The complexity of glucose time series is associated with short- and long-term mortality in critically ill adults: a multi-center, prospective, observational study

BACKGROUND

The wealth of data taken from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) remains to be fully used. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between a promising new CGM metric, complexity of glucose time series index (CGI), and mortality in critically ill patients.

METHODS

A total of 293 patients admitted to mixed medical/surgical intensive care units from 5 medical centers in Shanghai were prospectively included between May 2020 and November 2021. CGI was assessed using intermittently scanned CGM, with a median monitoring period of 12.0 days. Outcome measures included short- and long-term mortality.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 1.7 years, a total of 139 (47.4%) deaths were identified, of which 73 (24.9%) occurred within the first 30 days after ICU admission, and 103 (35.2%) within 90 days. The multivariable-adjusted HRs for 30-day mortality across ascending tertiles of CGI were 1.00 (reference), 0.68 (95% CI 0.38-1.22) and 0.36 (95% CI 0.19-0.70), respectively. For per 1-SD increase in CGI, the risk of 30-day mortality was decreased by 51% (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.35-0.69). Further adjustment for HbA1c, mean glucose during hospitalization and glucose variability partially attenuated these associations, although the link between CGI and 30-day mortality remained significant (per 1-SD increase: HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.40-0.83). Similar results were observed when 90-day mortality was considered as the outcome. Furthermore, CGI was also significantly and independently associated with long-term mortality (per 1-SD increase: HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61-0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

In critically ill patients, CGI is significantly associated with short- and long-term mortality.

Effects of V and Gd doping on novel positive colossal electroresistance and quantum transport in PbPdO2 thin films with (002) preferred orientation

In this work, PbPd0.9V0.1O2 and PbPd0.9Gd0.1O2 thin films with (002) preferred orientation were prepared using a pulsed laser deposition technique. The temperature dependence of resistivities ρI(T) was investigated under various applied DC currents. Colossal electroresistance (CER) effects were found in PbPd0.9V0.1O2 and PbPd0.9Gd0.1O2. It was found that the positive CER values of PbPd0.9V0.1O2 and PbPd0.9Gd0.1O2 reach 3816% and 154% for I = 1.00 μA at 10 K, respectively. In addition, the ρI(T) cycle curves of PbPd0.9V0.1O2 and PbPd0.9Gd0.1O2 thin films showed a critical temperature similar to that of PbPdO2 (Tc = 260 K). Particularly, charge transfer between O1- and O2- was confirmed by in situ XPS. Additionally, based on first-principles calculations and internal electric field models, the CER and magnetic sources in PbPd0.9V0.1O2 and PbPd0.9Gd0.1O2 can be well explained. Finally, it was found that thin film samples doped with V and G ions exhibit weak localization (WL) and weak anti-localization (WAL) quantum transport properties. Ion doping leads to a transition from WAL to WL. The study results indicate that PbPdO2, one of the few oxide topological insulators, can exhibit novel quantum transport behavior after ion doping.

Effects of fish-human transmission and different life stages of fish on Clonorchiasis: A novel mathematical model

Clonorchiasis is a zoonotic disease mainly caused by eating raw fish and shrimp, and there is no vaccine to prevent it. More than 30 million people are infected worldwide, of which China alone accounts for about half, and is one of the countries most seriously affected by Clonorchiasis. In this work, we formulate a novel Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) model to discuss the biological attributes of fish within authentic ecosystems and the complex lifecycle of Clonorchis sinensis. This model includes larval fish, adult fish, infected fish, humans, and cercariae. We derive the basic reproduction number and perform a rigorous stability analysis of the proposed model. Numerically, we use data from 2016 to 2021 in Guangxi, China, to discuss outbreaks of Clonorchiasis and obtain the basic reproduction number R0=1.4764. The fitted curve appropriately reflects the overall trend and replicates a low peak in the case number of Clonorchiasis. By reducing the release rate of cercariae in 2018, the fitted values of Clonorchiasis cases dropped rapidly and almost disappeared. If we decrease the transmission rate from infected fish to humans, Clonorchiasis can be controlled. Our studies also suggest that strengthening publicity education and cleaning water quality can effectively control the transmission of Clonorchiasis in Guangxi, China.

[Analysis of compliance with lung protective mechanical ventilation strategy in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome]

Objective: To assess the compliance with a lung protective ventilation strategy and to evaluate the relationship with prognosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods: In the prospective multicenter cohort study (CHARDS), patients with ARDS undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation were enrolled to collect essential information, mechanical ventilation data, and prognostic data. Compliance was operationally defined as tidal volume ≤7 ml/kg predicted body weight (PBW) or plateau pressure ≤30 cmH2O or driving pressure≤15 cmH2O. Tidal volume data collected 7 days prior to ventilation after ARDS diagnosis were categorized into four groups: standard group (Group A, 100% compliance), non-standard group (Group B, 50%-99% compliance, Group C,1%-49% compliance,and Group D,totally non-compliant). Plateau pressure and drive pressure measurements were recorded on the first day. Stepwise regression, specifically Logistics regression, was used to identify the factors influencing ICU survival. Results: A total of 449 ARDS patients with invasive mechanical ventilation were included; the proportion of mild, moderate, and severe patients was 71 (15.8%), 198 (44.1%) and 180 (40.1%), respectively. During the first 7 days, a total of 2880 tidal volume measurements were recorded with an average tidal volume of (6.89±1.93) ml/kg PBW. Of these measurements, 53.2% were found to be≤7 ml/kg PBW. The rates of compliance with lung protective mechanical ventilation were 29.8% (134/449), 24.5% (110/449), 23.6% (106/449), and 22% (99/449) in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. In the standard group, the tidal volume for mild ARDS patients was 18.3%(13/71), while it was 81.7%(58/71)in the non-standard group. Similarly, in patients with moderate ARDS, the tidal volume was 25.8% (51/198) in the standard group, while it was 74.2% (147/198) in the non-standard group. Finally, in patients with severe ARDS, the tidal volume was 38.9% (70/180) in the standard group, while it was 61.1% (110/180) in the non-standard group. Notably, the compliance rate was higher in patients with moderate and severe ARDS in group A compared to patients with mild and moderate ARDS (18.3% vs. 25.8% vs. 38.9%, χ2=13.124, P=0.001). Plateau pressure was recorded in 221 patients, 95.9% (212/221) patients with plateau pressure≤30 cmH2O, and driving pressure was recorded in 207 patients, 77.8% (161/207) patients with a driving pressure ≤15 cmH2O.During the first 7 days, the mortality rate in the intensive care unit (ICU) was lower in the tidal volume standard group compared to the non-standard group (34.6% vs. 51.3%, χ2=10.464, P=0.001). In addition, the in-hospital mortality rate was lower in the standard group compared to the non-standard group (39.8% vs. 57%, χ2=11.016, P=0.001).The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the mortality rates of moderate and severe ARDS patients in the standard group were significantly lower than those in the non-standard group, both in the ICU and in the hospital (all P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality among mild ARDS patients (all P>0.05). Conclusions: There was high compliance with recommended lung protective mechanical ventilation strategies in ARDS patients, with slightly lower compliance in patients with mild ARDS, and high compliance rates for plateau and drive pressures. The tidal volume full compliance group had a lower mortality than the non-compliance group, and showed a similar trend in the moderate-to-severe ARDS subgroup, but there was no significant correlation between compliance and prognosis in patients with mild ARDS subgroup.

Neonicotinoid insecticides and metabolites levels in neonatal first urine from southern China: Exploring links to preterm birth

Neonicotinoids (NEOs) have indeed become the most widely used insecticides worldwide. Concerns have been raised about their potential impact on newborns due to maternal exposure and their unique neurotoxic mode of action. However, it is still poorly understood whether in utero exposure of pregnant women to environmental NEOs and their metabolites can cause carryover effects on vulnerable newborns and subsequent health consequences. In this study, we determined the concentrations of 13 NEOs and their metabolites in the first urine collected from 92 newborns, both preterm and full-term, in southern China during 2020 and 2021. NEOs and their metabolites were identified in 91 urine samples, with over 93% of samples containing a cocktail of these compounds, confirming their maternal-fetal transfer. N-desmethyl-acetamiprid, imidaclothiz, clothianidin and flonicamid were the most commonly detected analytes, with detection frequencies of 59-87% and medians of 0.024-0.291 ng/mL in the urine. The relative abundance of imidaclothiz was significantly higher in preterm newborns, those with head circumferences below 33 cm, birth lengths less than 47 cm, and weights below 2500 g (p < 0.05). When comparing newborns in the 2nd quartile of imidaclothiz concentrations with those in the 1st quartile, we observed a significant increase in the odds of preterm outcomes in the unadjusted model (odds ratio = 3.24, 95% confidence interval = 1.02-10.3). These results suggest that exposure to elevated concentrations of imidaclothiz may be associated with preterm birth.

Claudin 18.2 expression in digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms: a clinicopathological study

BACKGROUND

Claudin 18.2-targeted therapy has shown significant efficacy in treating claudin 18.2-positive cancers. However, limited systematic studies have investigated characteristics of claudin 18.2 expression in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs).

METHODS

Data and specimens from 403 cases of digestive NENs were retrospectively collected, and claudin 18.2 expression was detected using immunochemical staining.

RESULTS

Claudin 18.2 was positive in 19.6% (79/403) of the digestive NENs. The highest positive rate of claudin 18.2 was observed in gastric NENs (72/259, 27.8%), accounting for 91.1% (72/79) of all positive cases. The positivity rate was significantly higher in gastric NENs compared to pancreatic (2/78, 2.6%) or colorectal NENs (2/38, 5.3%; p < 0.05). For digestive NENs, claudin 18.2 positivity was significantly higher in neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) (37/144, 25.7%) than in neuroendocrine tumours (NETs; 14/160, 8.8%; p < 0.001), but no significant difference was found between gastric NECs (59/213, 27.7%) and gastric NETs (13/46, 28.3%; p > 0.05). The positivity was significantly higher in large-cell NECs (LCNECs; 28/79, 35.4%) and MiNEN (mixed neuroendocrine-non- neuroendocrine neoplasms)-LCNECs (23/66, 34.8%) compared to small-cell NECs (SCNECs; 9/65, 13.8%) and MiNEN-SCNECs (5/33, 15.2%; p < 0.05). Claudin 18.2 expression was more prevalent in gastric NENs than in pancreatic (12.5 ×; p = 0.001) and colorectal NENs (5.9 ×; p = 0.021). Claudin 18.2 staining was a useful method for identify the gastric origins of NETs, with a sensitivity of 28.3% and a specificity of 99.1%.

CONCLUSION

The expression characteristics of claudin 18.2 in NENs were characterized, which may provide a clinicopathological reference for targeted therapies in patients with NENs.

PINK1/Park2-Mediated Mitophagy Relieve Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Up to now, there's a limited number of studies on the relationship between PINK1/Park2 pathway and mitophagy in NAFLD. To investigate the effect of Park2-mediated mitophagy on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Oleic acid was used for the establishment of NAFLD model. Oil red-dyed lipid drops and mitochondrial alternations were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Enzymatic kit was used to test lipid content. The levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha were determined by ELISA. Lenti-Park2 and Park2-siRNA were designed to upregulate and downregulate Park2 expression, respectively. The changing expression of PINK and Park2 was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Immunofluorescence staining was applied to measure the amount of LC3. Successful NAFLD modeling was featured by enhanced lipid accumulation, as well as the elevated total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), TNF-alpha and IL-8 levels. Mitochondria in NAFLD model were morphologically and functionally damaged. Park2 expression was upregulated by lenti-Park2 and downregulated through Park2-siRNA. The PINK1 expression showed the same trend as Park2 expression. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that the when Park2 was overexpressed, more LC3 protein on mitochondrial autophagosome membrane was detected, whereas Park2 knockdown impeded LC3' locating on the membrane. The transmission electron microscopy image exhibited that the extent of damage to the mitochondrial in NAFLD model was revered by enhanced Park2 expression but further exacerbated by reduced Park2 expression. Park2-mediated mitophagy could relive NAFLD and may be a novel therapeutic target for NAFLD treatment. Keywords: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Mitophagy, PINK1/Park2, Park2, PINK1.

Application of higher-order theories on the propagation of bulk waves in bio-composite plates lying on Kerr substrate

Because of the critical usage of biomedical applications, their constitutive materials must possess specific properties to satisfy the environmental conditions. Consequently, the selection of the best materials is one of the most important subjects in the manufacturing industry. Bio-composites are outstanding alternatives to customary biomaterials in biomedical applications owing to their supreme material properties. On the other hand, mechanical analyses including static and dynamic analyses of bio-systems should be carried out to optimize the designed biomedical applications like medical implants. Thus, wave dispersion analysis of functionally graded (FG) bio-composite plate could serve for design goals of biomedical structures. In this investigation, the influence of various higher-order shear deformation theories of the plate on the dispersion of bulk waves in FG bio-composite plate lying on Kerr foundation has been explored for the first time. The constituent materials of FG structure are gold alloy as metal phase and hydroxyapatite as ceramic phase. In order to compute the effective properties of the studied structure, the upper Hashin-Shtrikman homogenization scheme has been implemented. Higher-order theories and Hamilton's principle have been applied to derive the governing equations and the obtained equations are analytically solved via a harmonic function. Eventually, the sensitivity of various important parameters has been surveyed and discussed comprehensively. The obtained outcomes have been indicated in detail.

Small extracellular vesicles facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps via the miR-375-3p/QKI axis

BACKGROUND

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, the involvement of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in EMT and their contributions to CRSwNP has not been extensively investigated.

METHODS

SEVs were isolated from nasal mucosa through ultracentrifugation. MicroRNA sequencing and reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction were employed to analyze the differential expression of microRNAs carried by sEVs. Human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) were used to assess the EMT-inducing effect of sEVs/microRNAs. EMT-associated markers were detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine the target gene of miR-375-3p. MicroRNA mimic, lentiviral, and plasmid transduction were used for functional experiments.

RESULTS

In line with the greater EMT status in eosinophilic CRSwNP (ENP), sEVs derived from ENP (ENP-sEVs) could induce EMT in hNECs. MiR-375-3p was elevated in ENP-sEVs compared to that in control and nonENP. MiR-375- 3p carried by ENP-sEVs facilitated EMT by directly targeting KH domain containing RNA binding (QKI) at seed sequences of 913-919, 1025-1033, and 2438-2444 in 3'-untranslated region. Inhibition of QKI by miR-375-3p overexpression promoted EMT, which could be reversed by restoration of QKI. Furthermore, the abundance of miR-375-3p in sEVs was closely correlated with the clinical symptom score and disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-375-3p-enriched sEVs facilitated EMT by suppressing QKI in hNECs. The association of miR-375-3p with disease severity underscores its potential as both a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for the innovative management of CRSwNP.

Rev-erbα attenuates refractory periapical periodontitis via M1 polarization: An in vitro and in vivo study

AIM

Rev-erbα has been reported to regulate the healing of inflammatory lesions through its effect on the immune system in a variety of inflammatory disease. Moreover, the balance of macrophages polarization plays a crucial role in immune response and inflammatory progression. However, in refractory periapical periodontitis (RAP), the role of Rev-erbα in inflammatory response and bone resorption by regulating macrophage polarization remains unclarified. The aims of the present study were to investigate the expression of Rev-erbα in experimental RAP and to explore the relationship between Rev-erbα and macrophage polarization through the application of its pharmacological agonist SR9009 into the in vivo and in vitro experiments.

METHODOLOGY

Enterococcus faecalis-induced RAP models were established in SD rats. Histological staining and micro-computed tomography scanning were used to evaluate osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone resorption. The expression of Rev-erbα and macrophage polarization were detected in the periapical tissues from rats by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and western blots. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to explore the relationship between Rev-erbα and inflammatory cytokines related to macrophage polarization.

RESULT

Compared to healthy periapical tissue, the expression of Rev-erbα was significantly down-regulated in macrophages from inflammatory periapical area, especially in Enterococcus faecalis-induced periapical lesions, with obvious type-1 macrophage (M1)-like dominance and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, Rev-erbα activation by SR9009 could induce type-2 macrophage (M2)-like polarization in periapical tissue and THP1 cell line, followed by increased secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. Furthermore, intracanal application of SR9009 reduced the lesion size and promoted the repair of RAP by decreasing the number of osteoclasts and enhancing the formation of mineralized tissue in periapical inflammatory lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Rev-erbα played an essential role in the pathogenesis of RAP through its effect on macrophage polarization. Targeting Rev-erbα might be a promising and prospective therapy method for the prevention and management of RAP.

Laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) with fascial repair (IPOM-plus) for ventral and incisional hernia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Despite advancements in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) using the intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique (sIPOM), recurrence remains a common postoperative complication. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the efficacy of defect closure (IPOM-plus) versus non-closure in ventral and incisional hernia repair. The aim is to determine which technique yields better outcomes in terms of reducing recurrence and complication rates.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from their inception until October 1, 2022, to identify all online English publications that compared the outcomes of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with and without fascia closure.

RESULTS

Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and eleven cohort studies involving 1585 patients met the inclusion criteria. The IPOM-plus technique was found to reduce the recurrence of hernias (OR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.35, 0.76], p < 0.01), seroma (OR = 0.48, 95% CI [0.32, 0.71], p < 0.01), and mesh bulging (OR = 0.08, 95% CI [0.01, 0.42], p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis revealed that body mass index (BMI) (OR = 0.43, 95% CI [0.29, 0.65], p < 0.0001), type of article (OR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.35, 0.76], p = 0.0008 < 0.01), geographical location (OR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.36, 0.82], p = 0.004 < 0.01), follow-up time (OR = 0.50, 95% CI [0.34, 0.73], p = 0.0004 < 0.01) had a significant influence on the postoperative recurrence of the IPOM-plus technique.

CONCLUSION

The IPOM-plus technique has been shown to greatly reduce the occurrence of recurrence, seroma, and mesh bulging. Overall, the IPOM-plus technique is considered a safe and effective procedure. However, additional randomized controlled studies with extended follow-up periods are necessary to further evaluate the IPOM-plus technique.

Contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomics differentiate anterior mediastinum lymphoma from thymoma without myasthenia gravis and calcification

AIM

To explore the value of a radiomics model based on enhanced computed tomography (CT) in differentiating anterior mediastinal lymphoma (AML) and thymoma without myasthenia gravis (MG) and calcification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study analysed patients who were diagnosed histologically with AML and thymoma in three independent institutions. All pre-treatment patients underwent enhanced CT. In the training group of patients from institutions 1 (the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University) and 3 (the Yunnan Cancer Hospital), two radiologists independently analysed the enhanced CT images and performed manual segmentation of each tumour. Radiomics features were screened using interobserver interclass coefficient (ICC) analysis, feature correlation analysis, and L1 regularisation. The discriminative efficacy of the logistic regression model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Validation group of patients from institution 2 (the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine) was used to validate the proposed models.

RESULTS

A total of 114 patients were enrolled in this study and 1,743 radiomics features were extracted from the enhanced CT images. After feature screening, the remaining 37 robust radiomics features were used to construct the model. In the training group, the AUC of the model was 0.987 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.976-0.999), the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.912, 0.946, and 0.924, respectively. In the validation group, the AUC of the model was 0.798 (95% CI: 0.683-0.913), the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.760, 0.700, and 0.743, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The radiomics model created provided effective information to assist in the selection of clinical strategies, thus reducing unnecessary procedures in patients with AML and guiding direct surgery in patients with thymoma to avoid biopsy.

Boric acids decorated polymers with Au nanoparticle anchor assisted laser desorption/ionization for qualitive and quantitative analysis of hydroxytyrosol in red wines

Hydroxytyrosol possesses a variety of biological and pharmacological activities that are beneficial to human health. However, the methodologies for its detection always suffered from problems. In this work, the gold nanoparticle modified polymer decorated with boric acids (pMBA/VPBA@Au) was synthesized and used both as the adsorbent and matrix to enrich and ionize small molecule substances through surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS). The pMBA/VPBA@Au displayed a low detection limit (8 × 10-6 M) and high selectivity (1:100) for the enrichment of hydroxytyrosol, and the linear correlation curve between the concentration of hydroxytyrosol and the intensity of MS had a good correlation (10-4-10-2 M, R2 = 0.997). Additionally, the pMBA/VPBA@Au was used to quantify hydroxytyrosol in red wines, and the contents were 0.053-0.094 μg/mL. In general, a simple and novel method for the detection of hydroxytyrosol by SALDI-MS using boric acid functionalized polymer was developed for the first time, showing a good practical application value.

Study of High-Transverse-Momentum Higgs Boson Production in Association with a Vector Boson in the qqbb Final State with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the first study of Higgs boson production in association with a vector boson (V=W or Z) in the fully hadronic qqbb final state using data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137  fb^{-1}. The vector bosons and Higgs bosons are each reconstructed as large-radius jets and tagged using jet substructure techniques. Dedicated tagging algorithms exploiting b-tagging properties are used to identify jets consistent with Higgs bosons decaying into bb[over ¯]. Dominant backgrounds from multijet production are determined directly from the data, and a likelihood fit to the jet mass distribution of Higgs boson candidates is used to extract the number of signal events. The VH production cross section is measured inclusively and differentially in several ranges of Higgs boson transverse momentum: 250-450, 450-650, and greater than 650 GeV. The inclusive signal yield relative to the standard model expectation is observed to be μ=1.4_{-0.9}^{+1.0} and the corresponding cross section is 3.1±1.3(stat)_{-1.4}^{+1.8}(syst)  pb.

Nanobubble-actuated ultrasound neuromodulation for selectively shaping behavior in mice

Ultrasound is an acoustic wave which can noninvasively penetrate the skull to deep brain regions, enabling neuromodulation. However, conventional ultrasound's spatial resolution is diffraction-limited and low-precision. Here, we report acoustic nanobubble-mediated ultrasound stimulation capable of localizing ultrasound's effects to only the desired brain region in male mice. By varying the delivery site of nanobubbles, ultrasound could activate specific regions of the mouse motor cortex, evoking EMG signaling and limb movement, and could also, separately, activate one of two nearby deep brain regions to elicit distinct behaviors (freezing or rotation). Sonicated neurons displayed reversible, low-latency calcium responses and increased c-Fos expression in the sub-millimeter-scale region with nanobubbles present. Ultrasound stimulation of the relevant region also modified depression-like behavior in a mouse model. We also provide evidence of a role for mechanosensitive ion channels. Altogether, our treatment scheme allows spatially-targetable, repeatable and temporally-precise activation of deep brain circuits for neuromodulation without needing genetic modification.

Disrupted sleep-wake regulation in the MCI-Park mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Disrupted sleep has a profound adverse impact on lives of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and their caregivers. Sleep disturbances are exceedingly common in PD, with substantial heterogeneity in type, timing, and severity. Among the most common sleep-related symptoms reported by PD patients are insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleep fragmentation, characterized by interruptions and decreased continuity of sleep. Alterations in brain wave activity, as measured on the electroencephalogram (EEG), also occur in PD, with changes in the pattern and relative contributions of different frequency bands of the EEG spectrum to overall EEG activity in different vigilance states consistently observed. The mechanisms underlying these PD-associated sleep-wake abnormalities are poorly understood, and they are ineffectively treated by conventional PD therapies. To help fill this gap in knowledge, a new progressive model of PD - the MCI-Park mouse - was studied. Near the transition to the parkinsonian state, these mice exhibited significantly altered sleep-wake regulation, including increased wakefulness, decreased non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, increased sleep fragmentation, reduced rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and altered EEG activity patterns. These sleep-wake abnormalities resemble those identified in PD patients. Thus, this model may help elucidate the circuit mechanisms underlying sleep disruption in PD and identify targets for novel therapeutic approaches.

[Analysis of the therapeutic efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy without intraocular tamponade in the treatment of high myopic eyes with myopic foveoschisis and central foveal detachment]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) without intraocular tamponade in the treatment of high myopic eyes with myopic foveoschisis (MF) accompanied by foveal detachment (FD). Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted. The medical records of patients diagnosed with unilateral MF accompanied by FD at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University between May 2018 and December 2021 were collected. All patients underwent 23-gauge PPV with posterior vitreous cortex clearance, and no intraocular tamponade was applied. The cases were divided into groups based on whether the internal limiting membrane was peeled during surgery or retained. Follow-up was conducted for at least 12 months. The main outcome measures included postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), central foveal thickness (CFT), MF resolution, and complications. Statistical analyses were performed using t-tests, chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, and univariate and multivariate linear regression. Results: A total of 40 patients (40 eyes) with MF and FD were included in the study, with 30.0% being male and 70.0% female. The mean age was (56.9±11.7) years, and the axial length of the eyes was (29.1±1.9) mm. At 12 months postoperatively, BCVA improved from baseline 1.15±0.58 to 0.73±0.39 (t=6.11, P<0.001), and CFT decreased from baseline (610.1±207.2) μm to (155.9±104.1) μm (t=13.47, P<0.001). Complete resolution of MF with foveal reattachment was observed in 80.0% of eyes, with a median time of 6 (5, 8) months. There was no significant difference in BCVA and CFT between the internal limiting membrane peeled group and retained group [0.68±0.39 vs. 0.79±0.40, t=0.85, P=0.403; (148.3±63.8)vs.(164.3±137.2)um,t=0.48, P=0.634]. One eye experienced macular hole and another eye developed retinal detachment postoperatively. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between BCVA at 12 months postoperatively and baseline BCVA (β=0.433, P<0.001). Conclusions: Pars plana vitrectomy without intraocular tamponade is effective in treating MF accompanied by FD. The choice between internal limiting membrane peeling and retention does not significantly affect visual prognosis.

Measurement of the Centrality Dependence of the Dijet Yield in p+Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

ATLAS measured the centrality dependence of the dijet yield using 165  nb^{-1} of p+Pb data collected at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV in 2016. The event centrality, which reflects the p+Pb impact parameter, is characterized by the total transverse energy registered in the Pb-going side of the forward calorimeter. The central-to-peripheral ratio of the scaled dijet yields, R_{CP}, is evaluated, and the results are presented as a function of variables that reflect the kinematics of the initial hard parton scattering process. The R_{CP} shows a scaling with the Bjorken x of the parton originating from the proton, x_{p}, while no such trend is observed as a function of x_{Pb}. This analysis provides unique input to understanding the role of small proton spatial configurations in p+Pb collisions by covering parton momentum fractions from the valence region down to x_{p}∼10^{-3} and x_{Pb}∼4×10^{-4}.

Comparison of conventional and endoscope-assisted partial clretain-->superficial parotidectomy for benign neoplasms of the parotid gland: a matched case-control study

Long-term tumour recurrence rates and complications of endoscope-assisted partial superficial parotidectomy (PSP) are rarely reported compared to traditional open approaches. This retrospective study included 306 patients with superficial parotid benign neoplasms who were divided into an endoscopy group (endoscope-assisted PSP, n = 102) and a control group (conventional PSP, n = 204). There were no significant differences in clinical and pathological characteristics between the two groups, except age (P = 0.001). Three patients had confirmed recurrence during a mean follow-up duration of 125.1 months. Ten (9.8%) patients in the endoscopy group and 22 (10.8%) in the control group developed transient facial nerve palsy (P = 0.792), and recovered 6 months after the operation. Nine (8.8%) and 19 (9.3%) patients, respectively, suffered from Frey syndrome (P = 0.889). A sensory deficit of the auricle occurred in 24 (23.5%) and 57 (27.9%) patients respectively (P = 0.410). Patients in the endoscopy group were more satisfied with the postoperative scar than those in the control group (P < 0.001). This study demonstrated that the endoscope-assisted PSP can be curative, with better cosmetic outcomes than the conventional approach, and does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications or the local recurrence rate.

Distinguishment between high-grade gliomas and solitary brain metastases in peritumoural oedema: quantitative analysis using synthetic MRI at 3 T

AIM

To investigate the efficacy of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in distinguishing high-grade gliomas (HGGs) from solitary brain metastases (SBMs) in peritumoural oedema.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-five patients with HGGs and 25 patients with SBMs were recruited and scanned using synthetic MRI using a 3 T scanner. Two radiologists measured synthetic MRI-derived relaxation values independently (T1, T2, proton density [PD]) in the peritumoural oedema, which was used to generate quantitative metrics before (T1native, T2native, and PDnative) and after (T1post, T2post, and PDpost) contrast agent injection. Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U-test was performed to detect statistically significant differences in the aforementioned metrics in peritumoural oedema between HGGs and SBMs. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the efficacy of each metric in distinguishing the two groups, and the areas under the curves (AUCs) were compared pairwise by performing the Delong test.

RESULTS

The mean T1native, T2native, and T1post values in the peritumoural oedema of HGGs were significantly lower compared with SBMs (all p<0.05). The T1post value had a higher AUC (0.843) in differentiating HGGs and SBMs than all other individual metrics (all p<0.05). The combined T1native, T2native, and T1post model had the best distinguishing performance with an AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.987, 94.3%, and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Synthetic MRI may be a potential supplement to the preoperative diagnosis of HGGs and SBMs in clinical practice, as the synthetic MRI-derived tri-parametric model in the peritumoural oedema showed significantly improved diagnostic performance in distinguishing HGGs from SBMs.

Imaging the Meissner effect in hydride superconductors using quantum sensors

By directly altering microscopic interactions, pressure provides a powerful tuning knob for the exploration of condensed phases and geophysical phenomena1. The megabar regime represents an interesting frontier, in which recent discoveries include high-temperature superconductors, as well as structural and valence phase transitions2-6. However, at such high pressures, many conventional measurement techniques fail. Here we demonstrate the ability to perform local magnetometry inside a diamond anvil cell with sub-micron spatial resolution at megabar pressures. Our approach uses a shallow layer of nitrogen-vacancy colour centres implanted directly within the anvil7-9; crucially, we choose a crystal cut compatible with the intrinsic symmetries of the nitrogen-vacancy centre to enable functionality at megabar pressures. We apply our technique to characterize a recently discovered hydride superconductor, CeH9 (ref. 10). By performing simultaneous magnetometry and electrical transport measurements, we observe the dual signatures of superconductivity: diamagnetism characteristic of the Meissner effect and a sharp drop of the resistance to near zero. By locally mapping both the diamagnetic response and flux trapping, we directly image the geometry of superconducting regions, showing marked inhomogeneities at the micron scale. Our work brings quantum sensing to the megabar frontier and enables the closed-loop optimization of superhydride materials synthesis.

Potential osteoporosis-blocker Sparassis crispa polysaccharide: Isolation, purification and structure elucidation

This study aimed to investigate the structural characterization of water-soluble polysaccharides from Sparassis crispa and their effects on the proliferation and differentiation of mouse osteoblasts. Three fractions (F-1, F-2, and F-3) were obtained from crude polysaccharides by a DEAE-52 cellulose column. The main fraction (F-1) was further purified by polysaccharide gel purification systems to obtain purified water-soluble Sparassis crispa polysaccharide (SCPS). The chemical structure of SCPS was analyzed by gas chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The monosaccharide compositional analysis revealed that SCPS consisted of fucose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose, mannose, ribose, galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid, and mannuronic acid in a molar ratio of 17.37:1.94:25.52:30.83:1.14:0.30:4.98:2.87:2.65. Moreover, the backbone of SCPS was composed of →3)-β-d-Glcp-(1→4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→, with side chains attached to the backbone at the O-6 positions through the →3,6)-β-d-Glcp-(1→ linkage. The in vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of SCPS on the proliferation and differentiation of mouse osteoblasts. The results showed that SCPS significantly enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of mouse osteoblasts, indicating their potential as a pharmaceutical agent for promoting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.

Altered brain iron deposition in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy: an MRI quantitative susceptibility mapping study

AIM

To explore the use of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in assessing changes in brain iron deposits and their association with cognitive function in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study cohort comprised 27 cases with hepatitis B-associated cirrhosis with MHE (MHE group), 25 with hepatitis B-associated cirrhosis without MHE (NMHE group), and 25 healthy controls (HC group). Iron deposits in the bilateral frontal white matter, caudate nucleus (CN), putamen, globus pallidus, thalamus, red nucleus, substantia nigra (SN), hippocampus, and dentate nucleus were measured by QSM. The associations between iron deposition with the time taken to complete number connection tests A (NCT-A) and the score on digital-symbol test (DST) were analysed.

RESULTS

Susceptibility values differed significantly in the bilateral CN, left thalamus, right SN, and left hippocampus in the MHE group compared with the other groups and were positively associated with the times taken to complete the NCT-A in the bilateral CN, left thalamus, and right SN and negatively associated with DST scores in the bilateral CN, left TH, and left HP.

CONCLUSION

Reduced cognitive function in MHE patients was significantly associated with abnormally increased iron deposition in certain brain areas. The quantification of brain iron deposition by QSM may thus be an objective and accurate means of evaluating MHE.

Body mass index's effect on CRSwNP extends to pathological endotype and recurrence

BACKGROUND

Elevated body mass index (BMI) has been recognized as an important contributor to corticosteroid insensitivity in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). We aimed to delineate the effects of elevated BMI on immunological endotype and recurrence in CRSwNP individuals.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 325 patients with CRSwNP undergoing FESS were recruited and stratified by BMI. H&E staining was employed for histological evaluation. Characteristics of inflammatory patterns were identified by immunohistochemical staining. The predictive factors for recurrence were determined and evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves across all subjects and by weight group.

RESULTS

In all patients with CRSwNP, 26.15% subjects were classified as overweight/obese group across BMI categories and exhibited a higher symptom burden. The upregulated eosinophil/neutrophil-dominant cellular endotype and amplified type 2/ type 3 coexisting inflammation was present in overweight/obese compared to underweight/normal weight controls. Additionally, a higher recurrent proportion was shown in overweight/obese patients than that in underweight/normal weight cohorts. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified BMI as an independent predictor for recurrence. The predictive capacity of each conventional parameter (tissue eosinophil and CLCs count, and blood eosinophil percentage) alone or in combination was poor in overweight/obese subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Overweight/obese CRSwNP stands for a unique phenotype and endotype. Conventional parameters predicting recurrence are compromised in overweight/obese CRSwNP, and there is an urgent need for novel biomarkers that predict recurrence for these patients.

Observation of Cabibbo-Suppressed Two-Body Hadronic Decays and Precision Mass Measurement of the Ω_{c}^{0} Baryon

The first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+} and Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} decays is reported, using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector between 2016 and 2018. The branching fraction ratios are measured to be B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[6.08±0.51(stat)±0.40(syst)]%,B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[15.81±0.87(stat)±0.44(syst)±0.16(ext)]%. In addition, using the Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+} decay channel, the Ω_{c}^{0} baryon mass is measured to be M(Ω_{c}^{0})=2695.28±0.07(stat)±0.27(syst)±0.30(ext)  MeV, improving the precision of the previous world average by a factor of 4.

Search for New Phenomena in Two-Body Invariant Mass Distributions Using Unsupervised Machine Learning for Anomaly Detection at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

Searches for new resonances are performed using an unsupervised anomaly-detection technique. Events with at least one electron or muon are selected from 140  fb^{-1} of pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded by ATLAS at the Large Hadron Collider. The approach involves training an autoencoder on data, and subsequently defining anomalous regions based on the reconstruction loss of the decoder. Studies focus on nine invariant mass spectra that contain pairs of objects consisting of one light jet or b jet and either one lepton (e,μ), photon, or second light jet or b jet in the anomalous regions. No significant deviations from the background hypotheses are observed. Limits on contributions from generic Gaussian signals with various widths of the resonance mass are obtained for nine invariant masses in the anomalous regions.

Improved Measurement of CP Violation Parameters in B_{s}^{0}→J/ψK^{+}K^{-} Decays in the Vicinity of the ϕ(1020) Resonance

The decay-time-dependent CP asymmetry in B_{s}^{0}→J/ψ(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K^{+}K^{-} decays is measured using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. Using a sample of approximately 349 000 B_{s}^{0} signal decays with an invariant K^{+}K^{-} mass in the vicinity of the ϕ(1020) resonance, the CP-violating phase ϕ_{s} is measured, along with the difference in decay widths of the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the B_{s}^{0}-B[over ¯]_{s}^{0} system, ΔΓ_{s}, and the difference of the average B_{s}^{0} and B^{0} meson decay widths, Γ_{s}-Γ_{d}. The values obtained are ϕ_{s}=-0.039±0.022±0.006  rad, ΔΓ_{s}=0.0845±0.0044±0.0024  ps^{-1}, and Γ_{s}-Γ_{d}=-0.0056_{-0.0015}^{+0.0013}±0.0014  ps^{-1}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. These are the most precise single measurements to date and are consistent with expectations based on the Standard Model and with the previous LHCb analyses of this decay. These results are combined with previous independent LHCb measurements. The phase ϕ_{s} is also measured independently for each polarization state of the K^{+}K^{-} system and shows no evidence for polarization dependence.

Brachytherapy for high grade prostate cancer induces distinct changes in circulating CD4 and CD8 T cells - Implications for systemic control

This exploratory study is a follow up to our previous investigation of immune response in the circulation of high-grade Gleason 9 prostate cancer patients treated with EBRT + BT compared to EBRT alone. Notably, EBRT + BT demonstrates the potential to elicit an effect on CD4/CD8 ratio which may have attributed to improved clinical response to therapy. Our findings show promise for leveraging circulating immune cells as predictive biomarkers for radiotherapy response.

Peritumoural MRI radiomics signature of brain metastases can predict epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma

AIM

To investigate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics features of brain metastases (BMs) can predict epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between June 2014 and December 2022, 58 histopathologically confirmed lung adenocarcinoma patients (27 with EGFR wild-type, 31 with EGFR mutation) who underwent gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced brain MRI were recruited retrospectively. A total of 123 metastatic brain lesions were allocated randomly into the training cohort (n=86) and test cohort (n=37) at a ratio of 7:3. Radiomics models based on multi-sequence MRI images in different regions such as volume of interest (VOI)enhancing tumour, VOIwholetumour, VOIperitumour 1mm, VOIperitumour 3mm, and VOIperitumour 5mm were built. The optimal radiomics model was integrated into the clinical or radiological indicators to construct a fusion model through multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The optimal radiomics model based on the VOIperitumour 1mm, a combination of nine features selected from the fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence, yielded areas under the curves (AUCs) of >0.75 in the training and test cohorts. The prediction of the fusion model with integration of clinical factors (age) and radiomics score (the optimal radiomics model) was not better than that of the optimal radiomics model alone in the test cohort (AUC: 0.808 and 0.785, respectively, p=0.525).

CONCLUSION

The FLAIR radiomics model based on VOIperitumour 1mm as an effective biomarker helps predict EGFR mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma patients with BMs and then assists clinicians in selecting optimal treatment strategies.

Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy by activating mitophagy

OBJECTIVES

Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2), a novel adipokine that used to be considered an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt pathway, may play a protective role in metabolic disorders. However, its effect on diabetic cardiomyopathy was still unclear. Accumulating evidence indicates that mitophagy can protect cardiac function in the diabetic heart. The present study aimed to explore the roles of SFRP2 on diabetic cardiomyopathy, focusing on the effects and mechanisms for regulating mitophagy.

METHODS

Wild-type H9c2 cells, Sfrp2 overexpression and knockdown H9c2 cells were exposed to a glucolipotoxic milieu. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell viability, apoptosis, mitophagy and lysosomal activity were detected. The interaction of SFRP2 with frizzled 5 (FZD5), and its effect on expression and intracellular localization of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and β-catenin were also explored. Diabetic rats and Sfrp2 overexpression diabetic rats were constructed to further document the findings from the in vitro study.

RESULTS

The expression of SFRP2 was low and mitophagy was inhibited in H9c2 cells in a glucolipotoxic milieu. Sfrp2 overexpression activated mitophagy and reduced H9c2 cells injury, whereas Sfrp2 deficiency inhibited mitophagy and worsened this injury. Consistent with the in vitro findings, Sfrp2 overexpression ameliorated the impairment in cardiac function of diabetic rats by activating mitophagy. Sfrp2 overexpression upregulated the expression of calcineurin and TFEB, but did not affect β-catenin in vitro and in vivo. The calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus can inhibit mitophagy and worsen cell injury in Sfrp2 overexpression H9c2 cells. Furthermore, we found that FZD5 is required for the SFRP2-induced activation of the calcineurin/TFEB pathway and interacts with SFRP2 in H9c2 cells. Transfection with small interfering RNA targeting FZD5 opposed the effects of Sfrp2 overexpression on mitophagy and cell survival in a glucolipotoxic environment.

CONCLUSIONS

SFRP2 can protect the diabetic heart by interacting with FZD5 and activating the calcineurin/TFEB pathway to upregulate mitophagy in H9c2 cells.

The triglyceride glucose index predicts short-term mortality in non-diabetic patients with acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride glucose index (TyG) has previously been considered a reliable indicator of insulin resistance (IR) and an independent prognostic predictor in heart failure (HF).

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the association between the TyG and short-term death in non-diabetic patients admitted for acute heart failure (AHF).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We examined 886 out of 1620 consecutive AHF patients who were admitted to Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan, China, from June 1, 2014, to June 1, 2022. The median of the patientsf TyG values was used to divide them into 2 groups. The following formula was used to calculate the TyG: ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) ~ fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. The data on all-cause mortality of AHF patients during their hospital stay were collected. The 30-day Enhanced Feedback for Effective Cardiac Treatment (EFFECT) death risk score was used to assess the risk of death.

RESULTS

The TyG level was positively correlated with a poor AHF prognostic marker (N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)) (Ď = 0.207, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with a protective marker (serum albumin) (Ď = .0.43, p < 0.001). Higher TyG values were associated with an elevated EFFECT score and hospital mortality (p < 0.001). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, higher TyG levels raised the risk of death in hospital (odds ratio (OR) = 1.73; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.03.3.27; p = 0.031) after adjusting for multiple variables, including age, EFFECT score and NT-proBNP. The TyG had a greater area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC: 0.688) for predicting hospital death compared to NT-proBNP (AUC: 0.506).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that the TyG is associated with the short-term mortality rate of non-diabetic patients admitted to the hospital for AHF. The TyG testing could be a useful prognostic indicator for these patients.

[Bioinformatics analysis and validation of the interaction between PML protein and TAB1 protein]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the interaction between PML protein and TAB1 protein using bioinformatic approaches and experimentally verify the results.

METHODS

Using Rosetta software, a 3D model of TAB1 protein was constructed through a comparative modeling approach; the secondary structure of PML protein was retrieved in the PDB database and its crystal structure and 3D structure were resolved. Zdock 3.0.2 software was used to perform protein-protein docking of PML and TAB1, and the best conformation was extracted for molecular structure analysis of the docking model. The interaction between the two proteins was detected using immunoprecipitation in α-MMC-treated M1 inflammatory macrophages.

RESULTS

When 6IMQ of PML was used as the docking site, PML protein formed 3 salt bridges, 6 hydrogen bonds and 6 hydrophobic interactions with TAB1 proteins; when 5YUF of PML was used as the docking site, PML protein formed 1 hydrogen bond, 3 electrostatic interactions and 9 hydrophobic interactions with TAB1 proteins, and both of the docking modes formed good molecular docking and interactions. In the M1 inflammatory macrophages treated with α-MMC for 4 h, positive protein bands of PML and TAB1 were detected in the cell lysates in PML-IP group.

CONCLUSION

PML protein can interact strongly with TAB1 protein.

Observation of WZγ Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of WZγ production and a measurement of its cross section using 140.1±1.2  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The WZγ production cross section, with both the W and Z bosons decaying leptonically, pp→WZγ→ℓ^{'}^{±}νℓ^{+}ℓ^{-}γ (ℓ^{(^{'})}=e, μ), is measured in a fiducial phase-space region defined such that the leptons and the photon have high transverse momentum and the photon is isolated. The cross section is found to be 2.01±0.30(stat)±0.16(syst)  fb. The corresponding standard model predicted cross section calculated at next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics and at leading order in the electroweak coupling constant is 1.50±0.06  fb. The observed significance of the WZγ signal is 6.3σ, compared with an expected significance of 5.0σ.

Measurement of CP Violation in B^{0}→ψ(→ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-})K_{S}^{0}(→π^{+}π^{-}) Decays

A measurement of time-dependent CP violation in the decays of B^{0} and B[over ¯]^{0} mesons to the final states J/ψ(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K_{S}^{0}, ψ(2S)(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K_{S}^{0} and J/ψ(→e^{+}e^{-})K_{S}^{0} with K_{S}^{0}→π^{+}π^{-} is presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV with the LHCb detector. The CP-violation parameters are measured to be S_{ψK_{S}^{0}}=0.717±0.013(stat)±0.008(syst) and C_{ψK_{S}^{0}}=0.008±0.012(stat)±0.003(syst). This measurement of S_{ψK_{S}^{0}} represents the most precise single measurement of the CKM angle β to date and is more precise than the current world average. In addition, measurements of the CP-violation parameters of the individual channels are reported and a combination with the LHCb Run 1 measurements is performed.

Coral-like CoSe2@N-doped carbon with a high initial coulombic efficiency as advanced anode materials for Na-ion batteries

Na-ion batteries (NIBs) have attracted great interest as a possible technology for grid-scale energy storage for the past few years owing to the wide distribution, low cost and environmental friendliness of sodium resources and similar chemical mechanisms to those of established Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Nonetheless, the implementation of NIBs is seriously hindered because of their low rate capability and cycling stability. This is mainly because the large ionic size of Na+ can reduce the structural stability and cause sluggish reaction kinetics of electrode materials. Herein, three-dimensional nanoarchitectured coral-like CoSe2@N-doped carbon (CL-CoSe2@NC) was synthesized through solvothermal and selenizing techniques. As a result, CL-CoSe2@NC for NIBs at 2 A g-1 exhibits an ultrahigh specific capacity of 345.4 mA h g-1 after 2800 cycles and a superhigh initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) of 93.1%. Ex situ XRD, HRTEM, SAED and XPS were executed to study the crystal structure evolution between Na and CoSe2 during sodiation/de-sodiation processes. The aforementioned results indicate that the improved sodium storage property of CL-CoSe2@NC could be attributed to better electrode kinetics and a stable SEI film because of the 3D nanoarchitecture and the existence of the NC layer.

Analysis of bioactive components and synergistic action mechanism of ShuGan-QieZhi Capsule for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND

ShuGan-QieZhi capsule (SGQZC) is a traditional Chinese preparation used to treat hyperlipidemia and obesity, even non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, its therapeutic effects, main bioactive ingredients, as well as potential mechanisms for NAFLD are still unclear.

PURPOSE

To investigate the pharmacological effect, main active ingredients, and mechanisms of SGQZC against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD in mice.

METHODS

NAFLD models were established by feeding C57BL/6 J mice an HFD for 24 weeks. From the 12th week, HFD-fed mice received daily gavage of either SGQZC or silibinin for 12 weeks. Hepatic hypertrophy parameters, along with hepatic and systemic lipid metabolism changes in NAFLD mice, were assessed. Oil red O and histopathological staining techniques determined lipid accumulation and liver injury severity. qRT-PCR analysis measured the expression of genes tied to liver lipid metabolism and inflammation. HPLC-MS/MS identified the primary components of SGQZC in the serum. Human normal hepatocytes (LO2) and hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) were used to screen SGQZC's bioactive ingredients. Network pharmacological analysis, transcriptomics, and western blotting delved into SGQZC's synergistic mechanisms against NAFLD.

RESULTS

SGQZC ameliorated abnormal lipid metabolism and liver hypertrophy in mice with HFD-induced NAFLD, consequently reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and liver impairment. Eight crucial components of SGQZC were detected in serum using HPLC-MS/MS and were found to effectively attenuate lipid accumulation and inflammation in liver cells. Further investigation indicated that SGQZC modulates MAPK pathway and AKT/NF-κB pathway, subsequently improving lipid metabolism and inflammation.

CONCLUSION

SGQZC alleviates NAFLD by synergistically modulating the MAPK-mediated lipid metabolism and inhibiting AKT/NF-κB pathways-mediated inflammation. Our findings reveal the enormous potential of SGQZC for the treatment of NAFLD, providing a possible new clinical therapeutic strategy.

Anti-MDA5 antibody-associated clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis diagnosed after the onset of pulmonary hypertension

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a group of highly heterogeneous systemic autoimmune diseases, of which clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is a distinct sub-type. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening medical condition that can occur as a complication of connective tissue diseases. Herein, our report first suggests that PH can develop in CADM. A 48-year-old woman came to our hospital due to a 3 months history of facial edema and shortness of breath. Relevant examinations revealed Gottron's sign, normal creatinine kinase levels, elevated levels of mean pulmonary artery pressure, double-positive anti-MDA5 and anti-Ro52 antibodies, and typical pathological changes associated with myositis. The diagnosis of CADM combined with PH was considered. The patient responded well to the immunosuppression therapy and PH-related drug therapy. We provide further insights that patients with IIM need to undergo regular assessment of PH.

Fiscal policy, green finance, and low carbon transformation nexus: a novel study unleashing the synergistic effects of carbon reduction and pollution in China

Under the simultaneous demands of combating environmental pollution and decreased carbon emissions, it is critical to investigate the combined effect of agricultural contamination reduction and fiscal policy carbon reduction to support and promote green agriculture and low-carbon transformation. Based on provincial panel data of 2007 to 2020 in China, this paper employs the spatial Dubin model to empirically examine the pollution reduction and carbon reduction effects of fiscal policies supporting agriculture, as well as calculating the synergistic effect of pollution reduction and carbon reduction. Our study's findings reveal that non-point source agricultural pollution and agricultural carbon emissions have a tendency of growing and subsequently reducing, such as increasing from 2007 to 2015 and decreasing from 2016 to 2020. Second, results demonstrate that agricultural carbon emissions and agricultural pollution have a positive geographical dependency in each province, and fiscal policies supporting agriculture have high-high and low-low spatial clustering features. Furthermore, fiscal policies that promote agriculture can lower local agricultural carbon emissions and pollution while also having a considerable beneficial spillover impact on neighboring provinces. According to the study findings, the fiscal policy for supporting agriculture has a negative pollution reduction impact and a positive synergistic effect, resulting in a synergistic effect of agricultural pollution reduction and carbon reduction. The outcomes of this study can serve to promote carbon-reduction measures and provide recommendations for future policy development.

Combined Measurement of the Higgs Boson Mass from the H→γγ and H→ZZ^{*}→4ℓ Decay Channels with the ATLAS Detector Using sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV pp Collision Data

A measurement of the mass of the Higgs boson combining the H→ZZ^{*}→4ℓ and H→γγ decay channels is presented. The result is based on 140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector during LHC run 2 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV combined with the run 1 ATLAS mass measurement, performed at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, yielding a Higgs boson mass of 125.11±0.09(stat)±0.06(syst)=125.11±0.11  GeV. This corresponds to a 0.09% precision achieved on this fundamental parameter of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Search for Dark Photons in Rare Z Boson Decays with the ATLAS Detector

A search for events with a dark photon produced in association with a dark Higgs boson via rare decays of the standard model Z boson is presented, using 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV proton-proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The dark boson decays into a pair of dark photons, and at least two of the three dark photons must each decay into a pair of electrons or muons, resulting in at least two same-flavor opposite-charge lepton pairs in the final state. The data are found to be consistent with the background prediction, and upper limits are set on the dark photon's coupling to the dark Higgs boson times the kinetic mixing between the standard model photon and the dark photon, α_{D}ϵ^{2}, in the dark photon mass range of [5, 40] GeV except for the ϒ mass window [8.8, 11.1] GeV. This search explores new parameter space not previously excluded by other experiments.

Fosfomycin Enhances the Inhibition Ability of Linezolid Against Biofilms of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium in vitro

Purpose

We explored the inhibition ability of linezolid/fosfomycin combination against biofilms of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) and tried to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of VREfm biofilm-associated infections.

Methods

Four clinical isolates of VREfm (No.2, No.4, No.5, and No.6) were used for this study, which were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. The checkerboard method was used to assess the synergistic effect of linezolid and fosfomycin. The inhibition ability of biofilm biomass was evaluated by crystal violet staining, and the metabolic activity was tested by an Alamar blue cell viability assay. Changes in biofilm formation-related genes of the strains after incubating with drugs were investigated via the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results

The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) showed that linezolid combined with fosfomycin had a synergistic effect on all four VREfm isolates. Compared with linezolid monotherapy, linezolid combined with fosfomycin led to a significant decrease in biofilm biomass and metabolic activity, especially in the mature biofilm. The results of RT-qPCR showed linezolid combined with fosfomycin inhibition biofilm formation through the inhibition of cylA, ebpA, and gelE transcription in VREfm in the initial and mature stages. To the mature biofilm, the combination also reduced the expression of asa1, atlA, and esp.

Conclusion

The combination of linezolid and fosfomycin represented stronger inhibitory effect on the biofilm formation of VREfm than linezolid alone.

[Analysis of the influencing factors of short-term and long-term facial nerve function after vestibular schwannoma resection via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach]

Objective: To summarize the experience of facial nerve(FN) preservation in microsurgical treatment of vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach and to analyze the influencing factors of facial function prognosis in short-term and long-term period. Methods: Patients with VS who underwent microsurgery via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach by the skull base surgery team in Huashan Hospital from January 2013 to February 2018 were enrolled. A total of 308 patients were included in this study, including 132 males and 176 females. The average age was 47.9 year-old (Range: 17-79 year-old). The patient's clinical data and FN function prognosis were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analysis by SPSS 23.0 statistical software were performed to evaluate the factors affecting facial function prognosis and its recovery. Results: Gross total resection was achieved in 304 cases, and subtotal resection was in 4 cases. The facial nerve preservation rate anatomically was 99.4%. The facial nerve of 2 cases was thin due to large tumor compression and severed, and a one-stage reconstruction was performed during surgery.Of the 308 patients, 300 cases were successfully followed up, and 8 cases were lost to follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 52 months. In short-term (2 weeks after surgery), satisfactory facial nerve function (House-Brackmann (H-B) grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ) was achieved in 96 cases, and 212 cases were unsatisfactory function (H-B grade Ⅲ-Ⅵ). After 1 year, 198 were satisfactory function and 97 were unsatisfactory. After 3 years, 219 were satisfactory function and 75 were unsatisfactory. Five years later, 155 were satisfactory function and 34 were unsatisfactory. According to the results of logistic regression analysis, the impact factors of FN function in short-term were tumor size (P=0.011) and stimulation threshold (ST) of EMG monitoring (P<0.001). The impact factors in long-term were tumor size (P=0.005), ST of EMG monitoring (P=0.005) and FN rehabilitation training. Conclusions: Tumor diameter is an independent factor related to FN function, and the larger the tumor, the worse the postoperative FN function. The ST of EMG (ST≤0.05 mA) can predict short-term and long-term FN function. The systematic facial rehabilitation training can effectively promote the recovery of FN after surgery.

Circ-Slain2 Alleviates Cartilage Degradation and Inflammation of TMJOA

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a degenerative disease with the cessation of matrix anabolism and aggravation of inflammation, which results in severe pain and impaired joint function. However, the mechanisms are not well understood. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are reported to have various biological functions and participate in the development, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of different diseases. This study aimed to investigate the roles and mechanisms of circ-slain2 in TMJOA. We first established TMJOA mouse models and found circ-slain2 was lowly expressed in the cartilage of TMJOA through sequencing data. We observed that circ-slain2 is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm and downregulated in mouse condylar chondrocytes (mCCs) treated with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interferon γ (IFNγ). Micro-computed tomography and histological examination showed that intra-articular injection of circ-slain2 overexpressing adeno-associated virus could alleviate cartilage catabolism and synovial inflammation to relieve TMJOA in vivo. In addition, elevated circ-slain2 also showed anticatabolic and anti-inflammatory effects on IFNγ- and TNFα-stimulated mouse condylar chondrocytes (mCCs). Functional enrichment analysis indicated that protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was associated with TMJOA, and further functional experiments confirmed that circ-slain2 could suppress ER stress in OA mCCs. RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation assay revealed an overt interaction between activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) and circ-slain2. Inhibition of the expression of both ATF6 and circ-slain2 resulted in dilation of the ER and enhanced the expression of ER stress markers, whose ER stress level was higher than inhibition of ATF6 but lower than knockdown of circ-slain2 expression. Collectively, our research demonstrated that circ-slain2 could regulate ATF6 to relieve ER stress, reducing temporomandibular joint cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation. These findings provide prospects for developing novel osteoarthritis therapies based on circ-slain2 by focusing on reducing the inflammation of synovium and the imbalance between matrix synthesis and degradation.

Effects of dietary starch and ruminally undegraded protein on glucogenic precursors in lactating dairy cows

Gluconeogenesis is a large contributor to the blood supply of glucose carbons. The impact of varying dietary starch and ruminally degraded protein (RDP) on glucose entry, and the contributions of propionate and lactate to total plasma glucose entry were evaluated. Six cannulated, lactating, Holstein cows were fed one of four treatment diets arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial within a 4 × 4 partially replicated Latin Square design: (1) 8% RDP (LRDP) and 16% starch (LSt), (2) LRDP and 30% starch (HSt), (3) 11% RDP (HRDP) and LSt, or (4) HRDP and HSt. On d 12 of each period, 2-[13C]-sodium propionate (0.15 g/h) was ruminally infused for 4 h; on d 13, 1,2-[13C2]-glucose (0.2 g/h) was infused into the jugular vein for 1 h followed by 1-[13C]-lactate (0.1 g/h) for 1 h. Blood samples were serially collected starting prior to the infusions, and analyzed for plasma glucose, propionate, and lactate isotopic ratios. A one-compartment, glucose carbon model with inputs from lactate, propionate, and other glucogenic precursors (Oth, primarily absorbed glucose plus amino acids) was fitted to the isotope ratio data to derive glucose entry rates and conversion of the precursors to glucose. Milk protein production additively increased when HSt and HRDP were fed (P = 0.05 and P = 0.02, respectively). Plasma glucose and propionate concentrations increased with HSt (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively) and LRDP (P = 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). Total glucose and Oth entry increased (P = 0.03 and P = 0.03, respectively) with HSt, indicating greater glucose absorption from the small intestine or conversion of amino acids to glucose in the liver. However, neither entry rate was affected by RDP. The lack of an RDP effect suggests the increase in microbial outflow in response to RDP did not significantly alter glucose precursor supplies. Entry rates of propionate and lactate carbon to glucose carbon were not affected by treatment suggesting that neither starch nor RDP significantly affected fermentation or lactate production. Derivation of absolute entry rates and contributions to glucose using isotopic tracers is complicated by single carbon removals in the pentose phosphate (PPP), tri-carboxylic acid (TCA), and gluconeogenic pathways, and label randomization with the PPP and TCA pathways. Multiple tracers must be used to avoid assumptions regarding the proportional entries. These results provide insights on glucose supply and contributors, and draw attention to significant label cycling when utilizing isotope techniques.

KCNH2A561V Heterozygous Mutation Inhibits KCNH2 Protein Expression via The Activation of UPR Mediated by ATF6

The potassium channel protein KCNH2 is encoded by KCNH2 gene, and there are more than 300 mutations of KCNH2. Unfolded protein response (UPR) is typically initiated in response to an accumulation of unfolded and/or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The present study aimed to explore the UPR process and the role of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) in the abnormal expression of potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily H member 2 (KCNH2)A561V. The wild-type (wt) KCNH2 and A561V mutant KCNH2 was constructed with his-tag. The 293 cells were used and divided into KCNH2wt+KCNH2A561V, KCNH2wt and KCNH2A561V groups. The expression levels of ATF6 and KCNH2 in different groups were detected by Western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence and immuno-coprecipitation assays. The protein types and abundance of immuno-coprecipitation samples were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The proteomic analysis of the mass spectrometry results was carried out by using the reactome database and GO (Gene Ontology) tool. The mRNA expression levels of KCNH2 and ATF6 in the KCNH2wt+KCNH2A561V group were higher compared with the KCNH2A561V group. However, the full-length protein expression of ATF6 was inhibited, indicating that ATF6 was highly activated and a substantial number of ATF6 was sheared in KCNH2wt+KCNH2A561V group compared with control group. Furthermore, A561V-KCNH2 mutation leading to the accumulation of the immature form of KCNH2 (135 kDa bands) in ER, resulting in the reduction of the ratio of 155 kDa/135 kDa. In addition, the abundance of UPR-related proteins in the KCNH2A561V group was higher compared with the KCNH2wt+KCNH2A561V group. The 'cysteine biosynthetic activity' of GO:0019344 process and the 'positive regulation of cytoplasmic translation activity' of GO:2000767 process in the KCNH2A561V group were higher compared with the KCNH2wt+KCNH2A561V group. Hence, co-expression of wild-type and A561V mutant KCNH2 in 293 cells activated the UPR process, which led to the inhibition of protein translation and synthesis, in turn inhibiting the expression of KCNH2. These results provided a theoretical basis for clinical treatment of Long QT syndrome.

Tuning Mesopore Accessibility of Ce0.18Zr0.64Y0.15La0.03O2-δ by Hydrothermal Post-treatment─A Case Study for Ceria-Based Oxidation Storage Materials

The connectivity and thermal stability of pores in heterogeneous, mesoporous metal oxide catalysts are key properties controlling their (long-term) efficacy. In this study, we investigate the influence of pH and temperature during a common hydrothermal aftertreatment step in the synthesis of mesoporous CexZr1-x-y-zYyLazO2-δ oxides obtained from molecular precursors via hydrothermal synthesis. This study has a strong focus on the methodological approach, elucidating whether and how even the smallest changes in morphology and connectivity may be unraveled and related to the underlying chemical processes to uncover key parameters for the ongoing improvement of material properties. Deep insights into the mesopore space were obtained by state-of-the-art physisorption (including hysteresis scanning), electron tomography, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis. We also provide a simple tool to simulate SAXS curves from electron tomography data that allow direct comparison to experimentally obtained SAXS curves. Furthermore, the impact on surface-bound nitrate groups and the development during calcination were studied in detail by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry. The key observations indicate a significant increase in thermal stability at temperatures as high as 1050 °C and improved mesopore accessibility with an increase in pH of the aftertreatment solution. The combined observations from the employed methods suggest a pH-dependent removal of surface-bound nitrate groups as well as a dissolution and reprecipitation-based fusing of the primary particles that constitute the mesopore skeleton. This transformation yields a mechanically and thermally stronger mesopore space with the capability to endure high temperatures.