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Abstract Background Evidence on the influence of programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression on the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) in EGFR‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients is at variance. Methods A single‐center retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the influence of PD‐L1 expression on the efficacy of EGFR‐TKIs for NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation. Clinical information was retrieved from electronic medical records. The patients were divided into three subgroups according to PD‐L1 expression level: PD‐L1

PurposeThis study explores the association between the duration and variation of infant sleep trajectories and subsequent cognitive school readiness at 48–50 months.MethodsParticipants were 288 multi-ethnic children, within the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort. Caregiver-reported total, night and day sleep durations were obtained at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire and 54 months using the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Total, night and day sleep trajectories with varying durations (short, moderate, or long) and variability (consistent or variable; defined by standard errors) were identified. The cognitive school readiness test battery was administered when the children were between 48 and 50 months old. Both unadjusted adjusted analysis of variance models and adjusted analysis of covariance models (for confounders) were performed to assess associations between sleep trajectories and individual school readiness tests in the domains of language, numeracy, general cognition and memory.ResultsIn the unadjusted models, children with short variable total sleep trajectories had poorer performance on language tests compared to those with longer and more consistent trajectories. In both unadjusted and adjusted models, children with short variable night sleep trajectories had poorer numeracy knowledge compared to their counterparts with long consistent night sleep trajectories. There were no equivalent associations between sleep trajectories and school readiness performance for tests in the general cognition or memory domains. There were no significant findings for day sleep trajectories.ConclusionFindings suggest that individual differences in longitudinal sleep duration patterns from as early as 3 months of age may be associated with language and numeracy aspects of school readiness at 48–50 months of age. This is important, as early school readiness, particularly the domains of language and mathematics, is a key predictor of subsequent academic achievement.

Abstract Background Admission hypothermia (AH, 37.5 °C or thermal burns between the two groups. The risk ratio of mortality in infants during the post-QI period was significantly lower in the post-QI period as compared to the pre-QI period [adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13–0.50]. The risk ratio of late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) also significantly lowered in the post-QI period (aRR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.50–0.87). Conclusion Implementation of multicentric thermoregulatory QI resulted in a significant reduction in AH and AMSH in VLBW neonates with associated reduction in mortality. We gained a lot from the QI, and successfully aroused the attention of perinatal medical staff to neonatal AH. This provided a premise for continuous quality improvement of AH in the future, and might provide a reference for implementation of similar interventions in developing countries. Trial registration Trial registration number: ChiCTR1900020861 . Date of registration: 21 January 2019(21/01/2019). Prospectively registered.

Abstract Objective Dacomitinib has been approved for the first‐line treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) carrying classical epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations; however, real‐world data on its later‐line application are lacking. Materials and methods Patients’ data were retrospectively collected from the Chinese National Cancer Center and the PLA hospital between August 2019 and August 2021. Kaplan‐Meier method and Log‐rank test were utilized to assess progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to determine prognostic indicators. Results In total, 56 NSCLC patients harboring EGFR mutations treated with later‐line single dacomitinib or combinatory dacomitinib were enrolled. A total of 53 patients (94.6%) had treatment‐related adverse events; eight patients (14.3%) had grade 3 or 4 events. Among 49 evaluable patients, 26.5% (13 patients) had a confirmed partial response and 73.5% (36 patients) had disease control; the median duration of follow‐up was 9.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.4–10.8 months), the median progression‐free survival was 5.4 months (95% CI, 3.5–7.3 months), and the half‐year, 1‐year, and 2‐year OS rate were 79.2%, 70.6%, and 64.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis suggested that smoking, line of dacomitinib, and interval between last EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and dacomitinib were associated with PFS and OS; chemotherapy between last EGFR‐TKI and dacomitinib, and EGFR‐TKI generation followed by dacomitinib were respectively associated with PFS and OS; multivariate analysis indicated chemotherapy between last EGFR‐TKI and dacomitinib negatively affect PFS, and smoking and third‐generation EGFR‐TKI followed by dacomitinib negatively affect OS. Conclusions This real‐world study has shown that dacomitinib is active and well‐tolerated in NSCLC patients harboring different EGFR mutations in later‐line settings, even for those with brain metastases. Patients who benefited more from the first TKI were more likely to benefit from dacomitinib, and earlier application of dacomitinib after front‐line TKI resistance may be considered.

Abstract Hainan Island had experienced several cold–warm and dry–humid fluctuations since the Late Pleistocene period, resulting in separating and connecting from the mainland several times with the cyclic rise and fall of sea level. The fluctuations can change the biota and ecological environment in the island. Cycas taiwaniana Carruthers is endemic to Hainan Island and is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To comprehensively understand the genetic dynamics of C. taiwaniana, we sampled 12 wild populations in Hainan Island and one cultivated population in Fujian province, and analyzed the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and demographic history based on the molecular data. Results revealed that C. taiwaniana had relatively low genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation. Haplotypes of C. taiwaniana diversified during the Pleistocene based on the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and the concatenated nuclear DNA (nDNA) data. Genetic cluster analyses based on the microsatellite (SSR) data showed that the 12 wild populations were separated into three clusters which could be three evolutionary significant units (ESUs), indicating three basic units of protection were identified. Moreover, we also confirmed the cultivated population FJ derived from the DLS1‐GSL clade. Demographic inference from different data was discordant, but overall, it uncovered that C. taiwaniana had experienced population contraction events twice during the Pleistocene and Holocene, and then expanded recently. Our study elucidated the population genetic characteristics of C. taiwaniana, and guided us to develop targeted conservation and management strategies for this endangered species.

Background: The florets of Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) is an important traditional medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. However, its bioactive compounds and mechanism of action need further clarification.Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect and possible mechanism of 6-hydroxykaempferol 3,6-di-O-glucoside-7-O-glucuronide (HGG) from Safflower on endothelial injury in vitro, and to verify its anti-thrombotic activity in vivo.Methods: The endothelial injury on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation (OGD/R). The effect of HGG on the proliferation of HUVECs under OGD/R was evaluated by MTT, LDH release, Hoechst-33342 staining, and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assay. RNA-seq, RT-qPCR, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot experiments were performed to uncover the molecular mechanism. The anti-thrombotic effect of HGG in vivo was evaluated using phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced zebrafish thrombosis model.Results: HGG significantly protected OGD/R induced endothelial injury, and decreased HUVECs apoptosis by regulating expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) at both transcriptome and protein levels. Moreover, HGG reversed the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and reduced the release of IL-6 after OGD/R. In addition, HGG exhibited protective effects against PHZ-induced zebrafish thrombosis and improved blood circulation.Conclusion: HGG regulates the expression of HIF-1α and NF-κB, protects OGD/R induced endothelial dysfunction in vitro and has anti-thrombotic activity in PHZ-induced thrombosis in vivo.

Climate warming leads to vast changes in the land cover types and plant biomass in the northern high-latitude regions. The overall trend is of shrubland and tree lines moving northwards, while changes in different land cover types and vegetation growth in response to climate change are largely unknown. Here, we selected land areas with latitudes higher than 50°N as the study area. We compared the land cover type changes and explored relationships between the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values of different land cover types, air temperature, and precipitation during 1982–2015 based on dynamic grid. The results indicated that forest and shrubland areas increased as a large area of grassland shifted to forest and shrubland. The snow/ice, tundra and grassland largely have decreased from 1982 to 2015. Although approximately 277.3 × 103 km2 of barren land (6.2% of the total barren land area in 1982) changed to tundra, the tundra area still decreased because some tundra shifted to forest and grassland. The NDVI values of tundra significantly increased, but the shrubland showed a decreasing trend. Temperature in the growing season (June to September) showed the largest positive correlation coefficients with the NDVI values of forest, tundra, grassland, and cropland. However, due to shrubification processes and plant mortality in shrubland areas, the shrubland NDVI showed negative relationship with annual temperature but positively correlated with monthly t. Taken together, although there is large room for improvement of the land cover type data accuracy, our results suggested that the land cover types in high-latitude regions changed significantly, while the NDVI values of the different land cover types showed different responses to climate change.

BackgroundSynergistic anti-tumor effects were observed in vivo and in vitro when immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were combined with denosumab. However, the clinical benefit and safety of this synergy have not been adequately evaluated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsConsecutive charts of NSCLC patients with bone metastases between December 2020 and December 2021 in the Chinese National Cancer Center were reviewed. The entire cohort was divided into one experimental group (denosumab + ICIs [DI]) and three control groups (denosumab + non-ICIs [DnI], phosphates + ICIs [PI], phosphates + non-ICIs [PnI]). Real-world objective response rates (ORRs), median progression-free survival (mPFS), skeletal-related events (SREs), and adverse events (AEs) were compared between groups.ResultsA total of 171/410 (41.7%) patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC carrying bone metastases who received bone-targeted therapy were eligible for analysis. Although the DI group showed a better benefit trend, differences were not statistically significant concerning the therapeutic efficacy among the DI group (n = 40), PI group (n = 74), DnI group (n = 15), and PnI group (n = 42) (ORRs: 47.5%, 43.2%, 33.3%, and 40.5%, respectively, p = 0.799; and mPFS: 378, 190, 170, and 172 days, respectively, p = 0.115; SREs: 5%, 10.8%, 13.3%, and 11.9%, respectively, p = 0.733). Nevertheless, further analysis in the NON-DRIVER cohort revealed a greater benefit for the DI group (p = 0.045). Additionally, the AEs of the DI group were not significantly different from those of the PI, DnI, and PnI groups (AEs: 27.5%, 39.2%, 26.7%, and 28.6%, respectively, p = 0.742). Furthermore, the multivariate analysis revealed the independent prognostic role of DI treatment for PFS in the overall cohort. Within the DI group, we did not observe differences in benefit among different mutational subgroups (p = 0.814), but patients with single-site bone metastasis (p = 0.319) and high PD-L1 expression (p = 0.100) appeared to benefit more, though no significant differences were observed.ConclusionsDenosumab exhibited synergistic antitumor efficacy without increasing toxicity when used concomitantly with ICIs in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer carrying bone metastases.

Objective: Dacomitinib has been approved for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring classical epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations; however, clinical evidence of its activity on major uncommon EGFR mutations is currently limited.Materials and methods: This was a dual-center, single-arm, ambispective cohort study in China. Patients with histologically confirmed metastatic or recurrent NSCLC harboring major uncommon EGFR mutations were eligible for the study. The objective response rate and disease control rate were determined by RECIST 1.1 every 1–2 months. Adverse events were assessed by CTCAE 5.0.Results: In total, 32 NSCLC patients were enrolled between July 2020 and January 2022, and 18 (56.3%) patients received dacomitinib as first-line therapy. Median age was 64 years, and 20 (62.5%) were female. The mutations identified were G719X (n = 24; 75%), followed by L861X (n = 10; 31.3%), and S768I (n = 8; 25%). In the first-line setting, 72.2% of patients (13/18) had a confirmed partial response and 100% (18/18) had disease control, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were unreached. In the whole cohort, 56.3% of patients (18/32) had a confirmed partial response and 90.6% (29/32) had disease control, and the median PFS was 10.3 months (95% confidence interval, 6.1–14.5) and the median OS was 36.5 months. Except for one case not available for brain re-evaluation, control of the intracranial metastases was observed in 13 patients (13/14, 92.9%). No grade 4–5 adverse events (AEs) occurred, but all patients had grade 1–2 AEs, and 12.5% (4/32) patients required a dosage reduction due to intolerable AEs.Conclusions: Dacomitinib demonstrated favorable activity with manageable toxicity in patients with NSCLC harboring major uncommon EGFR mutations.

AIM: To investigate the clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, treatments, and outcomes of intraocular lymphoma. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 16 patients (28 eyes) with intraocular lymphoma were recruited in the Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from 2004 to 2019. All patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations. Vitreous specimens of 13 patients were sent for cytopathology examination and other adjunctive diagnostic procedures. Three patients were diagnosed with intraocular lymphoma according to analysis of the histopathological results of systemic lymphoma by one clinician. Twenty-three eyes were treated with intravitreal administration of methotrexate, 4 eyes could not receive ocular treatment due to life-threatening lymphoma, and 1 eye did not require ocular treatment because the fundus lesions regressed after systematic chemotherapy. RESULTS: In 28 eyes, 25 eyes were diagnosed with vitreoretinal lymphoma, and 3 eyes were diagnosed with ciliary body lymphoma, all of which were non-Hodgkin diffuse large B cell lymphomas. The final visual acuity improved in 15 eyes (54%), remained unchanged in 5 eyes (18%), and decreased in 8 eyes (29%). Anterior segment inflammation disappeared or reduced in 8 and 5 eyes, respectively; and 15 eyes had no anterior segment reaction. Twenty eyes had mild vitreous opacity, 1 eye had mild vitritis, and 7 eyes had pars plana vitrectomy combined with silicone oil tamponade. Fundus lesions disappeared in 9 eyes and were relieved in 5 eyes; 4 eyes showed no changes, and the remaining 10 eyes' fundus were normal. CONCLUSION: The clinical manifestations of intraocular lymphoma are diverse, and the misdiagnosis rate is high. Cytopathological analysis of vitreous is one of the gold standards for the diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry, gene rearrangement and flow cytometric immunophenotypic analysis can improve the diagnostic rate. Ocular chemotherapy or radiotherapy regimens may preserve visual acuity, and a multidisciplinary team can provide individualized treatment for the patients.

Urotensin II (UII) could increase blood pressure and heart rate via increased central reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. We reported previously that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exerts an antihypertensive effect by suppressing ROS production. The aim of the current study is to further examine the effects of endogenous and exogenous H2S on UII-induced cardiovascular effects by using an integrated physiology approach. We also use cell culture and molecular biological techniques to explore the inhibitory role of H2S on UII-induced cardiovascular effects. In this study, we found that cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), the main H2S synthesizing enzyme in CNS, was expressed in neuronal cells of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) area. Cellular distribution of CBS and urotensin II receptor (UT) in SH-SY5Y cells that are confirmed as glutamatergic were identified by immunofluorescent and Western blots assay. In Sprague–Dawley rats, administration of UII into the RVLM resulted in an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), ROS production, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, and phosphorylation of p47phox, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/2 and p38MAPK, but not stress-activated protein kinase/Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). These effects of UII were attenuated by application into the RVLM of endogenous (L-cysteine, SAM) or exogenous (NaHS) H2S. These results were confirmed in SH-SY5Y cells. UII-induced cardiovascular effects were also significantly abolished by pretreatment with microinjection of Tempol, Apocynin, SB203580, or PD98059 into the RVLM. Preincubated SH-SY5Y cells with Apocynin before administration of UII followed by Western blots assay showed that ROS is in the upstream of p38MAPK/ERK1/2. Gao activation assay in SH-SY5Y cells suggested that H2S may exert an inhibitory role on UII-induced cardiovascular effects by inhibiting the activity of Gαo. These results suggest that both endogenous and exogenous H2S attenuate UII-induced cardiovascular effects via Gαo-ROS-p38MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway.

Abstract. Background:. Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who present without typical chest pain are associated with a poor outcome. However, whether angiographic characteristics are related to a higher risk of mortality in this population is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the higher mortality risk in patients with STEMI without chest pain could be explained by their “high-risk” angiographic characteristics. Methods:. We used data of 12,145 patients with STEMI who was registered in China Acute Myocardial Infarction registry from January 2013 to September 2014. We compared the infarct-related artery (IRA), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade in the IRA, and other angiographic characteristics between patients without and those with chest pain. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify independent risk factor of in-hospital mortality. Results:. The 2922 (24.1%) patients with STEMI presented without typical chest pain. These patients had a higher TIMI flow grade (mean TIMI flow grade: 1.00 vs. 0.94, P = 0.02) and a lower rate of IRA disease of the left anterior descending artery (44.6% vs. 51.2%, χ2 = 35.63, P

Abstract High‐throughput sequencing methods have facilitated the identification of novel selenoproteins, which exert a vital role in the development and progression of tumor diseases. Recently, Selenoprotein M (SELM) is upregulated in several types of cancer. However, the biological roles of SELM in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain unclear. In this paper, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) and Western blot were used to measure relative levels of SELM in a cohort of RCC tissues with matched normal tissues as well as human RCC cell lines. SELM expression was found to be upregulated in RCC. High level of SELM was related to poor prognosis of RCC. Furthermore, silence of SELM could inhibit the in vitro proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities of RCC. In addition, downregulated SELM could impede in vivo tumorigenesis of RCC. SELM could activate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and mediate expressions of matrix metallopeptidase 2 and 9 (MMP2, MMP9). In conclusion, our study reveals the oncogenic function of SELM in RCC, and SELM may be a therapeutic and prognostic target for RCC.

Abstract. Background:. Approximately 70% patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) presented without ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram. Patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) often presented with atypical symptoms, which may be related to pre-hospital delay and increased risk of mortality. However, up to date few studies reported detailed symptomatology of NSTEMI, particularly among Asian patients. The objective of this study was to describe and compare symptoms and presenting characteristics of NSTEMI vs. STEMI patients. Methods:. We enrolled 21,994 patients diagnosed with AMI from China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) Registry between January 2013 and September 2014. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to ST-segment elevation: ST-segment elevation (STEMI) group and NSTEMI group. We extracted data on patients’ characteristics and detailed symptomatology and compared these variables between two groups. Results:. Compared with patients with STEMI (N = 16,315), those with NSTEMI (N = 5679) were older, more often females and more often have comorbidities. Patients with NSTEMI were less likely to present with persistent chest pain (54.3% vs. 71.4%), diaphoresis (48.6% vs. 70.0%), radiation pain (26.4% vs. 33.8%), and more likely to have chest distress (42.4% vs. 38.3%) than STEMI patients (all P

Abstract. Background:. Herpes virus is considered to be the pathogen of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) infection. Previous studies have found that patients with ARN caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are often older, and patients with herpes simplex virus (HSV) induced ARN are considerably younger. However, in our clinical work, we find that VZV is also a pathogen in younger ARN patients. We, therefore, aimed to analyze the common etiology of younger ARN patients. Methods:. A retrospective analysis was made of 20 eyes (18 patients) diagnosed as having ARN in the Department of Ophthalmology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2014 to 2016. All patients were reviewed for demographic data, clinical course, clinical manifestations, time from onset to initial physician visit, duration of follow-up, visual acuity at both presentation and final visit, and treatment strategies. A paired t test was used to compare visual acuity between the presenting vision and those of final follow-up. Vitreous or aqueous specimens from 18 eyes of 18 patients were analyzed with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR)/quantitative PCR (qPCR) and xTAG-liquid chip technology (xTAG-LCT) to determine the causative virus of ARN. Results:. Final best visual acuity (BCVA) improved significantly from 1.36 ± 0.95 (median 20/400) to 0.95 ± 0.82 (median 20/100) (t = 2.714, P = 0.015) after systemic and intravitreal antiviral treatment combined with or without pars plana vitrectomy. PCR and xTAG-LCT results showed four of the five samples in the younger group (32.2 ± 5.2 years) and 12 of the 13 samples in the senior group (53.6 ± 4.9 years) were positive for VZV, and two of the five samples in the younger group were positive for HSV-1. Conclusions:. This study demonstrates that VZV is also a common causative virus for ARN in younger patients. Considering this finding, a systemic antiviral treatment protocol should be immediately changed to intravenous ganciclovir when the patient does not respond to acyclovir before determining the causative virus, especially in younger patients.

(−)-Naringenin 4′,7-dimethyl ether ((−)-NRG-DM) was isolated for the first time by our lab from Nardostachys jatamansi DC, a traditional medicinal plant frequently used to attenuate pain in Asia. As a natural derivative of analgesic, the current study was designed to test the potential analgesic activity of (−)-NRG-DM and its implicated mechanism. The analgesic activity of (−)-NRG-DM was assessed in a formalin-induced mouse inflammatory pain model and mustard oil-induced mouse colorectal pain model, in which the mice were intraperitoneally administrated with vehicle or (−)-NRG-DM (30 or 50 mg/kg) (n = 10 for each group). Our data showed that (−)-NRG-DM can dose dependently (30~50 mg/kg) relieve the pain behaviors. Notably, (−)-NRG-DM did not affect motor coordination in mice evaluated by the rotarod test, in which the animals were intraperitoneally injected with vehicle or (−)-NRG-DM (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) (n = 10 for each group). In acutely isolated mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons, (−)-NRG-DM (1~30 μM) potently dampened the stimulated firing, reduced the action potential threshold and amplitude. In addition, the neuronal delayed rectifier potassium currents (IK) and voltage-gated sodium currents (INa) were significantly suppressed. Consistently, (−)-NRG-DM dramatically inhibited heterologously expressed Kv2.1 and Nav1.8 channels which represent the major components of the endogenous IK and INa. A pharmacokinetic study revealed the plasma concentration of (−)-NRG-DM is around 7 µM, which was higher than the effective concentrations for the IK and INa. Taken together, our study showed that (−)-NRG-DM is a potential analgesic candidate with inhibition of multiple neuronal channels (mediating IK and INa).

Over the past half-century, medical research on cardiovascular disease (CVD) has achieved a great deal; however, medication adherence is unsatisfactory. Nearly 50% of patients do not follow prescriptions when taking medications, which limits the ability to maximize their therapeutic effects and results in adverse clinical outcomes and high healthcare costs. Furthermore, the effects of medication adherence interventions are disappointing, and tailored interventions have been proposed as an appropriate way to improve medication adherence. To rethink and reconstruct methods of improving medication adherence for CVD, the literature on tailored interventions for medication adherence focusing on CVD within the last 5 years is retrieved and reviewed. Focusing on identifying nonadherent patients, detecting barriers to medication adherence, delivering clinical interventions, and constructing theories, this article reviews the present state of tailored interventions for medication adherence in CVD and also rethinks the present difficulties and suggests avenues for future development.

Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) bloodstream infections have been rapidly spreading worldwide with a high mortality and pose a challenge to therapeutic decision-making, especially in premature neonates because insufficient empirical antimicrobial therapy is independently associated with high mortality. This case reported that a premature infant with CRE bloodstream infection was treated successfully with high-dose meropenem treatment with model-based therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). In clinical settings, treatment target attainment of meropenem can be improved by increasing the frequency of administration, prolonging the infusion time, and using a high dose. This case report shows a successful regimen for CRE infection in a premature neonate and emphasizes the utility of model-based TDM of high-dose meropenem treatment. The adequate antimicrobial benefit provided by innovative techniques could ensure the efficacy and safety of high-dose meropenem therapy for CRE infection.

ObjectiveCefepime is used to treat severe infections in neonates. Pharmacokinetic data have only been evaluated among preterm neonates and population pharmacokinetic model lacked external validation. Hence, our aim is to obtain the population pharmacokinetic parameters of cefepime with large sampling and optimize the cefepime dosage regimen for neonatal infection based on developmental pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamics.MethodsBlood samples from neonates and young infants treated with cefepime were collected using the opportunistic sampling design. The concentration of cefepime was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The population pharmacokinetic model was established using NONMEM software.ResultsOne hundred blood samples from eighty-five neonates were analyzed. The population pharmacokinetics of cefepime were described by a one-compartment model with first-order elimination. Covariate analysis indicated that serum creatinine concentration, postmenstrual age and current weight had significant impact on the pharmacokinetic parameters of cefepime. Monte Carlo simulation results showed that the current dosage regimen (30 mg/kg, q12 h) had a high risk of insufficient dose. For 70% of neonates to obtain a higher free drug concentration than the minimum inhibitory concentration during 70% of the dosing interval, 50 mg/kg q12 h was needed with a susceptibility breakpoint of 4 mg/l. For a minimum inhibitory concentration of 8 mg/l, 40 mg/kg q8 h was recommended for all neonates.ConclusionA population pharmacokinetic model of cefepime in neonates and young infants was established. According to simulation results based on the developmental pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamics, different dosage regimens should be given depending on pathogens and the postmenstrual age.

In this study, we ascertained the chest CT data of 60 patients admitted to 3 hospitals in Chongqing with confirmed COVID-19. We conducted anatomical and pathological analyses to elucidate the possible reasons for the distribution, morphology, and characteristics of COVID-19 in chest CT. We also shared a semiquantitative scoring of affected lung segments, which was recommended by our local medical association. This scoring system was applied to quantify the severity of the disease. The most frequent imaging findings of COVID-19 were subpleural ground glass opacities and consolidation; there was a significant difference in semiquantitative scores between the early, progressive, and severe stages of the disease. We conclude that the chest CT findings of COVID-19 showed certain characteristics because of the anatomical features of the human body and pathological changes caused by the virus. Therefore, chest CT is a valuable tool for facilitating the diagnosis of COVID-19 and semiquantitative scoring of affected lung segments may further elucidate diagnosis and assessment of disease severity. This will assist healthcare workers in diagnosing COVID-19 and assessing disease severity, facilitate the selection of appropriate treatment options, which is important for reducing the spread of the virus, saving lives, and controlling the pandemic.

AIM: To report the long-term outcomes of a large cohort of upper lid retraction patients treated with subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide injections. METHODS: This retrospective clinical study was conducted from 2009 to 2016. The documents of 97 patients (126 eyes) were reviewed. The patients were treated with subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide injections monthly and evaluated pre- and post-treatment by taking measurements of the upper margin reflex distance (MRD1, the distance between the upper-lid margin and the pupil center), lid aperture, lagophthalmos and proptosis. The patients were divided into the cured group, the improved group and the ineffective group based on the final treatment effectiveness. The improved group and the ineffective group were combined into non-cured group. RESULTS: The follow-up time was 23.45±14.86mo. Of the patients, 63 (64.9%) were assigned to the cured group, 22 (22.7%) in the improved group, 12 (12.4%) in the ineffective group. Injection times for cured group was 4.66±1.74, and for non-cured group was 5.17±2.08 (P≤0.05). The MRD1 was significantly reduced between baseline and 1mo after the initiation of treatment in the cured and improved groups (P

Abstract The impact of nanomaterials on immune cells is gaining attention but is not well documented. Here, we report a novel stimulating effect of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (c-MWCNTs) on the migration of macrophages and uncover the underlying mechanisms, especially the upstream signaling, using a series of techniques including transwell migration assay, patch clamp, ELISA and confocal microscopy. c-MWCNTs dramatically stimulated the migration of RAW264.7 macrophages when endocytosed, and this effect was abolished by inhibiting phospholipase C (PLC) with U-73122, antagonizing the IP3 receptor with 2-APB, and blocking calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels with SK&F96365. c-MWCNTs directly activated PLC and increased the IP3 level and [Ca2+]i level in RAW264.7 cells, promoted the translocation of the ER-resident stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) towards the membranous calcium release-activated calcium channel modulator 1 (Orai1), and increased CRAC current densities in both RAW264.7 cells and HEK293 cells stably expressing the CRAC channel subunits Orai1 and STIM1. c-MWCNTs also induced dramatic spatial polarization of KCa3.1 channels in the RAW264.7 cells. We conclude that c-MWCNT is an activator of PLC and strongly recruits macrophages via the PLC/IP3/CRAC channel signaling cascade. These novel findings may provide a fundamental basis for the impact of MWCNTs on the immune system.

We examined the protective effects of procyanidin A2 (PA2) against oxidative stress in a human fetal hepatocyte line (L-02), and its mechanism with respect to regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key factor in the cellular antioxidant response. PA2 protected L-02 cells from oxidative damage that was induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide, as evidenced by the increase in cell viability and the reduction in lactate dehydrogenase release and intracellular reactive oxygen species production. PA2 promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and upregulated heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1. In addition, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAP kinase signaling pathways were activated by PA2. PA2 penetrated L-02 cells in dimeric form, with the cytosolic concentration peaking at 24 h, later than the flavan-3-ol monomers. PA2 can be absorbed into plasma and distributed to the liver after oral administration in mice.

Objective. To study the effect of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPP) on the growth and motility of HepG2 cells and its possible mechanism. Methods. Cells were randomly divided into Control group, CPP (5 μM) group, CPP (10 μM) group, and CPP (20 μM) group. The proliferation, invasion, migration ability, and expression of proteins involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and signaling pathway of HepG2 cells were detected by CCK8 assay, BrdU staining, Transwell, Scratch test, and Western blot, respectively. Results. Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells cultured in vitro along with the expression level of Ki67 and PCNA protein (P

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sesamol (SEM) on the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway in obesity-related hepatic steatosis treatment by using high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice and a palmitic acid (PA)-treated HepG2 cell line. SEM reduced the body weight gain of obese mice and alleviated related metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and systemic inflammation. Furthermore, lipid accumulation in the liver and HepG2 cells was reduced by SEM. SEM downregulated the gene and protein levels of lipogenic regulator factors, and upregulated the gene and protein levels of the regulator factors responsible for lipolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation. Meanwhile, SEM activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which might explain the regulatory effect of SEM on fatty acid β-oxidation and lipogenesis. Additionally, the PKA-C and phospho-PKA substrate levels were higher after SEM treatment. Further research found that after pretreatment with the PKA inhibitor, H89, lipid accumulation was increased even with SEM administration in HepG2 cells, and the effect of SEM on lipid metabolism-related regulator factors was abolished by H89. In conclusion, SEM has a positive therapeutic effect on obesity and obesity-related hepatic steatosis by regulating the hepatic lipid metabolism mediated by the PKA pathway.

To resolve the problem of detecting IRC Botnet,a method based on traffic flow characteristics was proposed.The characteristics of Botnet channel traf?cwere analyzed in different periods such as data-clustering,data-similarity,the average length of packet,peak of synchronized traf?c,and peak of collaborative synchronized traf?c,and these characteristics were used to detect the botnet.In analyzing,improved max-min distance means and k-means cluster analysis algorithm were also presented to promote the efficiency of data clustering.At last,the availability of the method was verified by experiment.

In this paper, an entropy-based method is proposed to forecast the demographical changes of countries. We formulate the estimation of future demographical profiles as a constrained optimization problem, anchored on the empirically validated assumption that the entropy of age distribution is increasing in time. The procedure of the proposed method involves three stages, namely: 1) Prediction of the age distribution of a country's population based on an "age-structured population model"; 2) Estimation the age distribution of each individual household size with an entropy-based formulation based on an "individual household size model"; and 3) Estimation the number of each household size based on a "total household size model". The last stage is achieved by projecting the age distribution of the country's population (obtained in stage 1) onto the age distributions of individual household sizes (obtained in stage 2). The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by feeding real world data, and it is general and versatile enough to be extended to other time dependent demographic variables.

Weather factors are widely studied for their effects on indicating dengue incidence trends. However, these studies have been limited due to the complex epidemiology of dengue, which involves dynamic interplay of multiple factors such as herd immunity within a population, distinct serotypes of the virus, environmental factors and intervention programs. In this study, we investigate the impact of weather factors on dengue in Singapore, considering the disease epidemiology and profile of virus serotypes. A Poisson regression combined with Distributed Lag Non-linear Model (DLNM) was used to evaluate and compare the impact of weekly Absolute Humidity (AH) and other weather factors (mean temperature, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and wind speed) on dengue incidence from 2001 to 2009. The same analysis was also performed on three sub-periods, defined by predominant circulating serotypes. The performance of DLNM regression models were then evaluated through the Akaike's Information Criterion. From the correlation and DLNM regression modeling analyses of the studied period, AH was found to be a better predictor for modeling dengue incidence than the other unique weather variables. Whilst mean temperature (MeanT) also showed significant correlation with dengue incidence, the relationship between AH or MeanT and dengue incidence, however, varied in the three sub-periods. Our results showed that AH had a more stable impact on dengue incidence than temperature when virological factors were taken into consideration. AH appeared to be the most consistent factor in modeling dengue incidence in Singapore. Considering the changes in dominant serotypes, the improvements in vector control programs and the inconsistent weather patterns observed in the sub-periods, the impact of weather on dengue is modulated by these other factors. Future studies on the impact of climate change on dengue need to take all the other contributing factors into consideration in order to make meaningful public policy recommendations.

PURPOSE:The potential hazardous effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on cardiac electrophysiology are seldom evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of MWCNTs on the Kv4/Ito channel, action potential and heart rhythm and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS:HEK293 cells were engineered to express Kv4.2 or Kv4.3 with or without KChIP2 expression. A series of approaches were introduced to analyze the effects of MWCNTs on Kv4/Ito channel kinetics, current densities, expression and trafficking. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe the internalization of MWCNTs in HEK293 cells and rat cardiomyocytes. Current clamp was employed to record the action potentials of isolated rat cardiomyocytes. Surface ECG and epicardial monophasic action potentials were recorded to monitor heart rhythm in rats in vivo. Vagal nerve discharge monitoring and H&E staining were also performed. RESULTS:Induction of MWCNTs into the cytosole through pipette solution soon accelerated the decay of IKv4 in HEK293 cells expressing Kv4.2/4.3 and KChIP2, and promoted the recovery from inactivation when Kv4.2 or Kv4.3 was expressed alone. Longer exposure (6 h) to MWCNTs decreased the IKv4.2 density, Kv4.2/Kv4.3 (but not KChIP2) expression and trafficking towards the plasma membrane in HEK293 cells. In acutely isolated rat ventricular myocytes, pipette MWCNTs also quickly accelerated the decay of IKv4 and prolonged the action potential duration (APD). Intravenous infusion of MWCNTs (2 mg/rat) induced atrioventricular (AV) block and even cardiac asystole. No tachyarrhythmia was observed after MWCNTs administration. MWCNTs did not cause coronary clot but induced myocardial inflammation and increased vagus discharge. CONCLUSIONS:MWCNTs suppress Kv4/Ito channel activities likely at the intracellular side of plasma membrane, delay membrane repolarization and induce bradyarrhythmia. The delayed repolarization, increased vagus output and focal myocardial inflammation may partially underlie the occurrence of bradyarrhythmias induced by MWCNTs. The study warns that MWCNTs are hazardous to cardiac electrophysiology.

Aims: To assess the correlation between calf circumference and cardiac metabolic risk factors such as hypertension, abnormal blood glucose and dyslipidaemia among middle-aged and elderly women. Methods: The cross-sectional study population consisted of 476 female participants aged 40–80 years, including 304 perimenopausal and 172 postmenopausal women. Calf circumference, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids were measured. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the study aims. Results: Calf circumference was lower in postmenopausal than perimenopausal women, and postmenopausal women had the highest rates of hypertension, abnormal blood glucose and abnormal blood lipids. Pearson correlation coefficients showed that calf circumference was positively correlated with triglycerides (TGs), BMI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG),2-h plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C), systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure; and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC). The group with the lowest quantile of calf circumference had higher rates of hypertension (odds ratio (OR)2.14,95% confidence interval (CI)1.67–2.74),dysglycaemia (OR1.40,95%CI1.03–1.90) and dyslipidaemia (OR2.14,95%CI 1.86–2.46). Conclusion: In perimenopausal women, measurements of calf circumference can be used to predict the presence of cardiac metabolic risk factors, which can be detected by observing blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipids.