Three-dimensional analysis of mandibular morphology asymmetry and temporomandibular joint position in patients with unilateral Brodie bite

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have shown unilateral posterior crossbite is associated with mandibular asymmetry in morphology and position. However, it remains unclear whether unilateral Brodie bite plays a similar role in mandibular development. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the morphological and positional symmetry of mandibles in patients with unilateral Brodie bite by three-dimensional anaylsis.

METHODS

Fourteen patients with unilateral Brodie bite (mean age 18.43 ± 4.24 years) and fourteen sex- and age-matched patients with normal occlusion (mean age 18.07 ± 5.48 years) underwent cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. 3D surface mesh models of their mandibles were established using Mimics Research 19.0. The surface matching percentage was compared between the original and mirrored mandible by Geomagic Control X software. Furthermore, the dimension and position of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were determined for both groups using InVivoDental 5.0.

RESULTS

For surface-to-surface deviation analysis, the percentage of mismatch in patients with unilateral Brodie bite was significantly higher than the control group at ±0.50 mm, ±0.75 mm, and ±1.00 mm tolerance (P < .001). In patients with unilateral Brodie syndrome, the condyles on the scissors-bite side showed a significantly more anterior position (P = .03), greater medial inclination (P < .01), and larger posterior TMJ space (P = .01) than the non-scissors-bite side.

CONCLUSION

Patients with unilateral Brodie bite exhibit a more asymmetrical mandibular morphology, with a greater anterior condylar position and posterior joint space on the scissors-bite side, indicating that early diagnosis and treatment may be necessary for patients with unilateral Brodie bite.

Sub-region based radiomics analysis for prediction of isocitrate dehydrogenase and telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations in diffuse gliomas

AIM

To enhance the prediction of mutation status of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter, which are crucial for glioma prognostication and therapeutic decision-making, via sub-regional radiomics analysis based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 401 participants with adult-type diffuse gliomas. Employing the K-means algorithm, tumours were clustered into two to four subregions. Sub-regional radiomics features were extracted and selected using the Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, forming the basis for predictive models. The performance of model combinations of different sub-regional features and classifiers (including logistic regression, support vector machines, K-nearest neighbour, light gradient boosting machine, and multilayer perceptron) was evaluated using an external test set.

RESULTS

The models demonstrated high predictive performance, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values ranging from 0.918 to 0.994 in the training set for IDH mutation prediction and from 0.758 to 0.939 for TERT promoter mutation prediction. In the external test sets, the two-cluster radiomics features and the logistic regression model yielded the highest prediction for IDH mutation, resulting in an AUC of 0.905. Additionally, the most effective predictive performance with an AUC of 0.803 was achieved using the four-cluster radiomics features and the support vector machine model, specifically for TERT promoter mutation prediction.

CONCLUSION

The present study underscores the potential of sub-regional radiomics analysis in predicting IDH and TERT promoter mutations in glioma patients. These models have the capacity to refine preoperative glioma diagnosis and contribute to personalised therapeutic interventions for patients.

DACH1 attenuated PA-induced renal tubular injury through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad signalling pathway

BACKGROUND

Palmitic acid (PA), the major saturated fatty acid in the blood, often induces the initiation and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. DACH1 is an important regulator of kidney functions. Herein, we investigated the roles of DACH1 in PA-induced kidney injury.

METHODS

Clinical data from the NHANES database were subjected to analyse the association between serum PA (sPA), blood glucose and kidney function. Molecular docking of PA was performed with DACH1. Immunohistochemistry, cell viability, annexin V/7-AAD double staining, TUNEL assay, immunofluorescent staining, autophagic flux analysis, qRT-PCR and western blot were performed.

RESULTS

Clinical data confirmed that sPA was increased significantly in the pathoglycemia individuals compared with controls and correlated negatively with renal function. Our findings suggested that PA could dock with DACH1. DACH1 enhances cell viability by inhibiting apoptosis and attenuating autophagy blockage induced by PA. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that DACH1 ameliorated inflammation and fibrosis through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad signalling pathway in PA-treated renal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2).

CONCLUSIONS

This study proved that sPA presents a risk factor for kidney injuries and DACH1 might serve as a protective target against renal function deterioration in diabetic patients.

[Periodic dynamic observation and analysis of cellular and humoral immunity indexes of adults infected with Omicron BA.1]

Objective: To analyze the immunological characteristics and antibody changes of patients infected with the Omicron BA.1 and evaluate the possibility of secondary infection. Methods: A total of 104 patients infected with Omicron BA.1 in the Jinnan District of Tianjin from January 8 to February 2, 2022, were included in the study. The control group and case group were matched 1∶1 based on age, sex and vaccination status. Serum was collected from the case group and control group at 3, 6 and 9 months after infection. The serum levels of interleukin4 (IL-4), IL-5 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), as well as the positive rates of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2, were detected by ELISA. Results: The highest concentration of IFN-γ in the case group at 6 months after infection was 145.4 pg/ml, followed by a decrease in concentration. The concentrations of IL-4 and IL-5 began to decrease at 6 months after infection (all P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the IgG2 positive rate between the case group and the control group at 6 months after BA.1 infection. However, at 9 months, there was a significant decrease compared to the control group (P=0.003). The ratio of IFN-γ/IL4 at 3 months after infection in the case group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the ratio between the case group and the control group at 9 months after infection. Conclusion: The cellular immune function has been impaired at 3 months after infection with BA.1, and the specific cellular immune and humoral immune functions decrease significantly after 6 months, and the risk of secondary infection increases.

Tiaogan Jiejiu Tongluo Formula attenuated alcohol-induced chronic liver injury by regulating lipid metabolism in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tiaogan Jiejiu Tongluo Formula (TJTF), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is modified from the well-known ancient prescription Danzhi-Xiaoyao Powder (DXP). Owing to its ability to regulate liver, strengthen spleen, detoxicating, and dredge collaterals in Chinese medicine, TJTF is usually used to treat anxiety, hypertension, alcoholic fatty liver disease in clinical application. However, the protective effect and potential molecular mechanism of TJTF on alcoholic liver injury has not fully been clarified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the effect of TJTF on chronic alcoholic liver injury and figure out whether its effects were due to the regulation of lipid metabolism.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

75 male SD rats were divided into the following five groups, control group, EtOH group, TJTF high dose group, TJTF low dose group and silybin group. Then a chronic alcoholic liver injury model was established by increasing concentration of 56% ethanol in rats. The rats in each TJTF group were given the corresponding dose of TJTF, the rats in the silybin group were given silybin, the rats in the control group and the EtOH group were given distilled water by gavage, once a day for 8 consecutive weeks. The components of TJTF were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) was used to assess the severity of liver injury. in the pathological examination. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and oil red O staining were used to evaluate the degree of the liver glycogen accumulation and lipid deposition, respectively. The serum ALT, AST, T-CHO, TG, LDL-C, ADH, HDL-C, and ALDH levels as well as liver tissue GSH, MDA, and SOD levels were analyzed in rats. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to detect lipid metabolism-related proteins expressed in rat liver.

RESULTS

TJTF significantly alleviated the chronic liver injury caused by alcohol in rats, and enhanced liver function. TJTF significantly decreased AST, ALT, ADH levels and increased ALDH level of serum, and increased GSH, SOD levels and decreased MDA level of liver tissue. In addition, TJTF significantly decreased the serum T-CHO, TG and LDL-C levels and increased HDL-C level in chronic alcoholic liver injury rats by regulating the expression of lipid metabolism associated proteins including p-LKB1, p-AMPKα, p-ACC, FAS, HMGCR, SREBP-1c, PPARα and CPT-1A. The results of western blot and immunohistochemical staining confirmed that TJTF can inhibit lipid production and promote fatty acid oxidation in the liver tissue of chronic alcoholic liver injury rats by activating the LKB1-AMPKα axis and then downregulating the protein expressions of p-ACC, FAS, HMGCR and SREBP-1c, as well as promoting the protein expressions of PPARα and CPT-1A. Meanwhile, TJTF also increased the glycogen content of liver and alleviated the liver damage.

CONCLUSION

According to current research, TJTF is effective in treating chronic liver damage induced by alcohol in rats. Additionally, TJTF exhibits the protective benefits by modulating LKB1-AMPKα signal axis, which in turn inhibits the synthesis of lipids and promotes the oxidation of fatty acids.

Delta-Radiomics Guides Adaptive De-Intensification after Induction Chemotherapy in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the IMRT Era

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

In the setting of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and induction chemotherapy (IC), the benefits from concurrent chemotherapy remained controversial for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC). This study aimed to construct a delta-radiomics model for benefit prediction and patient selection for omitting concurrent chemotherapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Between December 2009 and December 2015, a total of 718 patients with LANPC treated with IC+IMRT or IC+concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were retrospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to a training set (n = 503) and a validation set (n = 215). Radiomic features were extracted from magnetic resonance images of pre-IC and post-IC. Interclass correlation coefficients and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to select robust radiomic features. After univariate Cox analysis, a delta-radiomics signature was built using the LASSO-Cox regression. A nomogram incorporating the delta-radiomics signature and clinical prognostic factors was then developed and evaluated for calibration and discrimination. Risk stratification by the nomogram was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier methods. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The delta-radiomics signature, which comprised 19 selected features, was independently associated with prognosis. It yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71 to 0.82) for the training set and 0.71 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.81) for the validation set. The nomogram composed of the delta-radiomic signature, age, T category, N category, pre-treatment Epstein-Barr virus DNA, and treatment showed great calibration and discrimination performance with an AUC of 0.80 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.85) for the training set and 0.75 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.85) for the validation set. Risk stratification by the nomogram excluding the treatment variable resulted in two risk groups with distinct OS. Significant better outcomes were observed in the high-risk patients with IC+CCRT compared to those with IC+IMRT (5-year OS: 73.8% vs. 61.4% in the training set and 85.8% vs. 65.6% in the validation set; all log-rank p < 0.05), while comparable outcomes between IC+CCRT and IC+IMRT were shown for the low-risk patients (95.8% vs. 95.8% in the training set and 92.2% vs. 88.3% in the validation set; all log-rank p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The delta-radiomics signature was identified as an independent indicator of LANPC. Integrating clinical predictors with the delta-radiomics signature, the radiomics-based nomogram could predict individual's survival outcomes and benefits from concurrent chemotherapy after IC for LANPC. Low-risk patients with LANPC determined by the nomogram may be potential candidates for omission of concurrent chemotherapy following IC in the IMRT era.

Rapid Unpaired CBCT-Based Synthetic CT for CBCT-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Quantitative cone beam CT (CBCT) is the foundation for image-guided radiation therapy, improving treatment setup, tumor delineation and dose calculation. However, CBCT images suffer from severe artifacts, limiting clinical utility. Deep learning can overcome these limitations, boosting radiographic and dosimetric quality critical for online adaptive radiotherapy (ART). We hypothesize adapted contrastive unpaired translation (CUT), a recent method for image-to-image translation of photographic images, can improve CBCT quality while reducing compute time, demonstrating utility for ART.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Same-day CBCT and quality assurance CT (QACT) images acquired from 79 patients receiving proton therapy for prostate cancer between 2019 and 2020 at a single institution were retrospectively collected. QACT images were acquired for quality assurance in accordance with institutional policy. Seventy-nine patients yielded 102 non-contrast CBCT-QACT image sets. Each QACT image was rigidly registered to the corresponding CBCT and resampled to 1 × 1 × 2 mm to establish uniform voxel size and spacing. CBCT images were randomly shuffled prior to input to the CUT model for unsupervised training and QACT-quality synthetic CT images were generated as outputs. We compared mean absolute error (MAE), structural similarity index measure (SSIM), and Fréchet inception distance (FID) against same-day QACT.

RESULTS

MAE, SSIM, and FID were compared for the CycleGAN and CUT data relative to input QACT and are reported as the mean across five-fold cross-validation ± standard error. CUT achieved superior performance in MAE (19.5 ± 3.9 HU vs. cycleGAN 47.1 ± 25.4) and FID (31.5 ± 6.6 vs cycleGAN 75.9 ± 41.3). MAE indicates pixel-level correspondence to QACT HU intensity values, making the synthetic outputs of CUT useful for dose calculations during ART. FID further demonstrates perceptual visual similarity. SSIM for CycleGAN (0.7 ± 0.2) and CUT (0.8 ± 0.0) were similar, indicating acceptable reproducibility of global structure. CUT was faster and lighter than CycleGAN. CycleGAN contained a total of 28,286,000 parameters; CUT contained 14,703,000, approximately half that of CycleGAN. As a result, CycleGAN computes on a single CT image slice over 0.33s while CUT requires just 0.18s.

CONCLUSION

The contrastive method investigated here was demonstrated to be faster and more accurate than CycleGAN, requiring fewer networks and parameters to achieve superior performance. We demonstrated anatomic boundary preservation and HU fidelity superior to cycleGAN while significantly reducing compute time. We plan to investigate the use of these synthetic CT images in automated segmentation prior to exploration of CUT in a prospective setting.

Initial Experience with the Commercial Electron FLASH Research Extension

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The purpose of this study was to introduce a new commercial electron FLASH system that has the potential to become widely available for FLASH researchers globally. In this study, we first present the initial acceptance and commissioning tests for the FLASH system, and second, we highlight preliminary FLASH effect results from our cell studies.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A linear accelerator was converted into a commercial research platform with the FLASH Research Extension, enabling the generation of a powerful 16 MeV electron FLASH beam. The dosimetric and stability tests were conducted using various dosimeters (i.e., radiochromic film, optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs), and a plane-parallel ionization chamber). To evaluate the FLASH effect, normal and cancer cell lines were FLASH irradiated using different pulse repetition frequencies (PRF) of 18 pulses/s and 180 pulses/s.

RESULTS

The electron FLASH mode was able to generate over 1 Gy per pulse at the isocenter and a dose rate of up to 690 Gy/s near the accessory mount of the Linac gantry head. The charge collected by the plane-parallel ionization chamber at the highest PRF (i.e., 180 pulses/s) showed a linear relationship with the delivered number of pulses (i.e., 1 to 99 pulses) with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9996. The absorbed dose measured using radiochromic film and OSLDs agreed within 3%, on average, and followed an inverse square law as the source-to-axis distance (SAD) varied for which the R2 values were 0.9972 and 0.9955 for radiochromic film and OSLDs, respectively. The profile of the FLASH beam was symmetrical but was not as flat as the conventional 16 MeV electron beam due to the use of a thinner custom scattering foil to reduce the degradation of the ultra-high dose rate. The depth-dose curve beyond the build-up region for the FLASH beam was similar to the conventional 16 MeV electron beam for which the range at 50% the maximum dose (R50) agreed within 0.5 mm. The FLASH beam output remained consistent over a 4-month period with a variation of 2.5%, on average. The FLASH sparing effect was observed in vitro for healthy human pancreatic cells. Furthermore, we observed that the highest PRF beam (180 pulses/s) was more effective at destroying pancreatic cancerous cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells compared to the lowest PRF beam (18 pulses/s).

CONCLUSION

The novel commercial FLASH Research Extension system was dosimetrically characterized for pre-clinical FLASH research, and preliminary in vitro results demonstrated the FLASH effect. Given the prevalence of linear accelerators, this new commercial system has the potential to greatly increase the access to FLASH research.

Commissioning and Initial Validation of Commercial Treatment Planning System for the Electron FLASH Research Extension

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of commissioning the 16 MeV electron FLASH beam in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS) for pre-clinical research purposes. The delivery system consisted of a new commercial solution for which a linear accelerator was modified into a FLASH Research Extension platform. Additionally, preliminary radiation biology results were highlighted to showcase the future use of this system.

MATERIALS/METHODS

To commission a commercial electron Monte Carlo (MC) for dose calculation of a 16 MeV FLASH beam in the TPS, radiochromic film was used to measure the vendor-required beam data, e.g., profiles and percent depth dose (PDD) curves for cone sizes of 6 × 6 cm2, 10 × 10 cm2, and 15 × 15 cm2 as well as an in-air profile for a 40 × 40 cm2 open field (no cone). Once the electron MC beam model was generated, additional measurements were collected for validation and compared against the calculated dose from the TPS. A treatment planning comparison between the newly commissioned FLASH beam and the conventional electron beam was conducted. Specifically, the dose-volume histograms (DVHs) for target volumes and organs at risk were investigated for skin cancer cases previously treated with conventional electron beams. Lastly, the FLASH dose distribution predicted by the electron MC for an in vitro cell study setup was validated with radiochromic film measurements, and initial radiobiology tests were conducted using FLASH and conventional dose-rate electron beams.

RESULTS

The electron MC calculated dose for the 16 MeV electron FLASH beam agreed with measured PDDs within 1% for all field sizes. The beam profile characteristics, such as penumbra, shape, and full width at half maximum, demonstrated good agreement with less than 0.5 mm difference between the TPS and measurements. There were noticeable differences in the profiles of large fields between the FLASH and conventional dose-rate beam models due to the more forward-peaked FLASH beam. For treatment planning, Regarding DVH, the FLASH dose-rate plan provided comparable plan quality to the conventional dose-rate plan, achieving adequate coverage for the target volumes and sparing the healthy organs and tissues. The electron MC dose prediction for the FLASH beam was also found to be in good agreement with the film measurements of the in vitro cell study setup. Furthermore, the FLASH beam was observed to be more effective with a 20 % increase in killing pancreatic cancer cells compared to the conventional dose rate.

CONCLUSION

The study successfully incorporated the 16 MeV electron FLASH Research Extension into the commercial TPS using electron Monte Carlo for dose calculation. This will be valuable for pre-clinical cell and animal studies. This research also enables FLASH treatment planning studies, a key component for the future implementation of FLASH into clinical care. Further research is necessary to incorporate the radiation biology effect of FLASH into the treatment planning system.

Study on Photochemical Properties of a Sr-SnS2/CaIn2S4 Heterostructure to Improve Cr(VI) Removal

Compound semiconductor photocatalysis technology is considered to be a promising treatment for solving water problems efficiently. The point of designing high-efficiency catalysts is to optimize the band gap structure and facilitate the separation of charge carriers by establishing new electron migration pathways. Recently, 3D porous CaIn2S4 was found to have good photocatalytic ability. However, the quick recombination and agglomeration of carriers still limit its application. Herein, we prepared a heterostructure by introducing 2D Sr-doped SnS2 to 3D CaIn2S4 by a hydrothermal synthesis method. The optimal dosage of Sr-SnS2 is 3%, and the photocatalytic Cr(VI) removal efficiency of 3% Sr-SnS2/CaIn2S4 (SSCS-3) is 5.82 and 10.83 times those of pure CaIn2S4 and SnS2, respectively. According to the results of characterization tests and calculation verification, we inferred that the enhanced photocatalytic removal of Cr(VI) is due to the introduction of Sr-SnS2 that can promote the rapid transfer of photogenerated electrons to the surface of CaIn2S4, and the heterostructure formed between 2D Sr-SnS2 and 3D CaIn2S4 can also provide abundant reaction sites. The promotion of carrier separation is mainly due to the formation of a built-in electric field of the Sr-SnS2/CaIn2S4 heterostructure. This work provides new ideas and technologies for the treatment of Cr(VI) in wastewater.

Karyotype and Phylogenetic Relationship Analysis of Five Varieties and Cultivars of Zanthoxylum armatum Based on Oligo-FISH

Green prickly ash (Zanthoxylum armatum) has edible and medicinal value and is an economically significant plant in many countries. Z. armatum has many cultivars and varieties with similar phenotypes that are difficult to distinguish via traditional methods. In this study, we utilized oligo-FISH to distinguish five varieties and cultivars of Z. armatum on the basis of three oligonucleotide probes of 5S rDNA, (AG₃T₃)₃, and (GAA)₆. Karyotype analysis of the five varieties and cultivars of Z. armatum showed that the Z. armatum 'Tengjiao' karyotype formula was 2n = 2x = 98m with karyotype type 1C and an arm ratio of 4.3237, including two pairs of 5S rDNA signals and five pairs of (GAA)₆ signals. The karyotype formula of Z. armatum 'Youkangtengjiao' was 2n = 2x = 128m + 8sm with karyotype type 2B and an arm ratio of 3.5336, including three pairs of 5S rDNA signals and 17 pairs of (GAA)₆ signals. The karyotype formula of Z. armatum var. novemfolius was 2n = 2x = 134m + 2sm with karyotype type 1C and an arm ratio of 5.5224, including two pairs of 5S rDNA signals and eight pairs of (GAA)₆ signals. The karyotype formula of Z. armatum 'YT-03' was 2n = 2x = 2M + 128m + 4sm + 2st with karyotype type 2C and an arm ratio of 4.1829, including three pairs of 5S rDNA signals and nine pairs of (GAA)₆ signals. The karyotype formula of Z. armatum 'YT-06' was 2n = 2x = 126m + 10sm with cytotype 2B and an arm ratio of 3.3011, including three pairs of 5S rDNA signals and two pairs of (GAA)₆ signals. The five varieties and cultivars of Z. armatum had (AG₃T₃)₃ signals on all chromosomes. The chromosomal symmetry of Z. armatum 'Tengjiao' was high, whereas the chromosomal symmetry of Z. armatum 'YT-03' was low, with the karyotypes of the five materials showing a trend toward polyploid evolution. The phylogenetic relationship between Z. armatum 'Tengjiao' and Z. armatum var. novemfolius was the closest, while that between Z. armatum 'YT-03' and Z. armatum 'YT-06' was closer than with Z. armatum 'Youkangtengjiao' according to oligo-FISH. The results provided a karyotype profile and a physical map that contributes to the distinction of varieties and cultivars of Z. armatum and provides strategies for distinguishing other cultivated species.

Electrochemically Exfoliated Graphene Oxide for Simple Fabrication of Cocaine Aptasensors

Transducers made from graphene-type materials are widely used in sensing applications. However, utilization of graphene oxide obtained from electrochemical exfoliation of graphite (EGO) has remained relatively unexplored. In this study, electrochemical cocaine aptasensors based on large-size EGO flakes were investigated. In particular, the influence of the following parameters on the sensor performance was examined: (i) aptamer's terminal group (-NH₂ vs -OH), (ii) functionalization of EGO with the aptamer via physical adsorption and covalent immobilization, and (iii) intrinsic electrochemical properties of EGO such as the electrochemical surface area (ESA) and standard rate constant of electron transfer (k⁰). The results demonstrate that EGO-based electrochemical aptasensors fabricated by physical adsorption with an NH₂-modified aptamer have very good reproducibility, shelf-life stability, and high sensitivity for detecting cocaine with a detection limit of 50 nM. Their performance is comparable to that of the aptasensors prepared using the covalent immobilization. Additionally, it is shown that EGO materials with high ESA and k⁰ can enhance the sensing performance. The fast (less than 10 min) and strong adsorption of the NH₂-modified cocaine aptamer on the surface of large EGO flakes makes the fabrication of the sensing platform simple and rapid. This simple approach has the potential to simplify the fabrication of sensors.

[Effect of miR-96-5p targeting IRS1 on apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by aluminum maltol]

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-96-5p on apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by maltol aluminum. Methods: In January 2021, PC12 cells at logarithmic growth phase were divided into blank control group and low, medium and high dose group. Cells in each group were treated with 0, 100, 200 and 400 μmol/L maltol aluminum for 24 hours respectively. Cells were collected and cell apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry, miR-96-5p and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) mRNA expressions were detected by qRT-PCR, and the protein expression levels of cysteine protease 3 (Caspase3) 、activated cysteine protease 3 (Cleaved-caspase3) 、IRS1、phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and phosphorylated glucose synthesis kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) were detected by western blotting. The target binding relationship between miR-96-5p and IRS1 was detected by double luciferase reporter gene experiment. The miR-96-5p inhibitor cells and negative control cells were constructed after transfecting PC12 cells with miR-96-5p inhibitor for 24 hours. The cells were divided into blank control group, negative control group, aluminum exposure group, aluminum exposure+negative control group, aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition group, and miR-96-5p inhibition group. After transfecting PC12 cells with miR-96-5p inhibition and IRS1 siRNA for 24 h, the cells were divided into aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition+negative control group and aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition+IRS1 inhibition group. The control group was cultured in complete culture medium, and cells in the aluminum exposure group were treated with 200 μmol/L maltol aluminum for 24 hours. Cells in each group were collected and the apoptosis rate, miR-96-5p and IRS1 mRNA expression levels, as well as protein expression levels of Caspase3, Cleaved-caspase3, IRS1, p-AKT, and p-GSK3β were measured. Results: After 24 hours of exposure, compared with blank control group and low-dose group, the apoptosis rates, relative expressions of Caspase3 and Cleaved-caspase3 proteins, and relative expressions of miR-96-5p in the medium and high-dose groups of PC12 cells were significantly increased, while the relative expression levels of IRS1 mRNA, IRS1, p-AKT and p-GSK3β proteins were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Targetscan prediction and double luciferase report experiment both proved that IRS1 was a direct target gene of miR-96-5p. In the transfection experiment, compared with the aluminum exposure group, the apoptosis rate, the relative expressions of Caspase3 and Cleaved-caspase3 proteins, the relative expression of miR-96-5p in the aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition group were significantly decreased, while the relative expression levels of IRS1 mRNA and IRS1, p-AKT and p-GSK3β proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the IRS1 low expression experiment, compared with the aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition+negative control group, the apoptosis rate, the relative expressions of Caspase3 and Cleaved-caspase3 proteins in the aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition+IRS1 inhibition group were significantly increased, while the relative expression levels of IRS1 mRNA and IRS1, p-AKT and p-GSK3β proteins were significantly decreased (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The increased expression of miR-96-5p and the targeted inhibition of IRS1 may be one of the mechanisms of apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by maltol aluminum exposure.

Release of Interface Confined Water Significantly Improves Dentin Bonding

Water residue and replacement difficulty cause insufficient adhesive infiltration in demineralized dentin matrix (DDM), which produces a defective hybrid layer and thus a bonding durability problem, severely plaguing adhesive dentistry for decades. In this study, we propose that the unique properties of a highly hydrated interface of the porous DDM can give rise to 1 new type of interface, confined liquid water, which accounts for most of the residue water and may be the main cause of insufficient infiltration. To prove our hypothesis, 3 metal ions with increasing binding affinity and complex stability (Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cu²⁺) were introduced respectively to coordinate negatively charged groups such as -PO₄^3-, -COO^- abundant in the DDM interface. Strong chelation of Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺ rapidly released the confined water, significantly improving penetration of hydrophobic adhesive monomers, while Na⁺ had little effect. A significant decrease of defects in the hybrid layer and a much decreased modulus gap between the hybrid layer and the adhesive layer greatly optimized the microstructure and micromechanical properties of the tooth-resin bonding interface, thus improving the effectiveness and durability of dentin bonding substantially. This study paves the way for a solution to the core scientific issue of contemporary adhesive dentistry: water residue and replacement in dentin bonding, both theoretically and practically.

FGF signaling promotes spreading of fat body precursors necessary for adult adipogenesis in Drosophila

Knowledge of adipogenetic mechanisms is essential to understand and treat conditions affecting organismal metabolism and adipose tissue health. In Drosophila, mature adipose tissue (fat body) exists in larvae and adults. In contrast to the well-known development of the larval fat body from the embryonic mesoderm, adult adipogenesis has remained mysterious. Furthermore, conclusive proof of its physiological significance is lacking. Here, we show that the adult fat body originates from a pool of undifferentiated mesodermal precursors that migrate from the thorax into the abdomen during metamorphosis. Through in vivo imaging, we found that these precursors spread from the ventral midline and cover the inner surface of the abdomen in a process strikingly reminiscent of embryonic mesoderm migration, requiring fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling as well. FGF signaling guides migration dorsally and regulates adhesion to the substrate. After spreading is complete, precursor differentiation involves fat accumulation and cell fusion that produces mature binucleate and tetranucleate adipocytes. Finally, we show that flies where adult adipogenesis is impaired by knock down of FGF receptor Heartless or transcription factor Serpent display ectopic fat accumulation in oenocytes and decreased resistance to starvation. Our results reveal that adult adipogenesis occurs de novo during metamorphosis and demonstrate its crucial physiological role.

[Honokiol reduces oxidative stress by activating the SIRT3-MnSOD2 pathway to alleviate hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To determine how honokiol affects the sirtuin-3 (SIRT3)-MnSOD2 pathway and oxidative stress in rats with hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTGP).

METHODS

Thirty 4-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into two groups for normal feeding and high-fat feeding for 4 weeks, after which the rats with normal feeding were randomized into control group and acute pancreatitis (AP) group (n=6), and those with high-fat feeding were divided into hypertriglyceridemia group, HTGP group, and honokiol treatment group (n=6). In AP, HTGP, and honokiol groups, AP models were established by intraperitoneal injection of cerulean; in honokiol group, the rats received an intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg honokiol 15 min after cerulean injection. Serum TG, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were measured 24 h after the treatments, and pathological changes in the pancreas were observed with HE staining; The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) were measured, and SIRT3 and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD2) expressions were detected using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of pancreatic acinar cells and mitochondria.

RESULTS

Compared with the those with normal feeding, the rats with high-fat feeding had significantly elevated serum TG level (P < 0.05). The rat models of AP showed significantly increased serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA and decreased GSH level and expressions of SIRT3 and MnSOD2, with obvious edema and inflammatory cell infiltration and enhanced ROS fluorescence intensity in the pancreas and ultrastructural damages of the acinar cells and mitochondria. In rats with HTGP, honokiol treatment significantly decreased serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA, increased GSH level and SIRT3 and MnSOD2 expressions, reduced ROS production, and alleviated ultrastructural damage of the acinar cells and mitochondria in the pancreas.

CONCLUSION

Honokiol reduce oxidative stress and alleviates pancreatic injuries in HTGP rats possibly by activating the SIRT3-MnSOD2 pathway.

High ambient temperature increases the number of emergency visits for upper urolithiasis in Hefei City, China

Background

Few studies have examined the effect of ambient temperature on upper urolithiasis in developing countries, with even fewer considering individual factors.

Methods

The present study analyzed data on emergency department visits for upper urolithiasis from three hospital sites of a large hospital in Hefei, China, during 2016-2020. Data on environmental factors during the same period were also analyzed. A time series analysis employing a generalized Poisson regression model (GPRM) combined with a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was conducted to evaluate the effect of ambient temperature on the number of emergency department visits for upper urolithiasis.

Results

We found that ambient temperatures above 9 °C were positively associated with the frequency of upper urolithiasis visits, with the relationship being most significant on the current day and with a one-day lag. In the single-day lag effect, the most significant relative risk (RR) for mild heat (75th percentile) and high heat (95th percentile) was 1.229 (95% CI: 1.100-1.373) and 1.337 (95% CI: 1.134-1.577), respectively. The cumulative lag effect was significantly higher than the single-day lag effect, with maximum relative risks (RRs) of 1.779 (95% CI: 1.356-2.335) and 2.498 (95% CI: 1.688-3.697), respectively. The maximum lag time was 7 days. RRs were also higher among women and individuals aged 30-44 years.

Conclusions

Increased ambient temperature is a risk factor for upper urolithiasis, and there is a hysteresis effect. Women and individuals aged 30-44 years are the most susceptible.

Comparing the efficacy and safety of different analgesic strategies after open hemorrhoidectomy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of different analgesic interventions in the treatment of pain after open hemorrhoidectomy by systematic review and network meta-analysis.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, and VIP were searched from the date of database construction to June 28, 2022.

RESULTS

Among the 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 731 patients were included in the network meta-analysis. Most interventions are more effective than placebo in relieving postoperative pain. 24 h postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS): glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) (mean difference (MD) - 4.20, 95% CI - 5.35, - 3.05), diltiazem (MD - 1.97, 95% CI - 2.44, - 1.51), botulinum toxin (BT) (MD - 1.50, 95% CI - 2.25, - 0.75), sucralfate (MD - 1.01, 95% CI - 1.53, - 0.49), and electroacupuncture (EA) (MD - 0.45, 95% CI - 0.87, - 0.04). 48 h postoperative VAS: diltiazem (MD - 2.45, 95% CI - 2.74, - 2.15), BT (MD - 2.18, 95% CI - 2.52, - 1.84), and sucralfate (MD - 1.41, 95% CI - 1.85, - 0.97). 7 d postoperative VAS: diltiazem (MD - 2.49, 95% CI - 3.20, - 1.78) and sucralfate (MD - 1.42, 95% CI - 2.00, - 0.85). The first postoperative defecation VAS: EA (MD - 0.70, 95% CI - 0.95, - 0.46). There are few data on intervention safety, and additional high-quality RCTs are expected to study this topic in the future.

CONCLUSION

Diltiazem ointment may be the most effective medication for pain relief following open hemorrhoidectomy, and it can dramatically reduce pain within one week of surgery. The second and third recommended medications are BT and sucralfate ointment. GTN has a significant advantage in alleviating pain 24 h after open hemorrhoidectomy, but whether it causes headache is debatable; thus, it should be used with caution. EA's analgesic efficacy is still unknown. There was limited evidence on the safety of the intervention in this study, and it was simply presented statistically.

Formation of Re-Aggregated Neonatal Porcine Islet Clusters Improves In Vitro Function and Transplantation Outcome

Neonatal porcine islet-like cell clusters (NPICCs) are a promising source for islet cell transplantation. Excellent islet quality is important to achieve a cure for type 1 diabetes. We investigated formation of cell clusters from dispersed NPICCs on microwell cell culture plates, evaluated the composition of re-aggregated porcine islets (REPIs) and compared in vivo function by transplantation into diabetic NOD-SCID IL2rγ-/- (NSG) mice with native NPICCs. Dissociation of NPICCs into single cells and re-aggregation resulted in the formation of uniform REPI clusters. A higher prevalence of normoglycemia was observed in diabetic NSG mice after transplantation with a limited number (n = 1500) of REPIs (85.7%) versus NPICCs (n = 1500) (33.3%) (p < 0.05). Transplanted REPIs and NPICCs displayed a similar architecture of endocrine and endothelial cells. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests revealed an improved beta cell function after transplantation of 1500 REPIs (AUC glucose 0-120 min 6260 ± 305.3) as compared to transplantation of 3000 native NPICCs (AUC glucose 0-120 min 8073 ± 536.2) (p < 0.01). Re-aggregation of single cells from dissociated NPICCs generates cell clusters with excellent functionality and improved in vivo function as compared to native NPICCs.

Five Species of Taxus Karyotype Based on Oligo-FISH for 5S rDNA and (AG3T3)3

As a relict plant, Taxus is used in a variety of medicinal ingredients, for instance to treat a variety of cancers. Taxus plants are difficult to distinguish from one another due to their similar morphology; indeed, some species of Taxus cytogenetic data still are unclear. Oligo-FISH can rapidly and efficiently provide insight into the genetic composition and karyotype. This is important for understanding the organization and evolution of chromosomes in Taxus species. We analysed five Taxus species using two oligonucleotide probes. (AG₃T₃)₃ signals were distributed at the chromosome ends and the centromere of five species of Taxus. The 5S rDNA signal was displayed on two chromosomes of five species of Taxus. In addition to Taxus wallichiana var. mairei, 5S rDNA signals were found proximal in the remaining four species, which signals a difference in its location. The karyotype formula of Taxus wallichiana was 2n = 2x = 24m, its karyotype asymmetry index was 55.56%, and its arm ratio was 3.0087. Taxus × media's karyotype formula was 2n = 2x = 24m, its karyotype asymmetry index was 55.09%, and its arm ratio was 3.4198. The karyotype formula of Taxus yunnanensis was 2n = 2x = 24m, its karyotype asymmetry index was 55.56%, and its arm ratio was 2.6402. The karyotype formula of Taxus cuspidate was 2n = 2x = 24m, its karyotype asymmetry index was 54.67%, its arm ratio was 3.0135, and two chromosomes exhibited the 5S rDNA signal. The karyotype formula of T. wallichiana var. mairei was 2n= 2x = 22m + 2sm, its karyotype asymmetry index was 54.33%, and its arm ratio was 2.8716. Our results provide the karyotype analysis and physical genetic map of five species of Taxus, which contributes to providing molecular cytogenetics data for Taxus.

[Analysis of risk factors for decompensated cirrhosis complicated with sepsis]

Objective: To investigate the related risk factors in patients with decompensated cirrhosis complicated with sepsis. Methods: 1 098 cases with decompensated cirrhosis were collected from January 2018 to December 2020. A total of 492 cases with complete data meeting the inclusion criteria were included. Among them, the sepsis group (240 cases) was complicated with sepsis and the non-sepsis group (252 cases) was not complicated with sepsis. Albumin, cholinesterase, total bilirubin, prothrombin activity, urea, creatinine, international normalized ratio and other indicators of the two groups of patients were collected. Child-Pugh classification and MELD score were performed on two groups of patients. Mann-Whitney U test was used for non-normally distributed measurement data, and rank sum test for grade data. Logistic regression analysis was performed on sepsis-related factors that may affect patients with decompensated cirrhosis complicated with sepsis. Results: 162 cases of gram negative bacteria, 76 cases of gram positive bacteria and 2 cases of Candida were detected. Child-Pugh grade C was mainly in the sepsis group, and Child- Pugh grade A and B was mainly in the non-sepsis group (z=-13.01, P＜0.05). MELD score was significantly higher in patients with sepsis than that of patients without sepsis (z=-12.30, P＜0.05). Neutrophils percentage, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and total bilirubin in patients with decompensated cirrhosis complicated with sepsis were 86.90% (79.00%, 91.05%), 48.48 (17.63, 97.55) mg/l,1.34 (0.40, 4.52) ng/l, and 78.50 (32.75149.80) μmol/L, which were significantly higher than that of patients without sepsis [69.55% (58.58%, 75.90%), 5.34 (5.00, 14.94) mg/l, 0.11(0.06,0.24) ng/l, 22.50(15.10,37.55) respectively] μmol/L, P＜0.05], while the albumin level, prothrombin activity level, and the cholinesterase level in sepsis patients were 27.30 (24.45, 30.60) g/L, 46.00% (33.50%, 59.00%), and 1.87 (1.29, 2.66) kU/L, respectively, which was significantly lower than the non-sepsis group [32.65 (28.95, 37.23) g/l, 73.00(59.75～84.85)%, 3.13(2.23～4.59) kU/L, P＜0.05]. Logistic regression analysis showed that serum total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin activity level and diabetes mellitus were the independent risk factors for complicated sepsis. Conclusion: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis with poor liver function and higher MELD scores are more likely to be complicated with sepsis. Therefore, during the clinical diagnosis and treatment course, patients with decompensated cirrhosis with poor liver reserve function should be actively and dynamically monitored for infection-related indicators such as neutrophil percentage, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, in an attempt to detect possible potential infections and sepsis, and improve early treatment and prognosis.

Flexible, Transparent, and Hazy Composite Cellulosic Film with Interconnected Silver Nanowire Networks for EMI Shielding and Joule Heating

An optical transparent and hazy film with admirable flexibility, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and Joule heating performance meeting the requirements of optoelectronic devices is significantly desirable. Herein, a cellulose paper was infiltrated by epoxy resin to fabricate a transparent cellulose paper (TCP) with high transparency, optical haze, and favorable flexibility, owing to effective light scattering and mechanical enhancement of the cellulose network. Moreover, a highly connected silver nanowire (AgNW) network was constructed on the TCP substrate by the spray-coating method and appropriate thermal annealing technique to realize high electrical conductivity and favorable optical transmittance of the composite film at the same time, followed by coating of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer for protection of the AgNW network. The obtained PDMS/AgNWs/TCP composite film features considerable optical transmittance (up to 86.8%) and haze (up to 97.7%), while satisfactory EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) (up to 39.1 dB, 8.2-12.4 GHz) as well as strong mechanical strength (higher than 41 MPa) were achieved. The coated PDMS layer prevented the AgNW network from falling off and ensured the long-term stability of the PDMS/AgNWs/TCP composite film under deformations. In addition, the multifunctional PDMS/AgNWs/TCP composite film also exhibited excellent Joule heating performance with low supplied voltages, rapid response, and sufficient stability. This work demonstrates a novel pathway to improve the performance of multifunctional transparent composite films for future advanced optoelectronic devices.

[Effects of composite laser technique combined with multipoint microinjection of triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of hypertrophic scars in burn children]

Objective: To explore the effects of pulsed dye laser (PDL) and ultra-pulsed fractional carbon dioxide laser (UFCL) combined with multipoint microinjection of triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of red hypertrophic scar at early stage in burn children. Methods: A retrospective cohort before-after control study in the same patients was conducted. From February 2019 to December 2020, a total of 67 burn children who met the inclusion criteria (32 males and 35 females, aged 1 to 12 years) with red hyperplastic scar at early stage, were treated in Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (1st Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University). All the children were treated with composite laser technique (PDL and UFCL) combined with triamcinolone acetonide (hereinafter referred to as combined treatment). After 2 months, they received the second combined treatment. Before the first combined treatment and 6 months after the last combined treatment, the scar of children was evaluated with the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) by physicians and family members. Six months after the last combined treatment, the satisfaction of the patients' family members with the efficacy was recorded and the overall satisfaction rate was calculated. Adverse reactions were recorded throughout the treatment process. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test. Results: Six months after the last combined treatment, the POSAS scores of children on the thickness, blood vessels distribution, color, surface roughness, texture, scope, and overall evaluation of scar evaluated by the physicians, and the POSAS scores of children on the color, degree of pain, degree of itching, hardness, thickness, shape and size, and overall evaluation of scar evaluated by the family members were significantly lower than those before the first combined treatment (with t values of 17.32, 16.73, 15.00, 14.91, 19.62, 28.74, 29.83, 17.43, 20.52, 29.01, 28.82, 24.91, 20.30, and 42.13, respectively, P<0.01). Six months after the last combined treatment, 62 (93%), 3 (4%), and 2 (3%) children's family members were very satisfied, satisfied, and relatively satisfied with the treatment effect, respectively, and the overall satisfaction rate was 97% (65/67). Six months after the last combined treatment, no scar thickening or infection occurred in all the wounds of children. Conclusions: Composite laser technique combined with multipoint microinjection of triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of red hypertrophic scar at early stage in burn children can improve the appearance and texture of scar, reduce scar pain and pruritus, with high satisfaction of children's family members to the treatment effect and less adverse reactions.

The AMPK pathway in fatty liver disease

Lipid metabolism disorders are the primary causes for the occurrence and progression of various liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) caused by a high-fat diet and ethanol. AMPK signaling pathway plays an important role in ameliorating lipid metabolism disorders. Progressive research has clarified that AMPK signal axes are involved in the prevention and reduction of liver injury. Upregulation of AMK can alleviate FLD in mice induced by alcohol or insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, and most natural AMPK agonists can regulate lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress in hepatocytes, consequently regulating FLD in mice. In NAFLD and AFLD, increasing the activity of AMPK can inhibit the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol by down-regulating the expression of adipogenesis gene (FAS, SREBP-1c, ACC and HMGCR); Simultaneously, by increasing the expression of fatty acid oxidation and lipid decomposition genes (CPT1, PGC1, and HSL, ATGL) involved in fatty acid oxidation and lipid decomposition, the body’s natural lipid balance can be maintained. At present, some AMPK activators are thought to be beneficial during therapeutic treatment. Therefore, activation of AMPK signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target for disorders of the liver. We summarized the most recent research on the role of the AMPK pathway in FLD in this review. Simultaneously, we performed a detailed description of each signaling axis of the AMPK pathway, as well as a discussion of its mechanism of action and therapeutic significance.

Spatial Patterns and Composition Traits of Soil Microbial Nitrogen-Metabolism Genes in the Robinia pseudoacacia Forests at a Regional Scale

Microbial-driven processes related to the nitrogen-metabolism (N-metabolism) in soil are critical for ecosystem functioning and stability. There are spatial patterns of microbial-mediated nitrogen processes, but we still lack an overview of the soil N-metabolism genes of single nitrogen-fixing tree species pure forests at a regional scale. Here, we investigated the spatial variation and drivers of microbial N-metabolism genes in the rhizosphere soil of Robinia pseudoacacia on the Loess Plateau by metagenomic technology. We found that the distance-decay of soil N functional gene similarities in Robinia pseudoacacia forests on the Loess Plateau spanning a geographic distance of 230 km was significant (p < 0.001). The gene composition and co-occurrence patterns in the process of soil microbial N-metabolism were very different, and they were mainly driven by soil pH and MAP (mean annual precipitation). The proportion of positive links and edges co-occurrence networks between N functional genes increased with increasing pH, suggesting that increasing pH promoted connections between functional genes. The relative frequencies of N-metabolism pathways were consistent on the Loess Plateau, the abundance of ammonia assimilation pathway was highest, and the abundance of the nitrogen fixation pathway was the lowest; only the abundance of the nitrogen fixation pathway was not significantly different. The bacterial and archaeal communities involved in soil nitrogen metabolism were significantly different. Structural equation modeling showed that decreases in soil pH and MAP mainly affected the increase in nitrogen functional gene abundance through an increase in the diversity of N-metabolism microorganisms. In conclusion, this study provides a baseline for biogeographic studies of soil microbe functional genes.

The Genetic Diversity of Bletilla spp. Based on SLAF-seq and Oligo-FISH

Bletilla spp. Rchb. F. is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. In this study, Bletilla striata (Thunb. ex A. Murray) Rchb F, Bletilla formosana (Hayata) Schltr, and Bletilla ochracea Schltr were collected to analyze the genetic diversity of 16 materials using specific site-amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The results showed that the phylogenetic tree of the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data rendering system was correlated with the shape and geographical distribution of the material. The results of the population structural analysis showed that all the materials containing yellow labellum came from the same ancestor. The results of the principal component analysis were able to preliminarily judge the genetic distance and provided a reference for the selection of hybrid parents. The FISH analysis showed that the chromosomes of B. striata were 2n = 32 and the chromosomes of the B. striata (safflower) mutant were 2n = 34 and the chromosomes of B. ochracea and B. formosana were 2n = 34–36. The (AG₃T₃)₃ non-terminal signal was different from the 5S rDNA signal. These results revealed that the 16 materials had rich genetic diversity, which can provide molecular and cytogenetic data for the study of the genus and its relatives and serve as a reference for the breeding of new genus varieties and improve breeding efficiency and cost.

[Comparison of efficacy and safety between new oral anticoagulants and traditional anticoagulants in patients with liver cirrhosis requiring anticoagulant therapy]

Objective: To compare the advantages and disadvantages of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) with traditional anticoagulants, in an attempt to evaluate their efficacy and safety in patients with liver cirrhosis requiring anticoagulant therapy. Methods: Relevant literatures were searched from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, HowNet, Wanfang, VIP and other databases by computer retrieval. The literatures quality was evaluated by NOS. The extracted data were meta-analyzed by RevMan5.3 software. Results: A total of seven studies were included, including one randomized controlled trial and six retrospective cohort studies with a total of 3042 cases. Among them, 1677 and 1365 cases used NOACs and traditional anticoagulants. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with the traditional anticoagulant group, the NOACs group had a lower incidence of massive hemorrhage [OR=0.56, 95%CI (0.37-0.85), P＜0.01] and a higher thrombotic recanalization rate [OR=7.77, 95%CI (3.48~17.34), P＜0.01], and the difference was statistically significant, while there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in comparison to all-cause bleeding rates [OR=0.72, 95%CI (0.13-3.91), P=0.07], all-cause mortality [OR=0.72, 95%CI (0.25-2.07), P=0.54], recurrent embolism and stroke rates [OR=0.90, 95%CI (0.59-1.39), and P=0.64]. Conclusion: Compared with traditional anticoagulants, NOACs have higher safety and better efficacy in the treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis, but it has not been widely used in China. Therefore, large-scale randomized controlled trials and prospective studies are further needed to confirm it in the future.

Thermal Stability and Kinetics of Single I2@ZIF-8 Particles

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a key material characterization method for studying the thermal stability and thermochemical process. However, the common TGA for bulk samples lacks sufficient spatial information, which blurs the intrinsic thermal decomposition characteristic and limits the understanding of the structure-performance relationship. Here, we report a dark-field microscope (DFM) method for studying thermal desorption process of I₂ from I₂-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (I₂@ZIF-8). Because of the high spatial resolution, DFM enables the imaging and tracking of the local mass loss of I₂ in single I₂@ZIF-8 particles at different reaction temperatures. We obtain from the DFM images the single-particle thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric curves to evaluate the inherent thermal stability of single I₂@ZIF-8 particles. We also find the heterogeneous thermal decomposition property among different I₂@ZIF-8 particles. Furthermore, we demonstrate the capacity of DFM to quantitatively determine thermal kinetics parameters such as the diffusion coefficient and activation energy of I₂ in individual and multiple ZIF-8 particles. These useful results are essential for developing high-efficient porous adsorbents for the capture of I₂.

Clinical Study on Anesthesia with Remifentanil and Propofol in Patients with High Hemodynamics

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of remifentanil and propofol as an anesthesia regimen in patients with high hemodynamics.

METHODS

From January 2019 to October 2020, 200 patients with high hemodynamics undergoing surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University in China were selected as study participants, including 100 patients anesthetized with remifentanil and propofol (research group), and 100 patients anesthetized with fentanyl and propofol (control group). Vital signs, hemodynamic changes and recovery time after anesthesia were compared in the 2 groups and any adverse events while under anesthesia were recorded.

RESULTS

Both groups had significant fluctuations in vital signs and hemodynamics during anesthesia (P > .05), but the research group showed smaller changes with more stable vital signs and hemodynamics (P < .05). In addition, postoperative recovery time from anesthesia was shorter and the incidence of adverse events was lower in the research group than in the control group (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Remifentanil-propofol anesthesia is simple, convenient, safe and reliable in patients with high hemodynamics, and can integrate narcotic drugs with blood pressure control.

Impact of financial inclusion and human capital on environmental quality: evidence from emerging economies

Emerging nations have recorded significant economic development over the last few decades, which has increased natural resources extraction and consumption. On account of rising development, the financial sectors of these nations are continuously expanding their services and products. These countries are also experiencing increasing environmental deterioration which requires raising the level of environmental awareness and seeking different mitigation options. Against this backdrop, this research studies the role of financial inclusion and human capital in the environmental quality of emerging nations. To do so, the panel data from 2004 to 2019 is collected and second-generation econometric methodologies are utilized to analyze the data. Controlling remittances, economic growth, and natural resources, the study revealed cointegration among variables. The results of the panel quantile regression indicated that financial inclusion improves the environmental quality of emerging countries as it is negatively connected with CO₂. However, human capital in these nations adds to environmental deterioration. Likewise, natural resources and economic growth raise CO₂, and therefore, reduce environmental quality. Apart from this, remittances are playing a critical role in reducing CO₂. After this, the research utilized the Cup-FM and Cup-BC methods and noticed a similar association among variables. Lastly, policy implications of these findings are discussed.

EpCAM Is Essential to Maintaining the Immune Homeostasis of Intestines via Keeping the Expression of pIgR in the Intestinal Epithelium of Mice

EpCAM deficiency causes congenital tufting enteropathy (CTE) which is considered as one kinds of very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, functions of EpCAM on regulating the immunity of intestines are still unclear. To study the mechanism of EpCAM on maintaining the intestinal immune homeostasis, the intestines of WT and EpCAM^-/- mice at E18.5, P0 and P3 stages were collected for morphological, histological and gene expression tests. Serious inflammation was detected in the small intestines of P3 EpCAM^-/- mice. Compared to WT mice, genes related to inflammatory factors and immunity cells, including TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8rb, MIP2, MCP1, Ly6d and Ly6g, were all significantly upregulated and the expression of intestinal abundance matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was also significantly increased in the intestines of EpCAM^-/- mice at E18.5, P0 and P3 stages. Signals of p38, ERK1/2 and JNK were hyper-activated in the intestines of EpCAM^-/- mice. The expression of pIgR was significantly decreased and the expression and activation of transcriptional factors which promote the expression of pIgR were also reduced in the intestines of EpCAM^-/- mice compared to WT controls. In conclusion, EpCAM could maintain the immune homeostasis of intestines via keeping the expression of pIgR in the intestinal epithelium.

An Ultrastrong and Antibacterial Silver Nanowire/Aligned Cellulose Scaffold Composite Film for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Constructing multifunctional electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding films with superior mechanical strength has sparked a lot of interest in the fields of wearable electronics. In this work, the conductive silver nanowires (AgNWs) were synthesized and impregnated into the highly aligned cellulose scaffold (CS) fabricated by wood delignification followed by hot-pressing and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dipping processes to obtain the outstanding EMI shielding cellulosic film (d-AgNWs@CS-PDMS). The consecutively conductive pathway of AgNWs was constructed in the microchannels of the CS as a result of the hydrogen bonding between AgNWs and cellulose fibers, which is conducive to the reflection of incident EM waves. The higher degree of nanofiber alignment and the compact conductive network were improved by densification upon hot pressing, which endows the composite film with striking mechanical properties (maximum tensile strength of 511.8 MPa) and superb EMI shielding performance (shielding effectiveness value of 46 dB with a filler content of 21.6 wt %) at the X band (8.2-12.4 GHz). Moreover, the existence of an intensive AgNWs network and the introduction of the PDMS layer improve the hydrophobicity and antibacterial activity of the composite film, avoiding serious health concerns in the long-term wearing. These results demonstrate that the obtained d-AgNWs@CS-PDMS composite film has high potential as an EMI shielding material used for wearable devices.

The effects of H22 tumor on the quality of oocytes and the development of early embryos from host mice: A single-cell RNA sequencing approach

The association between cancer and female reproduction remains largely unknown. Here we investigated the quality of oocytes and the developmental potential of zygotes using H22 tumor-bearing mice model. The results showed that the number of oocytes was decreased in tumor-bearing mice compared with the control mice, and accompanied scattered chromosomes was observed. Further study revealed an abnormal epigenetic reprogramming occurred in the zygotes from the H22 tumor-bearing mice, as exemplified by the aberrant 5hmC/5mC modifications in the pronuclei. Finally, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on the oocytes collected from the H22 tumor-bearing mice. Our data showed that 45 of the 202 differentially expressed genes in tumor-bearing group were closely associated with oocyte quality. Protein interaction analysis indicated that the potential interaction among these 45 genes. Collectively, our study uncovered that the quality of oocytes and early embryonic development were affected by H22 tumor bearing via the altered expression patterns of genes related with reproduction, providing new insights into the reproductive capability of female cancer patients.

Berberine improves liver injury induced glucose and lipid metabolic disorders via alleviating ER stress of hepatocytes and modulating gut microbiota in mice

Liver injury mediated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress can cause many kinds of liver diseases including hepatic glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, and long term liver injury would lead to cirrhosis and hepatic cancer. Therefore, effective drugs for treating liver injury are urgent in need. Berberine is a multifunctional drug of traditional Chinese medicine, and it can improve various liver diseases. To study the effects of berberine on ER stress-induced liver injury, tunicamycin was administrated to C57BL/6 mice with or without berberine pre-treatment. H&E staining was used to check the morphology and histology of liver tissues. The serum and liver tissues were harvested to test biochemical indexes and the expression levels of genes related with glucose and lipid metabolism, ER stress and unfold protein response (UPR). 16S rDNA sequence technology was conducted to check the fecal microbiota. Pre-administration with berberine could alleviate the excess accumulation of triglyceride (TG) in the liver of mice treated with tunicamycin. Tunicamycin administration caused significant increase of the expression level of genes related to ER stress and UPR, such as CHOP, Grp78 and ATF6, but the berberine pre-treatment could significantly downregulate the expression level of these genes. Tunicamycin administration resulted in increased ratio of Prevotellaceae to Erysipelotrichaceae at the family level of the fecal microbiota in mice, and this trend was reversed by the pre-treatment of berberine. These results demonstrated that berberine could improve liver injury induced hepatic metabolic disorders through relieving ER stress in hepatocytes and regulating gut microbiota in mice.

Dihydroartemisinin improves hypercholesterolemia in ovariectomized mice via enhancing vectorial transport of cholesterol and bile acids from blood to bile

The increase of concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the serum of postmenopausal women is the important risk factor of the high morbidity of cardiovascular diseases of old women worldwide. To test the anti-hypercholesterolemia function of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in postmenopausal women, ovariectomized (OVX) mice were generated, and DHA were administrated to OVX mice for 4 weeks. The blood and liver tissues were collected for biochemical and histological tests respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related to metabolism and transport of cholesterol, bile acid and fatty acid in the liver or ileum were checked through qPCR and western blot. DHA could significantly reduce the high concentrations of TC and LDL-C in the serum and the lipid accumulation in the liver of ovariectomized mice. The expression of ABCG5/8 was reduced in liver of OVX mice, and DHA could up-regulate the expression of them. Genes of transport proteins for bile salt transport from blood to bile, including Slc10a1, Slco1b2 and Abcb11, were also significantly up-regulated by DHA. DHA also down-regulated the expression of Slc10a2 in the ileum of OVX mice to reduce the absorption of bile salts. Genes required for fatty acid synthesis and uptake, such as Fasn and CD36, were reduced in the liver of OVX mice, and DHA administration could significantly up-regulate the expression of them. These results demonstrated that DHA could improve hypercholesterolemia in OVX mice through enhancing the vectorial transport of cholesterol and bile acid from blood to bile.

[The role of RUNX1 in the apoptosis of epithelial cells in nasal polyps]

Objective: To explore the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) in nasal polyps (NPs) tissues and the potential role on apoptosis of primary human nasal epithelial cells (pHNECs) in NPs. Methods: The expression level of RUNX1 in NPs tissues was determined by Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemical staining (IHC). In vitro, TNF-α (20 ng/ml) was used to stimulate pHNECs to establish the apoptosis injury model. Hoechst staining was performed to observe pHNECs apoptosis by kit. Subsequently, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and WB were utilized to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BCL2-associated X (BAX) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3) to assess the level of apoptosis. The plasmid of sh-RUNX1-6 was transfected into the pHNECs apoptosis model, then the effect of RUNX1 silence on apoptosis was evaluated by WB and flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS 19.0 and GraphPad Prism5 software. Results: The expression of RUNX1 in NPs tissue was significantly higher than that in inferior turbinates, and the difference was statistically significant (0.274±0.042 vs 0.110±0.027, t=9.675, P<0.05). Compared with the inferior turbinates, BAX and Caspase-3 expressions were increased whereas BCL-2 was decreased in NPs, and the differences were statistically significant (BAX 0.346±0.032 vs 0.302±0.037, Caspase-3 0.228±0.061 vs 0.158±0.065, BCL-2 0.090±0.047 vs 0.276±0.057, t value was 2.680, 2.361 and 7.575, respectively, all P<0.05). The expression levels of RUNX1 and apoptosis in pHNECs increased in a time-dependent manner after TNF-α exposure (P<0.05). Plasmid of sh-RUNX1-6 transfected silenced the expression of RUNX1 in pHNECs treated by TNF-α. After silencing RUNX1 in pHNECs apoptosis model, the protein levels of BAX and Caspase-3 were decreased, while the expression of BCL-2 was increased, the rate of apoptosis was decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions: RUNX1 is increased in NPs. Silencing RUNX1 can inhibit the apoptosis and reduce cell inflammatory damage of pHNECs induced by TNF-α.

Cloning, genome structure and expression analysis of MHC class I gene in Korean quail

1. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a highly polymorphic region of the genome essential to immune responses and animal health. However, avian MHC genetic structure is different from that of mammals. In this study, the structure and expression of Korean quail MHC class I gene was analysed.2. The quail MHC gene consisted of eight exons and seven introns. The open reading frame of the cDNA was 353 amino acids, and the molecular weight was about 38.91 kDa. Exons 1 and 2 coded for leading peptides and alpha 1 regions, respectively. Exons 3 and 4 encoded alpha 2 and alpha 3 regions. Exons 5 to 8 coded for connecting peptides and transmembrane regions/cytoplasmic regions (TM/CY). The Korean quail MHC class I amino acid sequence shared 87% to 99% homology with Japanese quail and 71% to 75% with chicken. The amino acid shared 40% and 43% homology with humans and mice, respectively.3. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that MHC-I was highly expressed in immune tissues such as the bursa of Fabricius. Moreover, the constructed evolutionary tree was consistent with accepted evolutionary pathways.4. MHC-I is closely related to the host's immune system, and these findings may help to better understand the role of Korean quail MHC-I in the immune system.

Imaging adsorption of iodide on single Cu2O microparticles reveals the acid activation mechanism

Imaging an adsorption reaction taking place at the single-particle level is a promising avenue for fundamentally understanding the adsorption mechanism. Here, we employ a dark-field microscopy (DFM) method for in situ imaging the adsorption process of I^- on single Cu₂O microparticles to reveal the acid activation mechanism. Using the time-lapsed DMF imaging, we find that a relatively strong acid is indispensable to trigger the adsorption reaction of I^- on single Cu₂O microparticle. A hollow microparticle with the increase in size is obtained after the adsorption reaction, causing the enhancement of the scattering intensity. Correlating the change of the scattering light intensity or particle size with adsorption capacity of I^-, we quantitatively analyze the selective uptake, slightly heterogeneous adsorption behavior, pH/temperature-dependent adsorption capacity, and adsorption kinetics as well as isotherms of individual Cu₂O microparticles for I^-. Our observations demonstrate that the acid-initiated Kirkendall effect is responsible for the high-reaction activity of single Cu₂O microparticles for adsorption of I^- in the acidic environment, through breaking the unfavorable lattice energy between Cu₂O and CuI as well as generating high-active hollow intermediate microparticle.

De novo ALX4 variant detected in child with non-syndromic craniosynostosis

Current understanding of the genetic factors contributing to the etiology of non-syndromic craniosynostosis (NSC) remains scarce. The present work investigated the presence of variants in ALX4, EFNA4, and TWIST1 genes in children with NSC to verify if variants within these genes may contribute to the occurrence of these abnormal phenotypes. A total of 101 children (aged 45.07±40.94 months) with NSC participated in this cross-sectional study. Parents and siblings of the probands were invited to participate. Medical and family history of craniosynostosis were documented. Biological samples were collected to obtain genomic DNA. Coding exons of human TWIST1, ALX4, and EFNA4 genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequenced. Five missense variants were identified in ALX4 in children with bilateral coronal, sagittal, and metopic synostosis. A de novo ALX4 variant, c.799G>A: p.Ala267Thr, was identified in a proband with sagittal synostosis. Three missense variants were identified in the EFNA4 gene in children with metopic and sagittal synostosis. A TWIST1 variant occurred in a child with unilateral coronal synostosis. Variants were predicted to be among the 0.1% (TWIST1, c.380C>A: p. Ala127Glu) and 1% (ALX4, c.769C>T: p.Arg257Cys, c.799G>A: p.Ala267Thr, c.929G>A: p.Gly310Asp; EFNA4, c.178C>T: p.His60Tyr, C.283A>G: p.Lys95Glu, c.349C>A: Pro117Thr) most deleterious variants in the human genome. With the exception of ALX4, c.799G>A: p.Ala267Thr, all other variants were present in at least one non-affected family member, suggesting incomplete penetrance. Thus, these variants may contribute to the development of craniosynostosis, and should not be discarded as potential candidate genes in the diagnosis of this condition.

Huangqi Shengmai Yin Ameliorates Myocardial Fibrosis by Activating Sirtuin3 and Inhibiting TGF-β/Smad Pathway

Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is an important pathological process in which a variety of cardiovascular diseases transform into heart failure. The main manifestation of MF is the excessive deposition of collagen in the myocardium. Here, we explored whether Huangqi Shengmai Yin (HSY) can inhibit isoprenaline (ISO)-induced myocardial collagen deposition in rats, thereby reducing the cardiac dysfunction caused by MF. The results of echocardiography showed that HSY upregulated fractional shortening and ejection fraction, and reduced the left ventricular systolic dysfunction in the rats with MF. Pathological results showed that HSY protected myocardium, inhibited apoptosis, and effectively reduced collagen deposition. HSY also inhibited the expression of collagen I and III and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the heart tissue. HSY increased the expression of Sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) and inhibited the protein levels of the components in the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad pathway. At the same time, it also regulated the expression of related proteins in the matrix metalloproteinases family. In summary, HSY played a therapeutic role in rats with ISO-induced MF by protecting myocardium and inhibiting collagen deposition. Therefore, HSY is a potential therapeutic agent for ameliorating MF.

Visualization of gaseous iodine adsorption on single zeolitic imidazolate framework-90 particles

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are very useful as high-capacity iodine (I₂) adsorbents. The adsorption performance is usually probed by measuring a statistical average property over an entire sample consisting of a large number of ZIF particles, leaving the interparticle heterogeneity information among individuals. Here we report a dark-field microscopy (DFM) method to visualize gaseous I₂ adsorption on single ZIF-90 particles in situ and in real time. The adsorption of I₂ is found to alter the scattering spectrum of ZIF-90 particles, inducing a distinct color change from bluewhite to yellow. According to correlating the adsorption amount of gaseous I₂ with the change of B value from DFM images, we quantitatively image the adsorption process and estimate the related kinetic parameters at the single particle level. Single particle measurements clarify the large particle-to-particle heterogeneity in adsorption reactivity and significant adsorption activity improvement of ZIF-90 after introduction of linker defects, which provides a microscopic understanding of the structure-activity relationship. We further demonstrate the capacity of this strategy for studying gaseous I₂ adsorption on single ZIF-91 particle as a derivative of ZIF-90 to illustrate the generality.

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks are promising as high-capacity iodine adsorbents. Here the authors image the gaseous I₂ adsorption on single ZIF-90 particles, clarifying the inter-particle heterogeneity in adsorption reactivity and performance improvement after introduction of linker defects .

High dose lithium chloride causes colitis through activating F4/80 positive macrophages and inhibiting expression of Pigr and Claudin-15 in the colon of mice

OBJECTIVE

Lithium chloride (LiCl) was a mood stabilizer for bipolar affective disorders and it could activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. Colon is one of a very susceptible tissues to Wnt signaling pathway, and so it would be very essential to explore the toxic effect of a high dose of LiCl on colon.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with 200 mg/kg LiCl one dose a day for 5 days to activate Wnt signal pathway in intestines. H&E staining was used to assess the colonic tissues of mice treated with high dose of LiCl. The expression of inflammation-associated genes and tight junction-associated genes in colons was measured using qPCR, Western blot and immunostaining methods. The gut microbiome was tested through 16S rDNA gene analysis.

RESULTS

The differentiation of enteroendocrine cells in colon was inhibited by treatment of 200 mg/kg LiCl. The F4/80 positive macrophages in colon were activated by high dose of LiCl, and migrated from the submucosa to the lamina propria. The expression of pro-inflammatory genes TNFα and IL-1β was increased in the colon of high dose of LiCl treated mice. Clostridium_sp_k4410MGS_306 and Prevotellaceae_UCG_001 were specific and predominant for the high dose of LiCl treated mice. The expression of IgA coding genes, Pigr and Claudin-15 was significantly decreased in the colon tissues of the high dose of LiCl treated mice.

CONCLUSION

200 mg/kg LiCl might cause the inflammation in colon of mice through activating F4/80 positive macrophages and inhibiting the expression of IgA coding genes in plasma cells and the expression of Pigr and Claudin-15 in colonic epithelial cells, providing evidences for the toxic effects of high dose of LiCl on colon.

[Progress of researches on symbionts in the management of mosquito-borne infectious diseases]

Mosquitoes are the main vectors of many infectious diseases, including malaria and yellow fever, which seriously threaten human health across the world. In addition to the use of chemical insecticides, genetic control is a new attempt to currently available interventions used for mosquito vector control. In terms of ecological safety, however, symbiotic control as a novel approach has been proposed for mosquito control. Since there are multiple symbiotic microflora inhabiting in a variety of tissues of mosquitoes, including the digestive tract, they may affect the transmission of mosquito-borne infectious diseases through affecting the lifespan, reproductive competence, and vector competence of the host. In this review, the interactions between symbionts in mosquitoes were summarized, and the research progress of mosquito-associated symbionts in the management of mosquitoborne infectious diseases was reviewed.