The malnutrition in AECOPD and its association with unfavorable outcomes by comparing PNI, GNRI with the GLIM criteria: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: The management of nutritional risk has garnered significant attention in individuals diagnosed with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) due to the high prevalence of malnutrition and its correlation with unfavorable outcomes. While numerous rating scales exist to assist in assessment for both clinical and research purposes, there is considerable variability in the selection of scales based on the characteristics of the study participants and the study design. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) in identifying malnutrition and predicting prognosis in elderly AECOPD patients. Methods: From January 2022 to December 2022, a consecutive inclusion of elderly AECOPD patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University was conducted. Diagnosing malnutrition in patients using PNI and GNRI, comparing the results with the diagnostic outcomes based on the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria through Receiver Operating Characteristic curves. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the risks associated with length of stay (LOS), hospitalization costs, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) based on GLIM, GNRI, or PNI. Results: A total of 839 elderly AECOPD patients were investigated in the study. The GNRI and PNI demonstrated a sensitivity of 89.5 and 74.1%, specificity of 77.2 and 66.4%, and an area under the curve of 0.834 and 0.702, respectively. The identification of high malnutrition-risk cases using the GLIM, GNRI and PNI were associated with a significant increase in the risk of LOS over 7 days [odds ratio (95% CI) for GLIM, GNRI, PNI: 1.376 (1.033-1.833); 1.405 (1.070-1.846); 1.875 (1.425-2.468)] and higher hospitalization expenses [OR (95% CI) for GLIM, GNRI: 1.498 (1.080-2.080); 1.510 (1.097-2.079)], but not with the CCI. Conclusion: According to our study, it is possible to use GNRI and PNI as alternatives to GLIM in the context of AECOPD, which makes it easier to identify malnutrition. The utilization of GNRI and PNI as alternatives to GLIM in the context of AECOPD enables the identification of malnutrition. The presence of malnourished individuals experiencing AECOPD is correlated with higher probabilities of extended hospital stays and escalated in-hospital expenses.

Predicting incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis through quantitative meniscal lesion parameters: data from the osteoarthritis initiative.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the potential of novel meniscal parameters as predictive factors for incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis (ROA) over a span of four years, as part of the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) study. OBJECTIVES: Quantitative measurements of meniscal parameters alteration could serve as predictors of OA's occurrence and progression. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A nested matched case-control study design was used to select participants from OAI study. Case knees (n = 178) were defined as those with incident ROA (Kellgren Lawrence Grade (KLG) 0 or 1 at baseline (BL), evolving into KLG 2 or above by year 4). Control knees were matched one-to-one by sex, age and radiographic status with case knees. The mean distance from medial-to-lateral meniscal lesions [Mean(MLD)], mean value of tibial plateau width [Mean(TPW)] and the mean of the relative percentage of the medial-to-lateral meniscal lesions distance [Mean(RMLD)] were evaluated through coronal T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) MRI at P-0 (visit when incident ROA was found on radiograph), P-1(one year prior to P-0) and baseline, respectively. Using the imaging data of one patient, the mechanism was investigated by finite element analysis. RESULTS: Participants were on average 60.22 years old, predominantly female (66.7%) and overweight (mean BMI: 28.15). Mean(MLD) and Mean(RMLD) were significantly greater for incident knees compared to no incident knees at baseline, P-1 and P-0. [Mean(MLD), Mean(RMLD); (42.56-49.73) mean ± (7.70-9.52) mm SD vs. (38.14-40.78) mean ± (5.51-7.05)mm SD; (58.61-68.95) mean ± (8.52-11.40) mm SD vs. (52.52-56.35) mean ± (6.53-7.85)mm SD, respectively]. Baseline Mean(MLD) and Mean(RMLD), [Adjusted OR, 95%CI: 1.11(1.07 to 1.16) and 1.13(1.09 to 1.17), respectively], were associated with incident ROA during 4 years, However, Mean(TPW) [Adjusted OR, 95%CI: 0.98(0.94 to 1.02)] was not associated with incident ROA during 4 years. While Mean(TPW) at P-1 and P-0 was not associated with the risk of incident ROA, Mean(MLD) and Mean(RMLD) at P-1 and P-0 were significantly positively associated with the risk of incident ROA. CONCLUSIONS: The meniscal parameters alteration could be an important imaging biomarker to predict the occurrence of ROA.

The alarmin IL-33 exacerbates pulmonary inflammation and immune dysfunction in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Dysregulated host immune responses contribute to disease severity and worsened prognosis in COVID-19 infection and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we observed that IL-33, a damage-associated molecular pattern molecule, is significantly increased in COVID-19 patients and in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Using IL-33-/- mice, we demonstrated that IL-33 deficiency resulted in significant decreases in bodyweight loss, tissue viral burdens, and lung pathology. These improved outcomes in IL-33-/- mice also correlated with a reduction in innate immune cell infiltrates, i.e., neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer cells, and activated T cells in inflamed lungs. Lung RNA-seq results revealed that IL-33 signaling enhances activation of inflammatory pathways, including interferon signaling, pathogen phagocytosis, macrophage activation, and cytokine/chemokine signals. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the alarmin IL-33 plays a pathogenic role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and provides new insights that will inform the development of effective therapeutic strategies for COVID-19.

Inhibition of DNMT1 attenuates experimental food allergy.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of food allergy (FA) needs improvement. The treatment of immune disorders can be improved by regulating epigenetic marks, which is a promising method. The objective of this research is to alleviate experimental FA by employing an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1). METHODS: Ovalbumin was used as the specific antigen to establish a mouse model of FA. Intestinal IL-35+ regulatory B cells (Breg cells) were isolated from FA mice, and characterized using immunological approaches. RESULTS: FA mice had a lower frequency of IL-35+ Breg cells, which was inversely correlated with their FA response. The quantity of IL-35 was lower in intestinal Breg cells from FA mice. Hypermethylation status was detected in the Il35 promoter, which was accompanied with high levels of H3K9me3. Enforced expression of DNMT1 hindered the promoter activity of the IL35 gene. Administration of an inhibitor of DNMT1 (RG108) restored the immune regulatory capacity of FA intestinal Bregs, and effectively suppressed the expression of DNMT1, and attenuated experimental FA. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated quantity of DNMT1 in intestinal Breg cells compromises the expression of IL-35 and affects the immune regulatory functions, which facilitates the development of FA. The immune regulatory functions of intestinal Breg cells are restored and experimental FA is attenuated by inhibiting DNMT1.

Trajectories of Diabetes-Related Sequelae for Identifying Transition Probabilities, and Optimal Timepoints for Prevention of Ulceration, Infection, and Amputation.

To reduce diabetes-related complications and to avoid futile procedures, foot and ankle surgeons need to understand the relative timings of catastrophic events, their incidence, and probabilities of transitions between disease states in diabetes in different patient populations. For this study, we tracked medical events (including an initial diagnosis of diabetes, ulcer, wound care, osteomyelitis, amputation, and reamputation, in order of severity) and the time between each such event in patients with diabetes, stratifying by sex, race, and ethnicity. We found that the longest average duration between the different lower extremity states was a diagnosis of diabetes to the occurrence of ulcer at 1137 days (38 months). The average durations of amputation to reamputation, osteomyelitis, wound care, and ulcer were 18, 49, 23, and 18 days, respectively. The length of each disease transition for females was greater, while those of the Hispanic population were shorter than in the total cohort. This knowledge may permit surgeons to time and tailor treatments to their patients, and help patients to address, delay, or avoid complications.

Different lymph node staging systems for predicting the prognosis of colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a rare malignancy that primarily arises from the diffuse distribution of neuroendocrine cells in the colon and rectum. Previous studies have pointed out that the status of lymph node may be used to predict the prognosis. AIM: To investigate the predictive values of lymph node ratio (LNR), positive lymph node (PLN), and log odds of PLNs (LODDS) staging systems on the prognosis of colorectal NENs treated surgically, and compare their predictive values. METHODS: This cohort study included 895 patients with colorectal NENs treated surgically from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The endpoint was mortality of patients with colorectal NENs treated surgically. X-tile software was utilized to identify most suitable thresholds for categorizing the LNR, PLN, and LODDS. Participants were selected in a random manner to form training and testing sets. The prognosis of surgically treating colorectal NENs was examined using multivariate cox analysis to assess the associations of LNR, PLN, and LODDS with the prognosis of colorectal NENs. C-index was used for assessing the predictive effectiveness. We conducted a subgroup analysis to explore the different lymph node staging systems' predictive values. RESULTS: After adjusting all confounding factors, PLN, LNR and LODDS staging systems were linked with mortality in patients with colorectal NENs treated surgically (P < 0.05). We found that LODDS staging had a higher prognostic value for patients with colorectal NENs treated surgically than PLN and LNR staging systems. Similar results were obtained in the different G staging subgroup analyses. Furthermore, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for LODDS staging system remained consistently higher than those of PLN or LNR, even at the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: LNR, PLN, and LODDS were found to significantly predict the prognosis of patients with colorectal NENs treated surgically.

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances may be correlated with Chlamydia trachomatis: data from NHANES 2003-2016.

OBJECTIVE: Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) alter immune function increasing infectious diseases risk. We examined the relationship between PFAS and chlamydia. METHODS: 3,965 non-pregnant adults ages 18-39 years from the National Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2003-2016 cycles were included. Poisson regression with robust error variance estimated the prevalence ratio and 95% confidence intervals for the association between PFAS and chlamydia. A g computation model was used to examine PFAS mixtures and chlamydia. RESULTS: In adjusted age and sex-stratified models, an increase in PFAS mixtures by one quintile was associated with chlamydia in older males and younger females. Associations were not observed prior to stratification. CONCLUSIONS: PFAS exposure associated with higher chlamydia prevalence, but only in stratified models suggesting biological differences by gender and age. Although small sample sizes could have affected the precision of our models.

Effects of Supplementation with Oregano Essential Oil during Late Gestation and Lactation on Serum Metabolites, Antioxidant Capacity and Fecal Microbiota of Sows.

A total of 20 healthy white × landrace sows were evenly and randomly divided into two groups, and fed basal diets unsupplemented or supplemented with 500 g/t Meriden-Stim® from day 100 of gestation until day 21 of lactation. Serum and fecal samples were collected from the sows on the final day for subsequent analysis. Compared to the control group, there were no significant differences in the sows' performances; however, an increase was observed in the piglets' weight at weaning (p = 0.08). Moreover, oregano essential oil (OEO) significantly reduced the levels of urea (UREA) (p < 0.01), total cholesterol (TC) (p < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) (p < 0.05) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < 0.05) in serum. In terms of antioxidant indexes in serum, the catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels showed significant increases (p < 0.05) while the malondialdehyde (MDA) level exhibited a decrease tendency (p = 0.09). 16S rRNA analysis identified the specific bacteria taxa in feces. OEO significantly decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria at the phylum level (p < 0.05). At the genus level, OEO significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Prevotellaceae UCG 003 and UCG 005, while decreasing that of Escherichia-Shigella (p < 0.05). Taken together, OEO supplementation in maternal diets during late gestation and lactation improved serum metabolites, antioxidant capacity and regulated the intestinal-flora balance of sows, thereby tending to increase the piglets' weight at weaning.

Serum amyloid A and mitochondrial DNA in extracellular vesicles are novel markers for detecting traumatic brain injury in a mouse model.

This study investigates the potential use of circulating extracellular vesicles' (EVs) DNA and protein content as biomarkers for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a mouse model. Despite an overall decrease in EVs count during the acute phase, there was an increased presence of exosomes (CD63+ EVs) during acute and an increase in microvesicles derived from microglia/macrophages (CD11b+ EVs) and astrocytes (ACSA-2+ EVs) in post-acute TBI phases, respectively. Notably, mtDNA exhibited an immediate elevation post-injury. Neuronal (NFL) and microglial (Iba1) markers increased in the acute, while the astrocyte marker (GFAP) increased in post-acute TBI phases. Novel protein biomarkers (SAA, Hp, VWF, CFD, CBG) specific to different TBI phases were also identified. Biostatistical modeling and machine learning identified mtDNA and SAA as decisive markers for TBI detection. These findings emphasize the importance of profiling EVs' content and their dynamic release as an innovative diagnostic approach for TBI in liquid biopsies.

Racial Disparities in Cataract Surgery Timeline and Intraocular Lens Selection: A Retrospective Study.

Purpose: There is a significant amount of literature focusing on racial inequities in utilization rates and intraoperative complications of cataract surgery. Unfortunately, little is known about racial disparities regarding the timeline of cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) selection. This study investigated whether black patients have a different preoperative and postoperative cataract surgery timeline and IOL selection than white patients. Methods: A total of 10,235 patients (83.47% white) were retrospectively identified from a tertiary academic center who underwent cataract surgery between 2015 and 2022. Each patient's best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp findings, and surgical timeline were recorded. IOL selection was categorized as standard or premium. Results: Black patients had significantly worse mean ± SD preoperative logMAR BCVA than white patients (0.47 ± 0.55 vs. 0.58 ± 0.70, respectively; P = 0.0117) and were significantly less likely to receive surgery within 120 days of referral (RR, 0.71 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.64-0.79]; P < 0.0001). White patients were 25%, 24%, and 29% less likely to follow-up than black patients at postoperative day 1, day 7, and day 30, respectively (P < 0.0001). White patients were 6.09 (95% CI, 3.49, 10.63) times more likely to receive a premium IOL compared to black patients (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Black patients experienced more delays with receiving cataract surgery but are more adherent with postoperative follow-up. Black patients were far less likely to receive a premium IOL than white patients. Translational Relevance: Increased awareness of racial inequities in cataract surgery may improve the delivery of eye care to minority groups.

Association Between Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Retrospective Review of US Claims Data.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) consists of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), asthma, and hypersensitivity to aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Asthma is associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). However, there is lack of data on association between AERD and ASCVD. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between AERD and subsequent risk of ASCVD. METHODS: An algorithm to find patients with AERD was generated and validated through chart review at our home institution. This algorithm was applied to a national insurance claims database to obtain data for a retrospective cohort study. Demographic and comorbidity data were obtained for propensity matching. Several methods of analysis were performed on the data. RESULTS: A total of 571 patients met criteria for AERD; 3909 met criteria for asthma, CRSwNP, and no allergy to aspirin or NSAIDs (group 1); and 75,050 met criteria for asthma, CRS without nasal polyps, and no allergy to aspirin or NSAIDs (group 2). After covariate adjustment, AERD was significantly associated with ASCVD, including severe ASCVD, over groups 1 and 2 regardless of asthma severity. CONCLUSION: Patients with AERD are at higher risk of ASCVD than patients with asthma and CRSwNP or CRS without nasal polyps, underscoring the need for early ASCVD screening and a consideration for aspirin desensitization or use of a nonaspirin antiplatelet agent in the setting of AERD and comorbid ASCVD.

VAMP8 suppresses the metastasis via DDX5/ß-catenin signal pathway in osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is a highly metastatic malignant bone tumor, necessitating the development of new treatments to target its metastasis. Recent studies have revealed the significance of VAMP8 in regulating various signaling pathways in various types of cancer. However, the specific functional role of VAMP8 in osteosarcoma progression remains unclear. In this study, we observed a significant downregulation of VAMP8 in osteosarcoma cells and tissues. Low levels of VAMP8 in osteosarcoma tissues were associated with patients' poor prognosis. VAMP8 inhibited the migration and invasion capability of osteosarcoma cells. Mechanically, we identified DDX5 as a novel interacting partner of VAMP8, and the conjunction of VAMP8 and DDX5 promoted the degradation of DDX5 via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Moreover, reduced levels of DDX5 led to the downregulation of ß-catenin, thereby suppressing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, VAMP8 promoted autophagy flux, which may contribute to the suppression of osteosarcoma metastasis. In conclusion, our study anticipated that VAMP8 inhibits osteosarcoma metastasis by promoting the proteasomal degradation of DDX5, consequently inhibiting WNT/ß-catenin signaling and EMT. Dysregulation of autophagy by VAMP8 is also implicated as a potential mechanism. These findings provide new insights into the biological nature driving osteosarcoma metastasis and highlight the modulation of VAMP8 as a potential therapeutic strategy for targeting osteosarcoma metastasis.

The transcription factor XBP1 in dendritic cells promotes the TH2 cell response in airway allergy.

Dendritic cells (DCs) that express T cell immunoglobulin domain molecule-4 (TIM4), a cell surface receptor for phosphatidylserine, induce T helper 2 (TH2) cell responses and allergic reactions. We elucidated the role of the transcription factor X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP1) in the induction of the TH2 cell response through its role in generating TIM4+ DCs. We found that XBP1 was required for TIM4 mRNA and protein expression in airway DCs in response to the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) and that this pathway was required for TIM4 expression on DCs in response to the allergens PM2.5 and Derf1. The IL-2-XBP1-TIM4 axis in DCs contributed to Derf1/PM2.5-induced, aberrant TH2 cell responses in vivo. An interaction between the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Son of sevenless-1 (SOS1) and the GTPase RAS promoted XBP1 and TIM4 production in DCs. Targeting the XBP1-TIM4 pathway in DCs prevented or alleviated experimental airway allergy. Together, these data suggest that XBP1 is required for TH2 cell responses by inducing the development of TIM4+ DCs, which depends on the IL-2-XBP1-SOS1 axis. This signaling pathway provides potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of TH2 cell-dependent inflammation or allergic diseases.

The Impact of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Mono- and Coinfection on Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have recently been linked to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). However, the impact of Neisseria gonorrhoeae on risk of HDP is not well understood. This study determined the impact of gonorrhea and gonorrhea coinfection on HDP and other adverse pregnancy outcomes in a population with a high screening rate and presumed treatment. Methods: This retrospective study included 29 821 singleton births between 2016 and 2021. The STI testing results, demographic variables, and pregnancy outcomes were identified from electronic health records. The HDP were primary outcomes of interest including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and superimposed preeclampsia. We further examined preeclampsia subtypes defined by severe features and gestational age of delivery (term and preterm preeclampsia). Secondary outcomes included preterm premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, and preterm delivery. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Models were adjusted for maternal age, maternal race/ethnicity, and smoking. Results: Gonorrhea screening occurred in 95% of the population. Gonorrhea increased the odds of preterm preeclampsia (adjusted OR [ORadj.], 1.95; 95% CI, 1.02-3.73) and preterm birth (ORadj., 1.78; 95% CI, 1.22-2.60). Furthermore, gonorrhea-chlamydia coinfection was associated with preterm birth (ORadj., 1.77; 95% CI, 1.03-3.04). However, results were similar when we examined gonorrhea monoinfection (ORadj., 1.76; 95% CI, 1.04-2.97). Conclusions: Among a diverse population of pregnant individuals, gonorrhea increased odds of preterm preeclampsia and preterm delivery Further research is needed to determine the burden of STIs on HDP, including investigations into biological effects during pregnancy.

First Report of Leaf Spot on Soybean Caused by Epicoccum sorghinum in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Soybean (Glycine max (Linn.) Merr.) is one of the important oil crops in China. In September 2022, a new soybean leaf spot disease was found in Zhaoyuan County, Suihua City, Heilongjiang Province, China. Symptoms of the initial formation of irregular brown lesions on the leaves, dark brown inside, the periphery is yellow, vein chlorotic yellow, severe leaf spots connected into pieces, late fall off, not the same as previously reported soybean leaf spot (Fig. 1A). The leaf samples of infected plants were collected, and the leaf tissue (5 × 5 mm) was cut from the edge of the lesion, and then surface sterilized with 3% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min, rinsed with sterile distilled water for 3 times, and inoculated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 28°C. Isolates growing around the tissues from samples were subcultured on PDA, and 3 isolates were obtained using the single-spore isolation method. The fungal hyphae were white or grayish white in early stage, and the hyphae with light green concentric ring appeared on the front of the colony after 3 days, appeared orange, pink or white convex, irregular shape, reddish brown on the front of the colony for 10 days and black spherical pycnidium can be produced in the hyphae layer for 15 days (Fig.1D, E). Conidia were oval, hyaline, unicellular, aseptate, and 2.3 to 3.7 × 4.1 to 6.8 µm (n=30, Fig. 1F). Chlamydospores were subglobose, light brown, unicellular or multicellular, and 7.2 to 14.7 × 12.2 to 43.9 µm (n=30, Fig. 1H, I). Pycnidia mostly spheroid, brown, and 47.1 to 114.4 × 72.6 to 167.4 µm (n=30, Fig. 1G). A cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide method was used to extract DNA from 7-day-old. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS), RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and ß-tubulin (TUB) gene were amplified using ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), RPB2-5F/RPB2-7cR (Liu et al. 1999) and BT2a/Bt2b (O'Donnell et al. 1997) primers respectively. The sequences obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were sequenced and the results showed that the DNA sequences of the 3 isolates were identical. Therefore, the sequence of isolate DNES22-01, DNES22-02 and DNES22-03 was submitted to GenBank. According to BLAST search, the ITS (OP884646), RPB2 (OP910000) and TUB (OP909999) sequences showed 99.81% similarity to Epicoccum sorghinum strain LC12103 (MN215621.1), 99.07% to strain P-XW-9A (MW446946.1), and 98.85% with the strain UMS (OM048108.1), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis by maximum likelihood method (MEGA7.0) generated based on the ITS, RPB2 and TUB sequences indicated that the isolates formed a supported clade to the related E. sorghinum type sequences. Isolates was found to be most closely related to E. sorghinum and far from other species. Based on morphological and phylogenetic characteristics, isolates DNES22-01, DNES22-02 and DNES22-03 was identified as E. sorghinum (Bao et al. 2019; Chen et al. 2021; Zhang et al. 2022). At the 4-leaf-stage, 10 soybean plants were inoculated by spraying with a conidial suspension (1 × 106 spores·ml-1). Sterile water served as a control. The test was repeated 3 times. All samples were incubated in a growth chamber at 27°C. Symptoms typical developed on the leaves after 7 days, but control samples remained healthy (Fig.1B, C). The fungus was reisolated from symptomatic tissues and identified as E. sorghinum by morphology characteristics and molecular characterization. To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. sorghinum causing leaf spot on soybean in Heilongjiang, China. The results can provide the basis for future studies on the occurrence, prevention, and management of this disease.

Knockdown of CENPU inhibits cervical cancer cell migration and stemness through the FOXM1/Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Currently, the clinical outcome of cervical cancer (CC) is still undesirable, and it is urgent to explore more treatment strategies for CC. In this study, the effects of CENPU on migration and stemness of CC was studied. The CENPU expression were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The effects of CENPU on the viability and proliferation of cells were evaluated by CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay. Wound healing assay and invasion assay were chosen to assess migration and invasion of cells. Tumorsphere-forming assay was applied for testing the stemness. Western blot analysis was applied for assessing the level of CENPU, Nanog, Oct4, FOXM1, ß-catenin, c-myc and MMP-7. The tumor sizes and volumes were also measured. The TCGA data and WB assay suggested that CENPU was upregulated in CC. CENPU knockdown would inhibit the viability of CC cells and prohibit the migration and invasion of cells. Tumorsphere-forming assay and WB results suggested that CENPU silencing decreased the sphere formation rate and the expression of Nanog and Oct4. Moreover, CENPU knockdown suppressed the expression of FOXM1, ß-catenin, c-myc and MMP-7 by WB. In vivo study demonstrated that CENPU knockdown inhibited the growth of CC, indicated by reduced sizes and volumes of CC. In summary, our results suggested that knockdown of CENPU inhibited CC migration and stemness through the FOXM1/Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Obtaining acidic and basic charge variants using a twin-column continuous chromatography system.

For recombinantly produced monoclonal antibody (mAb), charge variants including acidic and basic species are common heterogeneities. For characterization purpose, sufficient amount of acidic and basic species with high purity is needed. In this work, we developed an approach that allows for continuous separating and collecting of acidic and basic charge variants. First, with batch-mode cation exchange (CEX) chromatography, the load density and linear salt gradient elution conditions under which good separation of both charge variants can be achieved were determined. Next, a stepwise elution protocol was developed based on the linear gradient elution. Finally, acidic and basic charge variants were persistently produced under stepwise elution using a customized twin-column continuous chromatography system. This approach allows acidic and basic charge variants with high purity (i.e., >90%) to be efficiently generated in sufficient amount, which greatly facilitates the necessary characterization of these mAb variants.

A comparison of Atrial Fibrillation Detection Strategies After Ischemic Stroke-A Retrospective Study.

Objective of this retrospective study was to determine if long-term continuous cardiac monitoring with Implantable loop recorder (ILR) in patients with Cryptogenic strokes or TIA is superior at detecting Atrial Fibrillation (AF) than 30-day Event Monitor (EM) and 48-hour Holter Monitor (HM). Furthermore, we aimed to deduce if uncovering AF leads to lower risk of future ischemic strokes, or reduction in mortality. In 20%-30% cases, the cause of stroke remained unexplained after diagnostic workup which has led to coining of the term, Cryptogenic Stroke (CS). Undiagnosed AF is a prime suspect in CS, but guidelines do not recommend initiation of anticoagulation unless AF has formally been detected. IRB approved retrospective study included patients with at least 1 episode of ischemic stroke or TIA without identifiable cause and was monitored with either HM, EM or ILR to diagnose any undiscovered AF. All patients (n = 531) had at least 1 year, and up to 3 years, of follow-up after device placement. Chi-Squared analysis and Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated no statistically significant difference among 3 devices for detection of AF within 1 month of index stroke but a significant difference in AF detection was observed at 6, 12 and 24 months. Cox proportional hazard model showed device type had no significant impact on secondary outcomes: Subsequent ischemic stroke or TIA, Initiation of anticoagulation, Mortality and Incidence of major bleeding. Despite the superiority of AF detection by ILR, it is not superior to HM or EM in lowering the risk of subsequent stroke or TIA, or in reducing mortality.

COL8A1 Promotes NSCLC Progression Through IFIT1/IFIT3-Mediated EGFR Activation.

Activation of EGFR is a major risk factor for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Understanding the molecular events promoting EGFR activation can help us gain more insights into the progression of NSCLC. In this study, we demonstrate that collagen type VIII alpha 1 chain (COL8A1), an extracellular matrix component, was overexpressed in NSCLC. In NSCLC cells, knockdown of COL8A1 suppressed cell growth, cycle progression, and migration, and induced cell apoptosis. While COL8A1 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis. In addition, we found that COL8A1 depletion reduced interferon response signaling and downregulated (IFIT1) and interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (IFIT3). Moreover, we indicated that COL8A1 could upregulate IFIT1 and IFIT3 mediated EGFR activation in vitro and in vivo. Lastly, there was a positive correlation among COL8A1, IFIT1, and IFIT3 expression, and EGFR activity in patients with NSCLC. Overall, our data demonstrate that COL8A1 contributes to NSCLC proliferation and invasion through EGFR activation, dependent on IFIT1 and IFIT3 expression.