) tends to develop at a relatively young age and is characterized by long-term disease progression (1). During that time, various radiographic changes occur in the spine, which eventually lead to disability in the patient’s lifetime (2). Although the duration of the disease, aging, and passage of time are predicted to be highly associated with spinal progression of AS, it is difficult to predict its progression in the spine of patients.

Objectives

We aimed to find ways to predict spinal progression over time in patients with AS and analyze its associated clinical factors.

Methods

Data from the medical records from a single center were extracted between 2001 and 2018. We analyzed the data on patients who fulfilled the modified New York Criteria for AS and had two or more sets of radiographs taken during the observation period. The modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS) was estimated by two independent radiologists. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was used to classify patients into distinct subgroups of longitudinal mSASSS. And when these trajectories and statistically associated factors acted on a patient, which group the patient was most likely to belong to was predicted using a decision tree analysis.

Results

Data on 1,125 patients were analyzed, and the trajectories were evaluated by dividing them into three groups based on duration of the disease. We confirmed that sex, age at diagnosis, ocular involvement and peripheral joint involvement were associated with the classified spinal progression trajectories. AS onset in older age and ocular involvement were associated with worse radiographic progression, while female sex and peripheral joint involvement were associated with slower radiographic progression (Figure 1 and Table 1).

Table 1.

Multivariate logistic regression analysis for predictors of mSASSS progression according to disease duration (class 2 and other classes)

VariablesUnivariateMultivariableOROR 95% CIp-valueOROR 95% CIp-valueLowerUpperLowerUpperSex2.021.392.94<0.0012.411.384.210.002Age at diagnosis (10y)0.500.430.58<0.0010.510.420.61<0.001Ocular involvement0.610.470.80<0.0010.610.440.840.003Peripheral involvement2.141.652.79<0.0012.561.863.52<0.001HLA B27 positivity0.610.321.160.133Smoking*<0.0010.444Ex-smoker0.480.340.62<0.0010.780.521.160.218Smoker0.560.410.73<0.0010.840.571.230.364Baseline BASDAI1.000.921.090.950Baseline ESR1.001.001.000.013Log baseline ESR0.770.700.85<0.0010.780.690.88<0.001Baseline CRP0.980.941.030.476Log baseline CRP0.780.660.910.002¶¶¶¶

Note: Bold text means statistically significant values.

*Analysis with non-smoker as a reference.

¶It was excluded when performing multivariate analysis due to multicollinearity.

Figure 1.

Longitudinal mSASSS trajectory groups for disease duration (A) and decision tree for three trajectory classes (B). (A) Time in month is shown along the x-axis, and logarithmic transformed total mSASSS is shown along the y-axis. The solid line represents the estimated mean in the same-colored area representing the 95% confidence interval. (B) In each terminal node, the class written in bold text is the class representing that node.

Conclusion

We identified three patterns of radiographic progression according to duration of the disease. The progression trend of patients with AS identified in this study is expected to be helpful in the treatment and management of patients in actual clinical settings.

References

[1]Braun A, Saracbasi E, Grifka J, Schnitker J, Braun J. Identifying patients with axial spondyloarthritis in primary care: how useful are items indicative of inflammatory back pain? Ann Rheum Dis. 2011;70(10):1782-7.

[2]Poddubnyy D, Listing J, Haibel H, Knuppel S, Rudwaleit M, Sieper J. Functional relevance of radiographic spinal progression in axial spondyloarthritis: results from the GErman SPondyloarthritis Inception Cohort. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2018;57(4):703-11.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Aspirin vs. Clopidogrel as a Chronic maintenance monotherapy after PCI in patients with high ischemic risk and high bleeding risk: Subgroup analysis of the HOST-EXAM trial

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

OnBehalf

on behalf of the HOST-EXAM investigators

Background

The HOST-EXAM randomized clinical trial recently performed a comparison of clopidogrel monotherapy vs. aspirin monotherapy in patients requiring indefinite antiplatelet monotherapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study randomized 5,438 patients who maintained dual antiplatelet therapy without clinical events for 6–18 months after PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES) to receive a monotherapy agent of clopidogrel 75 mg once daily or aspirin 100 mg once daily for 24 months. During the 24-month follow-up, the primary outcome (a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, readmission due to acute coronary syndrome, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) bleeding type 3 or greater) rate was significantly lower in the clopidogrel group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.73 [95% CI 0.59–0.90]; p = 0.0035). However, it is uncertain whether the beneficial effect of clopidogrel will be consistent in patients with high ischemic risk or those with high bleeding risk.

Methods

This is a post-hoc analysis of the HOST-EXAM trial. A high ischemic risk was defined as those who had at least 1 of the following procedural features: 3 vessels treated, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation PCI, total stent length &gt;60 mm, or left main PCI. Patients with high bleeding risk were defined according to the Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) criteria. The co-primary outcome were thrombotic endpoints (a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, readmission due to acute coronary syndrome, and definite or probable stent thrombosis) and bleeding endpoints (BARC type ≥2 bleeding events) at 24-month follow-up.

Results

 Among the total population, 22.1% had high ischemic risk and 21.4% had high bleeding risk. Complex PCI was not associated with a higher risk of thrombotic endpoints, nor bleeding endpoints. For patients with a high bleeding risk, these patients had a higher risk of both thrombotic endpoints (HR 1.545, 95% CI 0.141-2.092, p = 0.005) and bleeding endpoints (HR 3.418, 95% CI 2.413-4.840, p &lt; 0.001). The primary results focusing on the interaction between high ischemic risk, high bleeding and the antiplatelet regimen will be presented.

Conclusion

The current post-hoc analysis of the HOST-EXAM trial will evaluate the efficacy of clopidogrel monotherapy vs. aspirin monotherapy during the chronic maintenance period after PCI, in patients with high ischemic risk or those with high bleeding risk.

Dual antithrombotic therapy on early clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation after percutaneous coronary intervention: a nationwide study in the era of NOAC

Background/Introduction

Recent evidence has confirmed low bleeding risk with double antithrombotic therapy, combining oral anticoagulant (OAC) and single platelet inhibitor, in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Among the Asian AF population, most of the patients received dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) without OACs, even after the introduction of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Purpose

The current nationwide study assessed 3-month ischemic and bleeding risks of DAPT in comparison to triple antithrombotic therapy among the Korean AF population undergoing PCI.

Methods

We analyzed the claims records of 11,039 patients (mean age 70 years, 66.3% male, and mean CHA2DS2-VASc score 3.2) between 2013 to 2018. Patients were categorized into triple therapy group with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs-TT), or NOACs (NOACs-TT), and DAPT group according to the antithrombotic therapy after PCI. 3-month risks of ischemic stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, any in-hospital death, and major bleeding were compared between groups after baseline adjustment using inverse probability weighting.

Results

A total of 1,786, 1,997, and 7,256 patients were allocated to the VKAs-TT, NOACs-TT, and DAPT groups. The DAPT group had a higher prevalence of prior MI and coronary revascularization, but had lower thromboembolic and bleeding risks than the triple antithrombotic therapy groups (mean CHA2DS2-VASc score 3.8, 4.1, and 3.5; and mean HAS-BLED score 3.3, 3.4, and 3.1 for VKAs-TT, NOACs-TT, and DAPT groups, respectively). The NOACs-TT group was associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR] 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20–0.70) and any in-hospital death (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.49–0.98) compared with the VKAs-TT group. The DAPT group showed a lower risk of ischemic stroke (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.27–0.63) and major bleeding (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37–0.84) than the VKAs-TT group, especially in patients without prior OAC treatment. The DAPT group showed a comparable ischemic risk against the NOACs-TT group, although the risk of major bleeding was lower in the DAPT group, especially among old age (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.29–0.78) or OACs-naive patients (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29–0.86).

Conclusion

Among the Asian AF population, using short-term DAPT for 3-month after PCI was associated with a lower risk of bleeding without increasing ischemic risk compared to triple antithrombotic therapy with OAC. This may be a therapeutic option in very high bleeding risk patients who have had complex PCI necessitating focus on DAPT in the initial 3 month period.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): This study was supported by grant no 3020200200 from the Seoul National University Hospital Research Fund, by the Korea Medical Device Development Fund grant funded by the Korea government (the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) (Project Number: 202013B14), and by the Korea National Research Foundation funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (grant 2020R1F1A106740). Figure 1Figure 2

A novel index reflecting both anatomical and physiologic parameters in coronary artery disease, the FFR adjusted SYNTAX score (FaSs)

Background

Various physiology-based indices have been proposed to predict adverse clinical events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), such as the sum of three vessel-fractional flow reserve (3v-FFR), and the functional SYNTAX score (fSS). However, these values could not fully reflect the anatomical factors, which remains as a barrier for clinical application of these indices.

Purpose

To propose a novel index which can reflect both anatomical and physiologic features in CAD patients, and evaluate the additional predictive value for cardiovascular adverse events compared to previous indices.

Methods

For an index which can reflect both anatomical and physiologic features, we proposed the FFR adjusted SYNTAX score (FaSs). The FaSs is calculated by adding the product of the SYNTAX score and `1-FFR', for all three major coronary arteries. Among the 1136 patients who enrolled at 3V FFR-FRIENDS study, we investigated 866 patients, after excluding those who had missing variables. The 3v-FFR, fSS and FaSs were calculated, derived from the baseline FFR and SYNTAX score. Patients were divided into two groups according to the median value of each index. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction and ischemia-driven revascularization) at 2 years follow-up.

Results

Among the total population, MACE occurred in 35 (4.04%) patients. Using the median value in a multivariable COX regression model, only FaSs was associated with an increased risk of MACE, (Hazard Ratio [HR] 5.256, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.014–13.720), while 3v-FFR (HR 1.383, 95% CI 0.685–2.790) and fSS (HR 1.640, 95% CI 0.830–3.243) were not significantly associated with a higher risk of MACE. This was also observed in the Kaplan Meier survival curve analysis (log-rank p value: p&lt;0.001 for FaSs, 0.153 for 3v-FFR, and 0.061 for fSS; Figure 1) The sensitivity and specificity of the FaSs was 85.7% and 51.6%, which was higher compared to the 3v-FFR (62.9% and 49.3%, respectively) and fSS (57.1% and 58.5%, respectively). When these indices were combined with clinical risk factors (age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, chronic renal failure, LVEF&lt;40%), FaSs was superior compared with 3v-FFR and fSS assessed in regards of the predictive accuracy for MACE (Figure 2).

Conclusion

The FaSs, which is a novel index calculated by a formula using the SYNTAX score and FFR, showed a superior predictive value for MACE compared to previous indices. Our results confirm the importance of considering both anatomical and physiologic parameters in evaluating the patient's risk for cardiovascular adverse outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Improved Constraints on Primordial Gravitational Waves using Planck, WMAP, and BICEP/Keck Observations through the 2018 Observing Season

We present results from an analysis of all data taken by the BICEP2, Keck Array, and BICEP3 CMB polarization experiments up to and including the 2018 observing season. We add additional Keck Array observations at 220 GHz and BICEP3 observations at 95 GHz to the previous 95/150/220  GHz dataset. The Q/U maps now reach depths of 2.8, 2.8, and 8.8  μK_{CMB} arcmin at 95, 150, and 220 GHz, respectively, over an effective area of ≈600 square degrees at 95 GHz and ≈400 square degrees at 150 and 220 GHz. The 220 GHz maps now achieve a signal-to-noise ratio on polarized dust emission exceeding that of Planck at 353 GHz. We take auto- and cross-spectra between these maps and publicly available WMAP and Planck maps at frequencies from 23 to 353 GHz and evaluate the joint likelihood of the spectra versus a multicomponent model of lensed ΛCDM+r+dust+synchrotron+noise. The foreground model has seven parameters, and no longer requires a prior on the frequency spectral index of the dust emission taken from measurements on other regions of the sky. This model is an adequate description of the data at the current noise levels. The likelihood analysis yields the constraint r_{0.05}<0.036 at 95% confidence. Running maximum likelihood search on simulations we obtain unbiased results and find that σ(r)=0.009. These are the strongest constraints to date on primordial gravitational waves.

Hydrostatic pressure mimicking diurnal spinal movements maintains anabolic turnover in bovine nucleus pulposus cells in vitro

Treatment strategies for progressive intervertebral-disc degeneration often alleviate pain and other symptoms. With the goal of developing strategies to promote the regeneration of the nucleus pulposus (NP), the present study tried to identify the biological effects of hydrostatic (HP) and osmotic pressures on NP cells. The study hypothesis was that a repetitive regimen of cyclic HP followed by constant HP in high-osmolality medium would increase anabolic molecules in NP cells. Bovine NP cells/clusters were enclosed within semi-permeable membrane pouches and incubated under a regimen of cyclic HP for 2 d followed by constant HP for 1 d, repeated 6 times over 18 d. NP cells showed a significantly increased expression of anabolic genes over time: aggrecan, chondroitin sulfate N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 1, hyaluronan synthase 2, collagen type 2 (p < 0.05). In addition, the expression of catabolic or degenerative genes (matrix metalloproteinase 13, collagen type 1) and cellular characteristic genes (proliferating cell nucleic antigen, E-cadherin) was suppressed. The amount of sulfated glycosaminoglycan increased significantly at day 18 compared to day 3 (p < 0.01). Immunostaining revealed deposition of extracellular-matrix molecules and localization of other specific molecules corresponding to their genetic expression. An improved understanding of how cells respond to physicochemical stresses will help to better treat the degenerating disc using either cell- or gene-based therapies as well as other potential matrix-enhancing therapies. Efforts to apply these tissue-engineering and regenerative-medicine strategies will need to consider these important physicochemical stresses that may have a major impact on the survivability of such treatments.

Local Intra-arterial Thrombolysis during Mechanical Thrombectomy for Refractory Large-Vessel Occlusion: Adjunctive Chemical Enhancer of Thrombectomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Data on adjunctive intra-arterial thrombolysis during mechanical thrombectomy for refractory thrombus are sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of local intra-arterial urokinase as an adjunct to mechanical thrombectomy for refractory large-vessel occlusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion between January 2016 and December 2019. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the use of intra-arterial urokinase as an adjunctive therapy during mechanical thrombectomy for refractory thrombus: the urokinase and nonurokinase groups. Herein, refractory thrombus was defined as the target occlusion with minimal reperfusion (TICI 0 or 1) despite >3 attempts with conventional mechanical thrombectomy. The baseline characteristics, procedural outcomes, and clinical outcome were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

One hundred fourteen cases of refractory thrombus were identified. A total of 45 and 69 patients were in the urokinase and the nonurokinase groups, respectively. The urokinase group compared with the nonurokinase group showed a higher rate of successful reperfusion (82.2% versus 63.8%, P = .034), with lower procedural times (54 versus 69 minutes, P = .137). The rates of good clinical outcome, distal embolism, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were similar between the 2 groups. The use of intra-arterial urokinase (OR = 3.682; 95% CI, 1.156-11.730; P = .027) was an independent predictor of successful reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of local intra-arterial urokinase as an adjunct to mechanical thrombectomy may be an effective and safe method that provides better recanalization than the conventional mechanical thrombectomy for refractory thrombus in patients with embolic large-vessel occlusion.

[Prediction of perioperative hyperkalemia in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism]

Objective: To explore the influencing factors for serum potassium >4.4 mmol/L in the morning of parathyroidectomy in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). Methods: The clinical data of 72 patients with SHPT who received regular hemodialysis and underwent parathyroidectomy in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 37 males and 35 females, aged from 25 to 69 years, and the dialysis timespan was from 0.5 to 11 years. The levels of parathyroid hormone, serum potassium and serum calcium before hemodialysis were examined one day before operation, and hemodialysis time and dewatering volume after hemodialysis without heparin were recorded, and also the level of serum potassium in the morning of parathyroidectomy was detected. The occurrences of hyperkalemia during and after operation were studied. The factors related to hyperkalemia in the morning of parathyroidectomy were evaluated by Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis, and the cut-off values of risk factors were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Serum potassium >4.4 mmol/L in the morning of parathyroidectomy existed in 23 of 72 patients. Correlation analysis showed that serum potassium one day before operation ((4.93±0.56)mmol/L, r=0.656, P<0.001) and dehydration volume ((2.37±0.75)L, r=0.261, P=0.027) were positively correlated with serum potassium in the morning of parathyroidectomy((4.16±0.54)mmol/L). Serum potassium before hemodialysis one day before operation was a main predictor for serum potassium in the morning of parathyroidectomy (AUC=0.791, P<0.001). The cut-off value of serum potassium before hemodialysis one day before operation was 5.0 mmol/L. Conclusion: Serum potassium before hemodialysis one day before operation in patients with SHPT can predict serum potassium in the morning of parathyroidectomy, offering imformation for the safety of operation.

Additive Effect of Periodontal Disease and Obesity on COVID-19 Outcomes

This study aims to examine the impact of periodontal disease in obesity on COVID-19 infection and associated outcomes. This retrospective longitudinal study included 58,897 UK Biobank participants tested for COVID-19 between March 2020 and February 2021. Self-reported oral health indicators (bleeding gums, painful gums, and loose teeth) were used as surrogates for periodontal disease. Body fat levels were quantified by body mass index (BMI) and categorized as normal weight (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m²), overweight (25 to 29.9 kg/m²), and obese (≥30 kg/m²). Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to quantify risk of COVID-19 infection, hospital admission, and mortality, adjusted for participants’ demographics and covariates. Of 58,897 participants, 14,466 (24.6%) tested positive for COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 infection was higher for participants who were overweight (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.24) and obese (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.26 to 1.41) as compared with those of normal weight, but infection was not affected by periodontal disease. The hospital admission rate was 57% higher (hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.25 to 1.97) in the obese group with periodontal disease than without periodontal disease, and admission rates increased with BMI category (normal weight, 4.4%; overweight, 6.8%; obese, 10.1%). Mortality rates also increased with BMI category (normal weight, 1.9%; overweight, 3.17%; obese, 4.5%). In addition, for participants with obesity, the mortality rate was much higher (hazard ratio, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.91 to 5.06) in participants with periodontal disease than those without. Obesity is associated with higher hospitalization and mortality rates, and periodontal disease may exacerbate this impact. The results could inform health providers, policy makers, and the general public of the importance to maintain good oral health through seamless provision of dental services and public oral health prevention initiatives.

[A dose-response meta-analysis on the relationship between daily tea intake and cardiovascular mortality based on the GRADE system]

Objective: To explore the relationship between daily tea intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Methods: PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, CNKI, and Wanfang Database were searched to collect research on tea intake and CVD mortality. The search period was from the establishment of the database to June 2020. Two researchers independently screened and extracted literature. The risk of bias was evaluated in the included studies, a dose-response meta-analysis was conducted, sensitivity analysis and publication bias analysis of the research results, and quality evaluation of the included literature and GRADE classification of the evidence body were performed. Results: A total of 21 cohort or case-control studies were included, including 1 304 978 subjects. Among them, 38 222 deaths from CVD were reported. The quality scores of the included studies were all ≥ 6 points. The dose-response meta-analysis showed that for every additional cup of tea intake per day, the mortality rate of CVD decreased by about 3% (95%CI 0.95-0.98, P<0.05), and there was a non-linear dose-response relationship (P<0.05). Compared with people who do not drink tea, people who drink 1 to 8 cups of tea a day have 8% lower CVD mortality (RR=0.92, 95%CI 0.89-0.95), 13% (RR=0.87, 95 %CI 0.84-0.91), 15% (RR=0.85, 95%CI 0.82-0.89), 15% (RR=0.85, 95%CI 0.81-0.89), 16% (RR=0.84, 95%CI 0.80-0.89), 16% (RR=0.84, 95%CI 0.81-0.88), 16% (RR=0.84, 95%CI 0.81-0.87), 16% (RR=0.84, 95%CI 0.80-0.88), respectively. The results of traditional meta-analysis showed that compared with people who do not drink tea, people who drink more than 1 cup of tea a day are associated with 14% lower CVD mortality rate (RR=0.86, 95%CI 0.81-0.91, I²=73.2%, P<0.05). The results of subgroup analysis showed that compared with the corresponding people who did not drink tea, men who drank more than 1 cup of tea a day reduced the CVD mortality rate by 24%, women by 14%, European and American populations by 12%, and Asian populations by 15%. The population who consumed green tea decreased CVD mortality by 15%, and the population of non-smokers decreased CVD mortality by 20% (all P<0.05). The population who consumed black tea decreased CVD mortality by 8%, and the smoking population who consumed black tea decreased CVD mortality by 3%, and the difference was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The results of the bias analysis showed that Begg=0.42 and Egger=0.62, indicating that the distribution on both sides of the funnel chart is symmetrical, suggesting that there is no publication bias. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the effect size of the outcome index did not change significantly after excluding any article, indicating that the results are robust and credible. The GRADE evaluation showed that the evidence grades of the outcome indicators were all low grade. Conclusions: Daily tea consumption is related to reduced CVD mortality. It is therefore recommended to drink an appropriate amount of tea daily.

Fermented milk with Lactobacillus curvatus SMFM2016-NK alleviates periodontal and gut inflammation, and alters oral and gut microbiota

This study aimed to analyze the effect of milk fermented with Lactobacillus curvatus SMFM2016-NK on periodontal diseases and gut health in a rat model. To improve the effect of Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk administration for relieving periodontitis, the periodontitis rat models were treated with the following for 4 wk: 10% skim milk (normal), periodontitis + 10% skim milk (negative control), periodontitis + Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-fermented milk (positive control), and periodontitis + Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk (PD+LCFM). Transcriptional analysis of inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10] was performed via quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. The changes in the oral and gut microbiomes after administering Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk were analyzed with metagenomics sequencing using DNA extracted from the oral gingival tissues and feces from the cecum of the rat models. After treatment with Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk, the relative gene expression levels of TNFA and IL1B in the gingiva decreased in the PD+LCFM group compared with those in the negative control group. In the oral microbiome, the proportion of the phylum Proteobacteria in the PD+LCFM group was lower than that in the negative control after treatment with Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk. For the effect in the gut, the relative gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in the colon between the normal and negative control groups were not different; however, the expression levels of TNFA and IL1B in the PD+LCFM and positive control groups, respectively, were lower than those in the negative control group. The composition and diversity of the gut microbiome differed among normal, periodontitis, and Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk treatment groups. These results indicate that Lb. curvatus SMFM2016-NK-fermented milk could alleviate periodontal and gut inflammation and change oral and gut microbiota.

Distinctive patterns of pulmonary function change according to baseline lung volume and diffusing capacity

SETTING: Multicentre retrospective study in South Korea.OBJECTIVE: To longitudinally evaluate changes in lung volume and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) with forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV₁).DESIGN: A total of 155 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whose pulmonary function parameters were measured annually for 5 years, were selected from a prospective cohort in South Korea. A random coefficients model was used to estimate mean annual FEV₁, lung volume parameter and DLCO change rates.RESULTS: Patients were classified into four groups based on baseline DLCO and residual volume/total lung capacity (RV/TLC) measurements. The annual FEV₁ decline rate was greater in patients with low DLCO than in those with normal DLCO, with the greatest decline occurring in patients with low DLCO and normal RV/TLC. RV and RV/TLC declined in patients with high RV/TLC, whereas these increased in patients with normal RV/TLC. DLCO decreased longitudinally in all four groups, with the greatest decline occurring in patients with normal DLCO and normal RV/TLC.CONCLUSIONS: Different subgroups of patients with COPD exhibited distinctive pulmonary function change patterns. Baseline DLCO and RV/TLC may be used as physiological markers to predict long-term changes in pulmonary function.

Circle RNA FOXP1 promotes cell proliferation in lung cancer by regulating miR-185-5p/Wnt1 signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

It is reported that circular RNA plays an important role in various cancers in recent years. However, there is less investigation reported in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) about circRNA. This study aims to explore the role and molecular mechanism of circle RNA FOXP1 in LUAD procession.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The levels of circFOXP1 and miR-185-5p in LUAD cell lines and LUAD cancer samples were examined by RT-PCR. The functions of circFOXP1 and miR-185-5p at LUAD cells were detected by cell transfection of the overexpression or repression. The A549 and H1299 cell proliferation were detected by MTT assay and colony formation assay. And the cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. The expression levels WNT1 were measured by Western blot in A549 and H1299 cells. Furthermore, the luciferase assay detected the direct interaction between circFOXP1 and miR-185-5p or miR-185-5p and WNT1.

RESULTS

The circFOXP1 expression was increased in LUAD patients and LUAD cell lines. The downregulation of circFOXP1 significantly repressed LUAD cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, the luciferase assay results confirmed that circFOXP1 directly interacted with miR-185-5p. Overexpression of miR-185-5p could reverse the effect of circFOXP1 in LUAD cell. Besides, the luciferase results showed that miR-185-5p directly interacted with WNT1. miR-185-5p overexpression inhibited the WNT1 expression, while circFOXP1 repression decreased the WNT1 level in LUAD cell lines. The downregulating WNT1 could reverse the effects of miR-185-5p inhibition in LUAD cell lines. Furthermore, WNT1 was significantly upregulated in LUAD cancer tissues. In addition, circFOXP1 level was negatively correlated with miR-185-5p expression and positively correlated with WNT1 expression in LUAD cancer tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggested that circFOXP1 promoted cell proliferation and repressed cell apoptosis in LUAD by regulating miR-185-5p/WNT1 signaling pathway. It provides a novel potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of LUAD.

Fast-ion Dα spectroscopy diagnostic at KSTAR

A fast-ion Dα (FIDA) diagnostics system was installed for core and edge measurements on KSTAR. This system has two tangential FIDA arrays that cover both blue- and redshifted Dα lines (cold: 656.09 nm) in active views along the neutral beam 1 A centerline. The spectral band is 647-662.5 nm, and it covers the Doppler shift of the emission from the maximum energy of the neutral beam (100 keV). A curved filter strip with a motorized stage adequately prevents saturation of the electron multiplying charge-coupled device signal by the cold Dα line from the plasma edge. From comparisons of the measured spectra and FIDASIM modeling code, the FIDA spectra are well matched quantitatively. Moreover, the first measurements show that the FIDA radiance agrees with the neutron rate in the time trace during external heating and perturbation. In addition, responses are observed in the core FIDA radiance during the edge-localized mode cycle.

Effects of Titanium-Implanted Dose on the Tribological Properties of 316L Stainless Steel

The effects of titanium (Ti) ion-implanted doses on the chemical composition, surface roughness, mechanical properties, as well as tribological properties of 316L austenitic stainless steel are investigated in this paper. The Ti ion implantations were carried out at an energy of 40 kV and at 2 mA for different doses of 3.0 × 10¹⁶, 1.0 × 10¹⁷, 1.0 × 10¹⁸, and 1.7 × 10¹⁸ ions/cm². The results showed that a new phase (Cr₂Ti) was detected, and the concentrations of Ti and C increased obviously when the dose exceeded 1.0 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm². The surface roughness can be significantly reduced after Ti ion implantation. The nano-hardness increased from 3.44 to 5.21 GPa at a Ti ion-implanted dose increase up to 1.0 × 10¹⁸ ions/cm². The friction coefficient decreased from 0.78 for un-implanted samples to 0.68 for a sample at the dose of 1.7 × 10¹⁸ ions/cm². The wear rate was slightly improved when the sample implanted Ti ion at a dose of 1.0 × 10¹⁸ ions/cm². Adhesive wear and oxidation wear are the main wear mechanisms, and a slightly abrasive wear is observed during sliding. Oxidation wear was improved significantly as the implantation dose increased.

Automation and control of laser wakefield accelerators using Bayesian optimization

Laser wakefield accelerators promise to revolutionize many areas of accelerator science. However, one of the greatest challenges to their widespread adoption is the difficulty in control and optimization of the accelerator outputs due to coupling between input parameters and the dynamic evolution of the accelerating structure. Here, we use machine learning techniques to automate a 100 MeV-scale accelerator, which optimized its outputs by simultaneously varying up to six parameters including the spectral and spatial phase of the laser and the plasma density and length. Most notably, the model built by the algorithm enabled optimization of the laser evolution that might otherwise have been missed in single-variable scans. Subtle tuning of the laser pulse shape caused an 80% increase in electron beam charge, despite the pulse length changing by just 1%.