[Interpretation of global lung cancer statistics]

Lung cancer remains one of the leading cause of global cancer-related mortality, posing a significant burden of disease. Tobacco exposure stands as the foremost risk factor for lung cancer. Since the 1960, global efforts have gradually been implemented to control tobacco exposure, consequently reducing tobacco exposure levels within populations. This shift in exposure levels may have altered the epidemiological characteristics of lung cancer globally. This study aims to describe global lung cancer incidence data across five dimensions: age, gender, region, stage at diagnosis, and survival status, using global cancer registry data and relevant research findings. The objective is to elucidate the current epidemiological features of lung cancer worldwide, providing a scientific basis for lung cancer prevention and control. Furthermore, this study offers corresponding measures and recommendations for lung cancer prevention and control, aligning with the three-tiered cancer prevention strategy. Findings indicate that the incidence and mortality burden of lung cancer is significantly higher among the elderly population (aged 65 years and above) compared to the working-age population (aged 15-64 years). The aged-standardized incidence rate of lung cancer remains higher in males than in females, but the overall aged-standardized incidence rate of lung cancer in males shows a declining trend, while that in females shows an increasing trend. Regions with high and very high human development index (HDI) exhibit a substantially higher incidence and mortality burden of lung cancer compared to regions with low and very low HDI. Japan ranks highest in the diagnosis of stage Ⅰ lung cancer, with a diagnosis rate of 38.6%. Its age-standardized 5-year net survival rate is relatively high at 32.9%. Despite improvements in the survival status of lung cancer in certain countries like China and Japan, the overall prognosis for lung cancer remains pessimistic. Given the current epidemiological characteristics of lung cancer, reinforcing tobacco control measures and reducing female-specific lung cancer risk factors stand as significant goals for primary prevention. Promoting low-dose computed tomography screening for high-risk population, minimizing false-positive rates in lung cancer screening, and promoting medical system reforms and standardized treatment constitute principal measures for secondary and tertiary lung cancer prevention, respectively.

Effect of COVID-19 infection on pregnant women in plateau regions

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to explore the effect of COVID-19 infection on pregnant women in plateau regions.

STUDY DESIGN

Data from 381 pregnant women infected with COVID-19 who underwent prenatal examination or treatment at Women and Children's Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region between January 2020 and December 2022 and 314 pregnant women not infected with COVID-19 were retrospectively collected.

METHODS

The study participants were divided into an infected and non-infected group according to whether they were infected with COVID-19. Basic information (ethnicity, age, body mass index and gestational age [GA]), vaccination status, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and delivery outcomes were compared. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the influencing factors of ICU admission.

RESULTS

The results revealed significant differences in the GA, vaccination rate, blood pressure, partial pressure of oxygen, white blood cell (WBC) count, ICU admission rate, preeclampsia rate, forearm presentation rate, thrombocytopenia rate, syphilis infection rate and placental abruption rate between the two groups (P < 0.05). A univariate analysis showed that COVID-19 infection, hepatitis B virus infection, the WBC count and hypoproteinaemia were risk factors for ICU admission. The results of the multivariate analysis of the ICU admission of pregnant women showed that COVID-19 infection (odds ratio [OR] = 4.271, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 3.572-5.820, P < 0.05) was a risk factor for ICU admission and the WBC count (OR = 0.935, 95 % CI: 0.874-0.947, P < 0.05) was a protective factor for ICU admission.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women are vulnerable to the adverse consequences of COVID-19 infection, and public health measures such as vaccination are needed to protect this population subgroup.

Trigonometric-spline dwell time scheduling and real-time interpolator under dynamic constraints for deterministic polishing

Dwell time scheduling is a critical stage of deterministic polishing for ultra-precision fabrication of optics. Recently the dwell time algorithms for deterministic polishing have been widely studied. Nevertheless, there exist some shortcomings when those methods were applied in the industry, including low computational efficiency, large memory consumption, insufficiently-considered dynamic constraints, poor smoothness of the feedrate profile, and reliance on non-open CNC interpolator. To overcome those deficiencies, this work proposes a highly-efficient dwell time algorithm under the dynamic constraints of machine tools. The method calculates the initial dwell time density (DTD) sequence through non-blind deconvolution algorithm, and provides the feasible set of DTD profiles based on trigonometric-spline model. And the DTD repairing tactics are developed based on a self-adaptive offset algorithm under confined feedrate and acceleration. Finally, a C1-continuous DTD profile satisfying dynamic constraints is generated. A real-time interpolator based on trigonometric-spline DTD profile is developed. The simulation results show that the proposed method generates a C1-continuous feedrate profile rigidly respecting dynamic constraints, and preserves the ideal dwell time gradient distribution, achieving a more ideal residual error with high computational efficiency compared with the previous methods. The comparative experiments demonstrate that the proposed method performs better in suppressing the multi-frequency errors compared with the previous methods, and achieves high computational efficiency. The algorithm is applicable to highly-precise and highly-efficient fabrication of large-aperture optical components.

[Epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023. Methods: The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed. Results: A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M (Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant (P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age (P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion: Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.

Application of natural language processing to post-structuring of rectal cancer MRI reports

AIM

To evaluate a natural language processing (NLP) system for extracting structured information from the free-form text of rectal cancer magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports written in Chinese.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A rule-based NLP model that could extract 11 key image features of rectal cancer was constructed using 358 MRI reports of rectal cancer written between 2015 and 2021. Fifty reports written before 2015 and 50 written after 2021 were used as test datasets, and the reference standard was determined by manual extraction of information by two radiologists. The length and reporting rate of image features in pre-2015 and post-2021 datasets, as well as the accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score of feature extraction by the NLP system, were compared. The time required for the NLP to extract data was compared with that required by the radiologists.

RESULTS

Reports written after 2021 had longer diagnostic impression sections than reports written before 2015. The reporting rate of key imaging features of rectal cancer was 36.55% before 2015 and 79.82% after 2021. The accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score of NLP for correct extraction of values from reports were 93.82%, 95.63%, 87.06%, and 91.15%, respectively, for pre-2015 reports, and 92.55%, 98.53%, 94.15%, and 96.29%, respectively, for post-2021 reports. NLP generated all the structured information in <1 second.

CONCLUSIONS

The NLP system with rule-based pattern matching achieved rapid and accurate structured processing of rectal cancer MRI reports. MRI reports with structured templates are more suitable for NLP-based extraction of information.

[Current status of global colorectal cancer prevalence, prevention and control]

Objective: This paper provides a brief overview of the epidemiology of colorectal cancer in China and around the world, and discusses how to prevent colorectal cancer to reduce its disease burden. Method: Using the official database of GLOBOCAN 2020, the China Cancer Registry Annual Report compiled by the National Cancer Center, and data from CONCORD-3.Data management was performed by Microsoft Excel 2016 and R 4.2.1 Relevant graphs were generated using the ggplot2 package for result visualization. Result: An estimated 1 931 590 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer worldwide in 2020 with an age-standardized incidence rate of 19.5 per 100 000. There were about 935 173 deaths caused by colorectal cancer internationally, with an age-standardized mortality rate of 9.0 per 100 000. Overall, colorectal cancer was the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide in 2020. In China, the age-standardized incidence rate and mortality rate of colorectal cancer was 17.3 per 100 000 and 7.8 per 100 000, respectively. Gender differences in trends were observed, with a decreasing trend in incidence and mortality among females and an increasing trend in incidence and mortality among males. The primary risk factors for colorectal cancer include age, genetic factors, gastrointestinal disorders, dietary habits, and lifestyle et al. Conclusions: Colorectal cancer poses a significant burden globally and in China. The occurrence of colorectal cancer is closely related to physiology, genetics, behavioral habits, lifestyle, and disease factors. To better control the colorectal cancer burden with the lowest cost, specific measures should be taken to reduce exposure to established risk factors. By combining the disease prevention and control strategies of tertiary prevention in China with the characteristic factors of colorectal cancer, the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer may be effectively controlled.

Gas Phase Transformations in Carbon-11 Chemistry

The short-lived positron-emitter carbon-11 (t1/2 = 20.4 min; β+, 99.8%) is prominent for labeling tracers for use in biomedical research with positron emission tomography (PET). Carbon-11 is produced for this purpose with a cyclotron, nowadays almost exclusively by the 14N(p,α)11C nuclear reaction, either on nitrogen containing a low concentration of oxygen (0.1-0.5%) or hydrogen (~5%) to produce [11C]carbon dioxide or [11C]methane, respectively. These primary radioactive products can be produced in high yields and with high molar activities. However, only [11C]carbon dioxide has some utility for directly labeling PET tracers. Primary products are required to be converted rapidly and efficiently into secondary labeling synthons to provide versatile radiochemistry for labeling diverse tracer chemotypes at molecular positions of choice. This review surveys known gas phase transformations of carbon-11 and summarizes the important roles that many of these transformations now play for producing a broad range of labeling synthons in carbon-11 chemistry.

Eight novel cave fungi in Thailand's Satun Geopark

Karst caves are unique oligotrophic ecosystems characterised by the scarcity of organic litter, darkness, low to moderate temperatures, and high humidity, supporting diverse fungal communities. Despite their importance, little is known about the fungi in karst caves in Thailand. In 2019, we explored the culturable mycobiota associated with three selected types of substrates (air, soil/sediment and organic litter samples) from two karst caves, the Le Stegodon and Phu Pha Phet Caves, in the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark in southern Thailand. Based on morphological characters and multilocus phylogenetic analyses, eight new species (Actinomortierella caverna, Hypoxylon phuphaphetense, Leptobacillium latisporum, Malbranchea phuphaphetensis, Scedosporium satunense, Sesquicillium cavernum, Thelonectria satunensis and Umbelopsis satunensis) were described, illustrated, and compared to closely related species. These new fungal taxa form independent lineages distinct from other previously described species and classified into eight different families across six orders and two phyla (Ascomycota and Mucoromycota). This paper provides additional evidence that the karst caves located within the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, situated in the southern region of Thailand, harbour a diverse range of newly discovered species. Citation: Preedanon S, Suetrong S, Srihom C, Somrithipol S, Kobmoo N, Saengkaewsuk S, Srikitikulchai P, Klaysuban A, Nuankaew S, Chuaseeharonnachai C, Chainuwong B, Muangsong C, Zhang ZF, Cai L, Boonyuen N (2023). Eight novel cave fungi in Thailand's Satun Geopark. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 12: 1-30. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2023.12.01.

Discovery of CDK signature and CDK5 as potential biomarkers for predicting prognosis and immunotherapeutic response in gastric cancer peritoneal metastases

Gastric cancer peritoneal metastases (GCPM) are a leading cause of death in gastric cancer patients. In this study, we focused on the expression of cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDK), essential regulators of transcription, metabolism, and cell differentiation, in GCPM. Utilizing the GSE62254 cohort, we established a CDK signature (CDKS) model comprising ten CDK gene family members. Analysis of both the GSE62254 and TCGA cohorts revealed that patients with low CDKS had a worse prognosis compared to those with high CDKS. Furthermore, patients with high CDKS demonstrated positive responses from immunotherapy, as observed in the KIM cohort. We investigated the association between CDKS and the tumor microenvironment, including immune escape mechanisms. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed a positive correlation between CDK5 and PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer. Furthermore, we found that CDK5 knockdown led to the inhibition of PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer cells. Our findings highlight the potential of CDKS as a prognostic biomarker and an indicator of immunotherapy response in gastric cancer patients. Moreover, our study suggests that targeting CDK5 could provide a new pathway for exploring immunotherapeutic research.

Allisartan Isoproxil Promotes Uric Acid Excretion by Interacting with Intestinal Urate Transporters in Hyperuricemic Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

To evaluate the urate-lowering effect and potential drug targets of antihypertensive agent allisartan isoproxil (ALI) and its bioactive metabolite EXP3174, we developed an acute hyperuricemic zebrafish model using potassium oxonate and xanthine sodium salt. Losartan potassium served as the positive control (reference drug). In this model, ALI and losartan potassium exerted a greater urate-lowering effect than EXP3174 indicating that the latter is not the critical substance for elimination of uric acid. The quantitative real-time PCR showed that ALI upregulates the expression of intestinal urate transporters genes ABCG2, PDZK1, and SLC2A9 (p<0.01). Thus, we can suggest that this substance promotes uric acid excretion mainly by interacting with intestinal urate transporters.

Fusarium diversity associated with diseased cereals in China, with an updated phylogenomic assessment of the genus

Fusarium species are important cereal pathogens that cause severe production losses to major cereal crops such as maize, rice, and wheat. However, the causal agents of Fusarium diseases on cereals have not been well documented because of the difficulty in species identification and the debates surrounding generic and species concepts. In this study, we used a citizen science initiative to investigate diseased cereal crops (maize, rice, wheat) from 250 locations, covering the major cereal-growing regions in China. A total of 2 020 Fusarium strains were isolated from 315 diseased samples. Employing multi-locus phylogeny and morphological features, the above strains were identified to 43 species, including eight novel species that are described in this paper. A world checklist of cereal-associated Fusarium species is provided, with 39 and 52 new records updated for the world and China, respectively. Notably, 56 % of samples collected in this study were observed to have co-infections of more than one Fusarium species, and the detailed associations are discussed. Following Koch's postulates, 18 species were first confirmed as pathogens of maize stalk rot in this study. Furthermore, a high-confidence species tree was constructed in this study based on 1 001 homologous loci of 228 assembled genomes (40 genomes were sequenced and provided in this study), which supported the "narrow" generic concept of Fusarium (= Gibberella). This study represents one of the most comprehensive surveys of cereal Fusarium diseases to date. It significantly improves our understanding of the global diversity and distribution of cereal-associated Fusarium species, as well as largely clarifies the phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Taxonomic novelties: New species: Fusarium erosum S.L. Han, M.M. Wang & L. Cai, Fusarium fecundum S.L. Han, M.M. Wang & L. Cai, Fusarium jinanense S.L. Han, M.M. Wang & L. Cai, Fusarium mianyangense S.L. Han, M.M. Wang & L. Cai, Fusarium nothincarnatum S.L. Han, M.M. Wang & L. Cai, Fusarium planum S.L. Han, M.M. Wang & L. Cai, Fusarium sanyaense S.L. Han, M.M. Wang & L. Cai, Fusarium weifangense S.L. Han, M.M. Wang & L. Cai. Citation: Han SL, Wang MM, Ma ZY, Raza M, Zhao P, Liang JM, Gao M, Li YJ, Wang JW, Hu DM, Cai L (2023). Fusarium diversity associated with diseased cereals in China, with an updated phylogenomic assessment of the genus. Studies in Mycology 104: 87-148. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.104.02.

[The value of DISCO and MUSE-DWI combined with prostate specific antigen density in the diagnosis and risk stratification of prostate cancer]

Objective: To explore the value of differential subsampling with cartesian ordering (DISCO) and multiplexed sensitivity-encoding diffusion weighted-imaging (MUSE-DWI) combined with prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) in the diagnosis and risk stratification of prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: The data of 183 patients [aged from 48 to 86 (68±8) years] with prostate diseases in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from July 2020 to August 2021 were retrospectively collected. Those patients were divided into non-PCa group (n=115) and PCa group (n=68) based on the disease condition. According to the risk degree, PCa group was subdivided into low risk PCa group (n=14) and medium-to-high risk PCa group (n=54). The differences of volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (Kep), extracellular volume fraction (Ve), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and PSAD between groups were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis were conducted for evaluating the diagnostic efficacy of quantitative parameters and PSAD in distinguishing non-PCa and PCa, low-risk PCa and medium-high risk PCa. Multivariate logistic regression model was used for screening out the predictors, which was statistically significant differences between non-PCa group and PCa group, for PCa prediction. Results: Ktrans, Kep, Ve and PSAD of PCa group all were higher than those of non-PCa group, and ADC value was lower than that of non-PCa group, and the differences all were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Ktrans, Kep and PSAD of medium-to-high risk PCa group all were higher than those of low risk PCa group, and ADC value was lower than that of low risk PCa group, and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.001). When distinguishing non-PCa from PCa, the area under ROC curve (AUC) of the combined model (Ktrans+Kep+Ve+ADC+PSAD) was higher than that of any single index [0.958 (95%CI: 0.918-0.982) vs 0.881 (95%CI: 0.825-0.924), 0.836 (95%CI: 0.775-0.887), 0.672 (95%CI: 0.599-0.740), 0.940(95%CI: 0.895-0.969), 0.816(95%CI:0.752-0.869), all P<0.05]. When distinguishing low-risk PCa and medium-to-high risk PCa, the AUC of the combined model (Ktrans+Kep+ADC+PSAD) were higher than those of Ktrans, Kep and PSAD[0.933 (95%CI: 0.845-0.979) vs 0.846 (95%CI:0.738-0.922), 0.782 (95%CI:0.665-0.873), 0.84 8(95%CI: 0.740-0.923), all P<0.05]. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Ktrans (OR=1.005, 95%CI:1.001-1.010) and ADC values (OR=0.992, 95%CI:0.989-0.995) were predictors of PCa (P<0.05). Conclusions: DISCO and MUSE-DWI combined with PSAD can distinguish benign and malignant prostate lesions. Ktrans and ADC values were predictors of PCa; Ktrans, Kep, ADC values and PSAD are helpful in predicting the biological behavior of PCa.

[Development and application syndromic surveillance and early warning system in border area in Yunnan Province]

Objective: To establish a dynamic syndromic surveillance system in the border areas of Yunnan Province based on information technology, evaluate its effectiveness and timeliness in the response to common communicable disease epidemics and improve the communicable disease prevention and control in border areas. Methods: Three border counties were selected for full coverage as study areas, and dynamic surveillance for 14 symptoms and 6 syndromes were conducted in medical institutions, the daily collection of information about students' school absence in primary schools and febrile illness in inbound people at border ports were conducted in these counties from January 2016 to February 2018 to establish an early warning system based on mobile phone and computer platform for a field experimental study. Results: With syndromes of rash, influenza-like illness and the numbers of primary school absence, the most common communicable disease events, such as hand foot and mouth disease, influenza and chickenpox, can be identified 1-5 days in advance by using EARS-3C and Kulldorff time-space scanning models with high sensitivity and specificity. The system is easy to use with strong security and feasibility. All the information and the warning alerts are released in the form of interactive charts and visual maps, which can facilitate the timely response. Conclusions: This system is highly effective and easy to operate in the detection of possible outbreaks of common communicable diseases in border areas in real time, so the timely and effective intervention can be conducted to reduce the risk of local and cross-border communicable disease outbreaks. It has practical application value.

Candidate 3-benzazepine-1-ol type GluN2B receptor radioligands (11C-NR2B-Me enantiomers) have high binding in cerebellum but not to σ1 receptors

INTRODUCTION

We recently reported 11C-NR2B-SMe ([S-methyl-11C](R,S)-7-thiomethoxy-3-(4-(4-methyl-phenyl)butyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d]azepin-1-ol) and its enantiomers as candidate radioligands for imaging the GluN2B subunit within rat N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. However, these radioligands gave unexpectedly high and displaceable binding in rat cerebellum, possibly due to cross-reactivity with sigma-1 (σ1) receptors. This study investigated 11C-labeled enantiomers of a close analogue (7-methoxy-3-(4-(p-tolyl)butyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d]azepin-1-ol; NR2B-Me) of 11C-NR2B-SMe as new candidate GluN2B radioligands. PET was used to evaluate these radioligands in rats and to assess potential cross-reactivity to σ1 receptors.

METHODS

NR2B-Me was assayed for binding affinity and selectivity to GluN2B in vitro. 11C-NR2B-Me and its enantiomers were prepared by Pd-mediated treatment of boronic ester precursors with 11C-iodomethane. Brain PET scans were conducted after radioligand intravenous injection into rats. Various ligands for GluN2B receptors or σ1 receptors were administered at set doses in pre-blocking or displacement experiments to assess their impact on imaging data. 18F-FTC146 and enantiomers of 11C-NR2B-SMe were used for comparison. Radiometabolites from brain and plasma were measured ex vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

NR2B-Me enantiomers showed high GluN2B affinity and selectivity in vitro. 11C-NR2B-Me enantiomers gave high early whole rat brain uptake of radioactivity, including high uptake in cerebellum, followed by slower decline. Radioactivity in brain at 30 min ex vivo was virtually all unchanged radioligand. Only less lipophilic radiometabolites appeared in plasma. When 11C-(R)-NR2B-Me was used, three high-affinity GluN2B ligands-NR2B-SMe, Ro25-6981, and CO101,244-showed increasing pre-block of whole brain radioactivity retention with increasing dose. Two σ1 receptor antagonists, FTC146 and BD1407, were ineffective pre-blocking agents. Together, these results strongly resemble those obtained with 11C-NR2B-SMe enantiomers, except that 11C-NR2B-Me enantiomers showed faster reversibility of binding. When 18F-FTC146 was used as a radioligand, FTC146 and BD1407 showed strong pre-blocking effects whereas GluN2B ligands showed only weak blocking effects.

CONCLUSION

11C-NR2B-Me enantiomers showed specific binding to GluN2B receptors in rat brain in vivo. High unexpected specific binding in cerebellum was not due to σ1 receptors. Additional investigation is needed to identify the source of the high specific binding.

Mechanism of Qingre Huoxue Fang treatment on inhibiting angiogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Qingre Huoxue Fang (QRHXF) treatment on anti-angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments. We used the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Therapeutic Target (TTD) database to extract the active components of QRHXF and potential targets for regulating angiogenesis. First, we used Cytoscape bioinformatics software to construct the network of QRHXF-angiogenesis and screened the potential targets. Then, we performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis on the potential core targets. In addition, enzyme-linked immune assay and Western blot were used for in vitro validation and to verify the effects of different concentrations of QRHXF on the expression levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGFR-2 cytokines and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3k) and Ak strain transforming (Akt) proteins in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In results, we screened 179 core QRHXF antiangiogenic targets, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cytokines. Enrichment analysis showed that the targets were enriched in 56 core signaling pathways, including PI3k and Akt. In vitro experiments showed that the migration distance and square, adhesion optical density (OD) values, and the number of branch points in tube formation significantly decreased in the QRHXF group compared with the induced group (P<0.01). Notably, the serum levels of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 were lower compared with the induced group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, the expressions of PI3K and p-Akt proteins were decreased in the middle- and high doses groups (P<0.01). This study's results suggest that the downstream mechanism of QRHXF anti-angiogenesis might inhibit the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway and downregulate VEGF-1 and VEGF-2.

Mechanism of Qingre Huoxue Fang treatment on inhibiting angiogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Qingre Huoxue Fang (QRHXF) treatment on anti-angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments. We used the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Therapeutic Target (TTD) database to extract the active components of QRHXF and potential targets for regulating angiogenesis. First, we used Cytoscape bioinformatics software to construct the network of QRHXF-angiogenesis and screened the potential targets. Then, we performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis on the potential core targets. In addition, enzyme-linked immune assay and Western blot were used for in vitro validation and to verify the effects of different concentrations of QRHXF on the expression levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGFR-2 cytokines and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3k) and Ak strain transforming (Akt) proteins in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In results, we screened 179 core QRHXF antiangiogenic targets, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cytokines. Enrichment analysis showed that the targets were enriched in 56 core signaling pathways, including PI3k and Akt. In vitro experiments showed that the migration distance and square, adhesion optical density (OD) values, and the number of branch points in tube formation significantly decreased in the QRHXF group compared with the induced group (P<0.01). Notably, the serum levels of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 were lower compared with the induced group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, the expressions of PI3K and p-Akt proteins were decreased in the middle- and high doses groups (P<0.01). This study's results suggest that the downstream mechanism of QRHXF anti-angiogenesis might inhibit the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway and downregulate VEGF-1 and VEGF-2.

Trends in the Prevalence of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases and Multimorbidity across Socioeconomic Gradients in Rural Southwest China

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the changing prevalence of five chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs)- hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma-- and its multimorbidity (refers to the co-existence of two or more chronic diseases in an individual) across socioeconomic spectra in rural southwest China.

MEASUREMENTS

Two cross-sectional health interviews and examination surveys were conducted among individuals aged ≥35 years in rural China. An individual socioeconomic position (SEP) index was constructed using principal component analysis. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and post-bronchodilator spirometry tests were recorded for each participant.

RESULTS

The mean age and proportion of men was 56.1 years and 48.4% in 2011, while was 56.6 years and 49.4% in 2021. From 2011 to 2021, the overall prevalence of hypertension, stroke and COPD increased from 26.1%, 1.1%, and 8.7% to 40.4%, 2.4%, and 12.8%, respectively (P < 0.01), while prevalence of CHD (2.1% vs. 2.2%) and asthma (1.4% vs. 1.5%) did not differ between the two study years (P > 0.05). The prevalence of NCDs multimorbidity increased from 2.3% to 9.7%, and was also observed among subgroups categorized by sex, age, ethnicity, level of education, income, and SEP (P < 0.01). In addition, the relative increases in the prevalence of multimorbidity were greater among men, old individuals, ethnic minorities, and those with low level of education and low SEP. Both in 2011 and 2021, ethnic minorities and individuals with lower level of education and low SEP had a higher prevalence of multimorbidity of the five studied chronic NCDs than their counterparts (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of NCDs multimorbidity increased substantially across all socioeconomic gradients in rural southwest China. Future interventions to further manage NCDs and their multimorbidity must be tailored to address socioeconomic factors.

[A case report of the first and second branchial arch syndrome with torticollis]

A 54-month-old female patient presented to the department of ophthalmology with abnormal head posture and facial asymmetry for two years. The patient's facial development was asymmetrical, with the middle 1/3 of the left side shorter than the right side. The left ear is less malformed than the right. There was no obvious abnormality in corneal light reflex and eye movement. Head tilt test ( -). So, paralysis of the superior oblique muscle was excluded. In consultation with the department of maxillofacial surgery, the patient was confirmed as the first and second branchial arch syndrome and torticollis.

Short‐term Effectiveness of a Modified Osteotomy for Total Elbow Joint Replacement in Patients of Hemophilic Elbow Arthritis with Severe Flexion Contracture Deformity: A Three‐Cases Series Report

Objective

To report the modified osteotomy and the short‐term effectiveness of the total elbow joint replacement in patients of hemophilic elbow arthritis with severe flexion contracture deformity.

Methods

This study introduced the therapeutic approach of the total elbow joint replacement in patients of hemophilic elbow arthritis with severe flexion contracture deformity, and assessed the short‐term effectiveness in three cases (three elbows) of end‐stage hemophilic elbow arthritis admitted from October 2020 to December 2020. The included patients were all diagnosed with hemophilia A (factor VII deficiency), accompanied by severe bilateral elbow joint flexion contracture, which seriously affects daily life and requires surgical intervention. Clinical data and follow‐up results were analyzed before total elbow arthroplasty and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Pre‐ and postoperative range of motion, pain score, and function score were compared, and intraoperative and postoperative complications are reported.

Results

All three patients were male, with an average age of 31 years. The main clinical manifestations were bilateral elbow arthritis with flexion contracture. Two of the patients underwent right elbow replacement, and one patient underwent left elbow replacement. All cases were followed up for 6 months postoperatively. No incision infection or ulnar nerve injury occurred. Postoperative triceps brachii muscle strength was slightly weakened compared with preoperative muscle strength. Average elbow flexion and extension range of motion was 60° (30°–100°) preoperatively and increased to 127° (110°–140°) postoperatively; rotational range of motion of the affected forearm was 47° (10°–85°) preoperatively and increased to 117° postoperatively. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) was 6 (5–8) preoperatively and decreased to 3 (2–4) postoperatively. The mean MEPS score was 62 (55–75) and increased to 87 (80–95) postoperatively. During the follow‐up, anteroposterior and lateral radiographs showed no signs of prosthesis loosening in the elbow.

Conclusions

For severe hemophilic elbow arthritis patients, the short‐term treatment effect of total elbow replacement is good, following the strict adherence to the surgical indications and proper preparation for the perioperative period. The modified osteotomy can fully expose the visual field and reduce complications of ulnar nerve injury. The long‐term effects need to be study future.

[A family with clustered Lynch syndrome: a case report]

Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease caused by deletion of such DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes as MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2. The functional loss of MMR genes results in instability of the highly repetitive DNA sequence, and may eventually leads to tumor occurrence. Here we report a case of LS- related endometrial cancer in a clustered LS family identified by genetic counseling and genetic testing. For patients with a family history of LSrelated tumors, the diagnosis of LS should be considered, and immunohistochemical testing of MMR and genetic testing for LS should be performed. A definite diagnosis of LS has important clinical significance for individuals and family members, and risk screening and preventive measures can minimize the overall risk of developing LS-related cancers.

Comparison of three novel radiotracers for GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in non-human primates: (R)-[11C]NR2B-Me, (R)-[18F]of-Me-NB1, and (S)-[18F]of-NB1

The NMDA receptor GluN2B subunit is a target of interest in neuropsychiatric disorders but to date there is no selective radiotracer available to quantify its availability in vivo. Here we report direct comparisons in non-human primates of three GluN2B-targeting radioligands: (R)-[11C]NR2B-Me, (R)-[18F]OF-Me-NB1, and (S)-[18F]OF-NB1. Plasma free fraction, metabolism, tissue distribution and kinetics, and quantitative kinetic modeling methods and parameters were evaluated in two adult rhesus macaques. Free fraction in plasma was <2% for (R)-[11C]NR2B-Me and (R)-[18F]OF-Me-NB1 and higher for (S)-[18F]OF-NB1 (15%). All radiotracers showed good brain uptake and distribution throughout grey matter, with substantial (>68%) blockade across the brain by the GluN2B-targeting drug Co-101,244 (0.25 mg/kg), including in the cerebellum. Time-activity curves were well-fitted by the one-tissue compartment model, with volume of distribution values of 20-40 mL/cm3 for (R)-[11C]NR2B-Me, 8-16 mL/cm3 for (R)-[18F]OF-Me-NB1, and 15-35 mL/cm3 for (S)-[18F]OF-NB1. Estimates of regional non-displaceable binding potential were in the range of 2-3 for (R)-[11C]NR2B-Me and (S)-[18F]-OF-NB1, and 0.5-1 for (R)-[18F]OF-Me-NB1. Altogether, each radiotracer showed an acceptable profile for quantitative imaging of GluN2B. (S)-[18F]OF-NB1 has particularly promising imaging characteristics for potential translation into humans. However, the source of unexpected displaceable binding in the cerebellum for each of these compounds requires further investigation.

Fusarium and allied genera from China: species diversity and distribution

The genus Fusarium includes numerous important plant and human pathogens, as well as many industrially and commercially important species. During our investigation of fungal diversity in China, a total of 356 fusarioid isolates were obtained and identified from diverse diseased and healthy plants, or different environmental habitats, i.e., air, carbonatite, compost, faeces, soil and water, representing hitherto one of the most intensive sampling and identification efforts of fusarioid taxa in China. Combining morphology, multi-locus phylogeny and ecological preference, these isolates were identified as 72 species of Fusarium and allied genera, i.e., Bisifusarium (1), Fusarium (60), and Neocosmospora (11). A seven-locus dataset, comprising the 5.8S nuclear ribosomal RNA gene with the two flanking internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the intergenic spacer region of the rDNA (IGS), partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), partial calmodulin (cam), partial RNA polymerase largest subunit (rpb1), partial RNA polymerase second largest subunit (rpb2) gene regions, and partial β-tubulin (tub2), were sequenced and employed in phylogenetic analyses. A genus-level phylogenetic tree was constructed using combined tef1, rpb1, and rpb2 sequences, which confirmed the presence of four fusarioid genera among the isolates studied. Further phylogenetic analyses of two allied genera (Bisifusarium and Neocosmospora) and nine species complexes of Fusarium were separately conducted employing different multi-locus datasets, to determine relationships among closely related species. Twelve novel species were identified and described in this paper. The F. babinda species complex is herein renamed as the F. falsibabinda species complex, including descriptions of new species. Sixteen species were reported as new records from China. Citation: Wang MM, Crous PW, Sandoval-Denis M, et al. 2022. Fusarium and allied genera from China: species diversity and distribution. Persoonia 48: 1-53. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.48.01.

[The value of relaxation time quantitative technique from synthetic magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and invasion assessment of prostate cancer]

Objective: To investigate the application value of relaxation time quantitative technique from synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and invasion assessment of prostate cancer. Methods: A total of 119 patients with prostate diseases [122 regions of interest(ROI)] who underwent routine MRI scan and magnetic resonance image compilation (MAGiC) sequence of prostate from March 2020 to March 2021 in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University were retrospectively collected, they were divided into prostate cancer group(58 cases, 61 ROI) and non-prostate cancer group(61 cases, 61 ROI) according to the pathological results. In the prostate cancer group, those patients with an age of 48 to 85(69.8±5.9) years, and further divided into two subgroups according to the location of occurrence: peripheral zone cancer group (43 cases, 45 ROI) and transitional zone cancer group (15 cases, 16 ROI). The non-prostate cancer group consisted of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or complicated with chronic prostatitis, with an age of 41 to 81(68.6±7.0) years, and they were further divided into two subgroups according to the location of occurrence: non-cancerous peripheral zone group (45 cases, 45 ROI) and transitional zone benign prostatic hyperplasia group(16 cases, 16 ROI). Prostate cancer lesions were classified as low risk (Gleason score ≤6) or intermediate/high risk (Gleason score ≥7). After the post-processing of MAGiC images, T₁, T₂ and proton density(PD) values of prostate cancer group and non-prostate cancer group were obtained. At the same time, relevant software were used for image post-processing to generate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, the data between the two groups were analyzed by the Independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test, and the diagnostic effectiveness of each quantitative parameter in diagnosing prostate cancer and discriminating low risk prostate cancer from intermediate/high risk prostate cancer was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the correlation between each quantitative parameter and Gleason score were assessed by Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The T₁ value and T₂ value of the peripheral zone cancer group were lower than those in non-cancerous peripheral zone group [1 201.3 (1 103.5, 1 298.2) ms vs 2 274.0 (1 620.9, 2 776.5) ms; 78.0 (74.0, 83.8) ms vs (160.6±54.9) ms] (all P<0.001), there was no statistically significant in PD value between the two groups (P>0.05). The T₁ value and T₂ value of the transitional zone cancer group were lower than those in transitional zone benign prostatic hyperplasia group [1 073.3 (1 003.9, 1 164.9) ms vs 1 340.8 (1 208.5, 1 502.8) ms; 76.9 (74.8, 82.8) ms vs 95.1(82.8, 103.4) ms] (all P<0.001), there was no statistically significant in PD value between the two groups (P>0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of T₂ value was similar with the ADC value in discriminating peripheral zone cancer group from non-cancerous peripheral zone group(0.963 vs 0.991, P=0.105), while in discriminating transitional zone cancer group from transitional zone benign prostatic hyperplasia group, the AUC of T₂ value、T₁ value and ADC value were similar(0.867, 0.930 vs 0.938, all P>0.05). ADC value, T₂ value all were negatively correlated with Gleason score (r=-0.747,-0.453, all P<0.001). T₂ value and ADC value demonstrated equivalent diagnostic performance in discriminating low risk from intermediate/high risk prostate cancer, and there were no statistically significant (AUC: 0.787 vs 0.943, P=0.069). Conclusions: Quantitative relaxation time T₁ and T₂ values derived from synthetic MRI can discriminate prostate cancer from other benign pathologies, and T₂ value have the equivalent diagnostic performance compared to ADC value. Synthetic MRI has high clinical application value, and T₂ value can distinguish low risk prostate cancer from intermediate/high risk prostate cancer.

Case Report: Metagenomics Next-Generation Sequencing for Diagnosing Cerebral Infarction and Infection Caused by Hematogenous Disseminated Mucormycosis in a Patient With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Disseminated mucormycosis, a serious complication, is associated with high mortality in patients with acute leukemia after chemotherapy. Blood cultures are always negative because of recurrent empirical antifungal treatments. The identification of pathogens is important for diagnosis and therapy. In this case report, we diagnosed culture-negative disseminated mucormycosis with Rhizomucor miehei infection leading to cerebral infarction in a patient with leukemia using metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) form peripheral blood, cerebral spinal fluid, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. mNGS technology can be applied to precisely diagnose culture-negative disseminated mucormycosis.

Updating species diversity of Colletotrichum, with a phylogenomic overview

The genus Colletotrichum includes important plant pathogens, endophytes, saprobes and human pathogens. Even though the polyphasic approach has facilitated Colletotrichum species identification, knowledge of the overall species diversity and host distribution is largely incomplete. To address this, we examined 952 Colletotrichum strains isolated from plants representing 322 species from 248 genera, or air and soil samples, from 87 locations in China, as well as 56 strains from Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, and the UK. Based on morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, the strains were assigned to 107 species, including 30 new species described in this paper and 18 new records for China. The currently most comprehensive backbone tree of Colletotrichum, comprising 16 species complexes (including a newly introduced C. bambusicola species complex) and 15 singleton species, is provided. Based on these analyses, 280 species with available molecular data are accepted in this genus, of which 139 have been reported in China, accounting for 49.6 % of the species. Colletotrichum siamense, C. karsti, C. fructicola, C. truncatum, C. fioriniae, and C. gloeosporioides were the most commonly detected species in China, as well as the species with the broadest host range. By contrast, 76 species were currently found to be associated with a single plant species or genus in China. To date, 33 Colletotrichum species have been exclusively reported as endophytes. Furthermore, we generated and assembled whole-genome sequences of the 30 new and a further 18 known species. The most comprehensive genome tree comprising 94 Colletotrichum species based on 1 893 single-copy orthologous genes was hence generated, with all nodes, except four, supported by 100 % bootstrap values. Collectively, this study represents the most comprehensive investigation of Colletotrichum diversity and host occurrence to date, and greatly enhances our understanding of the diversity and phylogenetic relationships in this genus.

Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 4

This paper is the fourth contribution in the Genera of Phytopathogenic Fungi (GOPHY) series. The series provides morphological descriptions and information about the pathology, distribution, hosts and disease symptoms, as well as DNA barcodes for the taxa covered. Moreover, 12 whole-genome sequences for the type or new species in the treated genera are provided. The fourth paper in the GOPHY series covers 19 genera of phytopathogenic fungi and their relatives, including Ascochyta, Cadophora, Celoporthe, Cercospora, Coleophoma, Cytospora, Dendrostoma, Didymella, Endothia, Heterophaeomoniella, Leptosphaerulina, Melampsora, Nigrospora, Pezicula, Phaeomoniella, Pseudocercospora, Pteridopassalora, Zymoseptoria, and one genus of oomycetes, Phytophthora. This study includes two new genera, 30 new species, five new combinations, and 43 typifications of older names.

Taxonomic novelties: New genera:Heterophaeomoniella L. Mostert, C.F.J. Spies, Halleen & Gramaje, Pteridopassalora C. Nakash. & Crous; New species:Ascochyta flava Qian Chen & L. Cai, Cadophora domestica L. Mostert, R. van der Merwe, Halleen & Gramaje, Cadophora rotunda L. Mostert, R. van der Merwe, Halleen & Gramaje, Cadophora vinacea J.R. Úrbez-Torres, D.T. O’Gorman & Gramaje, Cadophora vivarii L. Mostert, Havenga, Halleen & Gramaje, Celoporthe foliorum H. Suzuki, Marinc. & M.J. Wingf., Cercospora alyssopsidis M. Bakhshi, Zare & Crous, Dendrostoma elaeocarpi C.M. Tian & Q. Yang, Didymella chlamydospora Qian Chen & L. Cai, Didymella gei Qian Chen & L. Cai, Didymella ligulariae Qian Chen & L. Cai, Didymella qilianensis Qian Chen & L. Cai, Didymella uniseptata Qian Chen & L. Cai, Endothia cerciana W. Wang. & S.F. Chen, Leptosphaerulina miscanthi Qian Chen & L. Cai, Nigrospora covidalis M. Raza, Qian Chen & L. Cai, Nigrospora globospora M. Raza, Qian Chen & L. Cai, Nigrospora philosophiae-doctoris M. Raza, Qian Chen & L. Cai, Phytophthora transitoria I. Milenković, T. Májek & T. Jung, Phytophthora panamensis T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & I. Milenković, Phytophthora variabilis T. Jung, M. Horta Jung & I. Milenković, Pseudocercospora delonicicola C. Nakash., L. Suhaizan & I. Nurul Faziha, Pseudocercospora farfugii C. Nakash., I. Araki, & Ai Ito, Pseudocercospora hardenbergiae Crous & C. Nakash., Pseudocercospora kenyirana C. Nakash., L. Suhaizan & I. Nurul Faziha, Pseudocercospora perrottetiae Crous, C. Nakash. & C.Y. Chen, Pseudocercospora platyceriicola C. Nakash., Y. Hatt, L. Suhaizan & I. Nurul Faziha, Pseudocercospora stemonicola C. Nakash., Y. Hatt., L. Suhaizan & I. Nurul Faziha, Pseudocercospora terengganuensis C. Nakash., Y. Hatt., L. Suhaizan & I. Nurul Faziha, Pseudocercospora xenopunicae Crous & C. Nakash.; New combinations:Heterophaeomoniella pinifoliorum (Hyang B. Lee et al.) L. Mostert, C.F.J. Spies, Halleen & Gramaje, Pseudocercospora pruni-grayanae (Sawada) C. Nakash. & Motohashi., Pseudocercospora togashiana (K. Ito & Tak. Kobay.) C. Nakash. & Tak. Kobay., Pteridopassalora nephrolepidicola (Crous & R.G. Shivas) C. Nakash. & Crous, Pteridopassalora lygodii (Goh & W.H. Hsieh) C. Nakash. & Crous; Typification: Epitypification:Botrytis infestans Mont., Cercospora abeliae Katsuki, Cercospora ceratoniae Pat. & Trab., Cercospora cladrastidis Jacz., Cercospora cryptomeriicola Sawada, Cercospora dalbergiae S.H. Sun, Cercospora ebulicola W. Yamam., Cercospora formosana W. Yamam., Cercospora fukuii W. Yamam., Cercospora glochidionis Sawada, Cercospora ixorana J.M. Yen & Lim, Cercospora liquidambaricola J.M. Yen, Cercospora pancratii Ellis & Everh., Cercospora pini-densiflorae Hori & Nambu, Cercospora profusa Syd. & P. Syd., Cercospora pyracanthae Katsuki, Cercospora horiana Togashi & Katsuki, Cercospora tabernaemontanae Syd. & P. Syd., Cercospora trinidadensis F. Stevens & Solheim, Melampsora laricis-urbanianae Tak. Matsumoto, Melampsora salicis-cupularis Wang, Phaeoisariopsis pruni-grayanae Sawada, Pseudocercospora angiopteridis Goh & W.H. Hsieh, Pseudocercospora basitruncata Crous, Pseudocercospora boehmeriigena U. Braun, Pseudocercospora coprosmae U. Braun & C.F. Hill, Pseudocercospora cratevicola C. Nakash. & U. Braun, Pseudocercospora cymbidiicola U. Braun & C.F. Hill, Pseudocercospora dodonaeae Boesew., Pseudocercospora euphorbiacearum U. Braun, Pseudocercospora lygodii Goh & W.H. Hsieh, Pseudocercospora metrosideri U. Braun, Pseudocercospora paraexosporioides C. Nakash. & U. Braun, Pseudocercospora symploci Katsuki & Tak. Kobay. ex U. Braun & Crous, Septogloeum punctatum Wakef.; Neotypification:Cercospora aleuritis I. Miyake; Lectotypification: Cercospora dalbergiae S.H. Sun, Cercospora formosana W. Yamam., Cercospora fukuii W. Yamam., Cercospora glochidionis Sawada, Cercospora profusa Syd. & P. Syd., Melampsora laricis-urbanianae Tak. Matsumoto, Phaeoisariopsis pruni-grayanae Sawada, Pseudocercospora symploci Katsuki & Tak. Kobay. ex U. Braun & Crous.

Citation: Chen Q, Bakhshi M, Balci Y, Broders KD, Cheewangkoon R, Chen SF, Fan XL, Gramaje D, Halleen F, Horta Jung M, Jiang N, Jung T, Májek T, Marincowitz S, Milenković T, Mostert L, Nakashima C, Nurul Faziha I, Pan M, Raza M, Scanu B, Spies CFJ, Suhaizan L, Suzuki H, Tian CM, Tomšovský M, Úrbez-Torres JR, Wang W, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Yang Q, Yang X, Zare R, Zhao P, Groenewald JZ, Cai L, Crous PW (2022). Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 4. Studies in Mycology101: 417–564. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.101.06.

Integration of spatial and single-cell transcriptomic data elucidates mouse organogenesis

Molecular profiling of single cells has advanced our knowledge of the molecular basis of development. However, current approaches mostly rely on dissociating cells from tissues, thereby losing the crucial spatial context of regulatory processes. Here, we apply an image-based single-cell transcriptomics method, sequential fluorescence in situ hybridization (seqFISH), to detect mRNAs for 387 target genes in tissue sections of mouse embryos at the 8-12 somite stage. By integrating spatial context and multiplexed transcriptional measurements with two single-cell transcriptome atlases, we characterize cell types across the embryo and demonstrate that spatially resolved expression of genes not profiled by seqFISH can be imputed. We use this high-resolution spatial map to characterize fundamental steps in the patterning of the midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB) and the developing gut tube. We uncover axes of cell differentiation that are not apparent from single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data, such as early dorsal-ventral separation of esophageal and tracheal progenitor populations in the gut tube. Our method provides an approach for studying cell fate decisions in complex tissues and development.

[Identification of the feature of immune cells infiltration in inherited renal carcinoma with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome]

Objective: To investigate the feature of immune cells infiltration in inherited renal carcinoma with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome and their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. Methods: The samples were collected from patients with VHL syndrome renal carcinoma who were diagnosed and treated surgically at the Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital from 2010 to 2019. RNA-Seq was performed on 6 pairs of VHL syndrome renal carcinoma and adjacent normal tissues. To identify the specific infiltrated immune cells, RNA-Seq data was converted into the infiltration data of 14 types of immune cells using the TIP tool. Immunohistochemical staining was used to verify the expression of the markers of these specific infiltrated immune cells in the paraffin sections of 54 paired VHL syndrome renal carcinoma and adjacent normal tissues, and to analyze their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. Results: Compared with adjacent normal tissues, CD4 Naive infiltration level was significantly down-regulated (0.289±0.009 vs 0.200±0.012,P<0.001) and CD4 Memory infiltration level was significantly up-regulated (0.123±0.014 vs 0.222±0.016,P<0.001) in VHL syndrome renal carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining results showed that CD45RA (a CD4 Naive cell marker) expression was significantly reduced (50.9±1.9 vs 15.6±0.9,P<0.001) and CD45RO (a CD4 Memory cell marker) expression was significantly increased (22.2±1.1 vs 80.8±4.3,P<0.001) in VHL syndrome renal carcinoma. Besides, lower CD45RA expression and higher CD45RO expression were associated with higher histological grade, advanced tumor stage and shorter disease-free survival (all P<0.01). In addition, CD45RA expression was positively correlated with VHL expression (r=0.693 3, P<0.000 1) and CD45RO expression was negatively correlated with VHL expression (r=-0.609 0, P<0.000 1). Conclusions: This study found that CD4 Naive and CD4 Memory cells may be differentially infiltrated immune cells in VHL syndrome renal carcinoma, and their infiltration levels were associated with the expression of VHL and the prognosis of patients.

[Clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological, clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (CCPRCC) based on Chinese patient population. Method: Patients with renal cell carcinoma diagnosed at Peking University First Hospital from June 2016 to June 2020 were included in this study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All cases were grouped according to CCPRCC, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC), and the general clinical, postoperative pathological and follow-up data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. Result: A total of 18 CCPRCC patients were enrolled in this study, accounting for 0.44% (18/4 110) of the postoperative pathologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma cases in our hospital during this time period. The age range of the included patients was 28-86 years old, with a median age of 49.5 years old. There were 11/18 males and 7/18 females. All CCPRCC patients had no family history of renal malignant tumors. Among them, only one patient with CCPRCC had related clinical symptoms, that was intermittent waist and abdomen pain, while the other 17 cases were found by physical examination without any related symptoms. Compared with ccRCC and pRCC, there was no significant difference in their end stage renal disease history(χ²_ccRCC=0.291, χ²_pRCC=1.161,all P>0.05). The maximum diameter of CCPRCC tumor was smaller than pRCC (χ²=-2.280,P =0.027) but not significantly different from ccRCC (χ²=-0.579,P =0.565). The majority of patients with CCPRCC were in pT1, their pathological stage was earlier than the other two types, and their overall survival was better than ccRCC and pRCC (P<0.05). Conclusion: CCPRCC is a type of renal cell carcinoma with unique epidemiology, clinicopathology and prognostic characteristics. Patients with this subtype have an earlier clinical stage and a better prognosis than ccRCC and pRCC.

Fungi of quarantine concern for China I: Dothideomycetes

The current list of Chinese quarantine pests includes 130 fungal species. However, recent changes in the taxonomy of fungi following the one fungus = one name initiative and the implementation of DNA phylogeny in taxonomic revisions, resulted in many changes of these species names, necessitating an update of the current list. In addition, many quarantine fungi lack modern morphological descriptions and authentic DNA sequences, posing significant challenges for the development of diagnostic protocols. The aim of the present study was to review the taxonomy and names of the 33 Chinese quarantine fungi in Dothideomycetes, and provide reliable DNA barcodes to facilitate rapid identification. Of these, 23 names were updated according to the single name nomenclature system, including one new combination, namely Cophinforma tumefaciens comb. nov. (syn. Sphaeropsis tumefaciens). On the basis of phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons, a new genus Xenosphaeropsis is introduced to accommodate the monotypic species Xenosphaeropsis pyriputrescens comb. nov. (syn. Sphaeropsis pyriputrescens), the causal agent of a post-harvest disease of pears. Furthermore, four lectotypes (Ascochyta petroselini, Mycosphaerella ligulicola, Physalospora laricina, Sphaeria lingam), three epitypes (Ascochyta petroselini, Phoma lycopersici, Sphaeria lingam), and two neotypes (Ascochyta pinodella, Deuterophoma tracheiphila) are designated to stabilise the use of these names. A further four reference strains are introduced for Cophinforma tumefaciens, Helminthosporium solani, Mycocentrospora acerina, and Septoria linicola. In addition, to assist future studies on these important pathogens, we sequenced and assembled whole genomes for 17 species, including Alternaria triticina, Boeremia foveata, B. lycopersici, Cladosporium cucumerinum, Didymella glomerata, Didymella pinodella, Diplodia mutila, Helminthosporium solani, Mycocentrospora acerina, Neofusicoccum laricinum, Parastagonospora pseudonodorum, Plenodomus libanotidis, Plenodomus lingam, Plenodomus tracheiphilus, Septoria petroselini, Stagonosporopsis chrysanthemi, and Xenosphaeropsis pyriputrescens. Citation: Zhao P, Crous PW, Hou LW, et al. 2021. Fungi of quarantine concern for China I: Dothideomycetes. Persoonia 47: 45-105. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.02.

Outcomes of Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy Combined With Spleen-Preserving Hilar Lymphadenectomy for Locally Advanced Proximal Gastric Cancer: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

The long-term survival of patients with laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy (LSTG) for advanced upper-third gastric cancer (AUTGC) and the association of splenic hilar lymph node (LN-10) metastasis with survival remain controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of LSTG and the value index of LN-10 metastasis for patients with AUTGC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The Chinese Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study 4 (CLASS-04) was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm trial that involved 19 centers in China. A total of 251 eligible patients with clinical stage T2, T3, or T4a upper-third gastric cancer without distant metastases were enrolled from September 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017. The final follow-up was on December 31, 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients were enrolled to undergo LSTG.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcomes were the 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Multivariate analyses were used to explore the association of LN-10 metastasis with survival.

RESULTS

Among the 251 patients, 246 (98.0%; mean [SD] age, 60.1 [9.4] years; 197 [80.1%] male) underwent LSTG and completed the study. The 3-year OS was 79.1% (95% CI, 74.0%-84.2%), and the 3-year DFS was 73.1% (95% CI, 67.4%-78.8%). In addition, the 3-year therapeutic value index of LN-10 dissection was 4.5, exceeding the indexes for the partial D2 LN group (including LNs 5, 6, 11d, and 12a). Nineteen patients (7.7%) with LN-10 metastasis had significantly worse survival than the nonmetastasis group, and multivariate analysis revealed that splenic LN-10 metastasis was an independent risk factor (OS: hazard ratio [HR], 2.38; 95% CI, 1.08-5.26; P = .03; DFS: HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.12-4.63; P = .02). Moreover, patients with LN-10 metastasis were more likely to have recurrence (42.1% vs 20.7%, P = .03), especially when multiple site metastasis was present (21.1% vs 4.4%, P = .01). However, patients with LN-10 metastasis who received adjuvant chemotherapy had significantly better OS and DFS than those without adjuvant chemotherapy and achieved the same oncologic effect as those without LN-10 metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This results of this study suggest that LSTG for AUTGC has feasible long-term outcomes. In addition, patients with LN-10 metastasis may have worse survival and may be more prone to recurrence.

Propofol alleviates intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats through p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of propofol on intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The models of intestinal I/R injury were first successfully established. All rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely, S group, I/R group, P group and P + S group. Pathological-morphological changes, injury score and wet-to-dry weight ratio of intestinal tissues as well as oxidative stress indexes in each group of rats were detected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to measure the levels of inflammatory factors such as creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in each group of rats. Furthermore, Western blotting (WB) assay was applied to determine the protein expression levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB in different groups.

RESULTS

Intestinal tissue injury was the severest in I/R group, with the infiltration of massive inflammatory cells and oozing of blood (Figure 1A, I/R). Compared with those in I/R group, the infiltration of inflammatory cells and damage to intestinal villi were notably relieved in P group and P + S group, revealing that the intestinal mucosal injury was remarkably repaired in P group and P + S group (Figure 1A, P). Moreover, the intestinal tissue injury score was evidently higher in I/R group, P group and P + S group than that in S group (p<0.05). However, it was markedly lower in P group and P + S group than that in I/R group (p<0.05). I/R group, P group and P + S group exhibited significantly increased wet-to-dry weight ratio of intestinal tissues in comparison with S group (p<0.05). However, P group and P + S group exhibited distinctly lower wet-to-dry weight ratio of intestinal tissues than I/R group (p<0.05). The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced prominently, while that of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was elevated significantly in P group and P + S group in contrast with those in I/R group (p<0.05). On the contrary, P + S group displayed remarkably lower MDA content and higher SOD content than P group (p<0.05). The levels of CK-MB, TNF-α and IL-6 in the blood rose markedly in I/R group compared with those in S group (p<0.05). However, they declined evidently in P group and P + S group in contrast with those in I/R group (p<0.05). Besides, the protein expression level of phosphorylated p38 MAPK was significantly higher in I/R group, P group and P + S group than that in S group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the protein expression of total p38 MAPK among the four groups (p>0.05). However, the protein expression level of phosphorylated p38 MAPK was distinctly down-regulated in P group and P + S group in comparison with that in I/R group (p<0.05). Finally, I/R group, P group and P + S group had a prominently higher protein expression level of NF-κB than S group (p<0.05). However, P group and P + S group exerted a significantly lower protein expression level of NF-κB than I/R group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Propofol decreases the release of inflammatory factors and alleviates intestinal edema by inhibiting the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby mitigating and treating the intestinal I/R injury in rats.

The Physicochemical Characteristic of Activated Carbon Based on Sludge and Preparation Method

To understand the features and best preparation of sludge activated carbon (SAC), and the pore structure, component, adsorption characteristics, and the yield rate of SAC, many tests have been carried out. The study illustrated that the pore structure was mostly mesopore and amorphous pore such as the ink bottle hole. In terms of different preparations to obtain SAC, the yield of SAC in sample No.1 achieved 88.09%. Using the preparation of ZnCl2 as an activator, the iodine adsorption value was significantly higher than other preparations. However, the content of quartz in sample No.1 achieved a maximum of 52.51%. Charcoal was detected in all samples except sample nos 9-12. The adsorption capacity of Cu(II) and Cd(II) reached a maximum of 600.02 mg.kg-1 and 383.2 mg.kg-1. The results showed an optimum preparation condition, which was by using the ZnCl2 as an activator, 2:1 as the impregnated ratio, 40% concentration in activator and at 400ºC reaction temperature could create rich pore structure and charcoal inside.

Fungi of quarantine concern for China I: Dothideomycetes

The current list of Chinese quarantine pests includes 130 fungal species. However, recent changes in the taxonomy of fungi following the one fungus = one name initiative and the implementation of DNA phylogeny in taxonomic revisions, resulted in many changes of these species names, necessitating an update of the current list. In addition, many quarantine fungi lack modern morphological descriptions and authentic DNA sequences, posing significant challenges for the development of diagnostic protocols. The aim of the present study was to review the taxonomy and names of the 33 Chinese quarantine fungi in Dothideomycetes, and provide reliable DNA barcodes to facilitate rapid identification. Of these, 23 names were updated according to the single name nomenclature system, including one new combination, namely Cophinforma tumefaciens comb. nov. (syn. Sphaeropsis tumefaciens). On the basis of phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons, a new genus Xenosphaeropsis is introduced to accommodate the monotypic species Xenosphaeropsis pyriputrescens comb. nov. (syn. Sphaeropsis pyriputrescens), the causal agent of a post-harvest disease of pears. Furthermore, four lectotypes (Ascochyta petroselini, Mycosphaerella ligulicola, Physalospora laricina, Sphaeria lingam), three epitypes (Ascochyta petroselini, Phoma lycopersici, Sphaeria lingam), and two neotypes (Ascochyta pinodella, Deuterophoma tracheiphila) are designated to stabilise the use of these names. A further four reference strains are introduced for Cophinforma tumefaciens, Helminthosporium solani, Mycocentrospora acerina, and Septoria linicola. In addition, to assist future studies on these important pathogens, we sequenced and assembled whole genomes for 17 species, including Alternaria triticina, Boeremia foveata, B. lycopersici, Cladosporium cucumerinum, Didymella glomerata, Didymella pinodella, Diplodia mutila, Helminthosporium solani, Mycocentrospora acerina, Neofusicoccum laricinum, Parastagonospora pseudonodorum, Plenodomus libanotidis, Plenodomus lingam, Plenodomus tracheiphilus, Septoria petroselini, Stagonosporopsis chrysanthemi, and Xenosphaeropsis pyriputrescens. Citation: Zhao P, Crous PW, Hou LW, et al. 2021. Fungi of quarantine concern for China I: Dothideomycetes. Persoonia 47: 45-105. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.02.

Molecular PET/CT Profiling of ACE2 Expression In Vivo: Implications for Infection and Outcome from SARS-CoV-2

Rapid progress has been made to identify and study the causative agent leading to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but many questions including who is most susceptible and what determines severity remain unanswered. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key factor in the infection process of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this study, molecularly specific positron emission tomography imaging agents for targeting ACE2 are first developed, and these novel agents are evaluated in vitro, in preclinical model systems, and in a first-in-human translational ACE2 imaging of healthy volunteers and a SARS-CoV-2 recovered patient (NCT04422457). ACE2 expression levels in different organs in live subjects are quantitatively delineated and observable differences are measured in the patient recovered from COVID-19. Surprising sites of uptake in the breast, reproductive system and very low uptake in pulmonary tissues are reported. This novel method can add a unique tool to facilitate SARS-CoV-2 related research and improve understanding of this enigmatic disease. Molecular imaging provides quantitative annotation of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor, to noninvasively monitor organs impacted by the COVID-19.