Hydrothermal synthesis of high crystallinity ZSM-5 zeolite from coal gasification coarse slag and mother liquor circulation for efficient coal chemical wastewater purification

A hydrothermal synthesis method was developed to produce high crystallinity ZSM-5 zeolite using coal gasification coarse slag (CGCS) as the raw material. Instead of the expensive NaOH(s.), Na2SiO3(s.) was utilized to activate, depolymerize, and recombine Si and Al elements in the CGCS. The mother liquor circulation technology was employed to recover and reuse raw materials and residual reagents (Na2SiO3(aq.) and TPABr), reducing waste emissions and enhancing resource utilization efficiency. The synthesized ZSM-5 had a specific surface area of 455.675 m2 g-1, pore volume of 0.284 cm3 g-1, and pore diameter of 2.496 nm. The influence of various factors on the morphology and crystallinity of ZSM-5 was investigated, resulting in the production of ZSM-5 with higher specific surface area and pore volume. Adsorption experiments showed that WU-ZSM-5 exhibited a removal efficiency of 85% for ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N(aq.)), validating its effectiveness in coal chemical wastewater purification. The mother liquor recycling technology enabled zero-emission utilization of solid waste resources and improved the utilization rate of alkali and template to 90%. These results demonstrate the potential application of the developed method in the efficient treatment of coal chemical wastewater.

[Clinical study on the efficacy and safety of glaucoma drainage implants in the treatment of different types of glaucoma]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glaucoma drainage implants(XEN-45 Gel Stent) for glaucoma treatment. Methods: A prospective study was conducted to continuously collect the clinical data of patients who were diagnosed with glaucoma and underwent XEN-45 Gel Stent implantation in the Ophthalmology Department of Peking University People's Hospital from January 2022 to August 2023. The visual acuity, intraocular pressure, number of glaucoma medications, and success rate of the patients were analyzed before and after surgery at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. The differences in intraocular pressure and number of glaucoma medications among primary open-angle glaucoma, primary angle closure glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and different implantation methods of XEN-45 Gel Stent among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were compared. The intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed, and the risk factors for needling and surgical complete success were analyzed. Results: A total of 48 eyes from 48 patients were included in this study, comprising 27 males and 21 females, with a mean age of (54.4±18.0) years and the disease duration was 36.0(7.3, 81.0) months.There were 28 cases of primary open-angle glaucoma, 4 cases of primary angle closure glaucoma, and 16 cases of secondary glaucoma.The follow-up period was 8.0 (3.0, 12.0) months. At 12 months after surgery, the intraocular pressure decreased from 20.5 (17.0, 26.0) mmHg to (13.5±3.3) mmHg (P<0.05), and the number of glaucoma medications decreased from 3.0 (3.0, 4.0) to 0.0 (0.0, 0.0) (P<0.05). The complete success rate and qualified success rate were 73.9% (17/23) and 91.3% (21/23), respectively. The most common postoperative complications were shallow anterior chamber in 6 cases (12.5%), hypotony in 3 cases (6.3%), and blocked stent in 3 cases (6.3%). The most common postoperative treatment was needling in 27 cases (56.3%). There was no significant difference in intraocular pressure among different types of glaucoma. In the comparison of postoperative effects of different surgical implantation methods for primary open-angle glaucoma, there were no statistically significant differences in intraocular pressure and the number of glaucoma medications at other follow-up time points except 1 month after surgery (P<0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis did not find any risk factors associated with needling and surgical complete success. Conclusions: XEN-45 Gel Stent implantation is an effective and safe surgical option for different types of glaucoma patients in China, which can significantly reduce intraocular pressure and the use of glaucoma medications and has a high success rate. However, some patients may need needling or other treatments after surgery.

Determination of Spin-Parity Quantum Numbers of X(2370) as 0^{-+} from J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η^{'}

Based on (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, a partial wave analysis of the decay J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η^{'} is performed. The mass and width of the X(2370) are measured to be 2395±11(stat)_{-94}^{+26}(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and 188_{-17}^{+18}(stat)_{-33}^{+124}(syst)  MeV, respectively. The corresponding product branching fraction is B[J/ψ→γX(2370)]×B[X(2370)→f_{0}(980)η^{'}]×B[f_{0}(980)→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}]=(1.31±0.22(stat)_{-0.84}^{+2.85}(syst))×10^{-5}. The statistical significance of the X(2370) is greater than 11.7σ and the spin parity is determined to be 0^{-+} for the first time. The measured mass and spin parity of the X(2370) are consistent with the predictions of the lightest pseudoscalar glueball.

[Establishment of a prognostic nomogram and discussion on optimal treatment for cervical adenocarcinoma:a retrospective study based on SEER database and Chinese single-center data]

Objective: To establish and validate a predicting nomogram for cervical adenocarcinoma based on surveillance, epidemiology and end results (SEER) database and Chinese single-center data, and to explore the optimal treatment for cervical adenocarcinoma. Methods: This study selected 2 478 cervical adenocarcinoma patients from the SEER database as the training cohort, and 195 cervical adenocarcinoma patients from Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaouing Cancer Hospital and Institute as an external validation cohort. Clinicopathological information and follow-up data of the two cohorts were collected. The radiotherapy group was defined as receiving comprehensive treatment based on concurrent chemoradiotherapy after initial diagnosis, while the surgery group was defined as receiving comprehensive treatment based on radical surgery. Log-rank test and cox regression were used to evaluate factors affecting the prognosis of cervical adenocarcinoma patients. A nomogram was drawn to predict the 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates of cervical adenocarcinoma patients, and then internal validation of the training cohort from SEER database and external validation of the hospital cohort were conducted. Results: (1) In the SEER database training cohort, there were 385 patients (15.54%, 385/2 478) in the radiotherapy group and 2 093 patients (84.46%, 2 093/2 478) in the surgery group. Overall survival time of the radiotherapy group was (55.8±51.3) months, while that of the surgery roup was (94.4±61.7) months, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2=256.44, P<0.001). Log-rank test showed that age, marital status, maximum of tumor diameters, pathological grade, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, and treatments were all significant factors affecting the overall survival time of cervical adenocarcinoma patients (all P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that elder (>50 years old), single status, huge tumors (>4 cm), high pathological grades (G2, G3), and advanced FIGO stages (≥Ⅱa2 stage) were independent risk factors for the overall survival time of cervical adenocarcinoma patients (all P<0.05); compared with radiotherapy, surgery was a protective factor for the prognosis of cervical adenocarcinoma patients (HR=0.619, 95%CI: 0.494-0.777; P<0.001). Further analysis of locally advanced stage and Ⅲc stage of patients showed that surgery was a protective factor for the prognosis of cervical adenocarcinoma patients with a maximum tumor diameter >4 to <6 cm (HR=0.414, 95%CI: 0.182-0.942; P=0.036) in locally advanced stage and Ⅲc T1 to T2 stage (HR=0.473, 95%CI: 0.307-0.728; P=0.001). (2) The external validation cohort consisted of 39 patients (20.00%, 39/195) in the radiotherapy group and 156 patients (80.00%, 156/195) in the surgery group. The overall survival time of patients in the radiotherapy group was (51.7±34.3) months, while that of the surgery group was (63.1±26.6) months (χ2=28.41, P<0.001). Further analysis was conducted on locally advanced stage and Ⅲc stage patients, and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed after propensity score matching, which showed that surgery was a protective factor for the prognosis of cervical adenocarcinoma patients with a maximum tumor diameter >4 to <6 cm in locally advanced stage (HR=0.141, 95%CI: 0.023-0.843; P=0.032) and Ⅲc T1 to T2 stage (HR=0.184, 95%CI: 0.036-0.947; P=0.043). (3) Establishment and internal and external validation of nomogram: based on the six factors screened out by the multivariate Cox regression model, the nomogram was developed to predict the prognosis of cervical adenocarcinoma patients. The consistency index of the internal and external validation were 0.801 and 0.766, respectively, and the calibration curves matched well with the ideal fitting line. Conclusions: The key to the treatment of cervical adenocarcinoma is to prioritize radical surgery for patients with conditions for radical tumor resection. Compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, patients with locally advanced stages (Ⅰb3, Ⅱa2), and Ⅲc (T1, T2) stages cervical adenocarcinoma could benefit from comprehensive treatment based on radical surgery. The nomogram of this study has been validated internally and externally, and show good survival prediction efficacy for cervical adenocarcinoma patients.

[Diagnostic value of whole blood cell parameters logistic regression model for radiation injury on radiation workers]

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of whole blood cell parameters logistic regression model for radiation injury on radiation workers by comparing the differences of whole blood cell parameters between occupational radiation injury population and occupational health examination population. Methods: In February 2023, 184 radiation workers who received occupational health examinations in our hospital and occurrenced chromosome aberration from July 2021 to July 2022 were retrospectively selected as the radiation injury group. And other 184 radiation workers encountered in the same period without chromosome aberration occurrence were selected as the control group. Collected whole blood cell parameters from two groups of research subjects, conducted comparative analysis, constructed a logistic regression model, and evaluated the diagnostic value of the logistic regression model for radiation injury on radiation workers by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and area under curve (AUC) . In addition, with the same standard, 60 radiation workers with chromosome aberration and 60 radiation workers without chromosome aberration from August 2022 to January 2023 were included in the validation queue to validate the logistic regression model. Results: Neu_X, Neu_Y, Neu_Z, Lym_X, Lym_Y, Lym_Z, Mon_X, Mon_Y, Mon_Z, Micro, MCHC in the radiation injury group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . And MCV and Macro in the radiation injury group were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Moreover, logistic regression analysis showed that Lym_X, Lym_Y, Lym_Z, MCHC, Micro were all independent risk factors for diagnosing radiation injury on radiation workers (OR=1.08、1.02、0.99、1.06、51.32, P<0.05) . ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the logistic regression model based by Lym_X, Lym_Y, Lym_Z, MCHC and Micro in diagnosing radiation injury on radiation workers were 0.80, 85.9%, 65.8% and 75.9% respectively. The validation queue verified the logistic regression model and the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the logistic regression model were 0.80, 81.7%, 71.7% and 76.7% respectively, the model fitted well. Conclusion: Radiation damage can cause changes in multiple whole blood cell parameters of radiation workers. The logistic regression model based by Lym_X, Lym_Y, Lym_Z, MCHC and Micro showed good diagnosis ability and can be used for the screening of radiation injury on radiation workers.

Observation of Structures in the Processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2}

We present measurements of the Born cross sections for the processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s] from 4.308 to 4.951 GeV. The measurements are performed with data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 11.0  fb^{-1} collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider storage ring. Assuming the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c2} signals come from a single resonance, the mass and width are determined to be M=(4413.6±9.0±0.8)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(110.5±15.0±2.9)  MeV, respectively, which is consistent with the parameters of the well-established resonance ψ(4415). In addition, we also use one single resonance to describe the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} line shape and determine the mass and width to be M=(4544.2±18.7±1.7)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(116.1±33.5±1.7)  MeV, respectively. The structure of this line shape, observed for the first time, requires further understanding.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Developing Palate in Mice

The intricate formation of the palate involves a series of complex events, yet its mechanistic basis remains uncertain. To explore major cell populations in the palate and their roles during development, we constructed a spatiotemporal transcription landscape of palatal cells. Palate samples from C57BL/6 J mice at embryonic days 12.5 (E12.5), 14.5 (E14.5), and 16.5 (E16.5) underwent single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify distinct cell subsets. In addition, spatial enhanced resolution omics-sequencing (stereo-seq) was used to characterize the spatial distribution of these subsets. Integrating scRNA-seq and stereo-seq with CellTrek annotated mesenchymal and epithelial cellular components of the palate during development. Furthermore, cellular communication networks between these cell subpopulations were analyzed to discover intercellular signaling during palate development. From the analysis of the middle palate, both mesenchymal and epithelial populations were spatially segregated into 3 domains. The middle palate mesenchymal subpopulations were associated with tooth formation, ossification, and tissue remodeling, with initial state cell populations located proximal to the dental lamina. The nasal epithelium of the palatal shelf exhibited richer humoral immune responses than the oral side. Specific enrichment of Tgfβ3 and Pthlh signals in the midline epithelial seam at E14.5 suggested a role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In summary, this study provides high-resolution transcriptomic information, contributing to a deeper mechanistic understanding of palate biology and pathophysiology.

Triglyceride-glucose index predicts postoperative delirium in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium (POD) is more prevalent among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Insulin resistance (IR) can be assessed using the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a novel biomarker. This study aims to investigate the predictive potential of the TyG index for POD in elderly patients with T2DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Elderly patients (≥ 65) with T2DM who underwent non-neurosurgery and non-cardiac surgery were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between the TyG index and POD. Additionally, subgroup analyses were performed to compare the sex-specific differences in the predictive ability of the TyG index for POD.

RESULTS

A total of 4566 patients were included in this retrospective cohort. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the optimal cut-off value for the TyG index to be 8.678. In the univariate model, a TyG index > 8.678 exhibited an odds ratio (OR) of 1.668 (95% CI: 1.210-2.324, P = 0.002) for predicting POD. In the multivariate regression models, the ORs were 1.590 (95% CI: 1.133-2.252, P < 0.008), 1.661 (95% CI: 1.199-2.325, P < 0.003), and 1.603 (95% CI: 1.137-2.283, P = 0.008) for different models. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the predictive ability of the TyG index was more pronounced in females compared to males.

CONCLUSION

The TyG index shows promise as a novel biomarker for predicting the occurrence of POD in elderly surgical patients with T2DM.

Coupled-Channel Analysis of the χ_{c1}(3872) Line Shape with BESIII Data

We perform a study of the χ_{c1}(3872) line shape using the data samples of e^{+}e^{-}→γχ_{c1}(3872), χ_{c1}(3872)→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{0}π^{0}, and π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ collected with the BESIII detector. The effects of the coupled channels and the off-shell D^{*0} are included in the parametrization of the line shape. The line shape mass parameter is obtained to be M_{X}=(3871.63±0.13_{-0.05}^{+0.06})  MeV. Two poles are found on the first and second Riemann sheets corresponding to the D^{*0}D[over ¯]^{0} branch cut. The pole location on the first sheet is much closer to the D^{*0}D[over ¯]^{0} threshold than the other, and is determined to be 7.04±0.15_{-0.08}^{+0.07}  MeV above the D^{0}D[over ¯]^{0}π^{0} threshold with an imaginary part -0.19±0.08_{-0.19}^{+0.14}  MeV.

Observation of the Anomalous Shape of X(1840) in J/ψ→γ3(π^{+}π^{-}) Indicating a Second Resonance Near pp[over ¯] Threshold

Using a sample of (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events, which is about 45 times larger than that was previously analyzed, a further investigation on the J/ψ→γ3(π^{+}π^{-}) decay is performed. A significant distortion at 1.84  GeV/c^{2} in the line shape of the 3(π^{+}π^{-}) invariant mass spectrum is observed for the first time, which could be resolved by two overlapping resonant structures, X(1840) and X(1880). The new state X(1880) is observed with a statistical significance larger than 10σ. The mass and width of X(1880) are determined to be 1882.1±1.7±0.7  MeV/c^{2} and 30.7±5.5±2.4  MeV, respectively, which indicates the existence of a pp[over ¯] bound state.

Study of the f_{0}(980) and f_{0}(500) Scalar Mesons through the Decay D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{-}e^{+}ν_{e}

Using e^{+}e^{-} collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.33  fb^{-1} recorded by the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV, we present an analysis of the decay D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{-}e^{+}ν_{e}, where the D_{s}^{+} is produced via the process e^{+}e^{-}→D_{s}^{*±}D_{s}^{∓}. We observe the f_{0}(980) in the π^{+}π^{-} system and the branching fraction of the decay D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(980)e^{+}ν_{e} with f_{0}(980)→π^{+}π^{-} measured to be (1.72±0.13_{stat}±0.10_{syst})×10^{-3}, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The dynamics of the D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(980)e^{+}ν_{e} decay are studied with the simple pole parametrization of the hadronic form factor and the Flatté formula describing the f_{0}(980) in the differential decay rate, and the product of the form factor f_{+}^{f_{0}}(0) and the c→s Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cs}| is determined for the first time to be f_{+}^{f_{0}}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.504±0.017_{stat}±0.035_{syst}. Furthermore, the decay D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(500)e^{+}ν_{e} is searched for the first time but no signal is found. The upper limit on the branching fraction of D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(500)e^{+}ν_{e}, f_{0}(500)→π^{+}π^{-} decay is set to be 3.3×10^{-4} at 90% confidence level.

Organophosphate triesters and their diester degradation products in the atmosphere-A critical review

Organophosphate triesters (tri-OPEs) have found substantial use as plasticizers and flame retardants in commercial and industrial products. Despite upcoming potential restrictions on use of OPEs, widespread environmental contamination is likely for the foreseeable future. Organophosphate diesters (di-OPEs) are known biotic or abiotic degradation products of tri-OPEs. In addition, direct use of di-OPEs as commercial products also contributes to their presence in the atmosphere. We review the available data on contamination with tri-OPEs and di-OPEs in both indoor and outdoor air. Concentrations of tri-OPEs in indoor air exceed those in outdoor air. The widespread discovery of tri-OPE traces in polar regions and oceans is noteworthy and is evidence that they undergo long-range transport. There are only two studies on di-OPEs in outdoor air and no studies on di-OPEs in indoor air until now. Current research on di-OPEs in indoor and outdoor air is urgently needed, especially in countries with potentially high exposure to di-OPEs such as the UK and the US. Di-OPE concentrations are higher at e-waste dismantling areas than at surrounding area. We also summarise the methods employed for sampling and analysis of OPEs in the atmosphere and assess the relative contribution to atmospheric concentrations of di-OPEs made by environmental degradation of triesters, compared to the presence of diesters as by-products in commercial triester products. Finally, we identify shortcomings of current research and provide suggestions for future research.

Feasibility study of the multishot gradient-echo planar imaging sequence in non-enhanced and free-breathing whole-heart magnetic resonance coronary angiography

AIM

To investigate the feasibility of non-enhanced and free-breathing whole-heart magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) using multishot gradient-echo planar imaging (MSG-EPI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 29 healthy volunteers were recruited for free-breathing whole-heart MRCA acquisition using the MSG-EPI sequence and fast gradient echo (GRE) sequence. After the examination, the actual scanning times, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the left main (LM) coronary artery, subjective quality scores for each segment, and evaluable length of the coronary artery were recorded and statistically analysed.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the SNRLM of the MSG-EPI sequence and fast GRE sequence (p=0.130), but the CNRLM of the MSG-EPI sequence was higher (p=0.001). The subjective quality score of the mid- and distal left anterior descending branch as well as the distal circumflex branch of the coronary artery in the MSG-EPI sequence was higher than that in the fast GRE sequence (p=0.003, 0.001, and 0.003, respectively). The evaluable length of the left anterior descending branch and the circumflex branch was better using the MSG-EPI sequence than that of the fast GRE sequence (p=0.015 and < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the scanning time of the MSG-EPI sequence was 54.5% less than that of the fast GRE sequence (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The MSG-EPI sequence improves the subjective and objective image quality of MRCA as well as reduces the scanning time.

Public Knowledge and Awareness of Anesthesiology and Anesthesiologists in China: A Cross-Sectional National Survey of 1 Million Participants

BACKGROUND

In the past 20 years, anesthesiology has become one of the most advanced specialties and has undergone rapid development. However, public awareness regarding anesthesiology and anesthesiologists is limited, especially in developing countries. It is important for anesthesiologists to make the public aware of their role during surgery. Therefore, a nationwide survey was set up to investigate public awareness of anesthesiology and anesthesiologists in China.

METHOD

A cross-sectional nationwide survey was performed from June 2018 to June 2019 in 34 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China and an overseas region. The questionnaires of the survey were divided into 2 main parts: general items and research items. General items included the demographic characteristics of the participants; research items consisted of 10 questions about the public's awareness of anesthesiologists and anesthesiology. Data quality control was undertaken by the investigation committee throughout the survey process.

RESULTS

The nationwide survey enrolled 1,001,279 participants (male, 40.7%). We found that most of the participants regarded anesthesiologists as doctors. However, public knowledge of anesthesiologists' work and duties during surgery was quite low, with correct response rate ranging from 16.5% to 52.9%, and anesthesiologist responsibilities were often mistakenly attributed to surgeons or nurses. It is disappointing that more than half of participants still thought that, once the patient fell asleep after receiving anesthetics, the anesthesiologist could leave the operating room. Finally, the correct response rate was positively correlated with the economic levels of the regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Public awareness regarding anesthesiology and anesthesiologists in China remains inadequate. Due to the biases and characteristics of the participants, the actual situation of the general Chinese public is likely even worse than reflected here. Therefore, extensive measures should be undertaken to improve public knowledge of anesthesiology and anesthesiologists.

The clinical applications of D-type parastomal hernia repair surgery

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the use of a modified laparoscopic repair of paraostomy hernia technique, called "D-Type parastomal hernia repair surgery" which combines abdominal wall and extraperitoneal stoma reconstruction, in patients with parastomal hernia (PSH) following colorectal stoma surgery. The aim was to determine whether D-type parastomal hernia repair surgery is a promising surgical approach compared to the traditional laparoscopic repair technique (Sugarbaker method) for patients with PSH.

METHODS

PSH patients were selected and retrospectively divided into two groups: the study group underwent D-type parastomal hernia repair, while the control group underwent laparoscopic Sugarbaker repair. Clinical data from both groups were analyzed.

RESULT

Compared to control group (n = 68), the study group undergoing D-type stoma lateral hernia repair had significant increase in total operative time (98.82 ± 12.37 min vs 124.61 ± 34.99 min, p < 0.001). The study group also showed better postoperative stoma bowel function scores in sensory ability, frequency of bowel movements, and clothing cleanliness without a stoma bag (p = 0.037, 0.001, 0.002). The treatment cost was significantly higher in the control group (3899.97 ± 260.00$ vs 3215.91 ± 230.03$, p < 0.001). The postoperative recurrence rate in the control group was 26.4%, while in the study group, it was 4.3%, with a significant statistical difference (p = 0.024). In terms of long-term postoperative complications, the study group had an overall lower incidence compared to the control group (p = 0.035). Other parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The study suggests that D-type parastomal hernia repair surgery is a safe and feasible procedure. Compared to traditional surgery, it can reduce the recurrence of lateral hernia, improve postoperative stoma bowel function, and save medical resources.

Observation of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} in the Amplitude Analysis of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η

We perform for the first time an amplitude analysis of the decay D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η and report the observation of the decay D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} using 2.93  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data taken at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector. As the only W-annihilation-free decay among D to a_{0}(980) pseudoscalar, D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} is the ideal decay in extracting the contributions of the W-emission amplitudes involving a_{0}(980) and to study the final-state interactions. The absolute branching fraction of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η is measured to be (1.27±0.04_{stat}±0.03_{syst})%. The branching fractions of intermediate processes D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} with a_{0}(980)^{+}→π^{+}η and D^{+}→π^{+}K[over ¯]_{0}^{*}(1430)^{0} with K[over ¯]_{0}^{*}(1430)^{0}→K_{S}^{0}η are measured to be (1.33±0.05_{stat}±0.04_{syst})% and (0.14±0.03_{stat}±0.01_{syst})%, respectively.

Observation of Significant Flavor-SU(3) Breaking in the Kaon Wave Function at 12<Q^{2}<25 GeV^{2} and Discovery of the Charmless Decay ψ(3770)→K_{S}^{0}K_{L}^{0}

We present cross sections for the reaction e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}K_{L}^{0} at center-of-mass energies ranging from 3.51 to 4.95 GeV using data samples collected in the BESIII experiment, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 26.5  fb^{-1}. The ratio of neutral-to-charged kaon form factors at large momentum transfers (12 Collapse

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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.

Biochars assisted phytoremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminated agricultural soil: Dynamic responses of functional genes and microbial community

A biochar-intensified phytoremediation experiment was designed to investigate the dynamic effects of different biochars on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) removal in ryegrass rhizosphere contaminated soil. Maize and wheat straw biochar pyrolyzed at 300 °C and 500 °C were amended into PAH-contaminated soil, and then ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) was planted for 90 days. Spearman's correlations among PAH removal, enzyme activity, abundance of PAH-ring hydroxylating dioxygenase (PAH-RHDα), and fungal and bacterial community structure were analyzed to elucidate the microbial degradation mechanisms during the combined remediation process. The results showed that 500 °C wheat straw biochar had higher surface area and more nutrients, and significantly accelerated the phytoremediation of PAHs (62.5 %), especially for high molecular weight PAH in contaminated soil. The activities of urease and dehydrogenase and the abundance of total and PAH-degrading bacteria, which improved with time by biochar and ryegrass, had a positive correlation with the removal rate of PAHs. Biochar enhanced the abundance of gram-negative (GN) PAH-RHDα genes. The GN PAH-degraders, Sphingomonas, bacteriap25, Haliangium, and Dongia may play vital roles in PAH degradation in biochar-amended rhizosphere soils. Principal coordinate analysis indicated that biochar led to significant differences in fungal community structures before 30 days, while the diversity of the bacterial community composition depended on planting ryegrass after 60 days. These findings imply that the structural reshaping of microbial communities results from incubation time and the selection of biochar and ryegrass in PAH-contaminated soils. Applying 500 °C wheat straw biochar could enhance the rhizoremediation of PAH-contaminated soil and benefit the soil microbial ecology.

Narrow bandwidth, low-emittance positron beams from a laser-wakefield accelerator

The rapid progress that plasma wakefield accelerators are experiencing is now posing the question as to whether they could be included in the design of the next generation of high-energy electron-positron colliders. However, the typical structure of the accelerating wakefields presents challenging complications for positron acceleration. Despite seminal proof-of-principle experiments and theoretical proposals, experimental research in plasma-based acceleration of positrons is currently limited by the scarcity of positron beams suitable to seed a plasma accelerator. Here, we report on the first experimental demonstration of a laser-driven source of ultra-relativistic positrons with sufficient spectral and spatial quality to be injected in a plasma accelerator. Our results indicate, in agreement with numerical simulations, selection and transport of positron beamlets containingN e + ≥ 10 5 positrons in a 5% bandwidth around 600 MeV, with femtosecond-scale duration and micron-scale normalised emittance. Particle-in-cell simulations show that positron beams of this kind can be guided and accelerated in a laser-driven plasma accelerator, with favourable scalings to further increase overall charge and energy using PW-scale lasers. The results presented here demonstrate the possibility of performing experimental studies of positron acceleration in a laser-driven wakefield accelerator.

Investigation of the ΔI=1/2 Rule and Test of CP Symmetry through the Measurement of Decay Asymmetry Parameters in Ξ^{-} Decays

Using (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, numerous Ξ^{-} and Λ decay asymmetry parameters are simultaneously determined from the process J/ψ→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+}→Λ(pπ^{-})π^{-}Λ[over ¯](n[over ¯]π^{0})π^{+} and its charge-conjugate channel. The precisions of α_{Λ0} for Λ→nπ^{0} and α[over ¯]_{Λ0} for Λ[over ¯]→n[over ¯]π^{0} compared to world averages are improved by factors of 4 and 1.7, respectively. The ratio of decay asymmetry parameters of Λ→nπ^{0} to that of Λ→pπ^{-}, ⟨α_{Λ0}⟩/⟨α_{Λ-}⟩, is determined to be 0.873±0.012_{-0.010}^{+0.011}, where the first and the second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The ratio is smaller than unity more than 5σ, which signifies the existence of the ΔI=3/2 transition in Λ for the first time. Besides, we test for CP symmetry in Ξ^{-}→Λπ^{-} and in Λ→nπ^{0} with the best precision to date.

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}.

Impact of Legislation on Brominated Flame Retardant Concentrations in UK Indoor and Outdoor Environments: Evidence for Declining Indoor Emissions of Some Legacy BFRs

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) were measured in indoor dust, indoor air, and outdoor air in Birmingham, UK. Concentrations of ΣBFRs ranged from 490 to 89,000 ng/g, 46-14,000 pg/m3, and 22-11,000 pg/m3, respectively, in UK indoor dust, indoor air, and outdoor air. BDE-209 and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) were the main contributors. The maximum concentration of DBDPE (10,000 pg/m3) in outdoor air is the highest reported anywhere to date. In contrast with previous studies of outdoor air in Birmingham, we observed significant correlations between concentrations of tri- to hepta-BDEs and HBCDD and temperature. This may suggest that primary emissions from ongoing use of these BFRs have diminished and that secondary emissions (e.g., evaporation from soil) are now a potentially major source of these BFRs in outdoor air. Conversely, the lack of significant correlations between temperature and concentrations of BDE-209 and DBDPE may indicate that ongoing primary emissions from indoor sources remain important for these BFRs. Further research to clarify the relative importance of primary and secondary sources of BFRs to outdoor air is required. Comparison with earlier studies in Birmingham reveals significant (p < 0.05) declines in concentrations of legacy BFRs, but significant increases for NBFRs over the past decade. While there appear minimal health burdens from BFR exposure for UK adults, dust ingestion of BDE-209 may pose a significant risk for UK toddlers.

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.

Observation of D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, Precision Test of Lepton Flavor Universality with D_{s}^{+}→η^{(')}l^{+}ν_{l}, and First Measurements of D_{s}^{+}→η^{(')}μ^{+}ν_{μ} Decay Dynamics

By analyzing 7.33  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, we report the observation of the semileptonic decay D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, with a statistical significance larger than 10σ, and the measurements of the D_{s}^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ} decay dynamics for the first time. The branching fractions of D_{s}^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ} are determined to be (2.235±0.051_{stat}±0.052_{syst})% and (0.801±0.055_{stat}±0.028_{syst})%, respectively, with precision improved by factors of 6.0 and 6.6 compared to the previous best measurements. Combined with the results for the decays D_{s}^{+}→ηe^{+}ν_{e} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}e^{+}ν_{e}, the ratios of the decay widths are examined both inclusively and in several ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} four-momentum transfer ranges. No evidence for lepton flavor universality violation is found within the current statistics. The products of the hadronic form factors f_{+,0}^{η^{(')}}(0) and the c→s Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cs}| are determined. The results based on the two-parameter series expansion are f_{+,0}^{η}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.452±0.010_{stat}±0.007_{syst} and f_{+,0}^{η^{'}}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.504±0.037_{stat}±0.012_{syst}, which help to constrain present models on f_{+,0}^{η^{(')}}(0). The forward-backward asymmetries are determined to be ⟨A_{FB}^{η}⟩=-0.059±0.031_{stat}±0.005_{syst} and ⟨A_{FB}^{η^{'}}⟩=-0.064±0.079_{stat}±0.006_{syst} for the first time, which are consistent with the theoretical calculation.

Treatment with β-sitosterol ameliorates the effects of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by suppressing cholesterol overload, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis

β-Sitosterol is a type of phytosterol that occurs naturally in plants. Previous studies have shown that it has anti-oxidant, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-tumor effects, but it is unknown whether β-sitosterol treatment reduces the effects of ischemic stroke. Here we found that, in a mouse model of ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, β-sitosterol reduced the volume of cerebral infarction and brain edema, reduced neuronal apoptosis in brain tissue, and alleviated neurological dysfunction; moreover, β-sitosterol increased the activity of oxygen- and glucose-deprived cerebral cortex neurons and reduced apoptosis. Further investigation showed that the neuroprotective effects of β-sitosterol may be related to inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress caused by intracellular cholesterol accumulation after ischemic stroke. In addition, β-sitosterol showed high affinity for NPC1L1, a key transporter of cholesterol, and antagonized its activity. In conclusion, β-sitosterol may help treat ischemic stroke by inhibiting neuronal intracellular cholesterol overload/endoplasmic reticulum stress/apoptosis signaling pathways.

Protection of Ndrg2 deficiency on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury via activating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy

BACKGROUND

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (R-I/R) injury is the most prevalent cause of acute kidney injury, with high mortality and poor prognosis. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (Ndrg2) in R-I/R injury.

METHODS

We examined the expression of Ndrg2 in the kidney under normal physiological conditions and after R-I/R injury by immunofluorescence staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. We then detected R-I/R injury in Ndrg2-deficient (Ndrg2-/-) mice and wild type (Ndrg2+/+) littermates in vivo, and detected oxygen and glucose deprivation and reperfusion injury (OGD-R) in HK-2 cells. We further conducted transcriptomic sequencing to investigate the role of Ndrg2 in R-I/R injury and detected levels of oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage by dihydroethidium staining, biochemical assays, and western blot. Finally, we measured the levels of mitophagy in Ndrg2+/+ and Ndrg2-/- mice after R-I/R injury or HK-2 cells in OGD-R injury.

RESULTS

We found that Ndrg2 was primarily expressed in renal proximal tubules and significantly decreased its expression 24 h after R-I/R injury. Ndrg2-/- mice exhibited significantly attenuated R-I/R injury compared to Ndrg2+/+ mice. Transcriptomics profiling showed that Ndrg2 deficiency induced perturbations of multiple signaling pathways, downregulated inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, and increased autophagy following R-I/R injury. Further studies revealed that Ndrg2 deficiency reduced oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. Notably, Ndrg2 deficiency significantly activated phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome ten-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin-mediated mitophagy. The downregulation of NDRG2 expression significantly increased cell viability after OGD-R injury, increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1, decreased the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4, and increased the expression of the PINK1/Parkin pathway.

CONCLUSION

Ndrg2 deficiency might become a therapy target for R-I/R injury by decreasing oxidative stress, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, and activating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy.

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.

Determination of the Σ^{+} Timelike Electromagnetic Form Factors

Based on data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, the process e^{+}e^{-}→Σ^{+}Σ[over ¯]^{-} is studied at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=2.3960, 2.6454, and 2.9000 GeV. Using a fully differential angular description of the final state particles, both the relative magnitude and phase information of the Σ^{+} electromagnetic form factors in the timelike region are extracted. The relative phase between the electric and magnetic form factors is determined to be sinΔΦ=-0.67±0.29(stat)±0.18(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.3960  GeV, ΔΦ=55°±19°(stat)±14°(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.6454  GeV, and 78°±22°(stat)±9°(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.9000  GeV. For the first time, the phase of the hyperon electromagnetic form factors is explored in a wide range of four-momentum transfer. The evolution of the phase along with four-momentum transfer is an important input for understanding its asymptotic behavior and the dynamics of baryons.

So close, yet so far away: the relationship between MAM and cardiac disease

Mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM) serve as crucial contact sites between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Recent research has highlighted the significance of MAM, which serve as a platform for various protein molecules, in processes such as calcium signaling, ATP production, mitochondrial structure and function, and autophagy. Cardiac diseases caused by any reason can lead to changes in myocardial structure and function, significantly impacting human health. Notably, MAM exhibits various regulatory effects to maintain cellular balance in several cardiac diseases conditions, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiotoxicity. MAM proteins independently or interact with their counterparts, forming essential tethers between the ER and mitochondria in cardiomyocytes. This review provides an overview of key MAM regulators, detailing their structure and functions. Additionally, it explores the connection between MAM and various cardiac injuries, suggesting that precise genetic, pharmacological, and physical regulation of MAM may be a promising strategy for preventing and treating heart failure.

[Preliminary study on the effect of Echinococcus multilocaris on phenotypic transformations of glucose metabolism and polarization types in macrophages]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of Echinococcus multilocularis on the phenotypic transformations of glucose metabolism, polarization types and inflammatory responses in macrophages, so as to provide insights into elucidation of echinococcosis pathogenesis.

METHODS

Bone marrow cells were isolated from C57BL/6J mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks, and induced into bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) with mouse macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), which served as controls (BMDMs-M0). BMDMs-M0 induced M2 macrophages by interleukin-4 for 24 hours served as the IL-4 induction group, and BMDMs-M0 co-cultured with 2.4 ng/mL E. multilocularis cystic fluid (CF) served as the BMDM-CF co-culture group, while BMDMs-M0 co-cultured with E. multilocularis protoscolex (PSC) at a ratio of 500:1 served as the BMDM-PSC co-culture group. The types of polarization of BMDMs co-cultured with E. multilocularis CF and PSC were analyzed using flow cytometry, and the expression of macrophage markers, inflammatory factors, and glucose metabolism-related enzymes was quantified using fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting assays.

RESULTS

There were significant differences among the four groups in terms of Arginase-1 (Arg1) (F = 1 457.00, P < 0.000 1), macrophages-derived C-C motif chemokine 22 (Ccl22) (F = 22 203.00, P < 0.000 1), resistin-like α (Retnla) (F = 151.90, P < 0.000 1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (F = 107.80, P < 0.001), hexokinase (HK) (F = 9 389.00, P < 0.000 1), pyruvate kinase (PK) (F = 641.40, P < 0.001), phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1) (F = 43.97, P < 0.01), glucokinase (GK) (F = 432.50, P < 0.000 1), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases1 (PDK1) (F = 737.30, P < 0.000 1), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) (F = 3 632.00, P < 0.000 1), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) (F = 532.40, P < 0.000 1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) (F = 460.00, P < 0.000 1), citrate synthase (CS) (F = 5 642.00, P < 0.01), glycogen synthase1 (GYS1) (F = 273.30, P < 0.000 1), IL-6 (F = 1 823.00, P < 0.000 1), IL-10 (F = 291.70, P < 0.000 1), IL-1β (F = 986.60, P < 0.000 1), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (F = 334.80, P < 0.000 1) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β mRNA expression (F = 163.30, P < 0.001). The proportion of M2 macrophages was significantly higher than that of M1 macrophages in the BMDM-PSC co-culture group [(22.87% ±1.48%) vs. (1.70% ±0.17%); t = 24.61, P < 0.001], and the proportion of M2 macrophages was significantly higher than that of M1 macrophages in the BMDM-CF co-culture group [(20.07% ±0.64%) vs. (1.93% ±0.25%); t = 45.73, P < 0.001]. The mRNA expression of M2 macrophages markers Arg1, Ccl22 and Retnla was significantly higher in the BMDM-CF and BMDM-PSC co-culture groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.01), and no significant difference was seen in the mRNA expression of the M1 macrophage marker iNOS among the three groups (P > 0.05), while qPCR assay quantified higher mRNA expression of key glycolytic enzymes HK, PK and PFK, as well as inflammatory factors IL-10, IL-1β, TNF-α and TGF-β in the BMDM-CF and BMDM-PSC co-culture groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.01). Western blotting assay determined higher HK, PK and PFK protein expression in the BMDM-PSC co-culture group than in the control group (all P values < 0.05), and qPCR quantified higher GLUT1, GAPDH and IL-6 mRNA expression in the BMDM-CF co-culture group than in the control group (all P values < 0.05), while higher HK, PK and PFK protein and mRNA expression (all P values < 0.01), as well as lower IL-6 and TNF-α and higher TGF-β mRNA expression (both P values < 0.05) was detected in the IL-4 induction group than in the control group. Glycolytic stress test showed no significant difference in the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) of mouse BMDM among the control group, IL-4 induction group and BMDM-PSC co-culture group (F = 124.4, P < 0.05), and a higher ECAR was seen in the BMDM-PSC co-culture group and a lower ECAR was found in the IL-4 induction group than in the control group (both P values < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of E. multilocularis CF or PSC mainly causes polarization of BMDM into M2 macrophages, and phenotypic transformation of glucose metabolism into high-energy and high-glycolytic metabolism, and affects inflammatory responses in BMDM.

Immobilization of two dendritic organic phases onto silica and their molecular shape recognition for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, tocopherols and carotenoid isomers

BACKGROUND

Molecular shape selectivity, based on the size and shape parameters of the molecule, such as length and planarity, is a separation process that can be used for compounds with restricted shapes, such as isomers. The separation of geometric isomers is challenging because these compounds have similar physicochemical properties but differ slightly in molecular shape. The ability to separate and quantify these isomers is important in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which is one of the most widely used techniques in separation science today, because the shape of the molecule has a strong influence on biological processes.

RESULTS

We prepared symmetrical discoidal dendrimeric organomolecule gelators (GSDM) and o-phenylenediamine-derived low-molecular-weight dendrimeric organomolecule gelators (G1) and bonded them to silica surfaces. The dendritic organic compound-grafted silica (SiO2@GSDM and SiO2@G1) was used as HPLC stationary phases for the separation of shape-restricted isomers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carotenoids and tocopherols. The two phases exhibit a very high molecular shape selectivity compared to the commercially available alkyl phases. There are differences in molecular shape selectivity between the two stationary phases. Changes in the chemical structure of dendritic organic compounds can alter the orientation of the molecules, as well as changes in the molecular recognition ability. It was found that SiO2@GSDM has high molecular linear selectivity for PAHs at different temperatures, even at 50 °C. The planar selectivity of SiO2@GSDM was better for triphenylene and o-terphenyl benzenes compared to SiO2@G1.

SIGNIFICANCE

This separation behavior may be attributed to the combined effect of weak interaction centers, which allowed the effective separation of bioactive and shape-restricted isomers through multiple interactions. Furthermore, SiO2@GSDM showed better separation of tocopherols and carotenoids, suggesting that the backbone and ordered structure of organic molecular gelators is an effective way to improve the shape selectivity of the molecules, whereas the molecular orientation of the functional groups influences the separation mechanism of the shape-restricted isomers.

Ethical Reflection on the "QR code Dilemma" Faced by Older People During COVID-19 in China

The widespread application of QR code technology is best represented by the health codes used in China's pandemic prevention and control. This technology has enhanced the country's ability to manage the pandemic by achieving higher efficiency and accuracy. Unfortunately, a certain segment of the older population has encountered difficulties in adapting and maintaining their daily activities. This indicates the limitations of QR code technology in achieving social isolation. This article argues that for a more comprehensive pandemic prevention and control policy system to be established, managing the implementation of this very technology should be done in a more humane fashion, i.e. under the guidance of three moral principles: benevolence, justice, and non-maleficence. By doing so, implementation of QR code technology is done in a way that is not only conducive to COVID-19 prevention and control but also mitigate marginalization of the older people. In the post-pandemic era, the socialization of digital technology will accelerate. Therefore, in the field of public health, we should direct attention not only to the fair distribution of resources but also to the issue of identity that arises due to digital divide.

First Measurement of the Decay Asymmetry in the Pure W-Boson-Exchange Decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Ξ^{0}K^{+}

Based on 4.4  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at the center-of-mass energies between 4.60 and 4.70 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, the pure W-boson-exchange decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Ξ^{0}K^{+} is studied with a full angular analysis. The corresponding decay asymmetry is measured for the first time to be α_{Ξ^{0}K^{+}}=0.01±0.16(stat)±0.03(syst). This result reflects the noninterference effect between the S- and P-wave amplitudes. The phase shift between S- and P-wave amplitudes has two solutions, which are δ_{p}-δ_{s}=-1.55±0.25(stat)±0.05(syst)  rad or 1.59±0.25(stat)±0.05(syst)  rad.

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.

Mitophagy in hypertension-mediated organ damage

Hypertension constitutes a pervasive chronic ailment on a global scale, frequently inflicting damage upon vital organs, such as the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, brain, and others. And this is a complex clinical dilemma that requires immediate attention. The mitochondria assume a crucial function in the generation of energy, and it is of utmost importance to eliminate any malfunctioning or surplus mitochondria to uphold intracellular homeostasis. Mitophagy is considered a classic example of selective autophagy, an important component of mitochondrial quality control, and is closely associated with many physiological and pathological processes. The ubiquitin-dependent pathway, facilitated by PINK1/Parkin, along with the ubiquitin-independent pathway, orchestrated by receptor proteins such as BNIP3, NIX, and FUNDC1, represent the extensively investigated mechanisms underlying mitophagy. In recent years, research has increasingly shown that mitophagy plays an important role in organ damage associated with hypertension. Exploring the molecular mechanisms of mitophagy in hypertension-mediated organ damage could represent a critical avenue for future research in the development of innovative therapeutic modalities. Therefore, this article provides a comprehensive review of the impact of mitophagy on organ damage due to hypertension.

Lifestyle and Socioeconomic Transition and Health Consequences of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias in Global, from 1990 to 2019

BACKGROUND

Previous studies only focused on changes in the global age-specific incidence and mortality for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, failed to distinguish between cohort and period effects, and did not discuss risk factors separately.

METHODS

In this study, Alzheimer's disease disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) data to estimate the burden by gender, age, locations, and social-demographic status for 21 regions from 1990 to 2019. Additionally, trend analysis was performed using the age-period-cohort (APC) model and Join-point model.

RESULTS

In most regions, indicators (incidence, mortality, and DALYs) increased steadily with socio-demographic index(SDI) increased. The age effects for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias showed a significant increase from 40 to 95 years. The cohort effects rate ratios (RRs) had a rapid reduction attributed to smoking, high fasting plasma glucose, and high body mass index (BMI).

CONCLUSIONS

Countries in middle-low and low SDI regions have higher levels of risk factor exposure. As a result, rapid and effective government responses are necessary to control dementia risk factors and reduce the disease burden in these countries.

Preoperative diagnostic value of coronary CT angiography in acute Stanford type A aortic dissection involving the coronary arteries

AIM

To assess the diagnostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) with coronary artery involvement and to evaluate whether CCTA could provide potentially useful information for selecting the surgical method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with ATAAD treated from January 2019 to December 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Involvement of the coronary arteries based on CCTA findings were grouped into three major types and five subtypes. Interobserver and intraobserver diagnostic agreement for five subtypes were determined. The patients were divided into the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and non-CABG groups, and the proportions of the five subtypes between the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 95 patients were enrolled in this study. Interobserver and intraobserver diagnostic agreement were both substantial in the left and right coronary arteries. Overall, the proportions of the five subtypes of coronary artery involvement were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.001). The proportion of Type A was elevated in the non-CABG group compared with the CABG group (22.6% versus 71.9%); by contrast, the proportions of Type B1 (35.5% versus 14.1%), Type B2 (19.4% versus 10.9%), Type C1 (6.5% versus 0%), and Type C2 (16.1% versus 3.1%) were elevated in the CABG group.

CONCLUSION

CCTA is reliable in evaluating coronary artery involvement by ATAAD. The present retrospective study indicated that CABG may be considered if the intimal flap disrupts the coronary orifice and causes luminal stenosis >50%, particularly Type B, or if an intimal tear occurs in the coronary orifice (Type C), which deserve further validation through prospective studies.

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.

[Progress and application of liver organoids in the study of liver cancer]

The incidence rate of liver cancer has been rising in recent years. Traditional cell line culture and human patient-derived tumor xenograft models, which are commonly used tools to simulate the occurrence of human liver cancer, have deepened the understanding of tumor occurrence, development, and drug resistance mechanisms. However, they cannot reflect the accurate state of cancer cells, the tumor microenvironment, or spatial structural characteristics. Recently, more in vitro-produced physiological liver organoids have been applied in the study of liver cancer. Liver organoid models have made breakthroughs in the occurrence and development mechanisms of liver cancer, personalized drug screening and biomarker identification, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine applications. This paper mainly summarizes the progress and application of liver organoids processed in the study of liver cancer.

Acromegaly presented with acne vulgaris: a retrospective study with 123 cases

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is a prevalent skin condition. We have found that some acromegaly patients have acne. However, no study has examined the relationship between acromegaly and acne.

OBJECTIVE

To explore prevalence and correlation of adult acne in patients with acromegaly.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, we collected questionnaires, clinical information, and laboratory test results of acromegaly patients from January 2022 to December 2022 at Huashan Hospital. Of the 133 questionnaires returned, 123 had valid responses.

RESULTS

Of the 123 patients with acromegaly enrolled in this study, 54.5% had adult acne. No statistically significant difference was found in prevalence between male and female patients. 61.2% of adult acne patients reported late-onset acne. Late-onset acne patients first developed acne years before acromegaly diagnosis (mean of 5.6 years for male and 4.5 years for female patients). Some acne patients have received traditional anti-acne treatment. Moreover, 31% of the patients reported no improvement, and only 3.5% of patients claimed complete resolution of acne after treatment. Before acromegaly treatment, the prevalence of adult acne was 51.2%, with mild acne accounting for 73.0%, moderate acne accounting for 23.8%, and severe acne accounting for 3.2%. After acromegaly treatment, the prevalence of adult acne was significantly decreased to 37.4% (P = 0.007). An overall decrease in acne severity was noted, with 93.5%, 6.5%, and 0% having mild, moderate, and severe acne, respectively. A total of 83.6% of the patients had self-assessed acne remission, and 33.3% of the patients reported complete acne resolution. However, 9.0% of patients reported that their condition had worsened after acromegaly treatment. After treatment, GH, IGF-1, IGF-1 index, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR decreased significantly in all patients with acromegaly (P < 0.05). Acne remission correlated positively with IGF-1 levels, but not with GH levels. The relationship between acromegaly and acne remains to be elucidated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide preliminary evidence of the high prevalence of adult acne in acromegaly patients, and a high rate of late-onset acne as well. Traditional anti-acne treatments are less effective. Acne could be considerably relieved by treating acromegaly. Acne remission positively correlated with IGF-1 decline as well, which revealed the correlation between acne and IGF-1.

[Daratumumab maintenance after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of daratumumab as a maintenance treatment after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) . Methods: The clinical data, hematological and renal response, and safety of 15 post-transplant patients with NDMM who had received daratumumab maintenance between May 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Fifteen patients (11 males and 4 females) with a median age of 58 (41-72) years were included. Thirteen patients did not receive daratumumab during induction therapy and auto-HSCT, 6 patients had renal impairment, and nine patients had high-risk cytogenetics. The median infusion of daratumumab was 12 (6-17) times, and the median duration of maintenance was 6 (1.5-12) months. The treatment efficacy was evaluated in all 15 patients, and daratumumab maintenance therapy increased the rate of stringent complete response from 40% to 60%. The renal response rate and median estimated glomerular filtration rate of six patients with RI-NDMM were also improved. During daratumumab maintenance therapy, the most common hematological grade 3 adverse event (AE) was lymphopenia [4 of 15 patients (26.67%) ], whereas the most common nonhematologic AEs were infusion-related reactions [7 of 15 patients (46.67%) ] and grade 3 pneumonia [5 of 15 patients (33.33%) ]. The five patients with pneumonia were daratumumab naive [5 of 13 patients (38.46%) ], with a median of 8 (6-10) infusions. Among them, the chest computed tomography of three patients showed interstitial infiltrates, and treatment with methylprednisolone was effective. With a median follow-up of 12 months, the 1-year overall survival rate was 93.33%, and only one patient died (which was not related to daratumumab treatment) . Conclusions: Daratumumab was safe and effective as a maintenance agent for post-auto-HSCT patients with NDMM, and AEs were controllable. The most common nonhematologic AE was grade 3 pneumonia, and a less dose-intense maintenance regimen for the first 8 weeks could reduce the incidence of pneumonia.

[Activation of HIF-1α/ACLY signaling axis promotes progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma with VHL inactivation mutation]

Objective: To explore the potential pathogenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) based on the HIF-1α/ACLY signaling pathway, as well as to provide new ideas for the treatment of ccRCC. Methods: Seventy-eight ccRCC cases diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China were collected. The VHL mutation was examined using exon sequencing. The expression of HIF-1α/ACLY in VHL-mutated ccRCC was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining and further validated in VHL-mutated ccRCC cell lines (786-O, A498, UM-RC-2, SNU-333, and Caki-2) using Western blot. The mRNA and protein levels of ACLY were detected using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot after overexpression or interference with HIF-1α in ccRCC cell lines. HeLa cells were treated with CoCl2 and hypoxia (1%O2) to activate HIF-1α and then subject to the detection of the ACLY mRNA and protein levels. The potential molecular mechanism of HIF-1α-induced ACLY activation was explored through JASPAR database combined with chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP) and luciferase reporter gene assay. The effect of HIF-1α/ACLY regulation axis on lipid accumulation was detected using BODIPY staining and other cell biological techniques. The expression of ACLY was compared between patients with ccRCC and those with benign lesions, and the feasibility of ACLY as a prognostic indicator for ccRCC was explored through survival analysis. Results: Exon sequencing revealed that 55 (70.5%) of the 78 ccRCC patients harbored a VHL inactivation mutation, and HIF-1α expression was associated with ACLY protein levels. The protein levels of ACLY and HIF-1α in ccRCC cell lines carrying VHL mutation were also correlated to various degrees. Overexpression of HIF-1α in A498 cells increased the mRNA and protein levels of ACLY, and knockdown of HIF-1α in Caki-2 cells inhibited the mRNA and protein levels of ACLY (P<0.001 for all). CoCl2 and hypoxia treatment significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of ACLY by activating HIF-1α (P<0.001 for all). The quantification of transcriptional activity of luciferase reporter gene and ChIP-qPCR results suggested that HIF-1α could directly bind to ACLY promoter region to transcriptionally activate ACLY expression and increase ACLY protein level (P<0.001 for all). The results of BODIPY staining suggested that the content of free fatty acids in cell lines was associated with the levels of HIF-1α and ACLY. The depletion of HIF-1α could effectively reduce the accumulation of lipid in cells, while the overexpression of ACLY could reverse this process. At the same time, cell function experiments showed that the proliferation rate of ccRCC cells with HIF-1α knockdown was significantly decreased, and overexpression of ACLY could restore proliferation of these tumor cells (P<0.001). Survival analysis further showed that compared with the ccRCC patients with low ACLY expression, the ccRCC patients with high ACLY expression had a poorer prognosis and a shorter median survival (P<0.001). Conclusions: VHL mutation-mediated HIF-1α overexpression in ccRCC promotes lipid synthesis and tumor progression by activating ACLY. Targeting the HIF-1α/ACLY signaling axis may provide a theoretical basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ccRCC.

[A follow-up study on the pain changes trend and effects in patients diagnosed with herpes zoster in Beijing City]

Objective: To understand the changes in pain and its effects in patients with the diagnosis of herpes zoster. Methods: A total of 3 487 patients diagnosed with herpes zoster (HZ) for the first time at the outpatient department of Miyun District Hospital from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019, were included in the study. The information of patients was registered and issued with a record card. Patients were required to record the time of pain and rash by themselves. Telephone follow-up was conducted at 21, 90, 180 and 365 days after the onset of rashes, including hospitalization, location of rash and pain, and the time of start and end. The impact of pain on life was evaluated by the Zoster Brief Pain Inventory (ZBPI). Results: The age of 2 999 HZ patients included in the analysis were (53±16) years old, including 1 377 (45.91%) males and 1 903 (63.45%) patients aged 50 years and older. After 21 days of rash, mild, moderate and severe pain accounted for 20.87% (626 cases), 37.98% (1 139 cases) and 33.81% (1 014 cases), respectively. Only 5.07% (152 cases) had no pain or discomfort, and 2.27% (68 cases) had no pain but discomfort. Most of the pain sites were consistent with the rash sites. The chest and back and waist and abdomen were the most common, accounting for 35.58% (1 067 cases) and 29.18% (875 cases), respectively, followed by the limbs and face and neck, accounting for 16.74% (502 cases) and 16.40% (492 cases), respectively. The M (Q1, Q3) of pain days in the HZ patients was 14 (8, 20) days, and the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) was 6.63% (171/2 580) (excluding 419 patients who refused to visit or lost to visit on 90 days after the onset of rash). The pain score of HZ patients within 21 days after the rash was (5.19±2.73) points, and the pain score of PHN patients was (7.61±2.13) points, which was significantly higher than that of non-PHN patients [(5.04±2.69) points] (P<0.001). Daily activities, emotions, walking ability, work, social interaction, sleep and recreation were affected for 21 days after the rash in HZ patients, ranging from 60.79% to 83.83%, with sleep being the most affected (83.83%). The impact scores of pain and life dimensions in PHN patients ranged from 4.59 to 7.61 points on the ZBPI scale, which were higher than those in non-PHN patients (2.49-5.04) (t values ranged from 8.86 to 11.67, all P values <0.001). Conclusion: The proportion of pain in HZ patients after the diagnosis is high, and the pain is more obvious in patients with PHN and HZ patients aged 50 and older, which has a greater impact on their daily lives.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and faecal microbiota transplantation can improve colitis in mice by affecting gut microbiota and metabolomics

Gut microbiota may have therapeutic effects on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Regulating intestinal microbiota through Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a novel approach to treating IBD. This study aimed to explore the effect of L. plantarum and FMT pretreatment in alleviating colitis in mice. Five groups of mice (n = 6 per group) were included: CON group, DSS group (dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis mice), LP-DSS pretreatment group (colitis mice were given strain L. plantarum and 5% DSS), DSS-FMT group (mice pretreated with faecal microbiota transplantation were given 5% DSS), and LP-FMT pretreatment group (mice pretreated with faecal microbiota transplantation and L. plantarum were given 5% DSS). Serum metabolites and intestinal microbiota were analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The results demonstrated that L. plantarum and FMT improved gut microbiota in mice by increasing Firmicutes and decreasing the Bacteroidetes. In the serum metabolomics analysis, there were 11 differential metabolites in the DSS-FMT and LP-FMT pretreatment groups, and these differential metabolites were mainly glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. It is worth noting that Lachnospira and Lactobacillus were positively associated with 8 differential metabolites. These results suggest that L. plantarum and FMT can regulate intestinal microorganisms and serum metabolomics to alleviate inflammation.

KLF2 reduces dexamethasone-induced injury to growth plate chondrocytes by inhibiting the Runx2-mediated PI3K/AKT and ERK signalling pathways

Dexamethasone (Dex) is a type of glucocorticoid drug. Long term use can induce growth plate chondrocytes (GPCs) apoptosis, impair differentiation, and inhibit cell proliferation and bone growth. It has been reported that Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) inhibits osteoblast damage induced by Dex, but the role in Dex-induced GPCs remains unclear. Dex was used to construct a model of growth plate injury in vitro. CCK-8 and TUNEL kits were used to determine cell viability and apoptosis. A model of growth plate injury was established by intraperitoneal injection of Dex. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression of KLF2 in rats. The results showed that KLF2 expression of rat tibial GPCs was down-regulated after Dex stimulation. Overexpression of KLF2 promoted cell viability and cell cycle, while inhibited apoptosis of growth plate Dex-induced chondrocytes. Moreover, KLF2 inhibited Runx2-mediated PI3K/AKT and ERK signalling pathways. And PI3K/AKT and ERK signalling pathways, which were involved in the regulation of KLF2 on GPCs. Further studies showed that KLF2 alleviated growth plate injury in vivo. In conclusion, our study found that KLF2 promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of Dex-induced GPCs by targeting the Runx2-mediated PI3K/AKT and ERK signalling pathways.

American Heart Association's new 'Life's Essential 8' score in association with cardiovascular disease: a national cross-sectional analysis

OBJECTIVE

The American Heart Association (AHA) has recently updated and enhanced the quantification of cardiovascular health by using the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score. We intended to examine the correlation between cardiovascular health status, as measured by the new LE8 score, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in US adults.

STUDY DESIGN

National cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 24,730 individuals without pregnancy and with complete data from 2007 to 2018 enrolled in the study. The overall LE8 score was divided into low, moderate, and high groups. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between the LE8 score and the presence of CVD.

RESULTS

Overall, the high LE8 group had a younger age (20-59 years, 82.95%) and more females (60.09%) compared to the low LE8 group. Moderate and high LE8 correlated negatively with the presence of CVD (moderate, OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.39-0.54; high, OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.21-0.33). One standard deviation increment in the LE8 score correlated significantly with lower odds of CVD (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.60-0.69). Further stratification analysis also detected a significant relationship between the new LE8 score and CVD, and the result was enhanced among the young and women (P-interaction<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher LE8 score correlated with lower odds of CVD, especially among the young and women.

An integrated model combined intra- and peritumoral regions for predicting chemoradiation response of non small cell lung cancers based on radiomics and deep learning

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to develop a model for predicting chemoradiation response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients by integrating radiomics and deep-learning features and combined intra- and peritumoral regions with pre-treated CT images.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study enrolled 462 patients with NSCLC who received chemoradiation. On the basis of pretreated CT images, we developed three models to compare the prediction of chemoradiation: intratumoral, peritumoral and combined regions. To further illustrate each model, we established different feature integration methods: a) radiomics model with 1500 features; b) deep learning model with a multiple instance learning algorithm; c) integrated model by integrating radiomic and deep learning features. For radiomics and integrated models, support vector machine and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator were used to extract and select features. Transfer learning and max pooling algorithms were used to identify high informative features in deep learning models. We applied ten-fold cross validation in model training and testing.

RESULTS

The best area under the curve (AUC) of intratumoral, peritumoral and combined models were 0.89 (95% CI, 0.74-0.93), 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75-0.92) and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.81-0.95), respectively. It indicated the importance of the peritumoral region for treatment response prediction and should be used in combination with the intratumoral region. Integrated models gave better results than models with radiomics and deep learning features alone in all regions of interest and radiomics models outperformed deep learning models in any comparative models.

CONCLUSIONS

The model that integrate radiomic and deep learning features and combined intra- and peritumoral regions provide valuable information in predicting treatment response of chemoradiation. It can help oncologists customize personalized clinical treatment plans for NSCLC patients.