Discovery of novel cholinesterase inhibitors easily crossing the blood-brain barrier via structure-property relationship investigation: Methylenedioxy-cinnamicamides containing tertiary amine side chain

In the present investigation, a series of dimethoxy or methylenedioxy substituted-cinnamamide derivatives containing tertiary amine moiety (N. N-Dimethyl, N, N-diethyl, Pyrrolidine, Piperidine, Morpholine) were synthesized and evaluated for cholinesterase inhibition and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Although their chemical structures are similar, their biological activities exhibit diversity. The results showed that all compounds except for those containing morpholine group exhibited moderate to potent acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Preliminary screening of BBB permeability shows that methylenedioxy substituted compounds have better brain permeability than the others. Compound 10c, containing methylenedioxy and pyrrolidine side chain, showed a better acetylcholinesterase inhibition (IC50: 1.52±0.19 μmol/L) and good blood-brain barrier permeability. Further pharmacokinetic investigation of compound 10c using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) in mice showed that compound 10c in brain tissue reached its peak concentration (857.72 ± 93.56 ng/g) after dosing 30 min. Its half-life in the serum is 331 min (5.52 h), and the CBrain/CSerum at various sampling points is ranged from 1.65 to 4.71(Mean: 2.76) within 24 hours. This investigation provides valuable information on the chemistry and pharmacological diversity of cinnamic acid derivatives and may be beneficial for the discovery of central nervous system drugs.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease causally affects the brain cortical structure: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Reduced brain volume, impaired cognition, and possibly a range of psychoneurological disorders have been reported in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, no underlying cause has been specified. Here, Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to determine the causative NAFLD effects on cortical structure.

Methods

We used pooled-level data from FinnGen's published genome-wide association study (GWAS) of NAFLD (1908 cases and 340,591 healthy controls), as well as published GWAS with NAFLD activity score (NAS) and fibrosis stage-associated SNPs as genetic tools, in addition to the Enigma Consortium data from 51,665 patients, were used to assess genetic susceptibility in relation to changes with cortical thickness (TH) and surface area (SA). A main estimate was made by means of inverse variance weighted (IVW), while heterogeneity and pleiotropy were detected using MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier to perform a two-sample MR analysis.

Results

At the global level, NAFLD reduced SA (beta = -586.72 mm2, se = 217.73, p = 0.007) and several changes in the cortical structure of the cerebral gyrus were found, with no detectable pleiotropy.

Conclusion

NAFLD causally affects cortical structures, which supports the presence of an intricate liver-brain axis.

[Analysis of etiology and complications in children with stage 5 chronic kidney disease]

Objective: To investigate the etiology, complications, and prognostic factors of stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5) in children. Methods: A case series study was conducted to retrospectively analyze the general situation, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, genetic testing, and follow-up data (until October 2022) of 174 children with CKD5 who were diagnosed and hospitalized at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from April 2012 to April 2021. The characteristics of complications in the children were compared based on age, gender, and etiology. Based on the presence or absence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), patients were divided into LVH group and non LVH group for analyzing the influencing factors of cardiovascular disease. Patients were also divided into death group and survival group, peritoneal dialysis group and hemodialysis group based on the follow-up data for analyzing the prognostic factors. The chi-square test, independent sample t-test, Fisher exact probability test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were used to analyze data among different groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the prognostic factors. Results: A total of 174 children with CKD5 were enrolled in the study (96 boys and 78 girls), aged 11.2 (8.2, 13.0) years. Congenital kidney and urinary tract malformations (CAKUT) were the most common causes of the CKD5 (84 cases, 48.3%), followed by glomerular diseases (83 cases, 47.7%), and among which 28 cases (16.1%) were hereditary glomerular diseases. The common complications of CKD5 included anemia (98.2%, 165/168), mineral and bone disorder in chronic kidney disease (CKD-MBD) (97.7%, 170/174), lipid metabolism disorders (87.5%, 63/72), hypertension (81.4%, 127/156) and LVH (57.6%,57/99). The incidences of hypertension in primary glomerular disease were higher than that in CAKUT(93.8%(30/32) vs.73.7%(56/76),χ2=5.59,P<0.05). The incidences of hypertension in secondary glomerular disease were higher than that in CAKUT and that in hereditary kidney disease (100.0%(20/20) vs. 73.7%(56/76), 68.2%(15/22), both P<0.05). The incidence of hypocalcemia in CAKUT, primary glomerular disease, and hereditary kidney disease was higher than that in secondary glomerular disease (82.1%(69/84), 88.2%(30/34), 89.3%(25/28) vs. 47.6%(10/21), χ2=10.21, 10.75, 10.80, all P=0.001); the incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in women was higher than that in men (80.0%(64/80) vs. 95.0%(57/60), χ2=6.58, P=0.010). The incidence of LVH in children aged 6-<12 was higher than that in children aged 12-18 (73.5%(25/34) vs. 43.1%(22/51), χ2=7.62, P=0.006). Among 113 follow-up children, the mortality rate was 39.8% (45/113). Compared to the survival group, the children in the death group had lower hemoglobin, higher blood pressure, lower albumin, lower alkaline phosphatase and higher left ventricular mass index ((67±19) vs. (75±20) g/L, 142 (126, 154) vs. 128(113, 145) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), (91±21) vs. (82±22) mmHg, 32 (26, 41) vs. 40 (31, 43) g/L, 151 (82, 214) vs. 215 (129, 37) U/L, 48 (38, 66) vs. 38(32, 50) g/m2.7,t=2.03, Z=2.89, t=2.70, Z=2.49, 2.79, 2.29,all P<0.05), but no independent risk factors were identified (all P>0.05). The peritoneal dialysis group had better alleviation for anemia, low calcium, and high phosphorus than the hemodialysis group ((87±22) vs. (72±16) g/L, (1.9±0.5) vs. (1.7±0.4) mmol/L, (2.2±0.7) vs. (2.8±0.9) mmol/L, t=2.92, 2.29, 2.82, all P<0.05), and the survival rate of the peritoneal dialysis group was significantly higher than that of the hemodialysis group (77.8% (28/36) vs. 48.4% (30/62), χ2=8.14, P=0.004). Conclusions: CAKUT is the most common etiology in children with CKD 5, and anemia is the most common complication. The incidence of complications in children with CKD 5 varies with age, gender and etiology. Anemia, hypertension, hypoalbuminemia, reduced alkaline phosphatase and elevated LVMI may be the prognostic factors in children with CKD5. Peritoneal dialysis may be more beneficial for improving the long-term survival rate.

Risk factors of portal vein system thrombosis after splenectomy: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The primary aim of the present study was to explore risk factors for portal vein system thrombosis following splenectomy.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane libraries was conducted to identify original studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Raw data on potential risk factors for portal vein system thrombosis after splenectomy were extracted for meta-analysis. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to verify the stability of the results.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies with 626 thrombosis events from 1807 splenectomy met the inclusion criteria. Larger spleen volume (SMD 0.44, P = 0.000), broader splenic vein diameter (WMD 2.30, P = 0.000), broader portal vein diameter (WMD 2.08, P = 0.000), a lower velocity of portal blood flow (WMD -0.91, P = 0.001), decreased platelet count (WMD -5.14, P = 0.007), decreased white blood cell (WMD -0.40, P = 0.027), decreased haemoglobin (WMD -9.14, P = 0.002), ascites (OR 1.81, P = 0.003) and bleeding history before surgery (OR 1.88, P = 0.002) were identified to be factors that exacerbated the risk of portal vein system thrombosis after splenectomy. Sex, age, preoperative prothrombin time, postoperative platelet count, postoperative D-dimer, operation time and intraoperative blood loss, did not increase the risk of thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

Larger spleen volume, broader splenic vein diameter, broader portal vein diameter, a lower velocity of portal blood flow, ascites, bleeding history before surgery, decreased platelet count, white blood cell and haemoglobin may increase the risk of portal vein system thrombosis.

[Clinical characteristics of a case of severe pneumonia caused by coinfection of COVID-19 and Chlamydia Psittaci]

A 69-year-old female patient was admitted to the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University due to a "cough and fever for eight days". On admission, a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) nucleic acid test was positive, and a chest CT scan showed progressive patchy shadows and consolidation shadows in both lungs. Arterial blood gas analysis showed type Ⅰ respiratory failure. The primary diagnosis was severe community-acquired pneumonia in an older adult without underlying disease. However, oxygen inhalation, steroid, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial empirical treatment with piperacillin/tazobactam was ineffective. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing of bronchoscopy alveolar lavage fluid showed Chlamydia psittaci(C. psittaci). Severe pneumonia was confirmed, caused by coinfection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and C. psittaci. A combination of doxycycline and moxifloxacin significantly improved the targeted and symptomatic treatment of the underlying cause. After discharge, the patient recovered within four weeks of follow-up. Therefore, clinicians should be alert to the possibility of coinfection of C. psittaci in patients already diagnosed with COVID-19.

Latent profile analysis and influencing factors of quality of life in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) negatively affects the quality of life of pregnant women and is influenced by several factors. Research to date treats pregnant women with gestational diabetes as a homogeneous group based on their quality of life. We attempted to identify subgroups based on self-reported quality of life and explored variables associated with subgroups.

METHODS

From September 1, 2020 to November 29, 2020, pregnant women with GDM from two hospitals in Guangdong Province were selected as subjects by convenience sampling method. Medical records provided sociodemographic data, duration of GDM, pregnancy status, and family history of diabetes. Participants completed validated questionnaires for quality of life, anxiety and depression. Latent profile analysis was used to identify profiles of quality of life in pregnant women with GDM, and then a mixed regression method was used to analyze the influencing factors of different profiles.

RESULTS

A total of 279 valid questionnaires were collected. The results of the latent profile analysis showed that the quality of life of pregnant women with GDM could be divided into two profiles: C1 "high worry-high support" group (75.6%) and C2 "low worry-low support" group (24.4%). Daily exercise duration and depression degree are negative influencing factors, making it easier to enter the C1 group (p < 0.05). Disease duration and family history of diabetes are positive influencing factors, making it easier to enter the C2 group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The quality of life of pregnant women with GDM had obvious classification characteristics. Pregnant women with exercise habits and depression are more likely to enter the "high worry-high support" group, and health care providers should guide their exercise according to exercise guidelines during pregnancy and strengthen psychological intervention. Pregnant women with a family history of diabetes and a longer duration of the disease are more likely to fall into the "low worry-low support" group. Healthcare providers can strengthen health education for them and improve their disease self-management abilities.

IL-8 is a novel prometastatic chemokine in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma that induces CXCR2-PI3K/AKT signaling upon CD97 activation

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare but highly aggressive malignant tumor arising within the liver, with a 5-year survival rate of only 20-40% after surgery. The role of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in ICC progression remains elusive. A transcriptomic approach based on IL-8 stimulation first revealed significant upregulation of the prometastatic gene CD97 and key epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) factors E-cadherin and vimentin. Immunohistochemistry of 125 ICC tissues confirmed the positive correlation between IL-8 and CD97. Multivariable Cox regression indicated that they are both independent predictors of ICC prognosis. Mechanistically, IL-8 treatment induced CD97 expression at 50 and 100 ng/ml in QBC-939 and QBE cells, respectively. Moreover, the induction of cell migration and invasion upon IL-8 treatment was attenuated by CD97 RNA interference, and the expression of EMT-associated genes was dramatically inhibited. To determine whether CXCR1 or CXCR2 are downstream effectors of IL-8, siCXCR2 was applied and shown to significantly attenuate the oncogenic effects of IL-8 by inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT. Finally, the induction of CD97 expression by the PI3K pathway was verified by treatment with the inhibitor LY294002. In vivo, the significant tumor growth and lung metastasis effects induced by intraperitoneal injection of IL-8 were greatly inhibited by silencing CD97 in nude mice. Collectively, the study presents a novel mechanism of the IL-8-CXCR2-PI3K/AKT axis in regulating CD97 expression, which leads to ICC metastasis mainly through EMT. The study may provide alternatives for targeting the tumor microenvironment in metastatic ICC.

Whole Liver Radiotherapy for Multiple Liver Metastases in Thoracic Malignancies

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Liver metastases (LM) are common in advanced thoracic cancer patients with dismal oncological outcomes. Even in the modern era of novel systemic therapy, LM led to a 21% increased mortality risk compared with those without. Options for progressive multiple LM after systemic therapy are limited. Therefore, a different treatment modality is urgently needed to overcome such a predicament. Herein, we renovate the classical whole liver radiotherapy (WLRT) and evaluate its efficacy and safety in treating thoracic cancer patients with progressive multiple LM.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with lung or thymic cancer who had multiple LM treated by WLRT between 2018 and 2022 were enrolled. Radiotherapy (RT) was delivered with a median dose of 24 Gy (range 8-25 Gy) in 8 fractions (range 1-16) at the discretion of treating physicians. Overall survival (OS) and cumulative incidence of intrahepatic progression were calculated from the completion of WLRT till death or progression by Kaplan-Meier and competing risk analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Eleven patients (46%) had lung adenocarcinoma, of which nine patients had oncogenic mutations. Six patients (25%) had small cell lung cancer (SCLC), four patients (17%) had thymic squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC), two patients (8%) had lung SqCC, and one patient (4%) had mixed histology. Eighteen patients (75%) were under systemic therapy treatment before the diagnosis of LM, and fifteen (63%) received LM biopsy. The median time from the diagnosis of LM to WLRT was 7.5 months (range, 0.5-33.9 months). Eleven patients (46%) had concurrent RT and systemic therapy. With a median follow-up of 3.1 months, the 3-, 6- and 12-month OS were 57%, 38%, and 15%, respectively. After adjusting death as a competing risk, the cumulative incidence of LM progression at 3, 6, and 12 months were 10%, 19%, and 44%, respectively. Within three months after the completion of RT, one patient (4%) had grade 5 radiation-induced liver disease (RILD), one patient (4%) had grade 4 abnormal liver function test (LFT), three patients (13%) had grade 3 abnormal LFT, and twelve patients (50%) had ≤ grade 2 abnormal LFT. The patient who had Gr.5 RILD expired 51 days after the completion of RT with 24 Gy in 8 fractions concurrently with topotecan. He had primary SCLC with viral hepatitis B. His LFT was around the normal upper limit before WLRT.

CONCLUSION

WLRT provided favorable intrahepatic control with acceptable radiation-related toxicities and could be considered a treatment option for patients with progressive LM under systemic therapy. Further investigation with a larger cohort is warranted to identify patients at a high risk of developing severe RILD.

The RNA polymerase II subunit B (RPB2) functions as a growth regulator in human glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive brain tumor with a poor prognosis. The growth of GBM cells depends on the core transcriptional apparatus, thus rendering RNA polymerase (RNA pol) complex as a candidate therapeutic target. The RNA pol II subunit B (POLR2B) gene encodes the second largest subunit of the RNA pol II (RPB2); however, its genomic status and function in GBM remain unclear. Certain GBM data sets in cBioPortal were used for investigating the genomic status and expression of POLR2B in GBM. The function of RPB2 was analyzed following knockdown of POLR2B expression by shRNA in GBM cells. The cell counting kit-8 assay and PI staining were used for cell proliferation and cell cycle analysis. A xenograft mouse model was established to analyze the function of RPB2 in vivo. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the RPB2-regulated genes. GO and GSEA analyses were applied to investigate the RPB2-regulated gene function and associated pathways. In the present study, the genomic alteration and overexpression of the POLR2B gene was described in glioblastoma. The data indicated that knockdown of POLR2B expression suppressed tumor cell growth of glioblastoma in vitro and in vivo. The analysis further demonstrated the identification of the RPB2-regulated gene sets and highlighted the DNA damage-inducible transcript 4 gene as the downstream target of the POLR2B gene. The present study provides evidence indicating that RPB2 functions as a growth regulator in glioblastoma and could be used as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease.

[Definition of severe pulmonary tuberculosis: a scoping review]

Objective: To clarify the definition of severe pulmonary tuberculosis and its inclusion criteria by summarizing and analyzing the studies of severe pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods: A systematic search of Medline (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, Embase, CNKI, WanFang database, and CBM database was conducted to collect studies published between 2017 and 2022 on patients with severe pulmonary TB. Searches were performed using a combination of subject terms and free words. The search terms included: tuberculosis, severe, serious, intensive care, critical care, respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, hospitalization, respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure, pulmonary heart disease, and pneumothorax. The definitions and inclusion criteria for severe pulmonary TB in the included studies were extracted. Results: A total of 19 981 studies were identified and 100 studies were finally included, involving 8 309 patients with severe pulmonary TB. A total of 8 (8.00%) studies explicitly mentioned the definition of severe pulmonary TB, and 53 (53.00%) studies clearly defined the inclusion criteria for patients with severe pulmonary TB. A total of 5 definitions and 30 inclusion criteria were extracted. A total of 132 dichotomous variables and 113 continuous variables were included in the outcome indicators related to patients with severe pulmonary TB of concern in the studies. Conclusions: The definition and diagnostic criteria for severe TB are unclear, and there is an urgent need to develop a clear definition and diagnostic criteria to guide clinical practice.

[Advances in the application of aberrant DNA methylation in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer]

The early diagnosis of lung cancer has become the focus of clinical attention, with the incidence and mortality of lung cancer increasing. Aberrant DNA methylation occurs in the primary stage of lung cancer, then the methylation degree can be changed dynamically due to the progress and the treatment of lung cancer. To date, a growing number of studies have reported that special gene methylation exploits in the clinical diagnosis, curative effect monitoring, and prognosis evaluation of lung cancer. Meanwhile, clinical trials about DNA methyltransferase inhibitors for lung cancer therapy are also underway. It is worth looking forward that detecting aberrant DNA methylation helps diagnose and treat lung cancer.

Disease vector occurrence and ecological characteristics of chiggers on the chestnut white-bellied rat Niviventer fulvescens in Southwest China between 2001 and 2019

Chigger mites are the vector of scrub typhus. This study estimates the infestation status and ecological characteristics of chiggers on the chestnut white-bellied rat Niviventer fulvescens in Southwest China between 2001 and 2019. Chiggers were identified under the microscope, and infestation indices were calculated. The Preston's log-normal model was used to fit the curve of species abundance distribution. A total of 6,557 chiggers were collected in 136 of 342 N. fulvescens rats, showing high overall infestation indices (prevalence=39.8%, mean abundance=19.2, mean intensity=48.2) and high species diversity (S=100, H'=3.0). Leptotrombidium cangjiangense, Neotrombicula japonica, and Ascoschoengastia sifanga were the three dominant chigger species (constituent ratio=42.9%; 2,736/6,384) and exhibited an aggregated distribution among different rat individuals. We identified 100 chigger species, with 3 of them (Leptotrombidium scutellare, Leptotrombidium wenense, and Leptotrombidium deliense) as the main vectors of scrub typhus in China and nine species as potential vectors of this disease. Disease vector occurrence on N. fulvescens may increase the risk of spreading scrub typhus from rats to humans. Chigger infestation on N. fulvescens varied significantly in different environments. The species abundance distribution showed a log-normal distribution pattern. The estimated number of chigger species on N. fulvescens was 126 species.

Two new dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenes from the roots of Celastrus angulatus

Two new dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenes chiapen T (1) and chiapen U (2), along with chiapen A (3), 1β-hydroxy-2β,6α,12-triacetoxy-8β-(β-nicotinoyloxy)-9β-(benzoyloxy)-β-dihydroagarofuran (4), wilforlide B (5), 3-hydroxy-2-oxo-3-friedelen-29-oic acid (6), epikatonic acid (7), 22-epi-maytenfolic acid (8), maytenoic acid (9), wilforic acid F (10), wilforic acid B (11), were reported for the first time from the Celastrus angulatus. The structures of all the compounds were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, 1 D and 2 D NMR spectra, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 were examined for anti-inflammatory activity, respectively. None of them showed potent activity.

Pachymic acid modulates sirtuin 6 activity to alleviate lipid metabolism disorders

Pachymic acid (Pac), a major bioactive constituent of Poria cocos, is an antioxidant that inhibits triglyceride (TG) accumulation. To the best of our knowledge, the present study investigated for the first time whether Pac activated sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) signaling to alleviate oleic acid (OA)-palmitic acid (PA)-induced lipid metabolism disorders in mouse primary hepatocytes (MPHs). In the present study, MPHs challenged with Pac were used to test the effects of Pac on intracellular lipid metabolism. Molecular docking studies were performed to explore the potential targets of Pac in defending against lipid deposition. MPHs isolated from liver-specific SIRT6-deficient mice were subjected to OA + PA incubation and treated with Pac to determine the function and detailed mechanism. It was revealed that Pac activated SIRT6 by increasing its expression and deacetylase activity. Pa prevented OA + PA-induced lipid deposition in MPHs in a dose-dependent manner. Pac (50 µM) administration significantly reduced TG accumulation and increased fatty acid oxidation rate in OA + PA-incubated MPHs. Meanwhile, as per the results of molecular docking and relative mRNA levels, Pac activated SIRT6 and increased SIRT6 deacetylation levels. Furthermore, SIRT6 deletions in MPHs abolished the protective effects of Pac against OA + PA-induced hepatocyte lipid metabolism disorders. The present study demonstrated that Pac alleviates OA + PA-induced hepatocyte lipid metabolism disorders by activating SIRT6 signaling. Overall, SIRT6 signaling increases oxidative stress burden and promotes hepatocyte lipolysis.

Evidence for Band Renormalizations in Strong-Coupling Superconducting Alkali-Fulleride Films

There has been a long-standing debate about the mechanism of the unusual superconductivity in alkali-intercalated fullerides. In this Letter, using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we systematically investigate the electronic structures of superconducting K_{3}C_{60} thin films. We observe a dispersive energy band crossing the Fermi level with the occupied bandwidth of about 130 meV. The measured band structure shows prominent quasiparticle kinks and a replica band involving the Jahn-Teller active phonon modes, which reflects strong electron-phonon coupling in the system. The electron-phonon coupling constant is estimated to be about 1.2, which dominates the quasiparticle mass renormalization. Moreover, we observe an isotropic nodeless superconducting gap beyond the mean-field estimation (2Δ/k_{B}T_{c}≈5). Both the large electron-phonon coupling constant and large reduced superconducting gap suggest a strong-coupling superconductivity in K_{3}C_{60}, while the electronic correlation effect is suggested by the observation of a waterfall-like band dispersion and the small bandwidth compared with the effective Coulomb interaction. Our results not only directly visualize the crucial band structure but also provide important insights into the mechanism of the unusual superconductivity of fulleride compounds.

Value of red blood cell distribution width in prediction of diastolic dysfunction in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Clinical diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) often encounters challenges of lack of timeliness and disease severity, with the commonly positive indicator usually associated with advanced heart failure.

AIM

To explore suitable biomarkers for early CCM prediction.

METHODS

A total of 505 eligible patients were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups according to Child-Pugh classification: Group I, Class A without CCM (105 cases); Group II, Class A with CCM (175 cases); Group III, Class B with CCM (139 cases); and Group IV, Class C with CCM (86 cases). Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to determine whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) was an independent risk factor for CCM risk. The relationships between RDW and Child-Pugh scores, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTS

A constant RDW increase was evident from Group I to Group IV (12.54 ± 0.85, 13.29 ± 1.19, 14.30 ± 1.96, and 16.25 ± 2.13, respectively). Pearson correlation analysis showed that RDW was positively correlated with Child-Pugh scores (r = 0.642, P < 0.001), MELD scores (r = 0.592, P < 0.001), and NT-proBNP (r = 0.715, P < 0.001). Furthermore, between Group I and Group II, RDW was the only significant index (odds ratio: 2.175, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.549-3.054, P < 0.001), and it reached statistical significance when examined by ROC curve analysis (area under the curve: 0.686, 95%CI: 0.624-0.748, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

RDW can serve as an effective and accessible clinical indicator for the prediction of diastolic dysfunction in CCM, in which a numerical value of more than 13.05% may indicate an increasing CCM risk.

[A case of stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis with large shadow by burr-like changes misdiagnosed as lung cancer]

Pneumoconiosis is characterized by chronic lung inflammation and fibrosis, and inflammation can promote pulmonary fibrosis, which in turn leads to pneumoconiosis. When a large shadow with a long diameter of not less than 2 cm and a short diameter of not less than 1 cm appears in the lung, it can be classified as stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis. This paper reports a case of stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis with a large shadow in the upper right lung accompanied by burr-like changes misdiagnosed as lung cancer by CT examination.When the large shadow lesions in patients with pneumoconiosis and lung cancer are difficult to distinguish on CT, an additional MRI examination, particularly T(2)W imaging sequence is useful sequence for identifying the two.

TIMP3 induces gene expression partly through PI3K and their association with vascularization and heart rate

Background

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) was recently demonstrated capable to regulate some gene expression in a myocardial infarction model. Here we aim to explore the gene expression profile in TIMP3-treated cardiomyocytes and related potential cardiovascular functions.

Methods

Total RNA extracted from cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) were used for RNA sequencing analysis and real-time PCR. KEGG pathway enrichment assay and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) were performed to study the signaling pathways and downstream effects. Western blot was used to detect phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt). A Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was employed to evaluate the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Contraction rate of NRVMs was measured with microscopy.

Results

RNA sequencing data showed that expression of 2,526 genes were significantly modulated by recombinant TIMP3 (rTIMP3, 100 ng/ml) in NRVMs. Some differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated with real-time PCR. Several KEGG pathways including the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway were significantly regulated by rTIMP3. Phosphorylation of Akt was increased by rTIMP3 and a PI3K inhibitor LY294002 suppressed rTIMP3-induced up-regulation of some genes. Some DEGs were predicted by IPA to increase vascularization, and some to decrease heart rate. RTIMP3 could reduce the contraction rate of NRVMs and its conditioned media increased the proliferation of HUVECs.

Conclusion

TIMP3 can regulate expression of multiple genes partly through PI3K. Some DEGs were associated with activation of vascularization and some with heart rate reduction. This study suggests that TIMP3 can potentially modulate cardiovascular functions via DEGs.

[Advances in imaging diagnosis of mixed-type liver cancer]

Mixed-type liver cancer is a rare kind of primary malignant liver tumor with risk factors similar to those of hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, although treatment methods and prognosis differ. An early imaging diagnosis is helpful in adopting appropriate treatment strategies for mixed-type liver cancer. Since mixed-type liver cancer contains different proportions of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma in the same lesion, imaging manifestations may vary. This paper reviews the recent literature reports, imaging characteristics, and the latest imaging diagnostic techniques in relation to the imaging diagnosis of mixed-type liver cancer.

Development of a laser-based angle-resolved-photoemission spectrometer with sub-micrometer spatial resolution and high-efficiency spin detection

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with sub-micrometer spatial resolution (μ-ARPES), has become a powerful tool for studying quantum materials. To achieve sub-micrometer or even nanometer-scale spatial resolution, it is important to focus the incident light beam (usually from synchrotron radiation) using x-ray optics, such as the zone plate or ellipsoidal capillary mirrors. Recently, we developed a laser-based μ-ARPES with spin-resolution (LMS-ARPES). The 177 nm laser beam is achieved by frequency-doubling a 355 nm beam using a KBBF crystal and subsequently focused using an optical lens with a focal length of about 16 mm. By characterizing the focused spot size using different methods and performing spatial-scanning photoemission measurement, we confirm the sub-micron spatial resolution of the system. Compared with the μ-ARPES facilities based on the synchrotron radiation, our LMS-ARPES system is not only more economical and convenient, but also with higher photon flux (>5 × 10¹³ photons/s), thus enabling the high-resolution and high-statistics measurements. Moreover, the system is equipped with a two-dimensional spin detector based on exchange scattering at a surface-passivated iron film grown on a W(100) substrate. We investigate the spin structure of the prototype topological insulator Bi₂Se₃ and reveal a high spin-polarization rate, confirming its spin-momentum locking property. This lab-based LMS-ARPES will be a powerful research tool for studying the local fine electronic structures of different condensed matter systems, including topological quantum materials, mesoscopic materials and structures, and phase-separated materials.

Infestation of Oriental House Rat (Rattus tanezumi) with Chigger Mites Varies along Environmental Gradients across Five Provincial Regions of Southwest China

Chigger mites are the exclusive vector of scrub typhus. Based on field investigations of 91 survey sites in 5 provincial regions of Southwest China, this paper reported variations of chigger infestation on the oriental house rat (Rattus tanezumi) along various environmental gradients. A total of 149 chigger species were identified from 2919 R. tanezumi in the 5 provincial regions, and Leptotrombidium deliense (a major vector of scrub typhus in China) was the first dominant chigger species, followed by Ascoschoengastia indica and Walchia ewingi. Rattus tanezumi had a stable overall prevalence (PM = 21.10%), mean abundance (MA = 7.01), and mean intensity (MI = 33.20) of chiggers with the same dominant mites in the whole Southwest China in comparison with a previous report in Yunnan Province, but chigger infestations on R. tanezumi varied along different environmental gradients. Rattus tanezumi in mountainous landscape had a higher infestation load of chiggers with higher species diversity than in flatland landscape. The infestation was higher at lower altitudes and latitudes. A high intensity of vegetation coverage was associated with high infestations. The results reflect the environmental heterogeneity of chiggers on the same host species. Warm climate and high relative humidity are beneficial to chigger infestation on R. tanezumi.

Textbook outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with sarcopenia: A multicenter analysis

BACKGROUND

The impact of sarcopenia on textbook outcome (TO) after hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between sarcopenia and TO, to clarify its long and short-term prognostic value, and to develop a nomogram model based on sarcopenia and TO for survival prediction.

METHODS

Patients who underwent HCC resection between January 2012 and March 2017 in three large hospitals in Fujian were retrospectively recruited and divided into sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups based on skeletal muscle index (SMI) values. TO was defined as no 30-day morality, no 30-day readmission, negative margins, no prolonged hospital stay, and no major complications. Multivariate regression was used to screen for clinical factors associated with TO. Nomograms of overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after hepatectomy for HCC were developed.

RESULTS

A total of 1172 patients were included in the study. The TO rates were 28.74% (121/421 patients) in the sarcopenia group and 43.4% (326/751 patients) in the non-sarcopenia group. The results showed that sarcopenia was an independent predictor of TO (p < 0.001), TO was an independent predictor of perioperative treatment-related sarcopenia (PTRS)(p = 0.002), and TO was an independent predictor of OS and RFS (p < 0.001). Nomogram models based on sarcopenia and TO were generated and accurately predicted OS and RFS at 1, 3, and 5 years.

CONCLUSION

Both sarcopenia and TO are independent predictors of OS and RFS after HCC resection. Sarcopenia was an independent predictor of TO. Sarcopenia influenced long-term survival by affecting short-term postoperative outcomes.

Super-enhancer profiling identifies novel critical and targetable cancer survival gene LYL1 in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a myeloid neoplasm makes up 7.6% of hematopoietic malignancies. Super-enhancers (SEs) represent a special group of enhancers, which have been reported in multiple cell types. In this study, we explored super-enhancer profiling through ChIP-Seq analysis of AML samples and AML cell lines, followed by functional analysis.

Methods

ChIP-seq analysis for H3K27ac was performed in 11 AML samples, 7 T-ALL samples, 8 B-ALL samples, and in NB4 cell line. Genes and pathways affected by GNE-987 treatment were identified by gene expression analysis using RNA-seq. One of the genes associated with super-enhancer and affected by GNE-987 treatment was LYL1 basic helix-loop-helix family member (LYL1). shRNA mediated gene interference was used to down-regulate the expression of LYL1 in AML cell lines, and knockdown efficiency was detected by RT-qPCR and western blotting. The effect of knockdown on the growth of AML cell lines was evaluated by CCK-8. Western blotting was used to detect PARP cleavage, and flow cytometry were used to determine the effect of knockdown on apoptosis of AML cells.

Results

We identified a total of 200 genes which were commonly associated with super-enhancers in ≧10 AML samples, and were found enriched in regulation of transcription. Using the BRD4 inhibitor GNE-987, we assessed the dependence of AML cells on transcriptional activation for growth and found GNE-987 treatment predominantly inhibits cell growth in AML cells. Moreover, 20 candidate genes were selected by super-enhancer profile and gene expression profile and among which LYL1 was observed to promote cell growth and survival in human AML cells.

Conclusions

In summary, we identified 200 common super-enhancer-associated genes in AML samples, and a series of those genes are cancer genes. We also found GNE-987 treatment downregulates the expression of super-enhancer-associated genes in AML cells, including the expression of LYL1. Further functional analysis indicated that LYL1 is required for AML cell growth and survival. These findings promote understanding of AML pathophysiology and elucidated an important role of LYL1 in AML progression.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02428-9.

Visualization of Chiral Electronic Structure and Anomalous Optical Response in a Material with Chiral Charge Density Waves

Chiral materials have attracted significant research interests as they exhibit intriguing physical properties, such as chiral optical response, spin-momentum locking, and chiral induced spin selectivity. Recently, layered transition metal dichalcogenide 1T-TaS_{2} has been found to host a chiral charge density wave (CDW) order. Nevertheless, the physical consequences of the chiral order, for example, in electronic structures and the optical properties, are yet to be explored. Here, we report the spectroscopic visualization of an emergent chiral electronic band structure in the CDW phase, characterized by windmill-shaped Fermi surfaces. We uncover a remarkable chirality-dependent circularly polarized Raman response due to the salient in-plane chiral symmetry of CDW, although the ordinary circular dichroism vanishes. Chiral Fermi surfaces and anomalous Raman responses coincide with the CDW transition, proving their lattice origin. Our Letter paves a path to manipulate the chiral electronic and optical properties in two-dimensional materials and explore applications in polarization optics and spintronics.

Chromosome-level genome assembly and resequencing of camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) provides insight into phylogeny and diversification of terpenoid and triglyceride biosynthesis of Cinnamomum

Cinnamomum species attract attentions owing to their scents, medicinal properties, and ambiguous relationship in the phylogenetic tree. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly of Cinnamomum camphora, based on which two whole-genome duplication (WGD) events were detected in the C. camphora genome: one was shared with Magnoliales, and the other was unique to Lauraceae. Phylogenetic analyses illustrated that Lauraceae species formed a compact sister clade to the eudicots. We then performed whole-genome resequencing on 24 Cinnamomum species native to China, and the results showed that the topology of Cinnamomum species was not entirely consistent with morphological classification. The rise and molecular basis of chemodiversity in Cinnamomum were also fascinating issues. In this study, six chemotypes were classified and six main terpenoids were identified as major contributors of chemodiversity in C. camphora by the principal component analysis. Through in vitro assays and subcellular localization analyses, we identified two key terpene synthase (TPS) genes (CcTPS16 and CcTPS54), the products of which were characterized to catalyze the biosynthesis of two uppermost volatiles (i.e. 1,8-cineole and (iso)nerolidol), respectively, and meditate the generation of two chemotypes by transcriptional regulation and compartmentalization. Additionally, the pathway of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) biosynthesis in Lauraceae was investigated for the first time. Synteny analysis suggested that the divergent synthesis of MCT and long-chain triglyceride (LCT) in Lauraceae kernels was probably controlled by specific medium-chain fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase (FatB), type-B lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (type-B LPAAT), and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2b (DGAT 2b) isoforms during co-evolution with retentions or deletions in the genome.

Association Between Maternal Exposure to SO2 and Congenital Ear Malformations in Offspring: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in Liaoning Province, China

Objectives: To examine associations between maternal sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure and congenital ear malformations risk in offspring.

Methods: We surveyed 1676 cases with congenital ear malformations and 7950 controls from the Maternal and Child Health Certificate Registry of Liaoning Province between 2010 and 2015. SO2 concentrations were obtained from the Municipal Environment Protection Bureau of Liaoning Province. Multivariable logistic regression models and Restricted cubic splines (RCS) model were used to assess the aforementioned association.

Results: There were significant associations between maternal SO2 exposure and congenital ear malformations risk during the 3 months before conception (OR Q4 vs. Q1 = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.43–2.59) and the 3 months after conception (OR Q4 vs. Q1 = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.22–2.18). Similar results were obtained in the analysis of single-month exposure windows, except for the third month before conception and the third month after conception. Moreover, these findings were broadly consistent across subgroups and robust in sensitivity analyses. There were non-linear dose-response associations between SO2 exposure and congenital ear malformations based on restricted cubic spline model analysis.

Conclusion: Maternal SO2 exposure is associated with increased congenital ear malformations risk in offspring.

Short term outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants from a multicenter cohort study in Guangdong of China

With the increase in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, their outcome attracted worldwide attention. However, in China, the related studies are rare. The hospitalized records of ELBW infants discharged from twenty-six neonatal intensive care units in Guangdong Province of China during 2008-2017 were analyzed. A total of 2575 ELBW infants were enrolled and the overall survival rate was 55.11%. From 2008 to 2017, the number of ELBW infants increased rapidly from 91 to 466, and the survival rate improved steadily from 41.76% to 62.02%. Increased survival is closely related to birth weight (BW), regional economic development, and specialized hospital. The incidence of complications was neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (85.2%), oxygen dependency at 28 days (63.7%), retinopathy of prematurity (39.3%), intraventricular hemorrhage (29.4%), necrotizing enterocolitis (12.0%), and periventricular leukomalacia (8.0%). Among the 1156 nonsurvivors, 90.0% of infants died during the neonatal period (≤ 28 days). A total of 768 ELBW infants died after treatment withdrawal, for reasons of economic and/or poor outcome. The number of ELBW infants is increasing in Guangdong Province of China, and the overall survival rate is improving steadily.

[Overexpression of NAT10 induced platinum drugs resistance in breast cancer cell]

Objective: To observe the platinum drugs resistance effect of N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) overexpression in breast cancer cell line and elucidate the underlining mechanisms. Methods: The experiment was divided into wild-type (MCF-7 wild-type cells without any treatment) group, NAT10 overexpression group (H-NAT10 plasmid transfected into MCF-7 cells) and NAT10 knockdown group (SH-NAT10 plasmid transfected into MCF-7 cells). The invasion was detected by Transwell array, the interaction between NAT10 and PARP1 was detected by co-immunoprecipitation. The impact of NAT10 overexpression or knockdown on the acetylation level of PARP1 and its half-life was also determined. Immunostaining and IP array were used to detect the recruitment of DNA damage repair protein by acetylated PARP1. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell apoptosis. Results: Transwell invasion assay showed that the number of cell invasion was 483.00±46.90 in the NAT10 overexpression group, 469.00±40.50 in the NAT10 knockdown group, and 445.00±35.50 in the MCF-7 wild-type cells, and the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the presence of 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin, the number of cell invasion was 502.00±45.60 in the NAT10 overexpression group and 105.00±20.50 in the NAT10 knockdown group, both statistically significant (P<0.05) compared with 219.00±31.50 in wild-type cells. In the presence of 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin, NAT10 overexpression enhanced the binding of PARP1 to NAT10 compared with wild-type cells, whereas the use of the NAT10 inhibitor Remodelin inhibited the mutual binding of the two. Overexpression of NAT10 induced PARP1 acetylation followed by increased PARP1 binding to XRCC1, and knockdown of NAT10 expression reduced PARP1 binding to XRCC1. Overexpression of NAT10 enhanced PARP1 binding to LIG3, while knockdown of NAT10 expression decreased PARP1 binding to LIG3. In 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin-treated cells, the γH2AX expression level was 0.38±0.02 in NAT10 overexpressing cells and 1.36±0.15 in NAT10 knockdown cells, both statistically significant (P<0.05) compared with 1.00±0.00 in wild-type cells. In 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin treated cells, the apoptosis rate was (6.54±0.68)% in the NAT10 overexpression group and (12.98±2.54)% in the NAT10 knockdown group, both of which were statistically significant (P<0.05) compared with (9.67±0.37)% in wild-type cells. Conclusion: NAT10 overexpression enhances the binding of NAT10 to PARP1 and promotes the acetylation of PARP1, which in turn prolongs the half-life of PARP1, thus enhancing PARP1 recruitment of DNA damage repair related proteins to the damage sites, promoting DNA damage repair and ultimately the survival of breast cancer cells.

Deep Learning for Approaching Hepatocellular Carcinoma Ultrasound Screening Dilemma: Identification of α-Fetoprotein-Negative Hepatocellular Carcinoma From Focal Liver Lesion Found in High-Risk Patients

Background

First-line surveillance on hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected populations with B-mode ultrasound is relatively limited to identifying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without elevated α-fetoprotein (AFP). To improve the present HCC surveillance strategy, the state of the art of artificial intelligence (AI), a deep learning (DL) approach, is proposed to assist in the diagnosis of a focal liver lesion (FLL) in HBV-infected liver background.

Methods

Our proposed deep learning model was based on B-mode ultrasound images of surgery that proved 209 HCC and 198 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) cases with 413 lesions. The model cohort and test cohort were set at a ratio of 3:1, in which the test cohort was composed of AFP-negative HBV-infected cases. Four additional deep learning models (MobileNet, Resnet50, DenseNet121, and InceptionV3) were also constructed as comparative baselines. To evaluate the models in terms of diagnostic power, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, confusion matrix, F1-score, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated in the test cohort.

Results

The AUC of our model, Xception, achieved 93.68% in the test cohort, superior to other baselines (89.06%, 85.67%, 83.94%, and 78.13% respectively for MobileNet, Resnet50, DenseNet121, and InceptionV3). In terms of diagnostic power, our model showed sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and F1-score of 96.08%, 76.92%, 86.41%, and 87.50%, respectively, and PPV, NPV, FPR, and FNR calculated from the confusion matrix were respectively 80.33%, 95.24%, 23.08%, and 3.92% in identifying AFP-negative HCC from HBV-infected FLL cases. Satisfactory robustness of our proposed model was shown based on 5-fold cross-validation performed among the models above.

Conclusions

Our DL approach has great potential to assist B-mode ultrasound in identifying AFP-negative HCC from FLL found in surveillance of HBV-infected patients.

Maternal Exposure to Sulfur Dioxide and Risk of Omphalocele in Liaoning Province, China: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

Evidence of the association between maternal sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposure and the risk of omphalocele is limited and equivocal. We aimed to assess the aforementioned topic during the first trimester of pregnancy. A population-based case-control study was carried out in infants consisting of 292 cases of omphalocele and 7,950 healthy infant controls. Exposure to SO₂, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 10 μm, and nitrogen dioxide was assessed by averaging the concentration from all stations in the mother's residential city. SO₂ exposure was categorized into three groups, with the lowest tertile defined as the reference category. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. Higher SO₂ exposure during the first trimester was significantly associated with omphalocele risk [per standard deviation (42 ug/m³) increment: OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.22–1.65]. When focusing on shorter exposure windows, similar positive associations were observed for SO₂ exposure in the first and third months of pregnancy. In addition, compared with the lowest tertile, high SO₂ exposure in the second month of pregnancy increased the risk of omphalocele (OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.61–4.97). Maternal exposure to SO₂ during the first trimester may increase the risk of omphalocele in offspring.

[Sensitization characteristics of Juniperus chinensis pollen in Beijing area]

Objective: To investigate the sensitization characteristics of Juniperus chinensis pollen in patients with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma in Beijing area, and to explore the characteristics of Juniper chinensis pollen sensitized population. Methods: Patients with suspected allergic rhinitis and/or asthma from January 2017 to December 2019 in the outpatient department of Allergy Department of Beijing Shijitan Hospital were selected in this study. Skin prick test (SPT) was performed with Juniper chinensis pollen allergen reagent to compare different age and disease allergen distribution, and to observe the sensitization characteristics of its population. All of the analyses were performed using SAS software version 9.4. Results: A total of 8 380 patients were enrolled in the end. The total positive rate of Juniper chinensis pollen SPT reached 49.92% (4 183/8 380). The positive rate of Juniper chinensis pollen SPT was highest in the 10-14 age group, reaching 60.99% (283/464). Compared with other age groups, there was a statistical difference (χ²=266.77, P<0.01). The SPT positive rate of patients aged less than 10 years increased with the increase of age, while the SPT positive rate of patients aged over 40 years decreased with the increase of age. Single Juniper chinensis pollen was less allergenic, accounting for about 25.05% (1 048/4 183), and the patients' age was (35.21±12.39) years. Regardless of single Juniper chinensis pollen or other pollen allergies, allergic rhinitis was the main disease. Among the patients with SPT positive Juniper chinensis pollen combined with other inhaled pollen allergens, willow pollen accounted for the first (74.99%). The positive rate of Juniper chinensis pollen was the highest in patients with single allergic rhinitis, accounting for 52.05% (3 797/7 295), and the rate in patients with single allergic asthma was the lowest, accounting for 17.49% (53/303), with statistically difference (χ²=138.99, P<0.01). Conclusions: Juniper chinensis pollen is highly sensitized in patients with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma in Beijing . The positive rate of SPT is highest among 10-14 age group, most of which showed strong positive reaction, and allergic rhinitis is more common in Juniper chinensis pollen sensitization diseases.

The effects of pazopanib on doxorubicin pharmacokinetics in children and adults with non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma: a report from Children's Oncology Group and NRG Oncology study ARST1321

PURPOSE

The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment for soft tissue sarcomas is increasing given promising signals of activity in a variety of tumor types. The recently completed study in non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas, ARST1321, demonstrated that the addition of pazopanib to neoadjuvant ifosfamide, doxorubicin, and radiation improved the pathological near complete response rate compared with chemoradiotherapy alone. Pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluation of doxorubicin with pazopanib has not been previously reported. As an exploratory aim, doxorubicin PK data were collected during the dose-finding phase of the study in patients receiving chemotherapy and pazopanib to assess the effect of pazopanib on doxorubicin PK parameters.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected during cycle 2 (week 4) of chemotherapy at the following time points from doxorubicin administration: predose, 5, 30, and 60 min, and 2, 4, 8, 24 ± 3, and 48 ± 3 h after dosing. The population pharmacokinetic and individual post hoc estimates of doxorubicin and doxorubicinol were determined by nonlinear mixed-effects modeling.

RESULTS

There were 52 doxorubicin and doxorubicinol samples from 7 individuals in this study (median age: 17 years; range 14-23). The doxorubicin clearance was 26.9 (16.1, 36.4, and 33.9) L/h/m2 (post hoc median and range) and 25.8 (23.3%) L/h/m2 [population estimate and IIV (CV%)]. The doxorubicinol apparent clearance was 67.5 (18.2, 1701) L/h/m2 (post hoc median and range) and 58.7 (63.7%) L/h/m2 [population estimate and IIV (CV%)].

CONCLUSION

The PK data of seven patients treated on ARST1321 is consistent with previously reported population and post hoc doxorubicin clearance and doxorubicinol apparent clearance estimates, showing that the addition of pazopanib does not significantly alter doxorubicin pharmacokinetics. These data support the safety of administration of pazopanib with doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy.

[Progress on the pathogenesis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension]

Chronic thrombotic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare progressive pulmonary vascular disease, which is classified as World Health Organization (WHO) functional class Ⅳ pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The diagnosis was based on mean pulmonary arterial pressure ≥25 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure ≤15 mmHg measured by right heart catheterization, with the under-utilization of radionuclide ventilation/perfusion scan and regular anticoagulation therapy for at least three months. The incidence of CTEPH is low, at 4 cases per million population per year. Despite the in-depth research on CTEPH in recent years, the strengthening of clinical diagnostic awareness, and the emergence of treatment methods such as pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), the prognosis of CTEPH patients has been dramatically improved. However, the pathogenesis of CTEPH is unclear, and the lack of effective early diagnostic methods has become a bottleneck limiting the improvement of clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this paper, we reviewed the current research progress on the pathogenesis of CTEPH to increase the understanding of CTPTH disease.

[Application of next-generation sequencing in detection of BRCA1/2 and homologous recombination repair pathway multi-genes germline mutation and correlation analysis]

Objective: To investigate the germline mutation status of related genes in breast cancer patients and high-risk individuals by next-generation sequencing. To analyze the correlations between homologous recombination repair (HR) pathway gene mutation status and clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer patients. To supplement the database of breast cancer related gene mutations in Chinese population. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study. From October 2020 to September 2021, whole blood samples were collected from 350 breast cancer patients and 49 high-risk individuals, admitted to Peking University People's Hospital and accepted genetic testing voluntarily. Germline mutations in 32 breast cancer related genes were detected by NGS. The clinicopathological characteristics, including age at the onset, family history, unilateral/bilateral tumor, Luminal typing (Luminal A subtype, Luminal B subtype, HER2-enriched subtype and triple negative breast cancer), tumor size and metastasis, were analyzed, and the correlations between HR pathway gene mutation status and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed by Chi-squared test and Fisher's exact probability test. Results: Among 350 breast cancer patients, 64 (18.3%) cases carried gene pathogenic mutations (including pathogenic and likely pathogenic mutations), including 47 (13.4%) in BRCA1/2, 16 (4.6%) in non-BRCA1/2 genes, 1 (0.3%) in BRCA2 and FANCL. Among 49 high-risk individuals, 7 (14.3%) cases carried gene pathogenic mutations, including 6 (12.3%) in BRCA1/2 and 1 (2%) in ATM genes. BRCA1/2 pathogenic mutations were associated with age at the onset (18%, 8.7%, χ²=6.346, P=0.012), and the BRCA1/2 pathogenic mutation frequency was higher in patients diagnosed at age ≤45 years. HR pathway gene mutations (including pathogenic, likely pathogenic and uncertain significance mutations) were correlated with unilateral/bilateral tumor (49.5%, 68.4%, χ²=4.841, P=0.028) and Luminal typing (45.7%, 62.2%, 32%, 60%, χ²=12.004, P=0.007), and the HR mutation frequencies were higher in patients with bilateral tumor, Luminal B breast cancer and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Conclusion: The BRCA1/2 pathogenic mutation frequency in high-risk individuals is similar to that in breast cancer patients, and BRCA1/2 testing is helpful to guide breast cancer screening and prevention in high-risk individuals. Patients with early onset breast cancer, bilateral breast cancer, Luminal B breast cancer and TNBC have higher mutation frequencies of HR pathway genes, and HR pathway genes testing should be conducted as soon as possible to provide laboratory evidence for diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and risk evaluation of breast cancer.

Association between maternal exposure to PM10 and risk of anorectal atresia/stenosis in offspring: a population-based case-control study in Liaoning Province, China

The potential association between maternal exposure to PM₁₀ ranging from 3 months prior to conception to the end of the early trimester and the risk of anorectal atresia/stenosis in offspring has not been established. Thus, we determined the association between maternal exposure to PM₁₀ and risk of anorectal atresia/stenosis in offspring in this study. We recruited 713 patients including 480 male and 233 female with anorectal atresia/stenosis and 7950 randomly selected healthy offspring from the Maternal and Child Health Certificate Registry of Liaoning Province and delivered between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015. Monthly PM₁₀ concentrations were retrieved from the Environment Protection Bureau of each city in Liaoning Province. We established a multivariable logistic regression model to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Maternal exposure to PM₁₀ was associated with an increased risk for anorectal atresia/stenosis in offspring during the 3 months prior to conception (per 10 μg/m³ increment: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.03-1.20; per SD [27 μg/m³] increment: OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.09-1.63) and the first trimester (per 10 μg/m³ increment: OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00-1.17; per SD [28 μg/m³] increment: OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.01-1.57). Evaluation of the association with a shorter exposure window (1 month) revealed a positive association between anorectal atresia/stenosis and PM₁₀ from the 3rd month prior to pregnancy to each month of the 1st trimester. Maternal exposure to PM₁₀ 3 months prior to conception and during the 1st trimester was associated with an increased risk of anorectal atresia/stenosis in the offspring. Future perspective cohort studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Numerical study of aqueous humor flow and iris deformation with pupillary block and the efficacy of laser peripheral iridotomy

BACKGROUND

Disclosing the mechanism of primary angle closure glaucoma with pupillary block is important to the diagnosis as well as treatments, such as the laser peripheral iridotomy. Comparing with abundant clinical researches, there have been fewer quantitative studies of the aqueous humor flows with synechia iris configurations, and the efficacy of laser peripheral iridotomy in treating glaucoma.

METHODS

Based on the mathematical models of aqueous humor flow and iris deformation, the flow fields were simulated by computational fluid dynamics with normal and synechia iris configurations (iris-lens gap of 30, 5 and 2 μm, respectively), and through one-way fluid-structure coupling technique the deformations of the iris under the flow field pressure were calculated by finite element analysis. The efficacy of glaucoma treatment with different orifice sizes was also investigated.

FINDINGS

Results show that the pressure difference between anterior and posterior chambers and iris deformation increase dramatically with the iris-lens gap distance less than 5 μm, and when further decreasing this gap may lead the iris touch the cornea causing angle closure glaucoma with noticeable iris bombé. Laser peripheral iridotomy simulation results show that iridotomy size of 0.2 mm can effectively decrease the pressure difference across the iris and relieve iris bombé.

INTERPRETATION

This is a biomechanical numerical study, and the results are reasonable compare to those of published works. It may shed additional light on the diagnosis and treatment of angle closure glaucoma with pupillary block.

SAPCD2 promotes neuroblastoma progression by altering the subcellular distribution of E2F7

Recent studies uncovered the emerging roles of SAPCD2 (suppressor anaphase-promoting complex domain containing 2) in several types of human cancer. However, the functions and underlying mechanisms of SAPCD2 in the progression of neuroblastoma (NB) remain elusive. Herein, through integrative analysis of public datasets and regulatory network of GSK-J4, a small-molecule drug with anti-NB activity, we identified SAPCD2 as an appealing target with a high connection to poor prognosis in NB. SAPCD2 promoted NB progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SAPCD2 could directly bind to cytoplasmic E2F7 but not E2F1, alter the subcellular distribution of E2F7 and regulate E2F activity. Among the E2F family members, the roles of E2F7 in NB are poorly understood. We found that an increasing level of nuclear E2F7 was induced by SAPCD2 knockdown, thereby affecting the expression of genes involved in the cell cycle and chromosome instability. In addition, Selinexor (KTP-330), a clinically available inhibitor of exportin 1 (XPO1), could induce nuclear accumulation of E2F7 and suppress the growth of NB. Overall, our studies suggested a previously unrecognized role of SAPCD2 in the E2F signaling pathway and a potential therapeutic approach for NB, as well as clues for understanding the differences in subcellular distribution of E2F1 and E2F7 during their nucleocytoplasmic shuttling.

Effects and Mechanism of Salvianolic Acid B on the Injury of Human Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Induced by Iopromide

With the increasing application of medical imaging contrast materials, contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has become the third major cause of iatrogenic renal insufficiency. CIN is defined as an absolute increase in serum creatinine levels of at least 0.50 mg/dl or an increase >25% of serum creatinine from baseline after exposure to contrast. In this study, the protective effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) were detected in human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) exposed to iopromide. The results showed that different concentrations of Sal B counteract the loss of cell viability induced by iopromide, and reduce cell apoptosis, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and the levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)–related and apoptosis-related proteins such as p-IRE-1α, p-eIF-2α/eIF-2α, p-JNK, CHOP, Bax/Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3. In addition, Sal B at a concentration of 100 μmol/L inhibited ERS and reduced cell damage to a similar extent as the ERS inhibitor 4-PBA. Importantly, treatment with Sal B could abolish the injury induced by ERS agonist tunicamycin, increasing cell viability and the mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as significantly reducing ROS levels and the expression of Bax/Bcl-2, cleaved-caspase-3, GRP78, p-eIF2α, p-JNK, and CHOP. These results suggested that the protective effect of Sal B against HK-2 cell injury induced by iopromide may be related to the inhibition of ERS.

The Survival Rate of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants Improved in Guangdong Province, China.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1019118/v2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Background With the increase in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, their outcomes received special attention. However, in China, studies of the outcomes of ELBW infants are rare. Methods The hospitalized records of ELBW infants discharged from twenty-six neonatal intensive care units were reviewed and analyzed. Results A total of 2575 ELBW infants were enrolled and the overall survival rate was 55.11%. From 2008 to 2017, the number of ELBW infants increased rapidly from 91 to 466, and the survival rate improved steadily from 41.76–62.02%. The survival rate rose with increasing BW, the ascending level of regional economic development and specialist hospitals. The incidence of complications was neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (85.2%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (63.7%), retinopathy of prematurity (39.3%), intraventricular hemorrhage (29.4%), necrotizing enterocolitis (12.0%), and periventricular leukomalacia (8.0%). Among the 1156 nonsurvivors, 90.0% of infants died during the neonatal period (≤ 28 days), and the other died after the neonatal period. A total of 768 ELBW infants died after medical care withdrawal, with economic factors and expected outcome being important causes. Conclusion The number of ELBW infants is increasing in China, and the overall survival rate is still low but is improving steadily.