Search

Objectives: To investigate the association between intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and preoperative levels of neutrophils and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), and to assess the predictive value of preoperative levels of neutrophils and LDL-C., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical records of patients diagnosed with AIS who underwent EVT at Nanchong Central Hospital between 2019 and 2023. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to examine the association of preoperative levels of neutrophils and LDL-C with the occurrence of ICH. Furthermore, a receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to assess the predictive efficacy of these parameters., Results: A total of 300 patients with a mean age of 68.0 years (standard deviation, 11.1 years) and a median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke scale (NIHSS) score of 15.5 (interquartile range, 12.0-19.75) were identified in this cohort. Of these, 28 (9.3%) patients experienced ICH. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that elevated preoperative neutrophil (odds ratio [OR] 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.38, P < 0.001) and LDL-C (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.52-4.58, P < 0.001) levels were independently associated with ICH. The combined indicator demonstrated a higher area under the curve (AUC 0.759, 95% CI 0.654-0.865) compared with preoperative neutrophil (AUC 0.647, 95% CI 0.532-0.763) and LDL-C (AUC 0.711, 95% CI 0.607-0.814) levels individually.The specificity and sensitivity of the combined indicator were 67.9% and 83.1%, respectively., Conclusions: Preoperative levels of neutrophils and LDL-C may serve as predictive indicators for ICH in patients with AIS who have undergone EVT; moreover, the combination of preoperative neutrophil and LDL-C levels demonstrates enhanced predictive efficacy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as potential conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: To investigate the differences in the metabolic indicators and sex hormones between obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and their impacts on endometrial receptivity (ER)., Methods: We selected 255 individuals with PCOS, and categorized them into the obese groups, including the OP group (obese patients with PCOS) and the ON group (obese patients without PCOS), and selected 64 individuals who were categorized in the non-obese groups, namely, the control groups, which comprise the NP group (non-obese patients with PCOS) and the NN group(non-obese patients without PCOS). The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the metabolic indicators, and sex hormone-associated and ER-associated indicators between the groups. The correlation between the aforementioned clinical markers and ER was analyzed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient., Results: (1) In comparison with the NP group, the OP group exhibited higher levels ( p  < .01) of free androgen index (FAI), anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), fasting insulin (FINS), insulin level within 60 min, 120 min, and 180 min-60minINS, 120minINS, and 180minINS, respectively, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood glucose level within two hours (2hGlu), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference, hip circumference, the ratio of the maximum blood flow velocity of the uterine artery during systole to the blood flow velocity of the uterine artery at the end of diastole (uterine artery S/D), and blood flow resistance index (RI) of the uterine artery. In comparison with the NP group, the OP group exhibited lower levels ( p  < .01) of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), high molecular weight adiponectin (HMWA), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). (2) In the PCOS group, RI was significantly positively correlated with FAI, FINS, 120minINS, HOMA-IR, and WHR ( p  < .01), and significantly negatively correlated with SHBG, HDL-C, and HMWA ( p  < .01); uterine artery S/D was significantly positively correlated with FAI, FINS, 2hGlu, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, and WHR ( p  < .01), significantly positively correlated with 120minINS and FBG ( p  < .05), and significantly negatively correlated with SHBG and HMWA ( p  < .01)., Conclusion: (1) The OP group exhibited obvious metabolic disorders and poor ER, which was manifested as low levels of SHBG and HMWA, and high levels of FAI, HOMA-IR, WHR, uterine artery S/D, and RI. (2) In patients with PCOS, there was a substantial correlation between ER-associated indicators RI and uterine artery S/D and FAI, FINS, 120minINS, HOMA-IR, WHR, SHBG, and HMWA.

Objectives: To observe the effect of moxibustion with seed-size moxa cones on the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)/nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) signaling pathway in mice with ulcerative colitis(UC), so as to explore the therapeutic mechanism of moxibustion with seed-size moxa cones on colonic injury in UC., Methods: Forty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, moxibustion group, and western medicine group, with 10 mice in each group. The UC mouse model was established by 3% DSS solution by free drinking for 7 consecutive days. Mice in the moxibustion group were treated with seed-size moxa cones at "Zhongwan"(CV12), "Tianshu"(ST25) and "Shangjuxu"(ST37), 3 moxa cones per point, with each cone applied for approximately 30 s, while mice in the western medicine group were orally administered with 300 mg/kg mesalazine solution, which were both conducted once a day for 7 consecutive days. The general condition of mice was observed every 2 days, and the disease activity index (DAI) score was calculated. HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue in mice. ELISA was used to detect the serum interleukin(IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, IL-6, and IL-8 contents. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of TLR4 and MyD88 in colonic tissue of mice. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 mRNAs in colonic tissue., Results: Compared with the blank group, varying degrees of soft or watery stools were observed, colon length and body weight were decreased( P <0.01) in mice of the model group, while DAI score, colon weight index, mucosal damage score, colonic pathological score, serum IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 contents, positive expressions of TLR4 and MyD88, and TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 mRNA expressions in colonic tissue were increased( P <0.01). Compared with the model group, improved fecal characteristics were observed, colon length and body weight were increased( P <0.01) in mice of the moxibustion group and western medicine group, while DAI scores, colon weight indexes, mucosal damage scores, colonic pathological score, serum contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, positive expressions of TLR4 and MyD88, and TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 mRNA expressions in colonic tissue were decreased( P <0.01, P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the above indicators between the moxibustion group and the western medicine group., Conclusions: Moxibustion with seed-size moxa cones may alleviate colonic injury in UC mice by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing the release of inflammatory factors.

Multicomponent reactions hold the potential to maximize the synthetic efficiency in the preparation of diverse and complex molecular scaffolds. An unprecedented formal [3+1+1+1] annulation approach for the one-step synthesis of fluoroalkylated 2- H -pyrimidines commencing from perfluoroalkyl alkenes, paraformaldehyde, and ammonium carbonate is described. By harnessing readily accessible (CH 2 O) n and cheap (NH 4 ) 2 CO 3 as a formamidine surrogate, this method effectively replaces traditionally preformed amidines with a pyrimidine assembly. The multicomponent reaction proceeds in a step-economical, operationally simple, metal-free, and additive-free manner, featuring a broad substrate scope, excellent functional group compatibility, and scalability. The potential for the synthetic elaboration of the obtained 2- H -pyrimidine is further demonstrated in the alkylation and vinylation of its C2 position.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological distribution characteristics, influencing factors, and infection rates of pertussis in the population of Henan Province. Methods: From 2022 to 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the permanent population in Henan Province. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-pertussis toxin IgG (PT-IgG), analyze the antibody positivity rate (≥20 IU/ml) and median concentration (MC), and estimate the pertussis infection rate based on PT IgG ≥40 IU/ml. The rank sum test was used to compare antibody levels among groups, and the χ 2 test was used to compare antibody positive rates and infection rates among groups. Results: A total of 4 810 research subjects were included in this study. The overall positive rate of PT-IgG was 12.10% and MC was 3.04 (0.35, 10.36) IU/ml. There were significant differences both in positive rates and antibody levels of PT-IgG among different regions or age groups (region positive rate: χ 2 =134.06, P <0.001, MC: H =337.74, P <0.001; age group positive rate: χ 2 =45.27, P <0.001, MC: H =134.49, P <0.001). Both the positive rate of PT-IgG (25.26%) and MC (8.01 IU/ml) were the highest within one year after completing a full course of vaccination. There were significant differences in positive rates and antibody levels among people receiving different types of pertussis vaccines (positive rate: χ 2 =12.38, P =0.006, MC: H =17.93, P <0.001). The antibody positivity rate (35.71%) and MC (8.88 IU/ml) of the people who received cell-free pertussis inactivated poliomyelitis influenza type b (combined) vaccine throughout the course were higher than those who received other types of vaccines. The natural infection rate of pertussis was evaluated for individuals aged≥3 years who had no history of pertussis vaccine immunization within the year prior to sampling. With a high vaccination rate, the estimated infection rate of pertussis in the population was 5 757.22/100 000. The infection rates in the 3-year-old (1 940.16/100 000) and 4-year-old (1 765.68/100 000) populations were at a low level among the entire population, reaching their peak at the age of 6 (12 656.71/100 000). Subsequently, although the infection rate continued to decline, it remained at a high level and peaked again at the age of 40-49 years (8 740.39/100 000). There was a statistically significant difference in the estimated infection rate of pertussis among different age groups ( χ 2 =53.21, P <0.001). Conclusion: The PT-IgG level of pertussis in the population of Henan Province is generally at a low level. The estimated infection rate of pertussis is much higher than the reported incidence rate. A booster dose of pertussis vaccine is recommended at 6 years old.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the computed tomography (CT) features of recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) in the early phase and late phase., Methods: Recurrent acute pancreatitis data were obtained over the past 5 years. Recurrent acute pancreatitis patients were divided into 2 groups according to the time from RAP onset to performing CT examination: the early phase (first week) and late phase (after the first week) based on the 2012 revised Atlanta classification (RAC). Evaluation and comparison of patients' demographic data, RAC, CT findings, CT severity index (CTSI) score, and extrapancreatic inflammation on CT (EPIC) score were conducted in the 2 groups., Results: Hypertriglyceridemia was the most common cause of RAP in 679 of 686 patients (positive CT rate: 98.98%). Among 679 CT-positive patients, interstitial edematous pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis accounted for 61.71% (419/679) and 38.29% (260/679), respectively. The CTSI and EPIC scores were higher in the late phase than in the early phase (both P 's < 0.05). The proportion of moderately severe and severe RAP patients based on RAC was higher in the late phase than in the early phase ( P < 0.05). Early-stage EPIC score was more accurate than CTSI and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores in predicting clinically severe RAP (EPIC vs CTSI; EPIC vs APACHE II, both P 's < 0.05)., Conclusions: Recurrent acute pancreatitis is more severe in the late phase than in the early phase. The EPIC score is more indicative of clinically severe RAP than CTSI and APACHE II scores in the early phase of RAP., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hantaviridae currently encompasses seven genera and 53 species. Multiple hantaviruses such as Hantaan virus, Seoul virus, Dobrava-Belgrade virus, Puumala virus, Andes virus, and Sin Nombre virus are highly pathogenic to humans. They cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HCPS/HPS) in many countries. Some hantaviruses infect wild or domestic animals without causing severe symptoms. Rodents, shrews, and bats are reservoirs of various mammalian hantaviruses. Recent years have witnessed significant advancements in the study of hantaviruses including genomics, taxonomy, evolution, replication, transmission, pathogenicity, control, and patient treatment. Additionally, new hantaviruses infecting bats, rodents, shrews, amphibians, and fish have been identified. This review compiles these advancements to aid researchers and the public in better recognizing this zoonotic virus family with global public health significance.

The change trend, relationship, and influencing factors of PM 2.5 and O 3 concentrations were analyzed by using a Kolmogorov-Zurbenko (KZ) filter coupled with stepwise multiple linear regression analysis and the spatiotemporal resolution monitoring data of PM 2.5 and O 3 and meteorological data observed in Tianjin from 2013 to 2020. The results showed that a significant decreasing trend of PM 2.5 concentrations by 50.0% was observed from 2013 to 2020, whereas an increasing trend for O 3 concentrations by 25.8% was observed from 2013 to 2020. Compared with that in 2013 to 2017, the monthly difference in PM 2.5 concentrations gradually narrowed from 2018 to 2020, whereas the concentration of O 3 had increased significantly since April, and the occurrence time of O 3 pollution was advanced. The correlation coefficient patterns of O 3 and PM 2.5 showed obvious seasonal distribution characteristics. The correlation coefficients were negatively correlated in winter and positively correlated in the summer, and the correlation coefficients in summer were generally higher than those in other seasons. The correlation coefficients between O 3 and PM 2.5 in different seasons were positively proportional to the fitting slope. The ratios of the fitting slope to correlation coefficients showed an increasing trend, which might reflect that the inhibitory effect of PM 2.5 on O 3 formation in the PM 2.5 -O 3 interaction mechanism might have been weakened due to the impact of emission reduction. A significant decreasing trend was observed for the long-term trend components of the PM 2.5 concentration time series; emission reduction played a leading role, and meteorological factors contributed -3 to 6 μg·m -3 . The changes in the relationship between the PM 2.5 /CO ratio versus NO 2 /SO 2 from negative to positive were observed from 2013-2017 to 2018-2020 in Tianjin, which could indicate the enhanced contribution potential of nitrogen oxides to the main secondary component formation of PM 2.5 under the current emission reduction scenarios, and the main secondary components of PM 2.5 in Tianjin gradually changed from sulfate to nitrate. An overall upward trend was observed for the long-term trend components of the O 3 concentration time series from 2013 to 2020, and the contribution of precursor emissions to the long-term component of O 3 increased from 2013 to 2018 and began to decrease after 2019. The contribution of meteorological factors to the long-term component of O 3 presented an obvious stage change, showing a downward trend from 2013 to 2016 and an upward trend from 2016 to 2020. The O 3 concentration presented a non-linear relationship with NO 2 during the period of intense atmospheric photochemical processes (11:00-16:00) in summer. Compared with that in 2013-2015, the fitting curve of O 3 and NO 2 showed an obvious offset to the low value of NO 2 from 2016 to 2020, which reflected that the NO x emission reduction in this period achieved certain results. Compared with that in 2018, the fitting curve of O 3 and NO 2 moved downward from 2019 to 2020, which may reflect that NO x and VOCs emission reduction had a non-negligible effect on the O 3 decline at this stage.

Humus is a specific kind of organic matter widely distributed in soils. The characteristics of humus have significant impacts on the fate of pollutants in the environment. In this study, we examined the effects of fertilization modes from rice rotation systems on the contents, spectral properties, photochemical activity, and photosensitization of quinclorac (QNC) of humic (HA) and fulvic acids (FA). The results showed that under the rice-vegetable rotation system, organic fertilizer treatment decreased the humification degree and molecular weight of HA, but increased the number of oxygen-containing functional groups and the abilities of photoproducing hydroxyl radical (HO·), singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) and photosensitizing QNC, compared with chemical fertilizer treatment. Under organic fertilization mode, the molecular weight of FA was increased, but the number of redox functional groups and the abilities of photoinducing HO· and 1 O 2 and photosensitizing QNC were decreased. Under rice-shrimp cultivation system, organic-inorganic fertilizer treatment increased the humification degree, molecular weight, number of redox functional groups and oxygen-containing functional groups, and 1 O 2 photogeneration of HA, but decreased the abilities of photoproducing HO· and photosensitizing QNC, as compared with chemical fertilizer treatment. The humification degree and molecular weight of FA under organic-inorganic fertilization mode were increased, while the abilities of photoproducing HO· and 1 O 2 and photosensitizing QNC were decreased. In conclusion, organic fertilization could enhance the photochemical activity and photosensitizing efficiency of humus, and further promote the photodegradation of QNC in the environment.

The emission reduction effect of major air pollution control measures on PM 2.5 concentrations was assessed using air quality simulations based on the calculation data of emission reductions from different air pollution control measures and the high spatiotemporal resolution online monitoring data of PM 2.5 during the 13th Five-Year Period in Tianjin. The results showed that the total emission reductions of SO 2 , NO x , VOCs, and PM 2.5 from 2015 to 2020 were 4.77×10 4 , 6.20×10 4 , 5.37×10 4 , and 3.53×10 4 t, respectively. SO 2 emission reduction was mainly due to the prevention of process pollution, loose coal combustion, and thermal power. NO x emission reduction was mainly due to the prevention of process pollution, thermal power, and steel industry. VOCs emission reduction was mainly due to prevention of process pollution. PM 2.5 emission reduction was mainly due to the prevention of process pollution, loose coal combustion, and the steel industry. The concentrations, pollution days, and heavy pollution days of PM 2.5 decreased significantly from 2015 to 2020 by 31.4%, 51.2%, and 60.0% compared to those in 2015, respectively. The concentrations and pollution days of PM 2.5 decreased slowly in the later stage (from 2018 to 2020)as compared with those in the early stage (from 2015 to 2017), and the days of heavy pollution remained for approximately 10 days. The results of air quality simulations showed that meteorological conditions contributed one-third to the reduction in PM 2.5 concentrations, and the emission reductions of major air pollution control measures contributed two-thirds to the reduction in PM 2.5 concentrations. For all air pollution control measures from 2015 to 2020, PM 2.5 concentrations were reduced by the prevention of process pollution, loose coal combustion, the steel industry, and thermal power by 2.66, 2.18, 1.70, and 0.51 μg·m -3 , respectively, accounting for 18.3%, 15.0%, 11.7%, and 3.5% of PM 2.5 concentration reductions. In order to promote the continuous improvement in PM 2.5 concentrations during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, under the total coal consumption control and the goal of "peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality," Tianjin should continue to optimize and adjust the coal structure and further promote the coal consumption to the power industry with an advanced pollution control level. At the same time, it is necessary to further improve the emission performance of industrial sources in the whole process, taking environmental capacity as the constraint; design the technical route for industrial optimization, adjustment, transformation, and upgrading; and optimize the allocation of environmental capacity resources. Additionally, the orderly development model for key industries with limited environmental capacity should be proposed, and clean upgrading, transformation, and green development should be guided for enterprises.

Background: Ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor (GABAR) in an insect is the major inhibitory receptor and is one of the most important targets for insecticides. Due to the high spatiotemporal resolution of GABAR, the photopharmacological ligands acting on it in vertebrates but not insect have been developed., Results: In this study, two types of photochromic ligands (PCLs) including DTFIPs (DTFIP1 and DTFIP2) and ABFIPs (p-, m-, and o-ABFIP) were synthesized by incorporating photoswitch azobenzene or dithienylethene into fipronil (FIP), which is the antagonist of insect GABAR. Their photomodulation was measured by mosquito larval behavior, and their potential action mechanism was explored by the two-electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) technique in vitro. DTFIP1 and m-ABFIP exhibited the most significant difference of insecticidal activity by about 90- and 5-fold to mosquito larvae between non-irradiated and irradiated formation, respectively, and allowed for optical control of mosquito swimming activity. TEVC assay results indicated that m-ABFIP and DTFIP1 enable optical control over the homomeric LsRDL-type GABAR, which is achieved by regulating the chloride channel of resistance to dieldrin (RDL)-type GABAR by photoisomerization., Conclusion: Our results suggested that PCLs synthesized from fipronil provide an alternative and precise tool for studying insect ionotropic GABARs and GABA-dependent behavior. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Astrocyte-specific glutamate transporter subtype 1 (GLT-1) plays an important role in influencing glutamate excitatory toxicity and preventing the death of excitatory toxic neurons. Although the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/protein kinase B(Akt)/nuclear factor kappa B signaling cascade is involved in the upregulation of astrocytic GLT-1 in oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), it is unclear whether the mTOR/Akt pathway is involved in astrocytic GLT-1 upregulation in OGD and reoxygenation (OGD/R). In this study, we found that the treatment of cultured astrocytes with rapamycin and triciribine led to the decreased astrocytes' protrusions, smaller nuclei, and an increased apoptotic rate. The inhibitors of mTOR complex 1 significantly increased the expression levels of phosphorylated Akt-Ser473 (p-Akt), phosphorylated Akt-Thr308(p-Akt), and GLT-1, while Akt-specific inhibitors blocked GLT-1 expression, suggesting that the mTOR/Akt pathway is involved in GLT-1 upregulation. We further demonstrated that astrocytes under OGD/R adapted to environmental changes through the mTOR/Akt pathway, mainly by altering cell morphology and apoptosis and upregulating the expression levels of p-Akt and GLT-1. Our results suggested that astrocytes may adapt to short-term ischemic-reperfusion injury by regulating cell morphology, apoptosis and GLT-1 upregulation., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Human monkeypox, caused by monkeypox virus, has spread unprecedentedly to more than 100 countries since May 2022. Here we summarized the epidemiology of monkeypox through a literature review and elucidated the risks and elimination strategies of this outbreak mainly based on the summarized epidemiology. We demonstrated that monkeypox virus became more contagious and less virulent in 2022, which could result from the fact that the virus entered a special transmission network favoring close contacts (i.e., sexual behaviors of men who have sex with men outside Africa) and the possibility that the virus accumulated a few adaptive mutations. We gave the reasons to investigate whether cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs are susceptible to monkeypox virus and whether infection with monkeypox virus could be latent in some primates. We listed six potential scenarios for the future of the outbreak (e.g., the outbreak could lead to endemicity outside Africa with increased transmissibility or virulence). We also listed multiple factors aiding or impeding the elimination of the outbreak. We showed that the control measures strengthened worldwide after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) could eliminate the outbreak in 2022. We clarified eight strategies, i.e., publicity and education, case isolation, vaccine stockpiling, risk-based vaccination or ring vaccination, importation quarantine, international collaboration, and laboratory management, for the elimination of the outbreak., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Chen, Chen, Gong, Zhao, Ji, Sun, Li, Tan, Zhang and Chen.)

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 remains risky worldwide. We elucidate here that good IDM (isolation, disinfection, and maintenance of health) is powerful to reduce COVID-19 deaths based on the striking differences in COVID-19 case fatality rates among various scenarios. IDM means keeping COVID-19 cases away from each other and from other people, disinfecting their living environments, and maintaining their health through good nutrition, rest, and treatment of symptoms and pre-existing diseases (not through specific antiviral therapy). Good IDM could reduce COVID-19 deaths by more than 85% in 2020 and more than 99% in 2022. This is consistent with the fact that good IDM can minimize co-infections and maintain body functions and the fact that COVID-19 has become less pathogenic (this fact was supported with three novel data in this report). Although IDM has been frequently implemented worldwide to some degree, IDM has not been highlighted sufficiently. Good IDM is relative, nonspecific, flexible, and feasible in many countries, and can reduce deaths of some other relatively mild infectious diseases. IDM, vaccines, and antivirals aid each other to reduce COVID-19 deaths. The IDM concept and strategy can aid people to improve their health behavior and fight against COVID-19 and future pandemics worldwide., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Medical Virology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Both N6-methyladenosine (m6A) ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation and ferroptosis regulators are demonstrated to have significant effects on the malignant clinicopathological characteristics of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) patients. However, the currently available clinical indexes are not sufficient to predict precise prognostic outcomes pf PAAD patients accurately. This study aims to examine the clinicopathologic features of m6A RNA methylation and ferroptosis regulators in predicting the outcomes of different types of cancer., Methods: As the foundation for this research, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PAAD tissues and adjacent normal tissues were first identified. Next, dimensional reduction analysis (DCA) based on m6A RNA methylation regulators and ferroptosis regulators were performed and DEGs between good/poor prognosis PAAD patient clusters were identified. DEGs were then screened by Cox analysis, and finally a risk signature was established by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses. The prediction model based on risk score was further evaluated by a validation set from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database., Results: In total, 4 m6A RNA methylation regulator genes and 29 ferroptosis regulator genes were found to have close causal relationships with the prognosis of PAAD, and a risk score with 3 m6A methylation regulators (i.e., IGF2BP2, IGF2BP3 , and METTL16 ) and 4 ferroptosis regulators (i.e., ENPP2 , ATP6V1G2 , ITGB4 , and PROM2 ) was constructed and showed to be highly involved in PAAD progression and could serve as effective markers for prognosis with AUC value equaled 0.753 in training set and 0.803 in validation set., Conclusions: The combined prediction model, composed of seven regulators of m6A methylation and ferroptosis, in this study more effectively reflects the progression and prognosis of PAAD than previous single genome or epigenetic analysis. Our study provides a broader perspective for the subsequent establishment of prognostic models and the patients may benefit from more precision management., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://jgo.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/jgo-22-941/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2022 Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of this study was to develop a new model constructed by logistic regression for the early prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scoring system., Methods: This retrospective study included 363 patients with AP. The severity of AP was evaluated by MRI and the APACHE II scoring system, and some subgroups of AP severity were constructed based on a combination of these two scoring systems. The length of stay and occurrence of organ dysfunction were used as clinical outcome indicators and were compared across the different subgroups. We combined the MRI and APACHE II scoring system to construct the regression equations and evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of these models., Results: In the 363 patients, 144 (39.67%) had systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), 58 (15.98%) had organ failure, and 17 (4.68%) had severe AP. The AP subgroup with a high MRI score and a simultaneously high APACHE II score was more likely to develop SIRS and had a longer hospitalization. The model, which predicted the severity AP by combining extrapancreatic inflammation on magnetic resonance (EPIM) and APACHE II, was successful, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.912, which was higher than that of any single parameter. Other models that predicted SIRS complications by combining MRI parameters and APACHE II scores were also successful (all P<0.05), and these models based on EPIM and APACHE II scores were superior to other models in predicting outcome., Conclusions: The combination of MRI and clinical scoring systems to assess the severity of AP is feasible, and these models may help to develop personalized treatment and management., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://qims.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/qims-22-158/coif). All authors report that this study was supported by the Bureau of Science and Technology Nanchong City (No. 20SXQT0250) and the North Sichuan Medical College (No. CBY20-QA-Z07). The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare., (2022 Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a kind of molecule that cannot code proteins, and their expression is dysregulated in diversified cancers. LncRNA PITPNA-AS1 has been shown to act as a tumor promoter in a variety of malignancies, but its function and regulatory mechanisms in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) are yet unknown., Methods: The mRNA and protein expression of genes were examined by RT-qPCR, western blot, and IHC assay. The cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness were detected through CCK-8, colony formation, Transwell and spheroid formation assays. The CD44 + and CD166 + -positive cells were detected through flow cytometry. The binding ability among genes through luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. The tumor growth was detected through in vivo nude mice assay., Results: The lncRNA PITPNA-AS1 had increased expression in LUSC and was linked to a poor prognosis. In LUSC, PITPNA-AS1 also enhanced cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness. This mechanistic investigation showed that PITPNA-AS1 absorbed miR-223-3p and that miR-223-3p targeted PTN. MiR-223-3p inhibition or PTN overexpression might reverse the inhibitory effects of PITPNA-AS1 suppression on LUSC progression, as demonstrated by rescue experiments. In addition, the PITPNA-AS1/miR-223-3p/PTN axis accelerated tumor development in vivo., Conclusions: It is the first time we investigated the potential role and ceRNA regulatory mechanism of PITPNA-AS1 in LUSC. The data disclosed that PITPNA-AS1 upregulated PTN through sponging miR-223-3p to enhance the onset and progression of LUSC. These findings suggested the ceRNA axis may serve as a promising therapeutic biomarker for LUSC patients., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The characteristics, pollutant concentration distribution, and key meteorological factors of PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution in Tianjin were analyzed based on the high-resolution online monitoring data of PM 2.5 , O 3, and meteorological data observed in Tianjin from 2013 to 2019. Total PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution was 94 days and showed a decreasing trend by year; a significant decreasing trend of PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution days were observed in the early stage, with a decline rate of 52.2% from 2013 to 2015. By contrast, in the later period from 2016 to 2019, a fluctuating increasing trend of PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution days of 16.7% was observed. PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution days mainly occurred from March to September each year with substantial variation by year, mainly occurring in June to August from 2013 to 2016 and in April and September from 2017 to 2019. The peak value of ρ (O 3 ) (301-326 μg·m -3 ) appeared when ρ (PM 2.5 ) ranged from 75 μg·m -3 to 85 μg·m -3 . PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution days accounted for 34.4% of total O 3 pollution events in Tianjin, which showed a decreasing trend by year. The peak O 3 concentration and average O 3 concentration during PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution were higher than those during simplex O 3 pollution, and the number of days with PM 2.5 and O 3 as the primary pollutant decreased and increased in compound pollution days by year, respectively. The weather situation of PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution was categorized into five weather types, namely low pressure, weak high pressure, rear of high pressure, front of cold front, and equalized pressure. The low pressure, front of cold front, and weak high pressure were observed most frequently, accounting for 92.5% of the total weather situation. The occurrence of PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution was most probable when the dominant wind direction was the southwest and south, the average wind speed was less than 2 m·s -1 , the temperature was between 20-35℃, and the humidity was between 40%-60%.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a worldwide prevalence of higher than 10% with an increasing mortality rate. As it involves the deterioration of renal function, it represents a serious risk to human health and, if left untreated, significantly lowers the quality of the patient's life. CKD is characterized by renal fibrosis. Studies have shown that transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), a key driving factor of renal fibrosis, is closely related to the activation of renal fibrosis pathways such as endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), an endogenous bile acid derivative, can effectively inhibit endogenous ERS. Here, we explored the effects and actions of TUDCA on renal fibrosis by establishing a renal mesangial cell (RMC) model. The RMC was stimulated with TGF-β1, and PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression of ERS-related chaperone proteins and fibrotic indicators. The expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) was silenced in RMC cells to investigate the role of GRP78 in renal fibrosis. Finally, PCR and western blotting were used to detect the effects of TUDCA on the expression of GRP78, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and fibronectin (FN) in the TGF-β1-stimulated RMCs. The results showed that TUDCA significantly downregulated TGF-β1-induced levels of GRP78, CHOP, α-SMA and FN in RMCs. In addition, downregulation of GRP78 inhibited the expression of FN and α-SMA in the RMCs. In conclusion, downregulation of GRP78 and CHOP expression is one of the mechanisms by which TUDCA inhibits TGF-β1-induced renal mesangial cell fibrosis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © Li et al.)

The newly established virus family Phenuiviridae in Bunyavirales harbors viruses infecting three kingdoms of host organisms (animals, plants, and fungi), which is rare in known virus families. Many phenuiviruses are arboviruses and replicate in two distinct hosts (e.g., insects and humans or rice). Multiple phenuivirid species, such as Dabie bandavirus, Rift Valley fever phlebovirus, and Rice stripe tenuivirus, are highly pathogenic to humans, animals, or plants. They impose heavy global burdens on human health, livestock industry, and agriculture and are research hotspots. In recent years the taxonomy of Phenuiviridae has been expanded greatly, and research on phenuiviruses has made significant progress. With these advances, this review drew a novel panorama regarding the biomedical significance, distribution, morphology, genomics, taxonomy, evolution, replication, transmission, pathogenesis, and control of phenuiviruses, to aid researchers in various fields to recognize this highly adaptive and important virus family and conduct relevant risk analysis., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The characteristics and sources of PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution were analyzed based on the high-resolution online monitoring data of PM 2.5 , O 3 and volatile organic compounds(VOCs) observed in Tianjin from 2017 to 2019. The results showed that total PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution was 34 days, which only appeared between March and September and slightly increased by year. The peak value of ρ (O 3 )(301-326 μg·m -3 ) appeared when ρ (PM 2.5 ) ranged from 75 μg·m -3 to 85 μg·m -3 . During PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution, the average ρ (VOCs) was 72.59 μg·m -3 , and the chemical compositions of VOCs were alkanes, aromatics, alkenes, and alkynes, accounting for 61.51%, 20.38%, 11.54%, and 6.57% of VOCs concentration on average, respectively. The concentration of the top 20 species of VOCs increased, among which the proportion of alkane species such as ethane, n-butane, isobutane, and isopentane increased; the proportion of alkenes and alkynes decreased slightly; and the proportion of benzene and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene of aromatic hydrocarbons increased slightly. The ozone formation potential(OFP) contribution of alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, and alkynes were 19.68%, 39.99%, 38.08%, and 2.25%, respectively; the contributions of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics to secondary organic aerosol(SOA) formation potential were 7.94%, 2.17%, and 89.89%, respectively. Compared with that of non-compound pollution, the contribution of alkanes and aromatics to OFP increased 13.8% and 4.3%, and that to SOA formation potential increased 2.3% and 0.2%, respectively. The contribution of alkenes to OFP and SOA formation potential decreased 9.4% and 15.6%, respectively, and the contribution of alkynes to OFP increased 7.7% in compound pollution. The contributions of main species such as 1-pentene, n -butane, methyl cyclopentane, isopentane, 1,2,3-trimethylene, propane, toluene, acetylene, o -xylene, ethylbenzene, m -ethyltoluene, and m / p -xylene to OFP increased, and that of isoprene to OFP decreased. The contribution of benzene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, toluene, and o -xylene to the potential formation of SOA increased during compound pollution. Positive matrix factorization was applied to estimate the contributions of sources to OFP and SOA formation potential in compound pollution, solvent usage, automobile exhaust, petrochemical industrial emission, natural source, liquefied petroleum gas(LPG) evaporation, combustion source, gasoline evaporation, and other industrial process sources were identified as major sources of OFP and SOA formation potential; the contributions of each source to OFP were 21.9%, 16.9%, 16.7%, 12.4%, 8.3%, 7.7%, 2.9%, and 13.2%, respectively, and to SOA formation potentials were 46.8%, 14.4%, 7.1%, 11.9%, 5.9%, 6.6%, 1.6%, and 5.7%, respectively. Solvent usage, automobile exhaust, and petrochemical industrial emissions were main sources for PM 2.5 -O 3 compound pollution.

For a definitive diagnosis of fine-needle aspiration (FNA)/biopsy, one of the reliable techniques to determine the adequacy and accuracy rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of cytological samples is preferable. Because of the lack of trained pathologists, alternatives have to be explored. This study is primarily conducted to determine the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of full-field optical coherence tomography (FF-OCT) and secondarily to evaluate the possibility of FF-OCT differentiating different types of pancreatic diseases. The diagnostic coherence of FF-OCT by a trained assistant (endoscopist) and trained pathologist is also compared. This is a single-center, prospective, observation trial. Eighty patients would be enrolled in the study. The tissue samples acquired by endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) would be imaged by the FF-OCT system, interpreted by a trained endoscopist and a pathologist. The results of the image interpretation would be verified with histological findings. This study determines the diagnostic capability of FF-OCT as a ROSE technique while performing EUS-FNB, and whether endoscopists can implement the assessment., Competing Interests: None

A novel method for the Rh(iii)-catalyzed oxime-directed C-H amidation of indoles with dioxazolones has been developed. This strategy provides an exclusive site selectivity and the directing group can be easily removed. This transformation features a wide substrate scope, good functional group tolerance and excellent yields, and may serve as a significant tool to construct structurally diverse indole derivatives for the screening of potential pharmaceuticals in the future.

Aim: To evaluate the value of parameters on CT scan in predicting dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) and to provide guidance for early diagnosis of DON accordingly., Methods: A total of 67 eyes of 35 patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) were included in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups (DON group and non-DON group). Parameters were measured on high resolution CT, including muscle index (MI), superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) dilatation, extraocular muscle volume/orbit volume (MV/OV), and intracranial fat prolapsed, and be compared between these 2 groups. The relation between those parameters and visual function [visual acuity (VA) and visual field defect (VF defect)] were also evaluated., Results: MI and MV/OV were significantly higher in DON group ( P =0.00035 and P =0.00026). No significant difference was detected regarding intracranial fat prolapse existence and SOV dilatation ( P =0.37 and P =0.15). MV/OV was found to have significant negative correlation with both VF defect ( R =-0.332, P =0.0273) and VA ( R =-0.635, P =0.00) while MI was found to have negative linear correlation with VA only ( R =-0.456, P =0.00017). The area under receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.82 for MV/OV and 0.75 for MI. The best performance in detecting DON was achieved when MV/OV is set at 0.20 with 72% sensitivity and 87% specificity and MI is set at 0.52 with 64% sensitivity and 80% specificity., Conclusion: MI and MV/OV are predictive parameters for DON. Together with clinical manifestations, MV/OV≥0.2 can be used as a good indicator for DON in TAO patients., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Background: Computed tomography (CT) or MR images may cause the severity of early acute pancreatitis (AP) to be underestimated. As an innovative image analysis method, radiomics may have potential clinical value in early prediction of AP severity., Purpose: To develop a contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI-based radiomics model for the early prediction of AP severity., Study Type: Retrospective., Subjects: A total of 259 early AP patients were divided into two cohorts, a training cohort (99 nonsevere, 81 severe), and a validation cohort (43 nonsevere, 36 severe)., Field Strength/sequence: 3.0T, T 1 -weighted CE-MRI., Assessment: Radiomics features were extracted from the portal venous-phase images. The "Boruta" algorithm was used for feature selection and a support vector machine model was established with optimal features. The MR severity index (MRSI), the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, and the bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) were calculated to predict the severity of AP., Statistical Tests: Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact tests, Boruta algorithm, receiver operating characteristic analysis, DeLong test., Results: Eleven potential features were chosen to develop the radiomics model. In the training cohort, the area under the curve (AUC) of the radiomics model, APACHE II, BISAP, and MRSI were 0.917, 0.750, 0.744, and 0.749, and the P value of AUC comparisons between the radiomics model and scoring systems were all less than 0.001. In the validation cohort, the AUC of the radiomics model, APACHE II, BISAP, and MRSI were 0.848, 0.725, 0.708, and 0.719, respectively, and the P value of AUC comparisons were 0.96 (radiomics vs. APACHE II), 0.40 (radiomics vs. BISAP), and 0.46 (radiomics vs. MRSI)., Data Conclusion: The radiomics model had good performance in the early prediction of AP severity., Level of Evidence: 3 Technical Efficacy Stage: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:397-406., (© 2019 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

The ability to detect nanoscale objects is particular crucial for a wide range of applications, such as environmental protection, early-stage disease diagnosis and drug discovery. Photonic crystal nanobeam cavity (PCNC) sensors have attracted great attention due to high-quality factors and small-mode volumes (Q/V) and good on-chip integrability with optical waveguides/circuits. In this review, we focus on nanoscale optical sensing based on PCNC sensors, including ultrahigh figure of merit (FOM) sensing, single nanoparticle trapping, label-free molecule detection and an integrated sensor array for multiplexed sensing. We believe that the PCNC sensors featuring ultracompact footprint, high monolithic integration capability, fast response and ultrahigh sensitivity sensing ability, etc., will provide a promising platform for further developing lab-on-a-chip devices for biosensing and other functionalities.

This study explored the influence of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG14 on α-synuclein (α-syn) expression and Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. Firstly, we found that the expression level of SNHG14 was elevated in brain tissues of PD mice. In MN9D cells, the rotenone treatment (1μmol/L) enhanced the binding between transcriptional factor SP-1 and SNHG14 promoter, thus promoting SNHG14 expression. Interference of SNHG14 ameliorated the DA neuron injury induced by rotenone. Next, we found an interaction between SNHG14 and miR-133b. Further study showed that miR-133b down-regulated α-syn expression by targeting its 3'-UTR of mRNA and SNHG14 could reverse the negative effect of miR-133b on α-syn expression. Interference of SNHG14 reduced rotenone-induced DA neuron damage through miR-133b in MN9D cells and α-syn was responsible for the protective effect of miR-133b. Similarly, interference of SNHG14 mitigated neuron injury in PD mouse model. All in all, silence of SNHG14 mitigates dopaminergic neuron injury by down-regulating α-syn via targeting miR-133b, which contributes to improving PD.

Introduction: The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the Nakagawa and Csendes pathology classification systems in preoperative imaging of Mirizzi syndrome. Mirizzi syndrome is a type of biliary system obstruction caused by stones impacted in a gallbladder neck or cystic duct situated parallel to the common bile duct, causing extrinsic common bile duct stenosis or obstruction, which can lead to recurrent obstructive jaundice, bile duct erosion, and cholangitis. Therefore, the preoperative identification and classification of Mirizzi syndrome is vital for a good surgical result. We explored the applicability of two pathological classification systems to diagnostic imaging., Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging data of 76 cases of pathologically confirmed Mirizzi syndrome, comparing the applicability of the Csendes and Nakagawa pathology classification systems to preoperative imaging., Results: The Nagakawa pathology classification system had higher sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and positive likelihood ratio, along with lower rates of both missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Its positive predictive value and positive likelihood ratios were significantly superior. Adapting the Nagakawa pathological classification system to preoperative imaging produced more consistent results than the Csendes system., Conclusions: Compared with the Csendes pathology classification system, the Nagakawa classification is more adaptable to preoperative imaging and treatment planning., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2019 Termedia & Banach.)

An efficient copper-mediated ortho-C(sp2)-H thiolation of aromatic amides directed by a novel directing group [4-chloro-2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]amine has been developed without the need of other additives or oxidants, allowing for an increased usefulness. With the high compatibility of sterically demanding substrates, this reaction is scalable and can tolerate a wide scope of functional groups to provide alkyl and aryl thioethers in good to excellent yields (up to 93%). Furthermore, the protocol has been successfully implemented for the selenylation as well.

Aims: To investigate the association of four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL-6 gene with osteoporosis (OST) susceptibility., Methods: PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was carried out for SNPs detection. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) model and logistic regression model were used to examine the interaction between SNP and obesity on OST., Results: Logistic regression model revealed that G allele of rs1800796 and the T allele of rs2069849 were associated with increased OST risk, compared to those with wild genotype. However, no significant correlations were found when analyzing the association of rs1800795 and rs1554606 with OST risk. GMDR analysis suggested that the interaction model composed of the rs1800796 and obesity was the best model with statistical significance (P value from sign test [P sign ] = 0.012), indicating a potential gene-environment interaction between rs1800796 and obesity. Overall, the two-locus models had a cross-validation consistency of 10/10 and had the testing accuracy of 0.641. We also conducted stratified analysis for rs1800796 genotype and obesity, and found that obese subjects with CG or GG genotype have the highest OST risk, compared to subjects with CC genotype, and normal BMI OR (95% CI) = 2.21 (1.52-3.49), after adjustment for age, smoke, and alcohol consumption status., Conclusions: Our results suggested that the C allele of rs1800796 and the C allele of rs2069849 of IL-6 gene interaction between rs1800796 and abdominal obesity were all associated with increased OST risk.

S100A11 as a S100 protein family member has been documented to play dual-direction regulation over cancer cell proliferation. We explored the role of S100A11 in the proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 and the potential mechanisms involving the TGF-β 1 /SMAD4/p21 pathway. S100A11 and TGF-β 1 protein expressions in 30 paraffin-embedded specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. S100A11 and TGF-β 1 expression in PANC-1 cell line was suppressed using small interfering RNA (siRNA), respectively. Subsequently, pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry, and S100A11 and TGF-β1/SMAD4/p21 pathway proteins and genes were detected with Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). S100A11 cytoplasmic/nuclear protein translocation was examined using NE-PER® cytoplasm/nuclear protein extraction in cells interfered with TGF-β1 siRNA. Our results showed that S100A11 expression was positively correlated with TGF-β 1 expression in pancreatic cancerous tissue. Silencing TGF-β 1 down-regulated intracellular P21 WAF1 expression by 90%, blocked S100A11 from cytoplasm entering nucleus, and enhanced cell proliferation. Silencing S100A11 down-regulated intracellular P21 expression and promoted cell apoptosis without significantly changing TGF-β 1 and SMAD4 expression. Our findings revealed that S100A11 and TGF-β 1 /SMAD4 signaling pathway were related but mutually independent in regulating PANC-1 cells proliferation and apoptosis. Other independent mechanisms might be involved in S100A11's regulation of pancreatic cell growth. S100A11 could be a potential gene therapy target for pancreatic cancer.

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of shen-mai injection on intestinal barrier function in the early stage of 30% 3° scald, and to provide experimental basis for the prevention and control of enterogenic infection., Methods: A total of 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group (without treatment), model control group (with 30% total body surface area (TBSA) fully thickness burn on the back), hexadecadrol (5 mg/kg) group, Shenmai injection (5, 10, 15 mg/kg) groups, with 10 rats in each group. After burned by scald apparatus, rats in each group were treated with drugs immediately by intraperitoneal injection once a day. At 72 hours after burned, the levels of plasma endotoxin, diamine oxidase (DAO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukins-6(IL-6) in all rats were detected and the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and spleen were homogenized to culture for bacteria. The change of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in intestinal mucosa was measured., Results: Compared with normal control group, bacterial translocation quantity in mesenteric lymph nodes(MLN), liver, and spleen, and the plasma levels of DAO, endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-6 and the level of sIgA in intestinal mucosa in model control group were increased significantly (P＜0.01); compared with model control group, bacterial translocation quantity in MLN, liver, and spleen, and the plasma levels of DAO, endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-6 and the level of sIgA in intestinal mucosa in hexadecadrol (5 mg/kg) group and shen-mai injection (5, 10, 15 mg/kg) groups were decreased significantly (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)., Conclusion: Shen-mai injection can alleviate intestinal mucosa injury caused by severe scald, and the effects are similar with those of dexamethasone, and the effect is better in the high-dose group.

The construction of highway ecological landscape is an important part of highway entity and an iconic feature of scenic countryside and ecological garden city, which plays an important role in the process of achieving social and economic sustainable development. The efficient index system and method is a basic measurement for the assessment of the interior quality and its associated outer environment. By taking five arterial highways (G15, G228, G204, S334 and S335) in the territory of Nantong City, Jiangsu Province as the case, an evaluation system containing quantitative and qualitative indices was developed to deal with the ecological landscape quality. The system composed of 12 evaluation indices which were divided into three categories including ornamental value, ecological efficiency, and safety design. Based on the survey and calculation of the raw data, the variable matrix was established and analyzed with principal component (PC) analysis. The results showed that the equation of highway greening ecological evaluation score was H=0.694&times;PC1+0.191&times;PC2+0.115&times;PC3, and scores of 5 highways ranked in the ordination of G204 > G15 > S334 > G228 > S335. The results would provide methods and references for efficient evaluation of highway landscape.

Conducting quantum key distribution (QKD) through existing optical fibers together with conventional communication signals is a viable way to expand its practical application, but weak quantum signals can be severely disrupted by co-propagating classical signals. In this paper, the suppression of four-wave mixing (FWM) noise and Raman noise is considered simultaneously for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, and the joint optimized channel allocation (JOCA) scheme is proposed. In the JOCA scheme, the quantum channels and classical channels are interleaved with each other to avoid FWM noise and optimal quantum channel positions are chosen in variable conditions according to the Raman scattering spectrum. Experimental measurements of the noise photons show that the JOCA scheme can effectively reduce the impairments on quantum signals compared with the single-target schemes. Additionally, simulation results verify that the JOCA scheme can increase the secure key generation rate and transmission distance, and that it also enables the DWDM-QKD system to tolerate higher-power classical signals and more classical channels, which improve the compatibility with a high-capacity communication system.

An efficient palladium-catalyzed ortho-aroylation of O-arylmethyl and aryl-substituted acetoxime ethers has been developed; this method has high mono-site selectivity and does not require exogenous ligands. Under the direction of a simple exo-acetoxime auxiliary, a broad scope of masked arylmethyl alcohols and phenols as well as various aromatic aldehydes are compatible with this transformation, which probably follows a mechanistic pathway involving a six- or five-membered exo-cyclopalladated intermediate. The strategy can be expediently adopted to prepare synthetically valuable 1H-benzo[d][1,2]oxazines and benzo[d]isoxazoles. The directing group can be easily removed from the products to afford the functionalized diaryl ketones.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in the central nervous system. Inflammation disrupts the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is responsible for maintaining brain homeostasis. This study was aimed to investigate the functional role of microRNA (miR)-132 in hippocampal HT-22 cells under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. In vitro cell inflammatory model was constructed by LPS stimulation. Inflammatory cell injury was evaluated according to the alterations of cell viability, apoptosis, and expression of inflammatory cytokines. Then, miR-132 level after LPS treatment was assessed. Subsequently, miR-132 was abnormally expressed after cell transfection, and the effects of miR-132 on LPS-induced cell inflammatory injury as well as phosphorylated levels of key kinases in the NF-κB and MAPK kinase (MEK)/ERK pathways were determined. The target gene of miR-132 was virtually screened and verified, and whether miR-132 affected HT-22 cells under LPS stimulation through regulating the target gene was verified. The results showed that the level of miR-132 was down-regulated by LPS in HT-22 cells, and the LPS-induced inflammatory injury could be reduced by miR-132 overexpression. Then, the phosphorylated levels of kinases in the NF-κB and MEK/ERK pathways were decreased by miR-132 overexpression. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) was predicted and verified to be a target of miR-132. Moreover, the alterations induced by miR-132 overexpression in the LPS-treated HT-22 cells were abrogated by TRAF6 overexpression. Therefore, we drew the conclusion that LPS down-regulated miR-132 and miR-132 attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory cell injury by targeting TRAF6, along with the inhibition of the NF-κB and MEK/ERK pathways., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Purpose: To study MRI findings of hemorrhage in acute pancreatitis (AP) and correlate the presence and extent of hemorrhage with the MR severity index (MRSI), Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, and clinical outcome., Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 539 patients with AP. Hemorrhage was defined as areas of hyperintensity in or outside the pancreas on liver imaging with volume acceleration flexible (LAVA-Flex). The presence of hemorrhage was classified into three areas: within the pancreatic parenchyma, retroperitoneal space, and sub-or intraperitoneal space. Involvement of each area was awarded 1 point resulting in the hemorrhage severity index (HSI) score. The predicted severity of AP was graded by MRSI and APACHE II score. The association between HSI, MRSI, and APACHE II scores was analyzed. The length of hospital stay and organ dysfunction was used as clinical outcome parameters., Results: Among 539 AP patients, 62 (11.5%) had hemorrhage. The prevalence of hemorrhage was 1.1% (2/186), 13.9% (43/310), and 39.5% (17/43) in predicted mild, moderate, and severe AP, respectively, based on MRSI (χ 2  = 55.3, p = 0.00); and 7.7% (21/273) and 19.2% (18/94) in predicted mild and severe AP, respectively, based on APACHE II (χ 2  = 21.2, p = 0.00). HSI score significantly correlated with MRSI (r = 0.36, p < 0.001) and APACHE II scores (r = 0.21, p = 0.00). The prevalence of organ dysfunction was higher and length of hospital stay was longer in patients with hemorrhage than in those without hemorrhage (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Hemorrhage in AP is common. The presence of hemorrhage, rather than its extent, correlates with poor clinical outcome., (Copyright © 2018 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Sulfate radical (SO 4 ·- )-based advanced oxidation technologies (SR-AOPs) are widely used for remediation of contaminated groundwater and soils. This study investigated the reaction kinetics, products, and transformation pathways of triclosan, a widely used antimicrobial agent, during its degradation by heat activated persulfate oxidation. Experimental results revealed that increasing temperature or initial persulfate concentration significantly enhanced the degradation of triclosan. The reaction could be fitted in the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and the activation energy ( E a ) was determined to be 142 kJ·mol -1 . The presence of humic acid markedly inhibited triclosan degradation, whereas chloride (Cl - ) showed a more complicated effect. Triclosan degradation was slightly accelerated in the presence of 5 μmol·L -1 Cl - , however, a higher concentration of Cl - (e.g., 10 μmol·L -1 ) showed an inhibitory effect. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, a total of six transformation products, including 4-chlorocatechol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 2-chloro-5-(2,4-dichloro-6-hydroxyphenoxy)-1,4-benzoquinone, were identified. Accordingly, the cleavage of the ether bond and hydroxylation of the phenol ring were proposed as the principal pathways of triclosan degradation upon reaction with SO 4 ·- . The findings of this study can be used to evaluate the feasibility of decontamination of triclosan by SR-AOPs.

Background: To study the initial and follow up patterns of gastrointestinal tract involvement in acute pancreatitis (AP) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)., Methods: A total of 209 patients with AP undergoing abdominal MRI on 1.5 T MRI were compared to 100 control patients selected from our daily clinical caseload who underwent MRI over the same recruitment period and had no other disease which can cause abnormality of gastrointestinal tract. Initial and follow up MRI examinations of gastrointestinal tract abnormalities were noted for AP patients. The severity of AP was graded by the MRSI and APACHE II. Spearman correlation of gastrointestinal tract involvement with MRSI and APACHE II was analyzed., Results: In 209 patients with AP, 63% of the AP patients on their initial MRI exams and 5% of control subjects had at least one gastrointestinal tract abnormality (P<0.05). In the control group, thirty-seven patients were normal on MRI, 24 patients with renal cysts, eighteen patients with liver cysts, eleven patients with liver hemangiomas, and ten patients with splenomegaly. The abnormalities of gastrointestinal tract observed in AP patients included thickened stomach wall (20%), thickened duodenum wall (27%), thickened ascending colon wall (11%), thickened transverse colon wall (15%), and thickened descending colon wall (26%), among others. Gastrointestinal tract abnormalities were correlated with the MRSI score (r=0.46, P<0.05) and APACHE II score (r=0.19, P<0.05). Among 62 patients who had follow up examinations, 26% of patients had gastrointestinal tract abnormality, which was significantly lower than that in the initial exams (P<0.05). Resolution of gastrointestinal tract abnormal MRI findings coincided with symptom alleviation in AP patients., Conclusions: Gastrointestinal tract abnormalities on MRI are common in AP and they are positively correlated with the severity of AP. It may add value for determining the severity of AP., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical results of anterior cervical discectomy and reconstruction with a self-locking cage and internal fixation with short segmental plate for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy., Methods: From January 2012 to June 2015, a total of 106 patients received anterior cervical discectomy and reconstruction with a self-locking cage and internal fixation with short segmental plate were followed up. There were 71 males and 35 females, aged from 42 to 74 years old with an average of(55.4±5.1) years. Three segments were involved in 82 cases and four segments in 24 cases. Operation time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, and hospitalization time were recorded. Visual analogue scale(VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score (JOA) were analyzed before and after operation(including 5 days, 3, 6, 12 months after operation and final follow-up), and the JOA improvement rate was analyzed. The cervical lordosis and ROM were measured before and after operation(including the follow-up point above) by X-rays. The postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed as well., Results: All the operations were successful. The average operative time was (126.2±25.1) min, and the amount of blood loss was (82.1±26.3) ml. All the patients were followed up from 12 to 48 months with an average of (30.4±10.5) months. The VAS score of neck pain and JOA score was significantly better from 6.11±1.54 and 9.22±2.42 preoperatively to 2.14±0.51 and 12.46±1.42 at 5 days post-operation, respectively( P <0.05). The improvement rate of JOA was (56.7±21.6)%, there was no statistically significant difference of VAS, JOA scores and the improvement rate of JOA at each time after operation ( P >0.05). Postoperative cervical lordosis at 3 months was significantly improved from preoperative (11.5±6.8)° to (19.6±8.9)°( P <0.05), and it can keep satisfactory stability until final follow-up( P >0.05). Postoperative ROM at 3 months was significantly decreased from the preoperative (37.6±10.4)° to (18.2±5.9)°( P <0.05), but there was no significant change in the process of follow-up ( P >0.05). All the complications such as dysphagia (19 cases), axial neck pain(6 cases), cerebral fluid leakage(3 cases), and hoarseness(2 cases), got better after conservative treatment. Three cases had intervertebral space non-fusion until final follow-up(without clinical symptom), but no loosening, breakage, or displacement of internal fixation were found., Conclusions: Anterior cervical discectomy, reconstruction with a self-locking cage and internal fixation with short segmental plate which can reduce intraoperative injury, restore cervical lordosis, improve neurological function and lower postoperative complications, it is an alternative treatment for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Sex comb on midleg like-2 (SCML2) is a polycomb-group protein that encodes transcriptional repressors essential for appropriate development in the fly and in mammals. On the basis of previous findings, the present study aimed to explore the possibility of developing SCML2 into a new diagnostic marker for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). A total of 64 paired GEP-NET tissues and adjacent non-tumorous tissues were obtained from patients who had undergone surgical resection between January 2009 and January 2014, and the expression of SCML2 and two neuroendocrine markers, namely synaptophysin (Syn) and chromogranin A (CgA), in the tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Strong SCML2 staining was observed predominantly in the cell nuclei of GEP-NET tissues, and the overall expression rate and staining intensity of SCML2 were higher than those of Syn or CgA, respectively. Spearman rank correlation analysis demonstrated that SCML2 was not correlated with either Syn or CgA, while the combined detection of SCML2 with Syn or with CgA increased the diagnostic sensitivity to 100%. SCML2 expression in GEP-NETs was associated with several clinicopathological parameters, such as histological type, tumor grade, depth of invasion and clinical stage. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that patients with higher SCML2 expression had lower survival rates than those with lower expression levels, while Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that SCML2 was not an independent prognostic factor for GEP-NET patients. Therefore, SCML2 may have potential as a specific marker for joint use with other markers to improve the diagnostic efficiency of GEP-NETs.

Background: A few studies have been conducted on the relationship between cerebellar volume and emotional memory or clinical severity in major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, we aimed to compare the volume and density of the cerebellar gray matter (GM) in patients with MDD and in healthy controls (HCs) and explore the association between these cerebellar parameters and measurements of emotional memory and clinical severity., Method: Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and Individual Brain Atlases using Statistical Parametric Mapping (IBASPM) were used to assess GM density and volume in the cerebellum, respectively, in patients with MDD and the HCs. Indicators of emotional memory performance were measured, including the hit rate (HR), rate of false alarm (FA), precision (Pr = HR - FA) and emotional memory enhancement [∆Pr = Pr(emotion) - Pr(neutral)] values. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were used to measure the severity of depression., Results: In the patients with MDD, the GM density was decreased in three cerebellar cortical regions and increased in three cerebellar cortical regions ( p  < .005). The GM volumes in eight cerebellar cortical regions were significantly smaller in the patients with MDD than in the HC subjects ( p  < .05). In the patients with MDD, the GM volume was correlated with the ∆Pr ( p  < .05) in two cerebellar cortical regions. The BDI scores were significantly correlated with the relative GM densities ( p  < .05) in 5 cerebellar cortical regions, and the GM volumes in 13 cerebellar cortical regions were correlated with the BDI scores in patients with MDD., Conclusions: Emotional memory and the severity of depressive symptoms are associated with structural changes in both the posterior and anterior GM regions in the cerebellum in patients with MDD. These findings could be useful for improving our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying emotional memory and explaining the abnormalities of the neural correlates that are associated with MDD.

Objective: To explore the expression patterns of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 in the tubal epithelial cells next to the infiltrated trophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface during tubal pregnancy., Design: Prospective, observational study., Setting: University-based obstetrics and gynecology hospital., Patient(s): Thirty-seven women undergoing salpingectomy for tubal ampullary pregnancy and nine nonpregnant patients with benign uterine or appendix disease., Intervention(s): Oviduct tissues with ectopic gestations were separated into implantation site (group 1) and nonimplantation site (group 2). Tissues from ampullary fallopian tubes during mid-secretory phase (group 3) were collected as the control group. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed., Main Outcome Measure(s): Differences of TLR2 and TLR4 expression patterns between group 1 and group 2 and between the pregnant group (combined group 1 and group 2) and the nonpregnant group (group 3)., Result(s): Comparing the pregnant group with group 3, TLR4 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were both significantly up-regulated in the pregnant group. In contrast, TLR2 mRNA was significantly down-regulated, whereas TLR2 protein showed a tendency toward reduction. Detailed analysis between group 1 and group 3 revealed statistically significantly higher TLR2 and TLR4 protein in group 1. In terms of mRNA, TLR4 expression was still shown to be significantly increased in group 1, whereas TLR2 expression was markedly decreased in group 1., Conclusion(s): Decreased TLR2 mRNA and increased TLR4 in the tubal epithelial cells next to the infiltrated trophoblasts may be associated with aspects of the pathophysiology of tubal ectopic pregnancy in immune defense., (Copyright © 2016 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)