Severity of abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in US adults

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) among adults with abdominal obesity and to evaluate the necessity of differentiating severity of abdominal obesity.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study and prospective cohort study.

METHODS

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data between 2011 and 2020 were included for cross-sectional analyses. Class I, II and III abdominal obesity were created by dividing waist circumference within sex-specific abdominal obesity range into tertiles. Age-standardized prevalence of CMDs was estimated and differences by severity of abdominal obesity were compared using Poisson regressions. Prospective analyses were performed using NHANES data between 1988 and 2018 with linked mortality data. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between severity of abdominal obesity and mortality.

RESULTS

Among 23,168 adults included (mean age: 47.8 years, 49.3% men), 13,307 (57.4%) had abdominal obesity. Among adults with abdominal obesity, the estimated prevalence of diabetes was 17.3% (95% confidence interval: 16.3%, 18.2%), hypertension 39.3% (38.2%, 40.3%), dyslipidemia 59.5% (58.0%, 61.1%), cardiovascular disease 9.0% (8.3%, 9.8%), chronic kidney disease 16.8% (15.9%, 17.7%) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 39.9% (38.4%, 41.4%). The estimated prevalence was 55.5% (53.8%, 57.2%) for having ≥2 CMDs. Compared with class I abdominal obesity, class III abdominal obesity was related to a 43%-184% higher prevalence of CMDs and a 44% higher risk of all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of CMDs was high and multimorbidity of CMDs was common among US adults with abdominal obesity. The prevalence of CMDs and risk of mortality differed significantly by severity of abdominal obesity.

AnnoPRO: a strategy for protein function annotation based on multi-scale protein representation and a hybrid deep learning of dual-path encoding

Protein function annotation has been one of the longstanding issues in biological sciences, and various computational methods have been developed. However, the existing methods suffer from a serious long-tail problem, with a large number of GO families containing few annotated proteins. Herein, an innovative strategy named AnnoPRO was therefore constructed by enabling sequence-based multi-scale protein representation, dual-path protein encoding using pre-training, and function annotation by long short-term memory-based decoding. A variety of case studies based on different benchmarks were conducted, which confirmed the superior performance of AnnoPRO among available methods. Source code and models have been made freely available at: https://github.com/idrblab/AnnoPRO and https://zenodo.org/records/10012272.

MoDAFold: a strategy for predicting the structure of missense mutant protein based on AlphaFold2 and molecular dynamics

Protein structure prediction is a longstanding issue crucial for identifying new drug targets and providing a mechanistic understanding of protein functions. To enhance the progress in this field, a spectrum of computational methodologies has been cultivated. AlphaFold2 has exhibited exceptional precision in predicting wild-type protein structures, with performance exceeding that of other methods. However, predicting the structures of missense mutant proteins using AlphaFold2 remains challenging due to the intricate and substantial structural alterations caused by minor sequence variations in the mutant proteins. Molecular dynamics (MD) has been validated for precisely capturing changes in amino acid interactions attributed to protein mutations. Therefore, for the first time, a strategy entitled 'MoDAFold' was proposed to improve the accuracy and reliability of missense mutant protein structure prediction by combining AlphaFold2 with MD. Multiple case studies have confirmed the superior performance of MoDAFold compared to other methods, particularly AlphaFold2.

A Transformer-Based Ensemble Framework for the Prediction of Protein-Protein Interaction Sites

The identification of protein-protein interaction (PPI) sites is essential in the research of protein function and the discovery of new drugs. So far, a variety of computational tools based on machine learning have been developed to accelerate the identification of PPI sites. However, existing methods suffer from the low predictive accuracy or the limited scope of application. Specifically, some methods learned only global or local sequential features, leading to low predictive accuracy, while others achieved improved performance by extracting residue interactions from structures but were limited in their application scope for the serious dependence on precise structure information. There is an urgent need to develop a method that integrates comprehensive information to realize proteome-wide accurate profiling of PPI sites. Herein, a novel ensemble framework for PPI sites prediction, EnsemPPIS, was therefore proposed based on transformer and gated convolutional networks. EnsemPPIS can effectively capture not only global and local patterns but also residue interactions. Specifically, EnsemPPIS was unique in (a) extracting residue interactions from protein sequences with transformer and (b) further integrating global and local sequential features with the ensemble learning strategy. Compared with various existing methods, EnsemPPIS exhibited either superior performance or broader applicability on multiple PPI sites prediction tasks. Moreover, pattern analysis based on the interpretability of EnsemPPIS demonstrated that EnsemPPIS was fully capable of learning residue interactions within the local structure of PPI sites using only sequence information. The web server of EnsemPPIS is freely available at http://idrblab.org/ensemppis.

First Dark Matter Search with Nuclear Recoils from the XENONnT Experiment

We report on the first search for nuclear recoils from dark matter in the form of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with the XENONnT experiment, which is based on a two-phase time projection chamber with a sensitive liquid xenon mass of 5.9 ton. During the (1.09±0.03)  ton yr exposure used for this search, the intrinsic ^{85}Kr and ^{222}Rn concentrations in the liquid target are reduced to unprecedentedly low levels, giving an electronic recoil background rate of (15.8±1.3)  events/ton yr keV in the region of interest. A blind analysis of nuclear recoil events with energies between 3.3 and 60.5 keV finds no significant excess. This leads to a minimum upper limit on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross section of 2.58×10^{-47}  cm^{2} for a WIMP mass of 28  GeV/c^{2} at 90% confidence level. Limits for spin-dependent interactions are also provided. Both the limit and the sensitivity for the full range of WIMP masses analyzed here improve on previous results obtained with the XENON1T experiment for the same exposure.

A DNA Replication Stress-Based Prognostic Model for Lung Adenocarcinoma

Tumor cells endure continuous DNA replication stress, which opens the way to cancer development. Despite previous research, the prognostic implications of DNA replication stress on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have yet to be investigated. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential of DNA replication stress-related genes (DNARSs) in predicting the prognosis of individuals with LUAD. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) originated from the TCGA-LUAD dataset, and we constructed a 10-gene LUAD prognostic model based on DNARSs-related DEGs (DRSDs) using Cox regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated excellent predictive capability for the LUAD prognostic model, while the Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated a poorer prognosis in a high-risk (HR) group. Combined with clinical data, the Riskscore was found to be an independent predictor of LUAD prognosis. By incorporating Riskscore and clinical data, we developed a nomogram that demonstrated a capacity to predict overall survival and exhibited clinical utility, which was validated through the calibration curve, ROC curve, and decision curve analysis curve tests, confirming its effectiveness in prognostic evaluation. Immune analysis revealed that individuals belonging to the low-risk (LR) group exhibited a greater abundance of immune cell infiltration and higher levels of immune function. We calculated the immunopheno score and TIDE scores and tested them on the IMvigor210 and GSE78220 cohorts and found that individuals categorized in the LR group exhibited a higher likelihood of deriving therapeutic benefits from immunotherapy intervention. Additionally, we predicted that patients classified in the HR group would demonstrate enhanced sensitivity to Docetaxel using anti-tumor drugs. To summarize, we successfully developed and validated a prognostic model for LUAD by incorporating DNA replication stress as a key factor.

Searching for Heavy Dark Matter near the Planck Mass with XENON1T

Multiple viable theoretical models predict heavy dark matter particles with a mass close to the Planck mass, a range relatively unexplored by current experimental measurements. We use 219.4 days of data collected with the XENON1T experiment to conduct a blind search for signals from multiply interacting massive particles (MIMPs). Their unique track signature allows a targeted analysis with only 0.05 expected background events from muons. Following unblinding, we observe no signal candidate events. This Letter places strong constraints on spin-independent interactions of dark matter particles with a mass between 1×10^{12} and 2×10^{17}  GeV/c^{2}. In addition, we present the first exclusion limits on spin-dependent MIMP-neutron and MIMP-proton cross sections for dark matter particles with masses close to the Planck scale.

CCDC3 Gene Regulates the Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cells

We studied the effect of CCDC3 on the viability of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The levels of CCDC3 mRNA and the corresponding protein in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, T-47D, and HCC1937 cell lines were measured by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Since MDA-MB-231 cells had higher expression of mRNA CCDC3 and CCDC3 protein, we used this cell line for transfection with small interfering RNA by lentivirus. Cell Counting Kit-8 and clone formation assay were used to detect the effects of CCDC3 knockdown on cell viability; flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of CCDC3 knockdown on cell apoptosis and cell cycle. In MDA-MB-231 cell line, the CCDC3 protein level was significantly down-regulated after CCDC3 knockdown in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). The cell viability and the number of clones in the CCDC3 knockdown group were significantly reduced (p<0.05), while the apoptosis rate significantly increased (p<0.05). Thus, after CCDC3 knockdown, cell viability is weakened in MDA-MB-231 cells, and cell apoptosis rate is increased. Therefore, CCDC3 gene is promising as a new candidate target for BC treatment.

MecDDI: Clarified Drug-Drug Interaction Mechanism Facilitating Rational Drug Use and Potential Drug-Drug Interaction Prediction

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are a major concern in clinical practice and have been recognized as one of the key threats to public health. To address such a critical threat, many studies have been conducted to clarify the mechanism underlying each DDI, based on which alternative therapeutic strategies are successfully proposed. Moreover, artificial intelligence-based models for predicting DDIs, especially multilabel classification models, are highly dependent on a reliable DDI data set with clear mechanistic information. These successes highlight the imminent necessity to have a platform providing mechanistic clarifications for a large number of existing DDIs. However, no such platform is available yet. In this study, a platform entitled "MecDDI" was therefore introduced to systematically clarify the mechanisms underlying the existing DDIs. This platform is unique in (a) clarifying the mechanisms underlying over 1,78,000 DDIs by explicit descriptions and graphic illustrations and (b) providing a systematic classification for all collected DDIs based on the clarified mechanisms. Due to the long-lasting threats of DDIs to public health, MecDDI could offer medical scientists a clear clarification of DDI mechanisms, support healthcare professionals to identify alternative therapeutics, and prepare data for algorithm scientists to predict new DDIs. MecDDI is now expected as an indispensable complement to the available pharmaceutical platforms and is freely accessible at: https://idrblab.org/mecddi/.

Exome-wide screening identifies novel rare risk variants for bone mineral density

Bone mineral density (BMD) is an independent risk factor of osteoporosis-related fractures. We performed gene-based burden tests to assess the association between rare variants and BMD, and identified several BMD candidate genes.

PURPOSE

BMD is highly heritable and a major predictor of osteoporotic fractures, but its genetic basis remains unclear. We aimed to identify rare risk variants contributing to BMD.

METHODS

Utilizing the newly released UK Biobank 200,643 exome dataset, we conducted a gene-based exome-wide association study in males and females, respectively. First, 100,639 males and 117,338 females with BMD values were included in the polygenic risk scores (PRS) analysis. Among individuals with lower 30% PRS, cases were individuals with top 10% BMD, and individuals with bottom 10% BMD were the controls. Considering the effects of vitamin D (VD), individuals with the highest 30% VD concentration were selected for VD-BMD analysis. After quality control, 741 males and 697 females were included in the BMD analysis, and 717 males and 708 females were included in the VD-BMD analysis. The variants were annotated by ANNOVAR software, then BMD and VD-BMD qualified variants were imported into the SKAT R-package to perform gene-based burden tests, respectively.

RESULTS

The gene-based burden test of the exonic variants identified genome-wide candidate associations in ANKRD18A (P = 1.60 × 10^-5, P_{Bonferroni adjust} = 2.11 × 10^-3), C22orf31 (P = 3.49 × 10^-4, P_{Bonferroni adjust} = 3.17 × 10^-2), and SPATC1L (P = 1.09 × 10^-5, P_{Bonferroni adjust} = 8.80 × 10^-3). For VD-BMD analysis, three genes were associated with BMD, such as NIPAL1 (P = 1.06 × 10^-3, P_{Bonferroni adjust} = 3.91 × 10^-2).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that rare variants contribute to BMD, providing new sights for broadening the genetic structure of BMD.

Plaster board waste (PBW) - A potential fluoride leaching source in soil/water environments and, fluoride immobilization studies using soils

Plaster board waste generated from industries, usually contains major proportion of calcium as calcium sulfate. In addition, fluoride is remarkably one among the constituents of this waste material which leaches off into the soil and aquatic environments and causes fluoride pollution. In order to simulate how the dumping of PBW causes fluoride contamination in soil and water sources, shaking and stirring based batch-mode leaching studies were conducted. These studies explored the leaching of fluoride as a function of particle size, agitation time, pH of the leaching solvent (distilled water), L/S (water: PBW) ratio, temperature and electrolytes. It was explored that 1 g of plaster board waste contains18.54 mg F per gram of PBP. High leaching of 3.72 mg F per liter was studied at pH 6.02 with Ca²⁺ and TDS contents of 1050 mg L^-1 and1640 mg L^-1 respectively. The influence of sodium electrolytes such as chloride, nitrate, hydrogen carbonate, carbonate, sulfate, borate, phosphate and acetate on the leaching of fluoride from PBW was studied. The influence of fluoride leaching by sodium phosphate recorded a high value of 12.75 mg L^-1 with no detectable amount of calcium ions. The influence of eight electrolytic mixtures each containing five sodium electrolytes on fluoride leaching corroborated the highest leaching in mixtures containing phosphate followed by hydrogen carbonate/carbonate. Solutions of calcium and aluminium chloride and their mixture were used to measure the rate of leachable fluoride in solution. Furthermore, the fluoride leaching at different temperatures and acids was studied. Naturally occurring soils when blended with PBW were observed to immobilize fluoride and lessened the amount of leaching fluoride in water. Various characterization studies such as FTIR, Raman, FESEM (with EDS), XRD and XPS were carried out for PBW and its treated samples using different electrolytes. Fluoride leaching proportionate to the precipitation of carbonate and phosphate was recorded in the case of appropriate electrolyte and mixtures.

[MRI features of lymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the MRI manifestations of lymphoepithelioma-like intrahep cholangiocarcinoma (LEL-ICC). Methods: MR images of 26 cases with LEL-ICC confirmed pathologically at Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated with Fudan University between March 2011 and March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The number, location, size, morphology, edges of lesions, non-scan signal intensity, cystic necrosis, enhancement mode, peak, and capsule, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and other MR images were included for analysis. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the lesion and the surrounding normal liver parenchyma were measured. A paired-sample t-test was used to statistically analyze the measurement data. Results: All 26 cases of LEL-ICC had solitary lesions. Mass-type LEL-ICC was the most common [n=23, lesion size (4.02±2.32) cm] with distribution along the bile duct [n=3, lesion size (7.23±1.40 cm)]. Among the 23 lesions of mass type LEL-ICC, most of the lesions were close to the liver capsule (n=20), round (n=22), clearly bordered (n=13), and cystic necrosis (n=22). In the three lesions of LEL-ICC distributed along the bile duct, most of them were close to the liver capsule (n=2), irregular (n=3), blurred edges (n=3), and cystic necrosis (n=3). All 26 lesions showed a low/slightly low signal on T₁WI, a high/slightly high signal on T₂WI, and a slightly high or high signal on DWI. Three lesions showed fast-in and fast-out enhancement modes, and 23 lesions showed continuous enhancement. Twenty-five lesions showed peak enhancement in the arterial phase, and one lesion appeared in the delayed phase. The ADC value of 26 lesions and adjacent normal liver parenchyma was (1.112±0.274)×10^-3 mm²/s and (1.482±0.346)×10^-3 mm²/s, respectively, and the both had a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: Certain manifestations of LEL-ICC in magnetic resonance imaging are advantageous for diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

[COVID-19 treated with oral Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in 3 children]

Objective: To summarize the application experience and the therapeutic effect of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir (trade name: Paxlovid) for COVID-19 in children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data, including collecting the clinical manifestations and clinical outcomes, dynamically monitoring the blood routine, hepatic and renal function and SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid results, and observing the related side effects during the treatment, etc, of 3 cases with COVID-19 treated with Paxlovid admitted to Shanghai Children's Hospital (designated referral hospital for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Shanghai) from May 1^st to June 1^st, 2022. Results: The 3 cases were 12, 14, 17 years of age, among which 2 cases were males, 1 case was female. All 3 cases were mild cases with underlying diseases and risk of developing into severe COVID-19, with symptoms of high fever, sore throat and dry cough. The treatment of Paxlovid at 3^rd day of symptom onset contributed to the symptom-free after 1-2 days and negative results of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid after 2-4 days. All patients had no adverse manifestations of gastrointestinal tract and nervous system but a case had little skin rashes, which recovered after the withdrawal of Paxlovid. Three cases had normal hepatic and renal function during the Paxlovid treatment. At 3 months after discharge, no clinical manifestations of post-COVID syndrome were found in all 3 cases. Conclusion: Paxlovid was effective and relatively safe in the treatment of 3 children with COVID-19.

DRESIS: the first comprehensive landscape of drug resistance information

Widespread drug resistance has become the key issue in global healthcare. Extensive efforts have been made to reveal not only diverse diseases experiencing drug resistance, but also the six distinct types of molecular mechanisms underlying this resistance. A database that describes a comprehensive list of diseases with drug resistance (not just cancers/infections) and all types of resistance mechanisms is now urgently needed. However, no such database has been available to date. In this study, a comprehensive database describing drug resistance information named 'DRESIS' was therefore developed. It was introduced to (i) systematically provide, for the first time, all existing types of molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance, (ii) extensively cover the widest range of diseases among all existing databases and (iii) explicitly describe the clinically/experimentally verified resistance data for the largest number of drugs. Since drug resistance has become an ever-increasing clinical issue, DRESIS is expected to have great implications for future new drug discovery and clinical treatment optimization. It is now publicly accessible without any login requirement at: https://idrblab.org/dresis/.

Search for New Physics in Electronic Recoil Data from XENONnT

We report on a blinded analysis of low-energy electronic recoil data from the first science run of the XENONnT dark matter experiment. Novel subsystems and the increased 5.9 ton liquid xenon target reduced the background in the (1, 30) keV search region to (15.8±1.3)  events/(ton×year×keV), the lowest ever achieved in a dark matter detector and ∼5 times lower than in XENON1T. With an exposure of 1.16 ton-years, we observe no excess above background and set stringent new limits on solar axions, an enhanced neutrino magnetic moment, and bosonic dark matter.

[A prospective randomized controlled study on the effects of compound analgesia in ultra-pulsed fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment of post-burn hypertrophic scars in children]

Objective: To investigate the effects of compound analgesia on ultra-pulsed fractional carbon dioxide laser (UFCL) treatment of post-burn hypertrophic s in children. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. From April 2018 to March 2020, 169 pediatric patients with post-burn hypertrophic s admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University were randomly divided into general anesthesia alone group (39 cases, 19 males and 20 females, aged 35 (21, 48) months), general anesthesia+lidocaine group (41 cases, 23 males and 18 females, aged 42 (22, 68) months), general anesthesia+ibuprofen suppository group (41 cases, 25 males and 16 females, aged 38 (26, 52) months), and three-drug combination group with general anesthesia + lidocaine+ibuprofen suppository (48 cases, 25 males and 23 females, aged 42 (25, 60) months), and the pediatric patients in each group were treated with corresponding analgesic regimens when UFCL was used to treat s, and the pediatric patients were given comprehensive care throughout the treatment process. The pain degree of pediatric patients scar was evaluated by facial expression,legs,activity,cry,and consolability (FLACC) of children's pain behavior scale at 0 (immediately), 1, 2, and 4 h after awakening from the first anesthesia, respectively. At 4 h after awakening from the first anesthesia of postoperative pain assessment, the self-made analgesia satisfaction questionnaire was used to evaluate the satisfaction for the analgesic effect of the pediatric patients or their families, and the satisfaction rate was calculated. Within 2 h after the first operation, the occurrences of adverse reactions of the pediatric patients, such as nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, etc, were observed and recorded. Before the first treatment and 1 month after the last treatment, the Vancouver scar scale (VSS) was used to evaluate the pediatric patients scar, and the difference value between the two was calculated. Data were statistically analyzed with least significant difference test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, chi-square test and Fisher's exact probability test. Results: At 0 h after awakening from the first anesthesia, the FLACC scores of pediatric patients in general anesthesia+lidocaine group, general anesthesia+ibuprofen suppository group and three-drug combination group were significantly lower than those in general anesthesia alone group (P<0.01). The FLACC scores of the pediatric patients in anesthesia+ibuprofen suppository group and three-drug combination group were significantly lower than that in general anesthesia+lidocaine group (P<0.01), and the FLACC score of the pediatric patients in three-drug combination group was significantly lower than that in general anesthesia+ibuprofen suppository group (P<0.01). At 1 and 2 h after awakening from the first anesthesia, the FLACC scores of pediatric patients in general anesthesia+ibuprofen suppository group and three-drug combination group were both significantly lower than those in general anesthesia alone group and general anesthesia+lidocaine group (P<0.01), and the FLACC score of the pediatric patients in three-drug combination group was significantly lower than that in general anesthesia+ibuprofen suppository group (P<0.01). At 4 h after awakening from the first anesthesia, the FLACC scores of the pediatric patients in general anesthesia+ibuprofen suppository group and three-drug combination group were significantly lower than those in general anesthesia alone group and general anesthesia+lidocaine group (P<0.01). At 4 h after awakening from the first anesthesia, the satisfactions rate with the analgesic effect in the four groups of pediatric patients or their families were 79.49% (31/39), 85.37% (35/41), 87.80% (36/41), and 97.92% (47/48), respectively. The satisfaction rate of the pediatric patients in three-drug combination group was significantly higher than those in general anesthesia alone group, general anesthesia+lidocaine group, general anesthesia+ibuprofen suppository group. Within 2 h after the first operation, there was no significant difference in the overall comparison of adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness, and drowsiness of pediatric patients among the 4 groups (P>0.05). The VSS scores of pediatric patients before the first treatment, 1 month after the last treatment, and and the difference value between the two in the 4 groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). Conclusions: Three-drug combination for analgesia has a good effect in the treatment of hypertrophic scars after burn in pediatric patients with UFCL. Pediatric patients or their families are highly satisfied with the effect, and the treatment effect and incidence of adverse reactions are similar to other analgesic regimens, so it is recommended to be promoted in clinical practice.

REGLIV: Molecular regulation data of diverse living systems facilitating current multiomics research

Multiomics is a powerful technique in molecular biology that facilitates the identification of new associations among different molecules (genes, proteins & metabolites). It has attracted tremendous research interest from the scientists worldwide and has led to an explosive number of published studies. Most of these studies are based on the regulation data provided in available databases. Therefore, it is essential to have molecular regulation data that are strictly validated in the living systems of various cell lines and in vivo models. However, no database has been developed yet to provide comprehensive molecular regulation information validated by living systems. Herein, a new database, Molecular Regulation Data of Living System Facilitating Multiomics Study (REGLIV) is introduced to describe various types of molecular regulation tested by the living systems. (1) A total of 2996 regulations describe the changes in 1109 metabolites triggered by alterations in 284 genes or proteins, and (2) 1179 regulations describe the variations in 926 proteins induced by 125 endogenous metabolites. Overall, REGLIV is unique in (a) providing the molecular regulation of a clearly defined regulatory direction other than simple correlation, (b) focusing on molecular regulations that are validated in a living system not simply in an in vitro test, and (c) describing the disease/tissue/species specific property underlying each regulation. Therefore, REGLIV has important implications for the future practice of not only multiomics, but also other fields relevant to molecular regulation. REGLIV is freely accessible at: https://idrblab.org/regliv/.

Preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI predicts aggressive pathological features in LI-RADS category 5 hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM

To investigate whether Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) imaging features and non-LI-RADS imaging features can predict aggressive pathological features in adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From February 2018 to September 2021, 236 adult patients with cirrhosis or hepatitis B virus infection in which liver cancer was suspected underwent MRI within 1 month before surgery. Significant MRI findings and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level predicted high-grade HCC and microvascular invasion (MVI) by univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The study included 112 patients with histopathologically confirmed liver cancer (≤5 cm), 35 of whom (31.3%) high-grade HCC and 42 of 112 (37.5%) patients had MVI. Mosaic architecture (odds ratio [OR] = 6.031; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.366, 26.626; p=0.018), coronal enhancement (OR=5.878; 95% CI: 1.471, 23.489; p=0.012), and intratumoural vessels (OR=5.278; 95% CI: 1.325, 21.020; p=0.018) were significant independent predictors of high-grade HCC. A non-smooth tumour margin (OR=10.237; 95% CI: 1.547, 67.760; p=0.016), coronal enhancement (OR=3.800; 95% CI: 1.152, 12.531; p=0.028), and peritumoural hypointensity on the hepatobiliary phase (HBP; OR=10.322; 95% CI: 2.733, 38.986; p=0.001) were significant independent predictors of MVI.

CONCLUSION

In high-risk adult patients with single LR-5 HCC (≤5 cm), mosaic architecture, coronal enhancement, and intratumoural vessels are independent predictors of high-grade HCC. Non-smooth tumour margin, coronal enhancement, and peritumoural hypointensity on HBP independently predicted MVI.

Relationship of resting heart rate and blood pressure with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate associations of resting heart rate (RHR) and blood pressure (BP) with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 67,028 Chinese participants aged ≥60 years were included in the analysis. RHR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were evaluated according to quartiles ([41-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-127 beats/min], [80-119, 120-129, 130-139, 140-238 mm Hg], and [40-70, 71-79, 80-84, 85-133 mm Hg]). Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of all-cause and CVD mortality with RHR, SBP, and DBP. Restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the dose-response association.

RESULTS

During the 361,975 person-year follow-up, 9326 deaths were recorded, of which 5039 deaths were due to CVD. The risk of all-cause mortality was increased by 25% with the quartiles four vs quartile one of RHR (HR [95% CI]:1.25 [1.17-1.33]), and CVD mortality was increased by 32% (HR [95% CI]: 1.32 [1.22-1.44]). Similar results were observed when comparing the quartiles four vs quartile one of SBP with the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality (HRs [95% CIs]: 1.14 [1.07, 1.22] and 1.23 [1.12. 1.34]) and DBP with the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality (HRs [95% CIs]: 1.17 [1.11. 1.24] and 1.36 [1.26. 1.47]). We found linear associations of RHR, SBP, and DBP with all-cause and CVD mortality (P_{non-linearity} >0.05), except for the approximately J-shaped association between DBP and all-cause mortality (P_{non-linearity} = 0.008). There was a significant interaction of RHR and SBP with all-cause and CVD mortality (P_interaction <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

RHR and BP increased the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality, especially fast RHR combined with high SBP.

Biological activities of drug inactive ingredients

In a drug formulation (DFM), the major components by mass are not Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) but rather Drug Inactive Ingredients (DIGs). DIGs can reach much higher concentrations than that achieved by API, which raises great concerns about their clinical toxicities. Therefore, the biological activities of DIG on physiologically relevant target are widely demanded by both clinical investigation and pharmaceutical industry. However, such activity data are not available in any existing pharmaceutical knowledge base, and their potentials in predicting the DIG-target interaction have not been evaluated yet. In this study, the comprehensive assessment and analysis on the biological activities of DIGs were therefore conducted. First, the largest number of DIGs and DFMs were systematically curated and confirmed based on all drugs approved by US Food and Drug Administration. Second, comprehensive activities for both DIGs and DFMs were provided for the first time to pharmaceutical community. Third, the biological targets of each DIG and formulation were fully referenced to available databases that described their pharmaceutical/biological characteristics. Finally, a variety of popular artificial intelligence techniques were used to assess the predictive potential of DIGs' activity data, which was the first evaluation on the possibility to predict DIG's activity. As the activities of DIGs are critical for current pharmaceutical studies, this work is expected to have significant implications for the future practice of drug discovery and precision medicine.

Sternum-mental angle: A new predictor of difficult. Laryngeal exposure in suspension microsurgery - An observational study

OBJECTIVES

In our study, we hypothesized that sternum-mental angle (SMA) was a totally new preoperative predictor of difficult laryngeal exposure (DLE). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of SMA in predicting DLE in patients undergoing suspension microlaryngeal surgery, and we also searched for risk factors among the selected parameters.

METHODS

A total of 95 patients with vocal cord dysfunction who underwent microlaryngeal surgery were collected. According to the Cormack-Lehane classification method, the patients were divided into non-DLE group (n=73) and DLE group (n=22). Preoperative assessments included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Modified Mallampati's index (MMI), neck circumference (NC), thyroid-mental distance at neutral position (TMD-NP), TMD at full extension position (TMD-FE), sternum-mental distance at neutral position (SMD-NP), SMD at full extension position (SMD-FE), SMA at neutral position (SMA-NP) and SMA at full extension position (SMA-FE). SMA was defined as the angle between the horizontal line and the line from upper border of the manubrium sterni to mental prominence, and SMA's ability to predict difficult laryngoscopy was compared with that of established predictors.

RESULTS

The DLE incidence of the enrolled patients was 23%. Univariate analysis showed that patients in DLE group presented significantly smaller SMA values. SMA-NP less than 13 provided 68.2% sensitivity and 83.6% specificity and SMA-FE less than 22.5 provided 86.4% sensitivity and 80.8% specificity for the detection of DLE. SMA-FE (≤22.5) exhibited the largest area under the curve (AUC: 0.868; 95% CI: 0.784-0.952), confirming its better predictive ability. Binary multivariate logistic regression analyses identified four risk factors including MMI, TMD-FE, TMD-NP which were independently associated with DLE.

CONCLUSIONS

SMA is a new and simple predictor with a higher level of efficacy, and could help otorhinolaryngologist plan for managements in patients with DLE.

Malnutrition Increases the Risk of Left Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVES

Malnutrition is associated with increased incidence of heart failure (HF). Left ventricular (LV) remodeling is one of the most important processes in the occurrence and evolution of HF. However, the association between nutritional status and LV remodeling is not well known. The study aimed to investigate the association between malnutrition and LV remodeling.

DESIGN

The study was a retrospective observation study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

We included patients from the registry of Cardiorenal Improvement study from January 2007 to December 2018 at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary endpoint was LV remodeling, defined as an absolute decrease in LV ejection fraction ≥10% after discharge compared with baseline. Nutritional status was assessed by the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. Eligible patients were divided into absent-mild malnutrition group (CONUT score ≤4) and moderate-severe malnutrition group (CONUT score >4). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was performed to verify the association between malnutrition and left ventricular remodeling.

RESULTS

A total of 7,217 patients (mean age 61.3±10.5 years, 71.7% male) were included in the final analysis, among which 712 (9.9%) had LV remodeling. The incidence of LV remodeling in moderate-severe malnutrition group was significantly higher than that in absent-mild malnutrition group (12.9% vs. 9.5%, p=0.002). In multivariable logistic regression, moderate-severe malnutrition group was significantly associated with 1.69-fold increased risk of LV remodeling after adjusting confounders (OR: 1.69, CI: 1.32-2.16). Similar results were observed in subgroup stratified by age, gender, and coronary artery disease.

CONCLUSION

Nearly one eighth of patients were classified as moderate-severe malnutrition, 12% of whom had LV remodeling. Moderate-severe malnutrition was associated with 69% increased risk of LV remodeling. Further studies are needed to prospectively evaluate the nutrition-oriented managements on outcomes in LV remodeling.

Research progress on the regulation mechanism of probiotics on the microecological flora of infected intestines in livestock and poultry

The animal intestine is a complex ecosystem composed of host cells, gut microbiota and available nutrients. Gut microbiota can prevent the occurrence of intestinal diseases in animals by regulating the homeostasis of the intestinal environment. The intestinal microbiota is a complex and stable microbial community, and the homeostasis of the intestinal environment is closely related to the invasion of intestinal pathogens, which plays an important role in protecting the host from pathogen infections. Probiotics are strains of microorganisms that are beneficial to health, and their potential has recently led to a significant increase in studies on the regulation of intestinal flora. Various potential mechanisms of action have been proposed on probiotics, especially mediating the regulation mechanism of the intestinal flora on the host, mainly including competitive inhibition of pathogens, stimulation of the host's adaptive immune system and regulation of the intestinal flora. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technology has given us a clearer understanding and has facilitated the development of research methods to investigate the intestinal microecological flora. This review will focus on the regulation of probiotics on the microbial flora of intestinal infections in livestock and poultry and will depict future research directions.

P–389 The relationship between serum hormone profiles and missed abortion in humans

Study question

Are circulating profiles of metabolic-related hormones also associated with the missed abortion (MA) in humans?

Summary answer

Serum levels of fatty acid-binding protein–4 (FABP4) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) are positively associated with MA.

What is known already

A cluster of endocrine hormones, including FABP4, FGF21, adiponectin, lipocalin–2 (LCN2), exhibit pleiotropic effects on regulating systematic metabolism. Serum levels of them are associated with gestational obesity and diabetes and affect pregnancy outcomes, however, the relationship between their circulating profiles and MA is under-investigated.

Study design, size, duration

78 patients with MA and 86 healthy pregnant subjects matching on maternal age and body mass index (BMI) were nested from a prospective cohort in the Chinese population.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Fasting serum samples from all participants were collected to test their serum levels of FGF21, FABP4, adiponectin, and LCN2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method (ELISA).

Main results and the role of chance

There were no significant differences in circulating profiles of adiponectin and LCN2 between MA patients and healthy pregnant subjects. By contrast, circulating levels of FGF21 and FABP4 were significantly and independently elevated in patients with MA relative to control cases even after adjusting confounding factors (for FGF21: MA: 28.96 ± 2.17 ng/ml; HP: 19.18 ± 1.12 ng/ml, P &lt; 0.001, for FABP4: MA: 152.50 ± 9.31 pg/ml; HP: 90.86 ± 4.14 pg/ml, P &lt; 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed, FGF21 raised every 10 pg/ml contributed to a 24% (95% CI: 15% - 34%) increase in the risk of MA, whereas the OR of FABP4 for the risk of MA was 1.052 (95% CI: 1.022 –1.088). Furthermore, using serum FGF21 level or FABP4 levels discriminated MA from healthy controls with an area under the operating characteristic’s curve (AUROC) of 0.81 (95% CI 0.76–0.92) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.62 - 0.78), respectively.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The study is limited by the sample size. In addition, our results were based-on Chinese population, whether it could be observed in other ethics group remain to be investigated. Meanwhile, the cause-effect relationship between increased serum FGF21 level and MA remains to be explored.

Wider implications of the findings: Our data would suggest that serum levels of FGF21 and FABP4 are associated with MA. Moreover, circulating FGF21 levels may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for the recognition of M.

Trial registration number

IRB Ref. No.: KY201913

Prognostic significance of lymph node ratio in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth

The lymph node ratio (LNR) has been proposed as an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, little attention has been paid to its role in the specific subsite of the floor of the mouth (FOM). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the LNR in patients with FOM SCC. A retrospective analysis of 92 patients with FOM SCC who were treated with primary curative resection and neck dissection was conducted. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were used to evaluate the prognostic significance of the LNR. Both of these parameters were significantly worse (P < 0.001) in patients with neck metastases. The mean LNR was 0.145 in patients with positive lymph nodes. A LNR <0.145 was predictive of longer DFS, while the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that a LNR ≥0.175 indicated a significantly lower OS. This study confirms that metastatic cervical lymph nodes correlate with an adverse prognosis in patients with FOM SCC, and specifically, a LNR ≥0.145 is predictive. Therefore, the LNR in patients with FOM SCC may be a predictor of survival in these patients.

[Surgical treatment for pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis:exploration and innovation]

The prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastasis (PCLM) is very poor and the median overall survival(OS) is less than 6 months.The current standard treatment for PCLM is systematic chemotherapy.Though the chemotherapeutic regimens are better than gemcitabine only,the OS remains dissatisfied.A lot of retrospective studies identified that surgical treatment can only offer survival benefits for highly selected rather than entire PCLM patients.The Chinese Study Group for Pancreatic Cancer (CSPAC) has initiated a multiple-center,prospective,randomized comparison clinical trial,named CSPAC-1 to identify the standard and value of surgical treatment of PCLM patients.This manuscript reviewed the current progress of surgical treatment for pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis and looked forward to opportunities and challenges in the future.

Vector-apodizing phase plate coronagraph: design, current performance, and future development [Invited]

Over the last decade, the vector-apodizing phase plate (vAPP) coronagraph has been developed from concept to on-sky application in many high-contrast imaging systems on 8 m class telescopes. The vAPP is a geometric-phase patterned coronagraph that is inherently broadband, and its manufacturing is enabled only by direct-write technology for liquid-crystal patterns. The vAPP generates two coronagraphic point spread functions (PSFs) that cancel starlight on opposite sides of the PSF and have opposite circular polarization states. The efficiency, that is, the amount of light in these PSFs, depends on the retardance offset from a half-wave of the liquid-crystal retarder. Using different liquid-crystal recipes to tune the retardance, different vAPPs operate with high efficiencies (${\gt}96\%$) in the visible and thermal infrared (0.55 µm to 5 µm). Since 2015, seven vAPPs have been installed in a total of six different instruments, including Magellan/MagAO, Magellan/MagAO-X, Subaru/SCExAO, and LBT/LMIRcam. Using two integral field spectrographs installed on the latter two instruments, these vAPPs can provide low-resolution spectra (${\rm{R}} \sim 30$) between 1 µm and 5 µm. We review the design process, development, commissioning, on-sky performance, and first scientific results of all commissioned vAPPs. We report on the lessons learned and conclude with perspectives for future developments and applications.

Epidemiology of resistance of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae to ceftazidime-avibactam in a Chinese hospital

AIMS

Klebsiella pneumoniae has been reported to develop increased antibiotic resistance. Ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) is a novel antibiotic with activity against serine-lactamase. Here, we investigated the sensitivity of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) to CZA and the mechanisms of drug resistance in our hospital.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patient characteristics were obtained from medical records. K. pneumoniae and its antibiotic susceptibility were determined using the Vitek-2 Compact instrument. The antibiotic resistance genes KPC, NDM, OXA-48, VIM, IMP, CIM, SPM, TMB, SMB, SIM, AIM and DIM were detected using real-time PCR. Multilocus sequence typing was used for genetic RELATEDNESS analysis. In total, 121 CRKP strains were isolated from patients in the intensive care unit (51·2%), senior ward (12·4%) and neurosurgery department (10%). With an average age of 72·5 years, most patients were in care for respiratory (34·7%), brain (20·7%), digestive tract (13·2%) and cardiovascular (8·3%) diseases. Specimens were predominantly obtained from sputum (39·67%), urine (29·75%) and blood (6·61%).

CONCLUSION

Of 23 CZA-resistant CRKP strains (19·01%), ST11 being the most common at 56·52%, 11 NDM-1-positive (47·83%) and four NDM-5-positive (17·39%) strains were detected.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Our study indicates that CZA resistance occurs in ~19·01% CRKP strains and that bla_NDM-1 and bla_NDM-5 might be critical for resistance.

Evaluation of the probiotic and functional potential of Lactobacillus agilis 32 isolated from pig manure

Escherichia coli is a symbiotic bacterium in humans and animals and an important pathogen of humans and animals. Prevention and suppression of E. coli infection is of great concern. In this study, we isolated a strain of Lactobacillus agilis 32 from pig manure and evaluated its biological characteristics, and found that its bacterial survival rate was 25% after 4 h of treatment at pH 2, and under the condition of 0·5% bile concentration, its survival rate exceeds 30%. In addition, L. agilis 32 has a cell surface hydrophobicity of 77·8%, and exhibits 67·1% auto-aggregation and 63·2% aggregation with Enterotoxigenic E. coli 10 (ETEC 10). FITC fluorescence labelling showed that the fluorescence intensity of cecum was significantly higher than that of duodenum, jejunum or colon (P < 0·05), but no significant difference from ileum. Lactobacillus agilis 32 bacterial culture and CFS showed average inhibition zone diameters of 14·2 and 15·4 mm respectively. Lactobacillus agilis 32 CFS treatment can significantly reduce the pathogenicity of ETEC 10. These results show that L. agilis 32 is an active and potential probiotic, and it has a good antibacterial effect on ETEC10, which provides basic research for probiotics to prevent and treat intestinal diarrhoea pathogen infection.

[Impact of neoadjuvant therapy on the perioperative complications of pancreatic cancer]

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant digestive tract tumors with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Surgery remains the basis of long-term survival of pancreatic cancer patients. With the progress of chemotherapy, neoadjuvant therapy has been gradually carried out in pancreatic cancer. There are more and more studies on the effects of neoadjuvant therapy on perioperative complications of pancreatic cancer, but the results are not consistent. This article reviews the recent studies on neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer and analyzes the impact of some key factors on perioperative complications.

[Reference ranges for M-mode echocardiographic measurements within seven days after birth in preterm infants]

Objective: To establish reference ranges for M-mode echocardiography in preterm infants within 7 days after birth based on different gestational age (GA) and birth weight. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed M-mode echocardiographic values of 489 premature infants, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Department of Pediatrics, Peking University Third Hospital from March 2017 to February 2020. These infants were divided into four groups according to GA:<28 weeks, 28-31⁺⁶weeks, 32-33⁺⁶weeks and 34-36⁺⁶weeks; and five groups according to birth weight:<1 000 g, 1 000-1 499 g, 1 500-1 999 g, 2 000-2 499 g and ≥2 500 g. The M-mode values among groups were compared by independent sample K-W test, and based on which, the 95% confidence interval (CI) and the Z-value reference ranges were established. Results: The gestational age of these infants was 32.0 (24.0-36.7) weeks, and the birth weight was 1 700 (650-3 180) g. The interventricular septum end-diastolic thickness (IVSd), left ventricular posterior wall end-diastolic thickness (LVPWd), left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVED), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVES), right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and the right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (RVED), were all correlated with GA and birth weight (r = 0.209, 0.216, 0.430, 0.608, 0.495, 0.464, 0.447; r = 0.275, 0.288, 0.445, 0.609, 0.496, 0.499, 0.464;all P<0.01). While the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) had no correlation with GA or birth weight (all P<0.05). Within the first 7 days after birth, the greater the GA and birth weight, the greater the inner diameters of the heart chambers, and the thicker the ventricular wall. The LVEF and LVFS maintained a high and stable level within the first week of life (95%CI: 67%-69%, 34%-36%). Conclusions: According to different GA and birth weight, the reference ranges for chamber diameters, interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular wall thickness within 7 days were established. The 95% CI and Z score ranges for M-mode echocardiographic measurements established based on gestational age and birth weight can provide a reliable reference for preterm infants aged 0-7 days.

Trend change of the transmission route of COVID-19-related symptoms in Japan

OBJECTIVES

The Japanese prime minister declared a state of emergency on April 7 2020 to combat the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This declaration was unique in the sense that it was essentially driven by the voluntary restraint of the residents. We examined the change of the infection route by investigating contact experiences with COVID-19-positive cases.

STUDY DESIGN

This study is a population-level questionnaire-based study using a social networking service (SNS).

METHODS

To assess the impact of the declaration, this study used population-level questionnaire data collected from an SNS with 121,375 respondents (between March 27 and May 5) to assess the change in transmission routes over the study period, which was measured by investigating the association between COVID-19-related symptoms and (self-reported) contact with COVID-19-infected individuals.

RESULTS

The results of this study show that the declaration prevented infections in the workplace, but increased domestic infections as people stayed at home. However, after April 24, workplace infections started to increase again, driven by the increase in community-acquired infections.

CONCLUSIONS

While careful interpretation is necessary because our data are self-reported from voluntary SNS users, these findings indicate the impact of the declaration on the change in transmission routes of COVID-19 over time in Japan.

[Characteristics of methadone maintenance treatment clinic patients and influencing factors for HBsAg positivity based on Bayesian network model]

Objective: To understand the characteristics and explore the influencing factors of HBsAg positivity in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinic patients. Methods: A face to face interview and medical record review were conducted in 1 040 patients at three MMT clinics in Guangxi from September to November in 2014. The questionnaire information included general demographic characteristics, drug use history, MMT status, sexual behaviors, and health status, etc. Blood samples were collected from the patients at the same time for the detections of the level of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV. By using χ(2) test, unconditional logistic regression model and Bayesian network model the influencing factors for HBsAg positivity in MMT clinic patients and the complex network relationship among these factors were explored. Results: A total of 1 031 MMT clinic patients were surveyed, the HBsAg positive rate was 11.35% (117/1 031). The anti-HCV positive rate was 71.77% (740/1 031), among the anti-HCV positive patients, the HBsAg positive rate was 10.27% (76/740). After adjusting for the confounding factors, anti-HBs positive persons might not be HBsAg positive (OR=0.05, 95%CI: 0.03-0.09), and anti-HCV positive persons might not be HBsAg positive too (OR=0.30, 95%CI: 0.17-0.52) compared with anti-HBs negative and anti-HCV negative persons, respectively. The persons with family history of hepatitis B virus infection were more likely to be HBsAg positive compared those with no such family history (OR=5.30, 95%CI: 2.68-10.52). Bayesian network model analysis results showed that family history of hepatitis B virus infection and anti-HBs were directly related with HBsAg positivity. Anti-HCV, intravenous drug use in the past three months and other drug using during treatment were indirectly related with HBsAg positivity. Conclusions: Anti-HBs, family history of hepatitis B virus infection, anti-HCV, intravenous drug use in past three months and other drug use during treatment were related with the HBsAg positivity in MMT clinic patients. So, it is necessary to enhance health education, improve health awareness and decrease high risk behaviors to reduce the rate of HBV infection.

The relationship between fever rate and telework implementation as a social distancing measure against the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

Objectives

On March 28, the Japanese government decided on the “Basic Policies for Novel Coronavirus Disease Control” and called on the public to thoroughly implement social distancing measures (i.e., behavioral restrictions to limit the frequency and intensity of human contact), especially telework.

Methods

We used population-level questionnaire data from a social networking service (SNS), with 275,560 respondents from March 5 to April 6, to evaluate the relationship between telework implementation and the presence of a fever (body temperature higher than 37.5 °C) within 1 month as a surrogate indicator of COVID-19 infection, by occupation type and age-group.

Results

Among company employees, statistical significance was identified in the 15- to 29-year and 30- to 59-year age-groups, showing higher fever rates in the non-teleworker group (for the 15- to 29-year age-group, non-teleworkers: 7.64%; teleworkers: 6.45%; P = 0.02; for the 30- to 59-year age-group, non-teleworkers: 3.46%; teleworkers: 3.14%; P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Telework remains a controversial topic in Japan as the government called for emergency measures. Although caution is warranted in interpreting our findings because our data are limited to the voluntary SNS users, they will be essential to push forward with more measures to promote social distancing measures in the midst of Japan's current tense political climate.

VE-Cadherin and Anastomosis of Blood Vessels Formed by Dental Stem Cells

It is known that dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be induced to differentiate into vasculogenic endothelial (VE) cells. However, the process that results in sprouting and anastomosis of DPSC-derived vessels remains unclear. Here, we performed studies to understand the mechanisms underpinning the anastomosis of the host vasculature with blood vessels generated by DPSCs (a model for mesenchymal stem cells). VE-cadherin-silenced primary human DPSCs seeded in tooth slice/scaffolds and transplanted into the subcutaneous space of immunodeficient mice generated fewer functional blood vessels (i.e., anastomosed with the host vasculature) than control DPSCs transduced with scrambled sequences. Both VE-cadherin-silenced and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1)-silenced cells showed a decrease in the number of capillary sprouts in vitro. Interestingly, DPSC stably transduced with a VE-cadherin reporter demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces VE-cadherin expression in sprouting DPSCs undergoing anastomosis, but not in quiescent DPSCs. To begin to understand the mechanisms regulating VE-cadherin, we stably silenced MEK1 and observed that VEGF was no longer able to induce VE-cadherin expression and capillary sprout formation. Notably ERG, a transcriptional factor downstream from MEK/ERK, binds to the promoter region of VE-cadherin (chip assay) and is induced by VEGF in DPSCs. Collectively, these data defined a signaling pathway triggered by VEGF that results in phosphorylation of MEK1/ERK and activation of ERG leading to expression of VE-cadherin, which is required for anastomosis of DPSC-derived blood vessels. In conclusion, these results unveiled a signaling pathway that enables the generation of functional blood vessels upon vasculogenic differentiation of DPSCs.

Oral Rehabilitation of Patients Sustaining Orofacial Injuries: The UPenn Initiative

Tissue injuries in the oral and maxillofacial structures secondary to trauma, warfare, ablative cancer, and benign tumor surgery result in significant losses of speech, masticatory and swallowing functions, aesthetic deformities, and overall psychological stressors and compromise. Optimal oral rehabilitation remains a formidable challenge and an unmet clinical need due to the influence of multiple factors related to the physiologic limitations of tissue repair, the lack of site and function-specific donor tissues and constructs, and an integrated team of multidisciplinary professionals. The advancements in stem cell biology, biomaterial science, and tissue engineering technologies, particularly the 3-dimensional bioprinting technology, together with digital imaging and computer-aided design and manufacturing technologies, have paved the path for personalized/precision regenerative medicine. At the University of Pennsylvania, we have launched the initiative to integrate multidisciplinary health professionals and translational/clinical scientists in medicine, dentistry, stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine to develop a comprehensive, patient-centered approach for precision and personalized reconstruction, as well as oral rehabilitation of patients sustaining orofacial tissue injuries and defects, especially oral cancer patients.

S100A8/A9 promotes MMP-9 expression in the fibroblasts from cardiac rupture after myocardial infarction by inducing macrophages secreting TNFα

OBJECTIVE

Inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation play a role in cardiac rupture (CR) after myocardial infarction (MI). It has been found that the expression of inflammatory cytokine S100A8/A9 was elevated in acute MI patients, whereas its impact in CR after infarction remains unclear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Samples from cardiac tissue and peripheral blood of patients with CR after MI, MI, patients without CR, and healthy control (cardiotrauma) were collected to test the expressions of S100A8/A9, p-p65, and MMP-9. Co-culture system for HCF cells and macrophages were established to identify the impact of hypoxia-ischemia on the expressions of S100A8/A9 and TNFα. S100A9 and/or TNFα blocking agent were applied to examine the effect on macrophages migration, expressions of S100A8, S100A9, and TNFα. Western blot was adopted to determine levels of p-p65 and MMP-9 protein after the inhibition of S100A9 and/or TNFα.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy control and non-CR patients, serum S100A8/A9 and MMP-9 levels were elevated in cardiac tissues of CR patients, while S100A8/A9, p-p65, and MMP-9 were also overexpressed. Hypoxia-ischemia significantly caused the increasing levels of S100A8/A9 and TNFα in macrophages (p < 0.05). The blockade of S100A9 and/or TNFα suppressed the activation and migration of macrophages. The inhibition of S100A9 expression also decreased the secretion of TNFα in macrophages, while the suppression of TNFα showed no significant impact on S100A8 and S100A9 levels. Downregulation of TNFα or NF-κB markedly declined p-p65 and MMP-9 protein levels in HCF cells from co-culture system or single culture, whereas the blockade of S100A9 only reduced their expressions in co-cultured HCF cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of S100A8/A9 was upregulated in MI patients with CR. S100A8/A9 induced the activation of NF-κB and expression of MMP-9 protein in HCF cells through facilitating secretion of TNFα from macrophages, which may play a role in triggering extracellular matrix degradation and CR.