[Comparison of the latest cancer statistics, cancer epidemic trends and determinants between China and the United States]

Objective: To provide supports for the cancer prevention and control strategies in China by comparing the disease burden, epidemic trends, 5-year relative survival rate and major determinants of common cancers between China and the United States. Methods: A descriptive secondary analysis was conducted using data extracted from the GLOBOCAN database, the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, Global Burden of disease 2019 database, and previous studies. The main indicators included the cases of malignant tumors in different sites, the cases of deaths, the age-standardized incidence (world standard incidence) and mortality (world standard mortality), the 5-year relative survival rate, and population attributable fraction (PAF). Results: In 2022, an estimated 4.825 million new cases and 2.574 million deaths of malignant neoplasms in China. The world standard incidence rate (201.6/100 000) in China was lower than that in the United States (367.0/100 000), and the world standard mortality rate (96.5/100 000) was higher than that in the United States (82.3/100 000). Lung cancer ranked first in the disease burden of malignant tumors in China, the new cases and deaths accounted for 22.0% and 28.5% of all malignant tumors, respectively. The top three malignant tumors in China were breast cancer (11.5%), prostate cancer (9.7%) and lung cancer (9.5%), which were also among the top five causes of death. However, the second to fifth leading causes of death from malignant tumors in China were digestive system tumors (liver cancer 12.3%, stomach cancer 10.1%, colorectal cancer 9.3%, and esophageal cancer 7.3%). From 2000 to 2018, the world standard incidence of malignant tumors showed an increasing trend and the world standard mortality of malignant tumors showed a decreasing trend in China, while the world standard incidence and mortality of malignant tumors in the United States showed a significant decreasing trend after 2000. The incidence of breast cancer, colorectal cancer and thyroid cancer increased rapidly in China, while the incidence and mortality of stomach cancer, liver cancer and esophageal cancer decreased, but they still had a heavy disease burden. From 2003 to 2015, the overall 5-year relative survival rate of malignant tumors increased from 30.9% to 40.5% in China. However, with the exception of esophageal cancer, the 5-year relative survival rates of other major malignant tumors were lower than those in the United States. In 2019, the PAF of malignant tumors death attributable to potential modifiable risk factors was 48.3% in China, which was similar to the United States (49.8%). Of these, smoking was the most important attributable risk factor, and the PAF was more than 30% both in China and the United States. In addition, about 18.8% of malignant tumors were caused by preventable chronic infections, such as hepatitis B virus and Helicobacter pylori, while less than 4% of malignant tumors in the United States were caused by infection. Conclusions: China has made great progress in the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors, but it still faces a serious disease burden. The cancer spectrum is changing from developing countries to developed countries. We should pay attention to modifiable factors, take comprehensive measures, and prevent cancer scientifically.

[Exploration and validation of optimal cut-off values for tPSA and fPSA/tPSA screening of prostate cancer at different ages]

Objective: To determine the total and age-specific cut-off values of total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) and the ratio of free PSA divided total PSA (fPSA/tPSA) for screening prostate cancer in China. Methods: Based on the Chinese Colorectal, Breast, Lung, Liver, and Stomach cancer Screening Trial (C-BLAST) and the Tianjin Common Cancer Case Cohort (TJ4C), males who were not diagnosed with any cancers at baseline since 2017 and received both tPSA and fPSA testes were selected. Based on Cox regression, the overall and age-specific (＜60, 60-＜70, and ≥70 years) accuracy and optimal cut-off values of tPSA and fPSA/tPSA ratio for screening prostate cancer were evaluated with time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (tdROC) and area under curve (AUC). Bootstrap resampling was used to internally validate the stability of the optimal cut-off value, and the PLCO study was used to externally validate the accuracy under different cut-off values. Results: A total of 5 180 participants were included in the study, and after a median follow-up of 1.48 years, a total of 332 prostate cancer patients were included. In the total population, the tdAUC of tPSA and fPSA/tPSA screening for prostate cancer were 0.852 and 0.748, respectively, with the optimal cut-off values of 5.08 ng/ml and 0.173, respectively. After age stratification, the age specific cut-off values of tPSA in the <60, 60-<70, and ≥70 age groups were 3.13, 4.82, and 11.54 ng/ml, respectively, while the age-specific cut-off values of fPSA/tPSA were 0.153, 0.135, and 0.130, respectively. Under the age-specific cut-off values, the sensitivities of tPSA screening for prostate cancer in males <60, 60-70, and ≥70 years old were 92.3%, 82.0%, and 77.6%, respectively, while the specificities were 84.7%, 81.3%, and 75.4%, respectively. The age-specific sensitivities of fPSA/tPSA for screening prostate cancer were 74.4%, 53.3%, and 55.9%, respectively, while the specificities were 83.8%, 83.7%, and 83.7%, respectively. Both bootstrap's internal validation and PLCO external validation provided similar results. The combination of tPSA and fPSA/tPSA could further improve the accuracy of screening. Conclusion: To improve the screening effects, it is recommended that age-specific cut-off values of tPSA and fPSA/tPSA should be used to screen for prostate cancer in the general risk population.

[Immune reconstitution and influencing factors in HIV infected men who have sex with men with access to antiviral therapy in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2005 to 2021]

Objective: To analyze immune reconstitution and influencing factors in HIV infected men who have sex with men (MSM) with access to antiviral therapy (ART) in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi) during 2005-2021. Methods: The data were collected from Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The study subjects were HIV infected MSM with access to the initial ART for ≥24 weeks in Guangxi from 2005 to 2021 and HIV RNA lower than the detection limit within 24 months. The proportion of infected MSM who had immune reconstitution after ART was calculated. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of immune reconstitution. Software SPSS 24.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 3 200 HIV infected MSM were enrolled, in whom 15.56 % (498/3 200) had no immune reconstitution, 14.78% (473/3 200) had moderate immune reconstitution, and the rate of complete immune reconstitution was 69.66% (2 229/3 200). The M (Q1, Q3) of ART time for immune reconstitution was 12 (5, 27) months. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model analysis results showed that compared with those with initial ART at age ≥30 years, WHO clinical stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ illness, baseline BMI <18.50 kg/m2 and baseline CD4+T lymphocyte (CD4) counts <200 cells/µl, HIV infected MSM with initial ART at age <30 years, WHO clinical stageⅠ/Ⅱ illness, baseline BMI≥24.00 kg/m2 and baseline CD4 counts ≥200 cells/µl were more likely to have complete immune reconstitution. Conclusions: In the HIV infected MSM in Guangxi, failures to achieve moderate and complete immune reconstitution were observed. Surveillance and ART regimen should be improved for key populations, such as those with older age and low baseline CD4 counts.

[Chronic myeloid leukemia with e6a2 fusion gene: a case report and literature review]

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with e6a2 transcript type is very rare in clinic,which is usually related to disease aggressiveness. Its clinical characteristics and relationship with tyrosine kinase inhibitor efficacy are still unclear. In this paper, the clinical characteristics and related laboratory tests of a patient with e6a2 fusion gene positive CML characterized by multiple osteolytic bone destruction throughout the body and eosinophil infiltration in gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes and other organs were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed. The patient was Ph chromosome positive with chromosome +8, and the common BCR::ABL1 transcript of CML was negative, but e6a2 transcript was positive detected by RT-PCR. The patient was treated with dasatinib 100 mg/d. Three months later, the patients achieved CHR, CCyR and MR4.0. However, the e6a2 transcript is very rare in clinical practice, and more cases of e6a2 transcript need to be studied to clarify its clinical characteristics and improve the treatment effect of these rare cases.

[Intermediate and long-term outcomes of transcatheter closure of congenital coronary cameral fistulas in 66 children]

Objective: To evaluate the intermediate and long-term outcomes and technical aspects of transcatheter closure (TCC) of coronary cameral fistulas (CCF) in pediatric patients. Methods: This was a case-control study. All pediatric patients with CCF who underwent TCC between January 2005 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Data was collected from medical records, including demographic characteristics, procedural details, intraoperative and postoperative serious adverse events, follow-up results and prognosis. Patients with serious adverse events and without serious adverse events were compared regarding their clinical features and CCF characteristics. Comparisons between groups were performed with independent sample t test, chi-square test or Fisher exact test. Results: A total of 66 CCF patients (34 boys, 32 girls, 3.9 (1.9, 6.2) years old, 15 (11, 20) kg) underwent attempted TCC. All of the CCF were all medium or large fistulas including 55 proximal fistulas (83%) and 11 distal fistulas (17%). The CCF originated more frequently from the right coronary artery (38 cases (58%)), followed by the left coronary artery (28 cases (42%)). The incidence of coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) was 61% (40/66).Procedural treatment was achieved in 64 patients and procedural success was achieved in 59 patients (92%). Six (9%) serious adverse events occurred in 5 patients during the perioperative period. Acute complications included procedure-related death in one patient and acute myocardial infarction in one patient. Periprocedural complications occurred in 3 patients at one day postoperatively including acute myocardial infarction (2 cases), occluder detachment (1 case), and tricuspid chordae tendinae rupture (1 case). Clinical follow-up data were available in 58 of the 62 patients who underwent initial successful TCC with a follow-up period of 9.3 (6.5, 13.4) years. Ten adverse events occurred in 9 patients including 5 complications consisted of aortic valve perforation (1 case), coronary thrombosis (1 case), progressive aneurysmal dilation after reintervention (1 case), and new-onset tricuspid valve prolapse with significant regurgitation (2 cases) and large residual shunts due to fistula recanalization (5 cases). Therefore, the incidence of intermediate and long-term adverse events was 17% (10/58). During the periprocedural and follow-up period, 16 adverse events occurred in 13 patients, whereas no adverse events occurred in 51 patients. Patients with seriovs adverse events presented with larger proportion of large CCF (11/13 vs. 39% (20/51), P=0.005), giant CAA (10/13 vs.14% (7/51), P=0.030), and higher mean pulmonary artery pressure ((20±9) vs.(16±6) mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa, t=2.02, P=0.048) compared to patients without serious adverse events. Conclusions: TCC in CCF children appears to be effective with favorable intermediate and long-term outcomes. Strict indication of TCC is mandatory.

Cuproptosis mediates copper-induced testicular spermatogenic cell death

Cuproptosis, a novel mechanism of programmed cell death, has not been fully explored in the context of spermatogenic cells. This study investigated the potential involvement of cuproptosis in spermatogenic cell death using a mouse model of copper overload. Sixty male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were randomly divided into four groups that received daily oral gavage with sodium chloride (control) or copper sulfate (CuSO4) at 50 mg kg-1, 100 mg kg-1, or 200 mg kg-1, for 42 consecutive days. Mice subjected to copper overload exhibited a disruption in copper homeostasis. Additionally, significant upregulated expression of key cuproptosis factors was accompanied by a significant rise in the rates of testicular tissue cell apoptosis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of ferredoxin 1 (Fdx1) in Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and spermatogenic cells at various stages of testicular development, and the Fdx1-positive staining area was significantly increased in copper-overloaded mice. Mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased adenosine triphosphate levels were also observed, further implicating mitochondrial damage under cuproptosis. Further analyses revealed pathological lesions and blood-testis barrier destruction in the testicular tissue, accompanied by decreased sperm concentration and motility, in copper-overloaded mice. In summary, our results indicate that copper-overloaded mice exhibit copper homeostasis disorder in the testicular tissue and that cuproptosis participates in spermatogenic cell death. These findings provide novel insights into the pathogenic mechanisms underlying spermatogenic cell death and provide initial experimental evidence for the occurrence of cuproptosis in the testis.

[Clinical features and risk factors for invasive fungal sinusitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with invasive fungal sinusitis (invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, IFR) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and explored the risk factors for IFR after allo-HSCT. Methods: Nineteen patients with IFR after allo-HSCT at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2021 were selected as the study group, and 95 patients without IFR after allo-HSCT during this period were randomly selected as the control group (1:5 ratio) . Results: Nineteen patients, including 10 males and 9 females, had IFR after allo-HSCT. The median age was 36 (10-59) years. The median IFR onset time was 68 (9-880) days after allo-HSCT. There were seven patients with acute myeloid leukemia, five with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, two with myelodysplastic syndrome, two with chronic myeloid leukemia, one with acute mixed-cell leukemia, one with multiple myeloma, and one with T-lymphoblastic lymph node tumor. There were 13 confirmed cases and 6 clinically diagnosed cases. The responsible fungus was Mucor in two cases, Rhizopus in four, Aspergillus in four, and Candida in three. Five patients received combined treatment comprising amphotericin B and posaconazole, one patient received combined treatment comprising voriconazole and posaconazole, nine patients received voriconazole, and four patients received amphotericin B. In addition to antifungal treatment, 10 patients underwent surgery. After antifungal treatment and surgery, 15 patients achieved a response, including 13 patients with a complete response and 2 patients with a partial response. Multivariate analysis revealed that neutropenia before transplantation (P=0.021) , hemorrhagic cystitis after transplantation (P=0.012) , delayed platelet engraftment (P=0.008) , and lower transplant mononuclear cell count (P=0.012) were independent risk factors for IFR after allo-HSCT. The 5-year overall survival rates in the IFR and control groups after transplantation were 29.00%±0.12% and 91.00%±0.03%, respectively (P<0.01) . Conclusion: Although IFR is rare, it is associated with poor outcomes in patients undergoing allo-HSCT. The combination of antifungal treatment and surgery might be effective.

Study on the treatment of oily wastewater by evaluating the growth process of aggregates in an electrocoagulation reactor

Electrocoagulation has been widely studied in oily wastewater treatment because of its high demulsification efficiency and no secondary reagent is required. Oil removal largely depends on the properties of the aggregates. This study aimed to explore the growth process of aggregates and oil removal near the anode by electrocoagulation. Four factors, current density, solution temperature, initial pH value, and electrode structure, were investigated. According to the findings, the current density and temperature have the most significant influence on the growth process of aggregates. The oil removal rate depends more on the average particle size than the fractal dimension. The results showed that the current density and solution temperature have the most significant influence on the parameters of the electrocoagulation process. With increasing current density, the aggregate growth rate and average particle size entering the stable period were accelerated, and the oil removal efficiency was promoted. The growth of aggregates was retarded at high temperatures. The change in the scope of the fractal dimension was minor, ranging from 1.65 to 1.84, during the growth process of the aggregates. Foamed aluminium electrodes were beneficial for accelerating aggregate growth instead of aluminium plates, but the energy consumption was obviously increased. The relationship between the mean particle size and mean fractal dimension of aggregates is consistent with the power function. From the point of view of aggregate growth, this study forms the basis for an in-depth understanding of the demulsification mechanism.

[Pathological study on the relationship between nucleic acid oxidative stress and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients aged over 85 years]

Objective: To investigate the level of nucleic acid oxidation in myocardial tissue of patients aged over 85 with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and the correlation with myocardial amyloid deposition. Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study. Data of patients≥85 years old who underwent systematic pathological autopsy in Beijing Hospital from 2003 to 2017 were retrospectively collected. Twenty-six patients were included in the HFpEF group and 13 age-and sex-matched patients who had not been diagnosed with heart failure and died of non-cardiovascular diseases served as the control group. The left ventricular myocardium slices of both groups were semi-quantitatively analyzed using immunohistochemical staining of 8-oxidized guanine riboside (8-oxo-G) and 8-oxidized guanine deoxyriboside (8-oxo-dG) to evaluate the oxidation of RNA and DNA in cardiomyocytes. Using the median of the mean absorbance value of 8-oxo-G immunohistochemical staining as the cut-off value, patients were divided into high-absorbance group and low-absorbance group. Congo red staining was used to compare myocardial amyloid deposition between the two groups. Results: The mean age of patients in HFpEF group was (91.8±3.7) years, 24 (92.3%) were males. The mean age of patients in control group was (91.7±3.7) years old, 11 (84.6%) were males. The median mean optical absorbance value of 8-oxo-G immunohistochemical staining of myocardium was significantly higher in HFpEF patients than in control group (0.313 8 (0.302 2, 0.340 6) vs. 0.289 2 (0.276 7, 0.299 4), Z=-3.245, P=0.001). The median mean absorbance value of 8-oxo-dG immunohistochemical staining of myocardial tissue was similar between the two groups (0.300 0 (0.290 0, 0.322 5) vs. 0.300 0 (0.290 0, 0.320 0), Z=-0.454, P=0.661). Proportion of patients with moderate and severe cardiac amyloid deposition was significantly higher in the high-absorbance group than in the low-absorbance group ((85.0%, 17/20) vs. (31.6%, 6/19), P=0.001). Conclusion: The RNA oxidation degree of myocardium in HFpEF patients is higher than that in elderly people without heart failure. Degree of myocardial amyloid deposits is higher in patients with high levels of RNA oxidation.

[Analysis of late-diagnosis and associated factors in newly reported HIV infections among men who have sex with men in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 2005-2021]

Objective: To analyze the trend of late-diagnosis of HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) before and after the AIDS Conquering Project in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi) and its influencing factors, in order to find out the population groups that need priority intervention at the present stage. Methods: The HIV-infected MSM in Guangxi from 2005-2021 were selected from the National Integrated HIV/AIDS Control and Prevention Data System. The Joinpoint 4.9.1.0 software was used to test the time trend of late-diagnosis and non-late-diagnosis cases, and logistic regression was applied to analyze the factors influencing the proportion of late-diagnosis at each stage. Results: From 2005 to 2021, 5 764 HIV-infected MSM were reported in Guangxi from 2005 to 2021, with an overall late-diagnosis of 28.45% (1 640 cases). Under the 2015 baseline data as the boundary, the proportion of late-diagnosis cases showed a trend of sharp decline followed by stabilization from 2005 to 2015, average annual percent change= -6.90% (P<0.001). The effect of factors such as resident population, occupation as a farmer or worker, and sample originating from medical consultation on late-diagnosis changed considerably before and after the implementation of the project, and the factors influencing late-diagnosis at this stage were age, resident population, occupation as a farmer, worker or student. The factors influencing late-diagnosis at this stage are age, resident population, and occupation as a farmer, worker and a student. Conclusions: The proportion of late diagnosis cases of HIV-infected MSM in Guangxi decreased significantly before and after the project. However, late-diagnosis should not be neglected and precise prevention and control should be carried out for the resident population, farmers, workers or students.

[Characteristics of genioglossus neuromuscular activity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea during drug-induced sleep]

Objective: To analyze genioglossus (GG) activation responses to the negative pressure of upper airway cavity during awake and different sleep stages in patients with different obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) graduation. Methods: This prospective cohort study started from August 2019 to January 2021, recruited 42 male OSA patients aged from 21 to 59 (38.77±8.42) years. After completing whole night polysomnography (PSG) and upper airway CT, each subject underwent drug-induced sleep with simultaneous monitoring of genioglossal electromyography (GGEMG) and pressure of epiglottis (Pepi). Subjects were divided into three groups of mild OSA(7 males), moderate OSA(12 males), and severe OSA(23 males). The differences in upper airway CT measurements, parameters of GGEMG and Pepi during awake and induced sleep were compared. Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 21.0. Results: There was no significant difference in the GGEMG parameters between the mild and moderate groups. In wakefulness, the peak phasic GGEMG of the severe group was higher than the mild group (t=1.249, P=0.025), with no statistically difference in the corresponding Pepi. In the sleep onset, the GGEMG parameters and Pepi in severe group were higher than the other two groups. Linear regression analysis of the maximum GGEMG and maximum Pepi at the end of obstructive apnea (OA) in all moderate plus severe patients (n=35) was shown nonlinear correlation (r=0.28, P=0.694). The airway length of the glossopharyngeal cavity was linearly correlated with the maximum Pepi of OA (r=0.468, R2=0.219, P=0.005). Conclusions: The individual difference of GG activation in OSA patients is related to the severity of the disease (frequency of respiratory events) and negative pressure stimulation. In moderate and severe OSA patients, GG activity is not in harmony with the corresponding negative pressure stimulation, which may be one of the mechanisms leading to the aggravation of OSA.

Tumor Resistance to Fractionated Radiotherapy in Obese Mice

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Obesity has reached pandemic levels in the United States and will soon surpass smoking as the number one cause of preventable cancer. Clinical data demonstrate that obese cancer patients are more resistant to radiotherapy and have higher rates of recurrence. Although a growing number of cancer patients are obese, and obesity is linked to poor outcomes with radiotherapy, little is understood about how obesity impacts the efficacy of radiotherapy. Understanding if and how obesity induces radio-resistance and how to best treat obese cancer patients is a critical unmet need. In this study we test the hypothesis that tumors in obese mice have increased resistance to fractionated radiotherapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Control and diet induce obese (DIO) mice were generated by feeding 4-6-week-old, genetically identical, inbred C57BL/6 mice with a high-fat diet consisting of 60% kcal from fat (DIO) or a control diet consisting of 10% fat (control) until 6 months of age. Mice were then implanted with syngeneic B16F0 tumors in the hind leg. When tumors reached 5mm in diameter mice were treated with fractionated radiotherapy (12 Gy delivered in daily 4 Gy fractions X 3 days) using a 2cm electron cutout to treat the tumor + margin only.

RESULTS

DIO mice had significantly increased body weight (control 30-40 g; DIO 50-65 g), significantly increased visceral and subcutaneous fat deposits, and elevated leptin levels. Blood glucose levels and HgbA1c in DIO mice, although slighter higher than controls, were within normal limits and did not indicate insulin resistance. Mice were divided into four groups of 8 mice (control, control + RT, DIO, DIO + RT). Fractionated radiotherapy (4 Gy x 3) significantly reduced the growth of B16F0 tumors by about three-fold in control mice compared to untreated controls. Radiotherapy failed to significantly reduce tumor size in DIO mice (compared to unirradiated DIO), although the treated tumors trended towards being modestly smaller. Additionally, tumors in the DIO + RT group were significantly larger than the tumors in the control + RT group. Initial mechanistic studies suggest increased tumor proliferation and immune dysfunction in DIO mice may induce the observed radio-resistance.

CONCLUSION

Using genetically identical mice with genetically identical tumors we demonstrate, for the first time, that diet and obesity can drastically alter the anti-tumor effects of radiotherapy. Mechanistic studies and studies in other tumor models are underway. Understanding how obesity impacts radiotherapy response and developing strategies to address these issues will improve outcomes in obese patients. Thus, these studies can have a major clinical impact and represent a step towards personalized medicine by tailoring radiotherapy treatment strategies to a patient's metabolic parameters.

Risk factors of prolonged intensive care unit stay following cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis

INTRODUCTION

Prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay is common in serious patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Prolonged ICU stay is associated with increased mortality and worse prognosis. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors for prolonged ICU stay after cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) and we try to decrease the operative risk of mortality and morbidity of cardiac surgery for IE.

METHODS

The retrospective study of patients with IE undergoing cardiac surgery between January 2006 and November 2022 at our hospital was performed.

RESULTS

896 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were divided into group of ICU stay ≤ 3d (n = 416) and group p of ICU stay > 3d (n = 480). There were 48 operative deaths (5.4%). Univariable and multivariable analyses showed that factors are associated with prolonged ICU stay following cardiac surgery for IE, including male (P < .001), age (P < .001), weight (P = .009), vegetation length (P < .001), paravalvular leak (P < .001), aortic cross-clamp time (P < .001), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (P < .001), mechanical ventilation time (P < .001), hospitalized time postoperative (P = .032), creatinine of serum before surgery (P < .001), creatinine of serum 24h after surgery (P = .005), creatinine of serum 48h after surgery (P < .001), fluid balance on operation day (P < .001), postoperative acute kidney injury (P < .001), left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) preoperative (P < .001), LVEDD postoperative (P < .001), chest drainage (P = .032), frozen plasma (P = .016), preoperative aortic insufficiency (P < .001), and packed red cells (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, shortness of ICU stay and optimization of pre-, peri-, and postoperative factors that can shorten ICU stay, therefore, contribute to a better postoperative outcome and leads to lower rates of mortality and morbidity.

[The influence of interaction between polygenic risk score and intestinal fungal microbiota on the risk of schizophrenia]

Objective: To investigate the effect of interaction between polygenic risk score (PRS) and intestinal fungal microbiota on the risk of Schizophrenia (SCH). Methods: A case-control study was carried out. Drug-naïve, first-episode SCH patients were selected from the Psychiatric Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between October 2017 and October 2019. Meanwhile, healthy controls (HCs) were recruited from local communities through online advertisement or physical examination center. Intestinal fungal microbiota was characterized by the 18S rRNA sequencing platform. The association of fungal microbial dysbiosis (F_MD) index, α-diversity indices and PRS with SCH was detected by logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 137 SCH patients (62 males and 75 females) and 76 HCs (31 males and 45 females) were included in the study. The age of SCH patients and HCs was (22.5±7.5) years and (22.8±2.3) years, respectively. The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that PRS (OR=1.111, 95%CI: 1.036-1.178, P=0.002) and the increase of F_MD index (OR=1.200, 95%CI: 1.124-1.281, P<0.001) were risk factors for developing SCH. The increase of fungal α-diversity Shannon (OR=0.813, 95%CI: 0.755-0.874, P<0.001) index, Simpson index (OR=0.218, 95%CI: 0.091-0.523, P<0.001) and abundance of key Aspergillus (OR=0.928, 95%CI: 0.864-0.996, P=0.040) decreased the risk of SCH. Aspergillus abundance was positively correlated with cognitive domains including working memory (r=0.280, P=0.001), verbal learning (r=0.253, P=0.003), reasoning and problem solving (r=0.191, P=0.028). Conclusion: The increase of PRS may increase the risk of SCH. The increase of fungal α-diversity indices and Aspergillus abundance may decrease the risk of SCH. The interaction between PRS and intestinal fungi (Shannon index, Simpson index and Aspergillus) is a related factor for the risk of SCH.

[Transanal drainage tube for prevention of anastomotic leak after anterior resection for rectal cancer: a meta-analysis]

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of transanal drainage tube (TDT) in reducing the incidence of anastomotic leak following anterior resection in patients with rectal cancer. Methods: We conducted a systematic search for relevant studies published from inception to October 2022 across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software. The primary outcomes included total incidence of anastomotic leak, grade B and C anastomotic leak rates, reoperation rate, anastomotic bleeding rate, and overall complication rate. Results: Three randomized controlled trials involving 1115 patients (559 patients in the TDT group and 556 in the non-TDT group) were included. Meta-analysis showed that the total incidences of anastomotic leak and of grade B anastomotic leak were 5.5% (31/559) and 4.5% (25/559), respectively, in the TDT group and 7.9% (44/556) and 3.8% (21/556), respectively, in the non-TDT group. These differences are not statistically significant (P=0.120, P=0.560, respectively). Compared with the non-TDT group, the TDT group had a lower incidence of grade C anastomotic leak (1.6% [7/559] vs. 4.5% [25/556]) and reoperation rate (0.9% [5/559] vs. 4.3% [24/556]), but a higher incidence of anastomotic bleeding (8.2% [23/279] vs. 3.6% [10/276]). These differences were statistically significant (P=0.003, P=0.001, P=0.030, respectively). The overall complication rate was 26.5%(74/279) in the TDT group and 27.2% (75/276) in the non-TDT group. These differences are not statistically significant (P=0.860). Conclusions: TDT did not significantly reduce the total incidence of anastomotic leak but may have potential clinical benefits in preventing grade C anastomotic leak. Notably, placement of TDT may increase the anastomotic bleeding rate.

Impact of Vegetation Length on Clinical Complications During Surgical Intervention and Long-Term Survival in Infective Endocarditis

We aimed to investigate the impact of vegetation length on clinical complications during surgical intervention and long-term survival in infective endocarditis. This was a retrospective study of patients with infective endocarditis who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2006 and November 2022 at our hospital. 896 patients were divided into 2 groups: group I (vegetation length <10 mm, n = 448) and group II (vegetation length ≥10 mm, n = 448). There were 48 operative deaths (5.4%). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that vegetation length is statistically significantly associated with destruction of the annulus (p <0.001), neurological complications before surgery (p <0.001), acute renal injury (p <0.001), prolonged intubation time (intubation time >24 hours) (p <0.001), prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) retention time (ICU retention time >3 days) (p <0.001), and in-hospital mortality (p <0.001), respectively. Our study showed that vegetation length is statistically significantly associated with destruction of the annulus, neurological complications before surgery, acute renal injury, prolonged intubation time, prolonged ICU retention time, in-hospital mortality, and 1-year mortality, respectively.

Understanding the effects of mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for treating osteoarthritis using an in vitro co-culture model

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability, for which there is no cure. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been used in clinical trials for treating OA due to their unique ability to generate paracrine anti-inflammatory and trophic signals. Interestingly, these studies have shown mainly short-term effects of MSCs in improving pain and joint function, rather than sustained and consistent benefits. This may reflect a change or loss in the therapeutic effects of MSCs after intra-articular injection. The present study aimed to unravel the reasons behind the variable efficacy of MSC injections for OA using an in vitro co-culture model. Osteoarthritic human synovial fibroblasts (OA-HSFs) were co-cultured with MSCs to investigate their reciprocal effects on cell responses and whether a short-term exposure of OA cells to MSCs was sufficient for reducing their diseased characteristics in a sustained manner. Gene expression and histological analyses were performed. OA-HSFs exposed to MSCs showed short-term downregulation of inflammatory markers. However, the MSCs showed upregulation of inflammatory markers and impaired ability to undergo osteogenesis and chondrogenesis in the presence of OA-HSFs. Moreover, short-term exposure of OA-HSFs to MSCs was found to be insufficient for inducing sustained changes to their diseased behaviour. These findings suggested that MSCs may not provide long-term effects in correcting the OA joint environment due to them adopting the diseased phenotype of the surrounding tissues, which has important implications for the future development of effective stem-cell-based OA treatments with long-term therapeutic efficacy.

[Analysis of characteristics of drug resistance gene mutation in HBV RT region of hepatitis B infected patients]

Objective: This article investigated the clinical characteristics and distribution of drug resistance mutation sites in HBV RT region of hepatitis B infected patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis was made on 1 948 patients with HBV infection, who had been tested for NAs resistance mutation and had a medical history of NAs in the Laboratory Department of the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021. Basic clinical information and drug resistance related mutation information were recorded. Meanwhile, the serological index data of hepatitis B were collected. Drug resistance gene mutant group and non-mutated group were grouped according to whether the drug resistance genes had a mutation in HBV RT region, and the clinical characteristics and genotype distribution of the two groups were statistically analyzed. The pattern of drug resistance gene mutation, number of mutation sites, drug resistance type and mutation of NAs resistance-related sites were analyzed in 917 patients with drug resistance gene mutation in HBV RT region. χ² Inspection was used for counting data. Meanwhile, two independent samples t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for measurement data. Results: Among the 1 948 patients with chronic HBV infection, 917 patients had drug resistance gene mutation in RT region (47.07%). The proportion of patients with acute hepatitis B and CHB in HBV RT resistance gene mutant group was lower than that in the non-mutated group, while the proportion of patients with HBV-related cirrhosis was higher than that in the non-mutated group, these differences were statistically significant. Compared with the non-mutated group in HBV RT region, the age, the positive rates of HBeAg and HBV DNA, and HBV DNA load of these patients were increased in drug resistance gene mutant group, these differences were statistically significant. Genotypes of patients in both groups were dominated by C, followed by B and D. The proportion of patients with genotype C in HBV RT drug resistance gene mutant group was higher than that of non-mutated group, the difference was statistically significant. There were 53 gene mutation patterns in 917 patients with drug resistance gene mutation in HBV RT region, and the main pattern was rtL180M+rtM204V+rtS202G (9.70%). The mutation sites were dominated by 3 (20.74%). There were 5 types of drug resistance, LAM+Ldt (21.25%) was the most. Among the 18 sites that were clearly associated with LAM, ADV, ETV and Ldt resistance in the HBV RT region, 14 sites were mutated, and the most common mutation sites were rtL180M, rtM204V, rtM204 and rtS202G. what's more, the proportion of patients with NAs drug resistance was LAM>Ldt>ETV>ADV. Conclusion: In order to prevent adverse consequences of this study such as disease recurrence or disease progression caused by HBV drug resistance, HBV infected patients, who have long-term use of NAs antiviral therapy, should monitor the level of HBV DNA and drug resistance genes in HBV RT region in order to optimize the treatment plan in time or guide individualized treatment.

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

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

[Impact of social support for schizophrenia patients on their quality of life and family life satisfaction]

Objective: To explore the relationship of social support to patients with schizophrenia, family burden with patients' quality of life and family life satisfaction. Methods: Multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling was used to select 358 patients with schizophrenia and 358 patients' family members in Gansu Province who met the inclusion criteria were included. The Social Support Rating Scale, Family Burden Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Quality of Life Scale were used in the survey. AMOS 24.0 was used to explore the pathway of influence of family burden on social support to patients with schizophrenia, patients' quality of life and patients' family life satisfaction. Results: There was a two-by-two significant correlation between patients' access to social support, family burden, patients' life quality and family life satisfaction (P<0.05), and the total score of the social support scale negatively predicted the total score of the life quality scale (β=-0.28, P<0.05) and positively predicted the total score of the life satisfaction scale (β=0.52, P<0.05). Family burden was a full mediator between the social support to the patient and the patient's quality of life, and as a partial mediator between the social support to the patient and the family's life satisfaction. Conclusions: Social support to people with schizophrenia is a significant predictor of their quality of life and family life satisfaction. Family burden mediates the relationship of social support to patients with their quality of life and family life satisfaction. Interventions can focus on increasing social support for the patient and reducing the burden on the patient's family to improve the patient's quality of life and increase the satisfaction of the patient's family.

Enhanced proton conductivity by guest molecule exchange in an acylamide-functionalized metal-organic framework

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as types of proton conductive materials have attracted much attention. Here, an acylamide-functionalized 3D MOF, [Ni₃(TPBTC)₂(stp)₂(H₂O)₄]·2DMA·32H₂O, has been successfully constructed via combining Ni(NO₃)₂, TPBTC (TPBTC = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid tris-pyridin-4-ylamide) and 2-H₂stp (2-H₂stp = 2-sulfoterephthalic acid monosodium salt) under solvothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that there are uncoordinated guest DMA molecules in the pores of the compound. On removal of guest DMA molecules, the proton conductivity of the compound increased to 2.25 × 10^-3 S cm^-1 at 80 °C and 98% RH which is about 110 times that of the original material. It is hoped that this work can provide essential insight for designing and obtaining improved crystalline-state proton conducting materials by considering the influences of guest molecules on proton conduction properties of porous materials.

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

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

[A case of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy]

A 35-year-old male patient presented to the hospital with binocular blurred vision for 2 weeks. The visual acuity of both eyes was 0.8. Fundus examination showed multiple yellow-white punctate lesions in the posterior pole of both eyes. OCT showed cystoid edema and submacular edema, thickening of ellipsoid zone and enhancement of reflex in macular region. Fundus autofluorescence showed strong autofluorescence at the lesion site. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed no fluorescence leakage in the lesion area. The patient was diagnosed with acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy based on medical history, ocular multimodal examination and general examination. The patient was not given special treatment, but one week later, the lesion was fused and expanded, and the macular edema was worse than before.

Incomplete Pericardial Dissection, Fluid Overload, Delayed Diagnosis And Treatment, And Tuberculosis Pericarditis Are Associated With Low Cardiac Output Syndrome Following Pericardiectomy

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate risk factors of LCOS following pericardiectomy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing pericardiectomy at three hospitals between January 1994 and May 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 826 patients were divided into two groups: group with LCOS (N = 126) and group without LCOS (N = 700). The incidence of postoperative LCOS was 15.3%. There were 66 operative deaths (8.0%). Univariable and multivariable analyses showed that factors are associated with LCOS, including postoperative LVEDD (P < 0.001), preoperative LVEDD (P < 0.001), time between symptoms and surgery (P < 0.001), thickness of pericardium (P < 0.001), intubation time (P = 0.002), hospitalized time postoperative (P < 0.001), preoperative central venous pressure (P = 0.016), postoperative central venous pressure (P = 0.034), D0 fluid balance (P = 0.019), D2 fluid balance (P = 0.017), postoperative chest drainage (P < 0.001), surgical duration (P < 0.001), bleeding during operation (P = 0.001), serum creatinine 24h after surgery (P < 0.001), serum creatinine 48h after surgery (P = 0.017), fresh-frozen plasma (P = 0.005), packed red cells (P = 0.006), and tuberculosis pericarditis (P = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

In our study, incomplete pericardial dissection, fluid overload, delayed diagnosis and treatment, and tuberculosis pericarditis are associated with LCOS following pericardiectomy.

Surgical treatment of liver inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell sarcoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (IPT-like FDCS) is rare with a low malignant potential. Hepatic IPT-like FDCS has similar clinical features to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), making it extremely difficult to distinguish between them in clinical practice. We describe the case of a young female patient diagnosed with HCC before surgery, which was pathologically diagnosed as IPT-like FDCS after the left half of the liver was resected. During 6 mo of follow-up, the patient recovered well with no signs of recurrence or metastasis.

CASE SUMMARY

A 23-year-old female patient with a 2-year history of hepatitis B presented to the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University. She was asymptomatic at presentation, and the findings from routine laboratory examinations were normal except for slightly elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels. However, ultrasonography revealed a 3-cm diameter mass in the left hepatic lobe, and abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed that the tumor had asymmetrical enhancement during the arterial phase, which declined during the portal venous phase, and had a pseudo-capsule appearance. Based on the findings from clinical assessments and imaging, the patient was diagnosed with HCC, for which she was hospitalized and had undergone laparoscopic left hepatectomy. However, the tumor specimens submitted for pathological analyses revealed IPT-like FDCS. After surgical removal of the tumor, the patient recovered. In addition, the patient continued to recover well during 6 mo of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Hepatic IPT-like FDCS is difficult to distinguish from HCC. Hepatectomy may provide beneficial outcomes in non-metastatic hepatic IPT-like FDCS.

[Diagnostic value of rapid antigen testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection]

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of rapid antigen test based on colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection in symptomatic patients. Methods: From May 20 to June 5 2022, 76 hospitalized children and their 55 accompanying family members with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in the COVID-19 isolation unit of the Children's Hospital of Fudan University (designated referral hospital for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Shanghai) enrolled. Their nasopharyngeal swab specimens were consecutively collected. The samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid by real-time quantitative. SARS-CoV-2 antigen was tested by immunochromatography. The correlation between the antigen detection results and the change of the cycle threshold (Ct) values were evaluated, as well as the sensitivity and specificity of SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection at different periods after the onset of the disease. Kappa consistency test was conducted to investigate the consistency between the 2 diagnostic methods. Results: Of the enrolled SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infections, 76 were children, including 41 males and 35 females, with an age of 5 (2, 9) years; 55 were accompanying families, including 8 males and 47 females, with an age of 38 (32, 41) years. All 478 samples were simultaneously tested for SARS-CoV-2 antigen and nucleic acid. In any period from disease onset to negative conversion of viral nucleic acid, the overall sensitivity of the rapid antigen test was 48.2% (119/247), the specificity was 98.3% (227/231), and antigen test and nucleic acid test showed moderate consistency (κ=0.46, P<0.05). The sensitivity of antigen test was 100% (82/82) when the Ct value was ≤25. And the sensitivity of antigen test was 8/10, 4/15 and 8.3% (3/36) when the Ct value was 26, 30 and 35, respectively. All antigen tests were negative when Ct value was >35. During the period of 1-2 days, 3-5 days, 6-7 days, 8-10 days and >10 days after onset, the sensitivity and specificity of SARS-CoV-2 antigen test were 5/8 and 5/5, 90.2% (37/41) and 5/5, 88.9% (24/27) and 2/5, 45.0% (36/80) and 94.1% (32/34), 18.7% (17/91) and 98.9% (183/185) respectively. The Ct values of nasopharyngeal swabs were<26 during 2 to 7 days after onset, 28.7±5.0 on day 8, 34.5±2.9 on day 13 and > 35 after 14 days, respectively. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 antigen test in the patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection shows acceptable sensitivity and specificity within 7 days after onset of disease, and the sensitivity was positively correlated with viral load and negatively correlated with onset time.

Analysis of risk factors of multiorgan failure after pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis

Background

We aimed to investigate risk factors of multiorgan failure following pericardiectomy.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing pericardiectomy between January 1994 and May 2021 at three hospitals.

Results

826 patients were included in the study and divided into two groups: group with multiorgan failure (n = 86) and group without multiorgan failure (n = 740). There were 86 patients with multiorgan failure (86/826, 10.4%). There were 66 operative deaths (66/826, 8.0%). The causes of operative deaths were multiorgan failure, including cardiogenic shock + AKI + ventricular fibrillation (13/66), cardiogenic shock + AKI (35/66), cardiogenic shock + AKI + hepatic failure + septicemia (8/66), cardiogenic shock + AKI + respiratory failure (10/66). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed the factors associated with multiorgan failure, including male (P = 0.006), time between symptoms and surgery (P < 0.001), thickness of pericardium (P < 0.001), intubation time (P < 0.001), ICU retention time (P < 0.001), hospitalized time postoperative (P < 0.001), preoperative central venous pressure (P < 0.001), postoperative central venous pressure (P < 0.001), D0 fluid balance (P < 0.001), D2 fluid balance (P < 0.001), postoperative chest drainage (P < 0.001), preoperative LVEDD(P < 0.001), postoperative LVEDD (P < 0.001), surgical duration (P < 0.001), bleeding during operation (P < 0.001), serum creatinine 24 h after surgery (P = 0.042), serum creatinine 48 h after surgery (P < 0.001), fresh-frozen plasma (P < 0.001), packed red cells (P < 0.001), blood lactate (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In our study, incomplete pericardial dissection, fluid overload, delayed diagnosis and treatment are associated with multiorgan failure following pericardiectomy.

[One case of extensive high-pressure injection injury of hand caused by polyurethane material]

This article reports a patient with extensive high-pressure injection injury of the hand caused by mistaken injection of polyurethane material into the index finger, who was diagnosed and treated in the Department of Orthopedics of Huzhou Central Hospital in 2019. Both the digital artery and digital nerve were involved, and the polyurethane involved the right palm along the flexor tendon sheath of the index finger and wrist. Due to the lack of X-ray development, the scope of the first debridement was small, and the blood supply to the fingertip was poor. Finally, the patient's right index finger was amputated due to infection and necrosis. MR or B-ultrasound should be perfected before operation to clarify the extent of polyurethane involvement. The initial thorough debridement or multiple debridements are necessary to improve the prognosis. If the blood supply of the fingers is poor, the blood supply can be reconstructed by skin flap transplantation.

[Factors associated with death and attrition in HIV-infected children under initial antiretroviral therapy in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 2004 - 2019]

Objective: To investigate death and attrition in HIV-infected children under initial antiretroviral therapy (ART) and associated factors in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in HIV-infected children under initial ART in Guangxi from 2004 to 2019, data from ART information system of National comprehensive AIDS prevention and treatment information system. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess factors associated with the death and attrition. Results: In 943 HIV-infected children, the overall mortality and attrition rates were 1.00/100 person-years and 0.77/100 person-years, respectively. The mortality and attrition rates within the first year of ART were 3.90/100 person-years and 1.67/100 person-years, respectively. The cumulative survival rate during the first, second, fifth and tenth year after ART was 96.14%, 95.80%, 93.68% and 91.54%, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models results showed that being female (aHR=2.00, 95%CI: 1.17-3.40), CD4⁺T lymphocytes (CD4) counts before ART <200 cells/μl (aHR=2.79, 95%CI: 1.54-5.06), weight-for-age Z score before ART <-2 (aHR=2.38, 95%CI: 1.32-4.26), hemoglobin before ART <80 g/L (aHR=2.47, 95%CI: 1.24-4.92), initial ART with LPV/r (aHR=5.05, 95%CI: 1.15-22.12) were significantly associated with death; being female (aHR=2.23, 95%CI: 1.22-4.07) and initial ART with LPV/r (aHR=2.02, 95%CI: 1.07-3.79) were significantly associated with attrition. Conclusions: The effect of ART in HIV-infected children in Guangxi was better, but the mortality and attrition rates were high within the first year of treatment. It is necessary to strengthen the training in medical staff and health education in HIV-infected children and their parents in order to improve the treatment effect.

[Analysis of HIV transmission hotspots and characteristics of cross-regional transmission in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region based on molecular network]

Objective: To analyze HIV transmission hotspots and characteristics of cross-regional transmission in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region (Guangxi) based on the molecular network analysis, and provide evidence for optimization of precise AIDS prevention and control strategies. Methods: A total of 5 996 HIV pol sequences sampled from Guangxi between 1997 and 2020 were analyzed together with 165 534 published HIV pol sequences sampled from other regions. HIV-TRACE was used to construct molecular network in a pairwise genetic distance threshold of 0.5%. Results: The proportion of HIV sequences entering the molecular network of HIV transmission hotspots in Guangxi was 31.5% (1 886/5 996). In the molecular network of HIV cross-regional transmission, the links within Guangxi accounted for 51.6% (2 613/5 062), the links between Guangxi and other provinces in China accounted for 48.0% (2 430/5 062), and the links between Guangxi and other countries accounted for 0.4% (19/5 062). The main regions which had cross-regional linked with Guangxi were Guangdong (49.5%, 1 212/2 449), Beijing (17.5%, 430/2 449), Shanghai (6.9%, 168/2 449), Sichuan (5.7%, 140/2 449), Yunnan (4.2%, 102/2 449), Shaanxi (3.8%, 93/2 449), Zhejiang (2.8%, 69/2 449), Hainan (2.0%, 49/2 449), Anhui (1.5%, 37/2 449), Jiangsu (1.3%, 33/2 449), and other regions (each one <1.0%), respectively. The risk factors of entering the molecular network of HIV transmission hotspots in Guangxi included being aged ≥50 years (compared with being aged 25-49 years, aOR=1.68,95%CI:1.46-1.95), males (compared with females, aOR=1.21,95%CI:1.05-1.40), being single (compared with being married, aOR=1.18,95%CI:1.00-1.39), having education level of high school or above (compared with having education level of junior high school or below, aOR=1.21,95%CI:1.04-1.42), acquired HIV through homosexual intercourse (compared with acquired with HIV through heterosexual intercourse, aOR=1.77, 95%CI:1.48-2.12). The risk factors of cross-regional transmission included males (compared with females, aOR=1.74,95%CI:1.13-2.75), having education level of high school or above (compared with having education level of junior high school or below, aOR=1.96,95%CI:1.43-2.69), being freelancer/unemployed/retired (compared with being farmers, aOR=1.50,95%CI:1.07-2.11), acquired HIV through homosexual intercourse (compared with acquired with HIV through heterosexual intercourse, aOR=3.28,95%CI:2.30-4.72). Conclusion: There are HIV transmission hotspots in Guangxi. Guangxi and other provinces in China form a complex cross-regional transmission network. Future studies should carry out social network surveys in high-risk populations inferred from the molecular network analysis for the timely identification of hidden transmission chains and reduction of the second-generation transmission of HIV.

[Mechanical analysis of the impact of the morphology of the iris and ciliary body on the central vault after posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation]

Objective: To investigate the impact of the iris and ciliary body morphology on the central vault after phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation. Methods: This research was based on the retrospective analysis of 123 patients (123 eyes) who underwent pIOL implantation in the Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between June 2018 and June 2020. The anterior segment structure was observed with an ultrasound biomicroscope before surgery, and all morphological parameters of the iris and ciliary body were measured manually using the ImageJ software, including iris span (IS), iris convexity (IC), iris-ciliary body contact distance (ICCD) and iris-lens contact distance (ILCD). The ICCD was divided into Q1, Q2 and Q3 groups according to the equidistant distance of 0.36 mm. The lens thickness was measured with the IOLMaster. The horizontal corneal diameter and anterior chamber depth were measured using the Pentacam. The central vaults were measured by optical coherence tomography at 1 week, 3 months and 1 year after surgery. The relationships between vault values and preoperative parameters of the anterior segment were evaluated using the Pearson correlation analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. The repeated measures ANOVA was applied to identify changes of vault values over time. Results: The mean values of the vaults at 1 week, 3 months and 1 year after surgery were (723±265) μm, (642±255) μm and (613±280) μm, respectively. The difference among them was statistically significant (F=50.143, P<0.001). The vaults continued to decline within 1 year after pIOL implantation, and the total decline was (122±86) μm. The vaults declined by (69±98) μm from postoperative 1 week to 3 months and by (52±54) μm from postoperative 3 months to 1 year. The regression formula showed that the pIOL size and ILCD were positively related with the vault, while the LT, IS and IC were negatively related with the vault at 1 week postoperatively (adjusted R²=0.404, P<0.001). The pIOL size and ILCD were positively related with the vault, while the IS and IC were negatively related with the vault at 3 months postoperatively (adjusted R²=0.342, P<0.001). The pIOL size was positively related with the vault, while the IS and IC were negatively related with the vault at 1 year postoperatively (adjusted R²=0.661, P<0.001). The vault values were higher in group Q3 compared to group Q1 at every timepoint, and the vault value was higher in group Q2 compared to Q1 at 1 year postoperatively. Conclusions: In the early postoperative period, eyes with a larger pIOL, shorter iris span, longer contact distance between the iris and ciliary body, and longer contact distance between the iris and lens were associated with a higher rate of excessive vaults. Meanwhile, eyes with a thicker lens and larger iris reverse convexity were more likely to obtain insufficient vaults. Within one year after surgery, the pIOL size, IS, IC and ICCD continued to impact on the vault. The ICCD, ILCD and IC can reflect the posterior chamber volume and change the haptic location and force, thus affecting the vault.

[Trends of the disease burden of intellectual disability among children and adolescents from 1990 to 2019 in China]

Objective: This study aims to analyze the disease burden of intellectual disability among Chinese children and adolescents aged 0-19 years in 2019 and its trends from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Data were gathered from the Global Burden of Disease study. The prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of intellectual disability among Chinese children and adolescents were compared with the global average by gender, age group, and severity of disability in 2019. Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the trends in the prevalence and YLDs of intellectual disability among Chinese children and adolescents from 1990 to 2019. Results: The prevalence and YLDs of intellectual disability among Chinese children and adolescents in 2019 were 1 522.65 per 100 000 (95%UI: 1 228.62 per 100 000-1 817.55 per 100 000) and 109.81 per 100 000 (95%UI: 72.15 per 100 000-158.09 per 100 000), respectively, which were lower than the global average. The prevalence and YLDs of severe intellectual disability in China were slightly higher than the global average. The average annual percent changes in the prevalence and YLDs of intellectual disability among Chinese children and adolescents were -0.23% (95%CI: -0.26%--0.21%, P<0.001) and 0.74% (95%CI: 0.66%-0.81%, P<0.001) from 1990 to 2019, respectively. The prevalence and YLDs of severe intellectual disability showed continuously increasing trends over the past 30 years. Conclusions: The disease burden of intellectual disability among Chinese children and adolescents was lower than the global average in 2019, but severe intellectual disability was higher than the global average. The prevalence of intellectual disability among Chinese children and adolescents showed an overall decrease, while YLDs showed an increasing trend from 1990 to 2019.

Three layered cucurbit[6]uril-based metal-organic rotaxane networks functionalized by sulfonic groups for proton conduction

Three new cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6])-based metal-organic rotaxane networks (MORNs) (named CUST-711, CUST-712, and CUST-713) functionalized by a sulfonic group (-SO₃H) have been designed and synthesized via a hydrothermal method. All three compounds exhibited similar two-dimensional (2D) wave layer structures. Their stability under different temperature and relative humidity conditions has been investigated and all the compounds showed excellent stability. Furthermore, their proton conduction properties were also discussed in detail. Due to different structures and sulfonic group sites, the three compounds exhibited different proton conduction abilities of which CUST-712 exhibited an intrinsic relatively high proton conductivity (1.75 × 10^-4 S cm^-1 at 85 °C and 97% relative humidity). These results provide ideas for the design and synthesis of functional CB[6]-based metal-organic rotaxane frameworks (MORFs) as proton conducting materials.

First Measurement of High-Energy Reactor Antineutrinos at Daya Bay

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

Cu-based Organic-Inorganic Composite Materials for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an attractive pathway to convert CO2 into value-added chemicals and fuels. Copper (Cu) is the most effective monometallic catalyst for converting CO2 into multi-carbon products, but suffers from high overpotentials and poor selectivity. Therefore, it is essential to design efficient Cu-based catalyst to improve the selectivity of specific products. Due to the combination of advantages of organic and inorganic composite materials, organic-inorganic composites exhibit high catalytic performance towards CO2RR, and have been extensively studied. In this review, the research advances of various Cu-based organic-inorganic composite materials in CO2RR, i.e., organic molecular modified-metal Cu composites, Cu-based molecular catalyst/carbon carrier composites, Cu-based metal organic framework (MOF) composites, and Cu-based covalent organic framework (COF) composites are systematically summarized. Particularly, the synthesis strategies of Cu-based composites, structure-performance relationship, and catalytic mechanisms are discussed. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of Cu-based organic-inorganic composite materials in CO2RR are proposed.

[Lipoprotein apheresis in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: a single center research]

Objective: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of lipoprotein apheresis (LA) in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who can't reach low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) target goals with the maximal tolerated dose of lipid-lowering agents. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Between February 2015 and November 2019, patients with FH who were admitted in Fuwai hospital and treated with LA were consecutively enrolled. Based on intensive lipid-lowering agents, these patients received LA by double filtration plasma pheresis (DFPP) method. The changes of lipid levels such as LDL-C and lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] were compared before and after LA treatment, and the changes of immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration and LA-related adverse effects were also discussed. Results: A total of 115 patients with FH were enrolled in this study, of which 8 cases were homozygous FH and 107 cases were heterozygous FH. The age was (43.9±12.2) years and there were 75 (65.2%) males, and 108 (93.8%) with coronary artery disease. For pre-and immediately after LA treatment, the LDL-C was (5.20±2.94) mmol/L vs. (1.83±1.08) mmol/L, Lp(a) concentration was 428.70(177.00, 829.50)mg/L vs. 148.90(75.90, 317.00) mg/L (P<0.001), with a decrease of 64.2% and 59.8% respectively. The levels of IgG and IgA measured 1 day after LA treatment were both in the normal range and IgM concentration was below the reference value, the reductions of which were 15.1%, 25.0% and 58.7% respectively (P<0.001). Six patients had mild symptoms of nausea, hypotension dyspnea and palpitation, the symptoms were relieved by symptomatic treatment. Conclusion: For patients with FH who do not achieve LDL-C target goal with the maximal tolerated lipid-lowering agents, especially those with elevated Lp(a) levels, LA, which can significantly further reduce LDL-C and Lp(a) levels, is an effective and safe option.

[Retropharyngeal lymph node dissection in head and neck cancers treated with transoral robotic surgery]

Objective: To evaluate the indications, safety, feasibility, and surgical technique for patients with head and neck cancers undergoing transoral robotic retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) dissection. Methods: The current study enrolled 12 consecutive head and neck cancer patients (seven males and four females) who underwent transoral robotic RPLN dissection with the da Vinci surgical robotic system at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from May 2019 to July 2020. Seven patients were diagnosed as nasopharyngeal carcinoma with RPLN metastasis after initial treatments, 4 patients were diagnosed as thyroid carcinoma with RPLN metastasis after initial treatments, and one patient was diagnosed as oropharyngeal carcinoma with RPLN metastasis before initial treatments. The operation procedure and duration time, intraoperative blood loss volume and complications, nasogastric feeding tube dependence, tracheostomy dependence, postoperative complications, and hospitalization time were recorded and analyzed. Results: All patients were successfully treated by transoral robotic dissection of the metastatic RPLNs, none of which was converted to open surgery. RPLNs were completely resected in 10 patients, and partly resected in 2 patients (both were nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients). The mean number of RPLN dissected was 1.7. The operation duration time and intraoperative blood loss volume were (191.3±101.1) min and (150.0±86.6) ml, respectively. There was no severe intraoperative complication such as massive haemorrhage or adjacent organ injury during surgery. Nasogastric tube use was required in all patients with (17.1±10.6) days of dependence, while tracheotomy was performed in 8 patients with (11.6±10.7) days of dependence. The postoperative hospitalization stay was (8.5±5.7) days. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients, including 2 of retropharyngeal incision and 2 of dysphagia. During a follow-up of (6.5±5.1) months, disease-free progression was observed in all patients, 10 patients were disease-free survival and other 2 patients were survival with tumor burden. Conclusions: The transoral robotic RPLN dissection is safety and feasible. Compared with the traditional open surgical approach, it is less traumatic and safer, has fewer complications and good clinical application potentiality. The indications for transoral robotic RPLN dissection include thyroid carcinoma, oropharyngeal carcinoma, and some selected nasopharyngeal carcinoma and other head and neck cancers. Metastatic RPLNs from some nasopharyngeal carcinoma with incomplete capsule, unclear border and adhesion to the surrounding vessels are not suitable for transoral robotic RPLN dissection.

[Multivariate analysis of the effect of two liver resection methods on the survival outcome of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the effect of anatomical hepatectomy and non-anatomic hepatectomy in the treatment of elderly patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) and their impact on survival outcomes. Methods: In this study, a retrospective method was used to select elderly patients with IHCC who were surgically treated in Shangqiu First People's Hospital from April 2014 to April 2018, and were divided into anatomic resection group and non-anatomical resection group according to the surgical methods they received.The factors affecting the survival outcome of IHCC in the two liver resection methods were analyzed and compared, as well as the effects of liver cirrhosis rate, TNM stage, ascites rate, lymph node metastasis rate, and vascular invasion rate on survival. Results: A total of 181 cases were included in this study, including 87 cases in the anatomical resection group, with 54 males and 33 females, aged (71.4±5.2) years old;There were 94 cases in the non-anatomical resection group, including 49 males and 45 females, aged (70.8±4.8) years.The 3-year survival rate of the anatomical resection group was 41.4% (36/87), which was higher than that of the non-anatomical resection group (25.5% (24/94), the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05);The median survival time of the anatomic resection group was longer than that of the non-anatomical resection group, and the difference was statistically significant P<0.05;The patient's TNM stage was stage III [OR (95%CI): 2.168 (1.245-3.776)], lymph node metastasis [1.664 (1.087-2.545)], and vascular invasion [1.883 (1.167-3.038)] was an independent risk factor for death 3 years after surgery (P<0.05), The patient's anatomical liver resection was a protective factor for the 3-year follow-up survival (P<0.05). Conclusion: The postoperative survival of elderly patients with IHCC is affected by many factors, but anatomic liver resection is beneficial to prolong the survival time of patients.

CircFBXW7 inhibits the tumorigenesis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia through modulating miR-494-3p/SOX1 axis

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a type of leukemia with high malignant behaviors, which seriously threatens the health of people. It has been reported that circFBXW7 is downregulated in lymphoblastic leukemia. Nevertheless, the exact role of circFBXW7 in T-ALL remains elusive. MTT assay was used to assess the cell viability. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, mRNA expressions were assessed by RT-qPCR, and a western blot was applied to investigate the protein levels. Meanwhile, the correlation among circFBXW7, miR-494-3p, and SOX1 was explored by RNA pull-down and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Furthermore, a xenograft mice model was conducted to verify the function of circFBXW7 in T-ALL in vivo. CircFBXW7 was significantly downregulated in T-ALL, of which overexpression inhibited the cell viability and induced the apoptosis of Jurkat cells. Moreover, miR-494-3p was identified to be a functional downstream effector to be involved in circFBXW7-mediated T-ALL cell proliferation. Besides, SOX1 was a direct target of miR-494-3p, and the impact of miR-494-3p mimics on T-ALL cell growth was inhibited in the presence of SOX1 overexpression. Furthermore, overexpression of circFBXW7 dramatically inhibited T-ALL tumor growth. In summary, circFBXW7 attenuated the tumorigenesis of T-ALL through the mediation of the miR-494-3p/SOX1 axis, which might be novel targets for T-ALL treatment.

CircRNA and miRNA expression profiles during remote ischemic postconditioning attenuate brain ischemia/reperfusion injury

Remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) is a protective procedure for brain damage caused by ischemia/reperfusion (IR), yet the mechanism of this treatment remains to be elucidated. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs that have recently been recognized to play vital roles in ischemic brain injury. The aim of this study was to explore the role of circRNAs in the protective mechanism of RIPostC and to analyze the circRNA-microRNA (miRNA) regulation network in RIPostC. Nine rats were assigned randomly into three groups (three rats per group): sham, IR, and RIPostC. Their brain tissues were extracted for next-generation RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis was performed for two comparisons: sham vs. IR and IR vs. RIPostC. The expression patterns of selected circRNAs and miRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). We detected 82 upregulated and 51 downregulated circRNAs and 137 upregulated and 127 downregulated miRNAs in the IR group compared with the sham group, and 41 upregulated and 100 downregulated circRNAs and 45 upregulated and 64 downregulated miRNAs in the RIPostC group compared with the IR group. The proposed competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, which included 24 circRNAs, 20 miRNAs, and 145 mRNAs, indicated that the dysregulated circRNAs played important roles in brain IR injury. On the basis of the expression patterns of selected circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs obtained by qPCR, we proposed a circRNA_0002286-miR-124-3p-VLCAD pathway. In PC12 cell, the expression level of miR-124-3p was significantly upregulated when the expression of circRNA_0002286 was repressed and the expression level of VLCAD (very-long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase) was significantly downregulated, which suggested that circRNA_0002286 may act as a miRNA sponge for miR-124-3p to regulate the expression of VLCAD. We found that upregulation of circRNA_0002286 attenuated IR injury and was associated with downregulation of miR-124-3p and upregulation of VLCAD. This is the first time that circRNAs have been shown to be closely related to brain IR injury and RIPostC and suggests that targeting the circRNA_0002286-miR-124-3p-VLCAD pathway might attenuate brain IR injury.

Extraordinary p-d Hybridization Interaction in Heterostructural Pd-PdSe Nanosheets Boosts C-C Bond Cleavage of Ethylene Glycol Electrooxidation

Advanced electrocatalysts for complete oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) in direct EG fuel cells are strongly desired owing to the higher energy efficiency. Herein, Pd-PdSe heterostructural nanosheets (Pd-PdSe HNSs) have been successfully fabricated via a one-step approach. These Pd-PdSe HNSs feature unique electronic and geometrical structures, in which unconventional p-d hybridization interactions and tensile strain effect co-exist. Compared with commercial Pd/C and Pd NSs catalysts, Pd-PdSe HNSs display 5.5 (6.6) and 2.5 (2.6) fold enhancement of specific (mass) activity for the EG oxidation reaction (EGOR). Especially, the optimum C1 pathway selectivity of Pd-PdSe HNSs reaches 44.3 %, illustrating the superior C-C bond cleavage ability. Electrochemical in situ FTIR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations demonstrate that the extraordinary p-d hybridization interaction and tensile strain effect could effectively reduce the activation energy of C-C bond breaking and accelerate CO* oxidation, boosting the complete oxidation of EG and improving the catalytic performance.

[Regulation of microRNA-126 on the polarization of human macrophages stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide]

Objective: To study the effect of microRNA-126 (miR-126) on the polarization of human monocyte-derived macrophages stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: Macrophages derived from human myeloid leukemia mononuclear cells were stimulated by Pg-LPS (5 mg/L) and by Pg-LPS (5 mg/L) after 24 h-transfection of miR-126 mimic or negative control RNA for 48 h, respectively. Real-time quantitative-PCR (qRT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting were conducted to detect the changes in miR-126, pro-inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), anti-inflammatory factors interleukin-10 (IL-10), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), arginase-1 (Arg-1) and M1 polarization-related pathways such as nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Results: Compared with non-LPS stimulation group (TNF-α: 1.000±0.020, iNOS: 1.125±0.064, miR-126: 1.004±0.113, IL-10: 1.003±0.053, Arg-1: 1.130±0.061), the mRNA levels of TNF-α (3.105±0.278) and iNOS (4.296±0.003) increased significantly (t=6.53, P=0.003; t=42.63, P<0.001, respectively), while miR-126, IL-10 and Arg-1 expressions (0.451±0.038, 0.545±0.004 and 0.253±0.017) decreased significantly (t=7.95, P=0.001; t=7.36, P=0.002; t=11.94, P<0.001, respectively) after Pg-LPS stimulated by human-derived macrophages for 48 h. The protein expression of iNOS, TNF-α, Arg-1 and IL-10 were consistent at mRNA levels. Meanwhile, the expressions of phospho-NF-κB p65 (p-p65), phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) and phospho-p38 MAPK (p-p38) increased significantly, while the expression of Arg-1 decreased significantly. Compared with the negative controls (scramble RNA) (TNF-α: 1.141±0.197, iNOS: 1.173±0.115, IL-10: 1.032±0.138, Arg-1: 0.933±0.044), the mRNA levels of TNF-α (0.342±0.022) and iNOS (0.588±0.085) expressions significantly decreased (t=5.35, P=0.006; t=5.05, P=0.007), while IL-10 (1.786±0.221) and Arg-1 expressions (2.152±0.229) significantly increased (t=3.71, P=0.021; t=6.21, P=0.003) after Pg-LPS stimulation with miR-126 mimic transfection. The relative protein expressions of iNOS, p-p65, p-ERK and p-p38 significantly decreased (t=13.00, P<0.001; t=6.98, P=0.002; t=10.86, P<0.001; t=8.32, P=0.001), while the protein level of Arg-1 significantly increased (t=12.08, P<0.001). Conclusions: Pg-LPS could promote M1 polarization of macrophages. miR-126 might inhibit the effect of Pg-LPS on the M1 polarization of macrophages through down-regulating NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

[Analysis of the characteristics of MRI T2 value changes of the muscles around the knee joint before and after the race in amateur marathon runners based on T2 mapping]

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of MRI T₂ value changes of muscles around the knee joint in amateur marathon athletes based on T₂ mapping. Methods: A total of 12 amateur marathon runners (5 males and 7 females) were recruited as the marathon group, aged from 21 to 37(27.5±5.4) years. MRI examination of bilateral knee joint was performed one week before the race, within 12 hours after the race and two months after the race, respectively. Fifteen healthy volunteers (5 males and 10 females) were recruited as the control group, aged from 24 to 27(24.9±1.0) years, and underwent MRI examination of both knee joints. The T₂ mapping imaging sequence was used to measure the T₂ values of the sartorius, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, medial head of gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius head on the post-processing platform, and analyzed the marathon group before and after the race. The differences in the T₂ value of each muscle of the marathon group before and after the race within 12 hours, before and 2 months after the race, and between the control group and the marathon group before the marathon were analyzed. Results: All subjects had not knee joint pain during the examination. Routine MRI examination showed that there was no obvious abnormality in the shape and signal of the muscles around the knee joint. The T₂ value of the semimembranosus [(34.3±2.8) ms vs (35.5±2.5) ms, P=0.008], medial head of gastrocnemius [(34.1±3.4) ms vs (37.7±3.1) ms,P<0.001] and lateral head of gastrocnemius [(35.2±2.9) ms vs (37.2±3.9) ms,P=0.011] increased after the competition compared with that of pre-competition in the marathon group, while the T₂ value of the remaining muscles showed no significant difference compared with that of pre-competition(P>0.05). At the follow-up of 2 months, the T₂ value of semimembranosus remains higher than before the marathon [(34.3±2.8) ms vs (35.4±2.5) ms,P=0.043], and the T₂ value of the medial head of the gastrocnemius and lateral head of gastrocnemius showed no statistically difference compared with pre-competition (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the T₂ value of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius in the marathon group was decreased [(35.3±3.0) ms vs (38.5±4.1) ms,P=0.007]. There was no significant difference in the T₂ value of the remaining muscles in the marathon group (P>0.05). Conclusions: After the marathon, the changes in the T₂ value of the muscles around the knee joint is reversible. T₂ mapping imaging sequence can indirectly reflect the changes of skeletal muscle microstructure to a certain extent.

Abnormal keratin expression pattern in prurigo nodularis epidermis

Background

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a highly pruritic, chronic dermatosis and difficult to treat. PN lesions are characterized by existence of many hyperkeratotic, erosive papules and nodules. However, the pathogenesis of PN still remains unelucidated.

Aim

To clarify the keratin role in the epidermis hyperproliferation, the keratin expression pattern in the PN lesional skin.

Methods

In this study, we enrolled 24 patients with PN and 9 healthy control volunteers. K1/K10, K5/K14, K6/K16/K17 expression pattern were investigated by using immunohistochemical staining.

Results

The lesional skin consists of the thickened spinous layers, in which active cell division was found. K5/K14 were upregulated in PN lesional epidermis, the staining signal localized in the basal layer and lower suprabasal layers. Hyperproliferation‐associated K6 was found in all layers of epidermal lesional skin, especially in the spinous layers. In contrast, K16 was only detected in the basal and lower suprabasal layers, K17 was observed in the basal and spinous layers. Terminal differential keratins K1/K10 were upregulated, detected in the pan‐epidermis, but spared in the basal and low suprabasal layers.

Conclusion

The keratinocytes enter an alternative differentiation pathway, which are responsible for the activated keratinocyte phenotype, abnormal keratins expression potentially contributes to the keratinocytes proliferation, subsequently lead to increased lesional skin epidermis thickness, hyperkeratiosis and alteration of skin barrier properties.