Human-specific insights into candidate genes and boosted discoveries of novel loci illuminate roles of neuroglia in reading disorders.

Reading disorders (RD) are human-specific neuropsychological conditions associated with decoding printed words and/or reading comprehension. So far only a handful of candidate genes segregated in families and 42 loci from genome-wide association study (GWAS) have been identified that jointly provided little clues of pathophysiology. Leveraging human-specific genomic information, we critically assessed the RD candidates for the first time and found substantial human-specific features within. The GWAS candidates (i.e., population signals) were distinct from the familial counterparts and were more likely pleiotropic in neuropsychiatric traits and to harbor human-specific regulatory elements (HSREs). Candidate genes associated with human cortical morphology indeed showed human-specific expression in adult brain cortices, particularly in neuroglia likely regulated by HSREs. Expression levels of candidate genes across human brain developmental stages showed a clear pattern of uplifted expression in early brain development crucial to RD development. Following the new insights and loci pleiotropic in cognitive traits, we identified four novel genes from the GWAS sub-significant associations (i.e., FOXO3, MAPT, KMT2E and HTT) and the Semaphorin gene family with functional priors (i.e., SEMA3A, SEMA3E and SEMA5B). These novel genes were related to neuronal plasticity and disorders, mostly conserved the pattern of uplifted expression in early brain development and had evident expression in cortical neuroglial cells. Our findings jointly illuminated the association of RD with neuroglia regulation-an emerging hotspot in studying neurodevelopmental disorders, and highlighted the need of improving RD phenotyping to avoid jeopardizing future genetic studies of RD.

Identifying an immunogenic cell death-related gene signature contributes to predicting prognosis, immunotherapy efficacy, and tumor microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a regulated form of cell death that triggers an adaptive immune response. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between ICD-related genes (ICDGs) and the prognosis and the immune microenvironment of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). METHODS: ICD-associated molecular subtypes were identified through consensus clustering. Subsequently, a prognostic risk model comprising 5 ICDGs was constructed using Lasso-Cox regression in the TCGA training cohort and further tested in the GEO cohort. Enriched pathways among the subtypes were analyzed using GO, KEGG, and GSVA. Furthermore, the immune microenvironment was assessed using ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA analyses. RESULTS: Consensus clustering divided LUAD patients into three ICDG subtypes with significant differences in prognosis and the immune microenvironment. A prognostic risk model was constructed based on 5 ICDGs and it was used to classify the patients into two risk groups; the high-risk group had poorer prognosis and an immunosuppressive microenvironment characterized by low immune score, low immune status, high abundance of immunosuppressive cells, and high expression of tumor purity. Cox regression, ROC curve analysis, and a nomogram indicated that the risk model was an independent prognostic factor. The five hub genes were verified by TCGA database, cell sublocalization immunofluorescence analysis, IHC images and qRT-PCR, which were consistent with bioinformatics analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular subtypes and a risk model based on ICDGs proposed in our study are both promising prognostic classifications in LUAD, which may provide novel insights for developing accurate targeted cancer therapies.

A trade-off between leaf hydraulic efficiency and safety across three xerophytic species in response to increased rock fragment content.

Limited information is available on the variation of plant leaf hydraulic traits in relation to soil rock fragment content (RFC), particularly for xerophytes native to rocky mountain areas. In this study, we conducted a field experiment with four gradients of RFC (0, 25, 50 and 75% ν ν-1) on three different xerophytic species (Sophora davidii, Cotinus szechuanensis and Bauhinia brachycarpa). We measured predawn and midday leaf water potential (Ψleaf), leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf), Ψleaf induced 50% loss of Kleaf (P50), pressure-volume curve traits and leaf structure. A consistent response of hydraulic traits to increased RFC was observed in three species. Kleaf showed a decrease, whereas P50 and turgor loss point (Ψtlp) became increasingly negative with increasing RFC. Thus, a clear trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety was observed in the xerophytic species. In all three species, the reduction in Kleaf was associated with an increase in leaf mass per area. In S. davidii, alterations in Kleaf and P50 were driven by leaf vein density (VLA) and Ψtlp. In C. szechuanensis, Ψtlp and VLA drove the changes in Kleaf and P50, respectively. In B. brachycarpa, changes in P50 were driven by VLA, whereas changes in both Kleaf and P50 were simultaneously influenced by Ψtlp. Our findings suggest that adaptation to increased rockiness necessarily implies a trade-off between leaf hydraulic efficiency and safety in xerophytic species. Additionally, the trade-off between leaf hydraulic efficiency and safety among xerophytic species is likely to result from processes occurring in the xylem and the outside-xylem hydraulic pathways. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the survival strategies and mechanisms of xerophytes in rocky soils, and provide a theoretical basis for the persistence of xerophytic species in areas with stony substrates.

Integrated analysis identities Rho GTPases related molecular map in patients with gastric carcinoma.

The intricate involvement of Rho GTPases in a multitude of human malignancies and their diverse array of biological functions has garnered substantial attention within the scientific community. However, their expression pattern and potential role in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. In this study, we successfully identified two distinct subtypes associated with Rho GTPase-related gene (RGG) through consensus clustering analysis, which exhibited significant disparities in overall survival and the tumor microenvironment. Subsequently, an extensively validated risk model termed RGGscore was meticulously constructed to prognosticate the outcomes of GC patients. This model was further assessed and validated using an external cohort. Notably, the high RGGscore group was indicative of a poorer prognosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses unveiled the RGGscore as an autonomous prognostic indicator for GC patients. Subsequent external validation, utilizing two cohorts of patients who underwent immunotherapy, demonstrated a significant correlation between a low RGGscore and improved response to immunotherapy. Additionally, the expression levels of three genes associated with RGGscore were examined using qRT-PCR. Taken together, a pioneering RGGscore model has been successfully established, showcasing its potential efficacy in offering valuable therapeutic guidance for GC.

Temperature-Independent Sensor of the Magnetic Field Based on FBG and Terfenol-D.

Sensors based on Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) have remarkable benefits like small size, fast response, wide sensing distribution, and immunity to electromagnetic interference, allowing for their widespread application in numerous domains of physical parameter measurement in industrial engineering. In this work, a temperature-independent sensor of the magnetic field based on FBG and the magnetostrictive material Terfenol-D is suggested. By exploiting the distributed sensing characteristic of FBG, a sensing structure that remains unaffected by temperature is designed. The results demonstrate that within the magnetic induction intensity range of 0 mT to 50 mT, the sensitivity of the sensor can reach 7.382 pm/mT, exhibiting good linearity and repeatability. Compared with the control experiment and other sensors of the magnetic field containing Terfenol-D, the sensor has higher sensitivity, better repeatability, and good temperature stability.

Associations between the serum triglyceride-glucose index and pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation and plaque features using dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography: a cross-sectional study.

Background and aims: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a reliable alternative marker for insulin resistance (IR). Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) can indirectly reflect coronary inflammation. IR and coronary inflammation play a key role in the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Therefore, this study investigated the relationships between the TyG index, PCAT and atherosclerotic plaque characteristics to explore whether IR might lead to coronary artery atherosclerosis progression by inducing coronary inflammation. Methods: We retrospectively collected data on patients with chest pain who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography using spectral detector computed tomography at our institution from June to December 2021. The patients were grouped based on their TyG index levels: T1 (low), T2 (medium), and T3 (high). Each patient was assessed for total plaque volume, plaque load, maximum stenosis, the plaque component volume proportion, high-risk plaques(HRPs), and plaque characteristics (including low attenuation plaques, positive remodeling, a napkin ring sign, and spot calcification). PCAT quantification was performed on the proximal right coronary artery using the fat attenuation index (FAI) measured from a conventional multicolor computed tomography image (FAI120kVp), a spectral virtual single-energy image (FAI40keV), and the slope of the spectral HU curve (λHU). Results: We enrolled 201 patients. The proportion of patients with maximum plaque stenosis, positive remodeling, low-density plaques, and HRPs increased as the TyG index level increased. Moreover, the FAI40keV and λHU significantly differed among the three groups, and we identified good positive correlations between FAI40keV and λHU and the TyG index (r = 0.319, P <0.01 and r = 0.325, P <0.01, respectively). FAI120kVp did not significantly differ among the groups. FAI40keV had the highest area under the curve, with an optimal cutoff value of -130.5 HU for predicting a TyG index value of ≥9.13. The multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that FAI40keV and λHU were independently positively related to a high TyG index level (standardized regression coefficients: 0.117 [P <0.001] and 0.134 [P <0.001], respectively). Conclusions: Patients with chest pain and a higher TyG index level were more likely to have severe stenosis and HRPs. Moreover, FAI40keV and λHU had good correlations with the serum TyG index, which may noninvasively reflect PCAT inflammation under insulin resistance. These results could help explain the mechanism of plaque progression and instability in patients with insulin resistance might be related to IR-induced coronary inflammation.

Preoperative monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio as a predictor of survival outcome of gastric cancer patients after radical resection.

Aim: This study aimed to verify the prognostic value of monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) in gastric cancer patients after radical resection. Methods: The Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the risk variables for survival. Results: Older age (>60 years) (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.832; 95% CI: 1.167-2.725; p = 0.009), advanced tumor node metastasis stage (p < 0.05), lymphatic invasion (HR: 1.639; 95% CI: 1.114-3.032; p < 0.05), vascular invasion (HR: 2.002; 95% CI: 1.246-5.453; p = 0.028) and high MHR (HR: 1.154; 95% CI: 1.062-2.315; p = 0.021) were independent poor prognostic factors for gastric cancer patients after radical resection. Conclusion: Older age, advanced tumor node metastasis stage, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion and high MHR were independent poor prognostic factors for gastric cancer patients after radical resection.

Prevalence and influencing factors of wheeze and asthma among preschool children in Urumqi city: a cross-sectional survey.

To investigate the prevalence and indoor environmental influencing factors of wheeze and asthma among preschool children in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China to provide a strong basis for prevention and control. In August 2019, a cross-sectional study involving 8153 preschool children was conducted in 60 kindergartens in Urumqi. The ALLHOME-2 questionnaire was used for childhood wheeze and asthma survey, and the dampness in buildings and health (DBH) questionnaire was used for the childhood home dwelling and living environment survey. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression was then used to analyze the potential influencing factors of childhood asthma and wheeze. The prevalence of wheeze and asthma in children was 4.7% and 2.0%, respectively. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression results suggested that ethnicity other than the Han Chinese (odds ratio (OR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.84), caesarean section (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.00-1.53), family history of asthma (OR 5.00, 95% CI 3.36-7.44), carpet or floor bedding at home (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.05-1.87), purchasing new furniture in the mother's residence during pregnancy (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.06-2.36), pet keeping in the residence at aged 0-1 year (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.13-2.13), passive smoking by child in the current residence (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.01-1.80), and having mould or hygroma in the child's residence at aged 0-1 year (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.12-2.64) were risk factors for wheeze. In addition, Girls (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.59-0.90) was a protective factor for wheeze. Caesarean section (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.06-2.00), family history of asthma (OR 7.06, 95% CI 4.33-11.53), carpet or floor bedding at home (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.50-3.23), and pet keeping in the residence at aged 0-1 year (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.04-1.83) were risk factors for asthma, whereas Girls (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.42-0.80) was a protective factor for asthma. This survey indicates that the purchase of new furniture, the placement of carpet or floor bedding in the child's residence, the pets keeping, room dampness or moldy phenomena, and passive smoking may all contribute to an elevated risk of wheeze or asthma in children.

Incremental diagnostic value of radiomics signature of pericoronary adipose tissue for detecting functional myocardial ischemia: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incremental diagnostic value of radiomics signature of pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) in addition to the coronary artery stenosis and plaque characters for detecting hemodynamic significant coronary artery disease (CAD) based on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS: In a multicenter trial of 262 patients, CCTA and invasive coronary angiography were performed, with fractional flow reserve (FFR) in 306 vessels. A total of 13 conventional quantitative characteristics including plaque characteristics (N = 10) and epicardial adipose tissue characteristics (N = 3) were obtained. A total of 106 radiomics features depicting the phenotype of the PCAT surrounding the lesion were calculated. All data were randomly split into a training dataset (75%) and a testing dataset (25%). Then three models (including the conventional model, the PCAT radiomics model, and the combined model) were established in the training dataset using multivariate logistic regression algorithm based on the conventional quantitative features and the PCAT radiomics features after dimension reduction. RESULTS: A total of 124/306 vessels showed functional ischemia (FFR ≤ 0.80). The radiomics model performed better in discriminating ischemia from non-ischemia than the conventional model in both training (area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC): 0.770 vs 0.732, p < 0.05) and testing datasets (AUC: 0.740 vs 0.696, p < 0.05). The combined model showed significantly better discrimination than the conventional model in both training (AUC: 0.810 vs 0.732, p < 0.05) and testing datasets (AUC: 0.809 vs 0.696, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The PCAT radiomics model showed good performance in predicting myocardial ischemia. Addition of PCAT radiomics to lesion quantitative characteristics improves the predictive power of functionally relevant CAD. KEY POINTS: • Based on the plaque characteristics and EAT characteristics, the conventional model showed poor performance in predicting myocardial ischemia. • The PCAT radiomics model showed good prospect in predicting myocardial ischemia. • When combining the radiomics signature with the conventional quantitative features (including plaque features and EAT features), it showed significantly better performance in predicting myocardial ischemia.

Salix gordejevii females exhibit more resistance against wind erosion than males under aeolian environment.

Effects of wind erosion on growth and adaptability have been widely reported in many plants, but little attention has been paid to dioecious plants. Recent studies have shown that sex-specific responses to environmental changes in many plants exist. To explore sexual differences in response to wind erosion, female and male Salix gordejevii saplings growing on inter-dune land (no erosion) and on the windward slope of the dune (20cm wind erosion) in Hunshandake Sandy Land were chosen and their morphology, biomass and physiological traits were investigated, respectively. Wind erosion significantly reduced plant growth, biomass accumulation, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, and obviously disrupted osmotic regulation function and antioxidant enzyme system in both sexes, especially in males. Under wind erosion condition, females exhibited higher sapling height (SH), basal diameter (BD), leaf dry mass (LDM), root dry mass (RDM), total dry mass (TDM), root percentage in total dry mass, net photosynthesis rate (P n), maximum efficiency of photosystem II (F v/F m), effective quantum yield of PSII (Φ PSII), relative water content (RWC) of leaves, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, but lower malondialdehyde (MDA), proline as well as soluble sugar content than did males. However, no significant sexual differences in most of these traits were observed under no erosion condition. Our results demonstrated that females possess a greater resistance to wind erosion than do males, with females having a better photosynthetic capacity, stronger water retention capacity and more efficient antioxidant system to alleviate negative effects caused by aeolian environment.

Numerical Analysis of Microcrack Propagation Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Serrated Structural Plane.

The serrated structural plane is the basic unit of structural plane morphology. However, the understanding of its internal stress distribution, failure mode and crack evolution law was not clear enough in previous studies. In this paper, the shear mechanical properties of the serrated structural planes were studied by numerical simulation, and the crack evolution law of the serrated structural planes and the effects of four microscopic parameters on the shear properties were analyzed. The results show that: (1) the number of microcracks increases with the increase in normal stress; the crack expansion rate is slow before the shear stress reaches the peak. After the shear stress reaches the peak, the crack expansion rate continues to increase, and the microcracks keep sprouting and expanding, and the number of microcracks tends to stabilize when the shear stress reaches the residual shear strength. (2) The particle contact stiffness ratio kn∗/ks∗ and parallel bond stiffness ratio kn/ks were negatively correlated with the shear strength; and the particle contact modulus E and parallel bond modulus E∗ were positively correlated with the shear strength. As the particle contact modulus E and parallel bond modulus E∗ increase, the peak shear displacement gradually decreases. The parallel bond stiffness ratio kn/ks has a negative correlation with the peak shear displacement. This study is expected to provide theoretical guidance for the microscopic parameter calibration and shear mechanical analysis of serrated structural planes. (3) Several XGBoost, WOA-XGBoost, and PSO-XGBoost algorithms are introduced to construct the quantitative prediction model, and the comparative analysis found that WOA-XGBoost has the best fitting effect and can be used for the prediction of shear strength. When using this model to calculate the weight shares of micro-parameters, it was found that kn∗/ks∗ has the greatest influence on shear strength, followed by E∗; E and kn/ks had the least influence.

Coronary CTA Would Facilitate Invasive Angiography in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome and Coronary Bypass Grafting History.

Background: The uncertainties of grafts' ostium and patency would cause prolonged procedure/fluoroscopy time and extra contrast agent consumption of the invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) history. This study was conducted to evaluate whether the identification of grafts' ostium and patency by coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) could facilitate ICA procedure. Methods: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and CABG history who underwent ICA during hospitalization were enrolled. The patients were divided into the CTA-ICA group and the direct ICA group according to whether a coronary CTA was performed before ICA. The complete direct ICA was defined by successful selective angiography of all recorded grafts. The procedure/fluoroscopy time and contrast agent consumption of ICA were compared. Results: There were 14 patients in the CTA-ICA group and 24 patients in the direct ICA group. In the direct ICA group, twelve cases were conducted complete ICA. The CTA-ICA group had reduced procedure time (17.8 ± 7.1 vs. 25.9 ± 15.4 min, p = 0.03) and fluoroscopy time (fluor-time; 4.6 ± 2.3 vs. 9.8 ± 5.3 min, p < 0.01), and less contrast agent consumption (30.4 ± 5.6 vs. 49.8 ± 20.9 ml, p < 0.01) than the direct ICA group. In a subgroup analysis, the incomplete direct ICA had the longest procedure time (32.8 ± 16.5 min) or fluor-time (12.0 ± 5.5 min) and the most contrast agent consumption (58.3 ± 25.8 ml), whereas the difference between CTA-ICA and complete direct ICA groups was non-significant. Conclusion: The CTA would facilitate invasive angiography in patients with CABG by reducing procedure/fluoroscopy time and contrast agent consumption.

Rock mass classification prediction model using heuristic algorithms and support vector machines: a case study of Chambishi copper mine.

The rock mass is one of the key parameters in engineering design. Accurate rock mass classification is also essential to ensure operational safety. Over the past decades, various models have been proposed to evaluate and predict rock mass. Among these models, artificial intelligence (AI) based models are becoming more popular due to their outstanding prediction results and generalization ability for multiinfluential factors. In order to develop an easy-to-use rock mass classification model, support vector machine (SVM) techniques are adopted as the basic prediction tools, and three types of optimization algorithms, i.e., particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA) and grey wolf optimization (GWO), are implemented to improve the prediction classification and optimize the hyper-parameters. A database was assembled, consisting of 80 sets of real engineering data, involving four influencing factors. The three combined models are compared in accuracy, precision, recall, F1 value and computational time. The results reveal that among three models, the GWO-SVC-based model shows the best classification performance by training. The accuracy of training and testing sets of GWO-SVC are 90.6250% (58/64) and 93.7500% (15/16), respectively. For Grades I, II, III, IV and V, the precision value is 1, 0.93, 0.90, 0.92, 0.83, the recall value is 1, 1, 0.93, 0.73, 0.83, and the F1 value is 1, 0.96, 0.92, 0.81, 0.83, respectively. Sensitivity analysis is performed to understand the influence of input parameters on rock mass classification. It shows that the sensitive factor in rock mass quality is the RQD. Finally, the GWO-SVC is employed to assess the quality of rocks from the southeastern ore body of the Chambishi copper mine. Overall, the current study demonstrates the potential of using artificial intelligence methods in rock mass assessment, rendering far better results than the previous reports.

Prediction of acute coronary syndrome within 3 years using radiomics signature of pericoronary adipose tissue based on coronary computed tomography angiography.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether radiomics signature of pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) based on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) could improve the prediction of future acute coronary syndrome (ACS) within 3 years. METHODS: We designed a retrospective case-control study that patients with ACS (n = 90) were well matched to patients with no cardiac events (n = 1496) during 3 years follow-up, then which were randomly divided into training and test datasets with a ratio of 3:1. A total of 107 radiomics features were extracted from PCAT surrounding lesions and 14 conventional plaque characteristics were analyzed. Radiomics score, plaque score, and integrated score were respectively calculated via a linear combination of the selected features, and their performance was evaluated with discrimination, calibration, and clinical application. RESULTS: Radiomics score achieved superior performance in identifying patients with future ACS within 3 years in both training and test datasets (AUC = 0.826, 0.811) compared with plaque score (AUC = 0.699, 0.640), with a significant difference of AUC between two scores in the training dataset (p = 0.009); while the improvement of integrated score discriminating capability (AUC = 0.838, 0.826) was non-significant. The calibration curves of three predictive models demonstrated a good fitness respectively (all p > 0.05). Decision curve analysis suggested that integrated score added more clinical benefit than plaque score. Stratified analysis revealed that the performance of three predictive models was not affected by tube voltage, CT version, different sites of hospital. CONCLUSION: CCTA-based radiomics signature of PCAT could have the potential to predict the occurrence of subsequent ACS. Radiomics-based integrated score significantly outperformed plaque score in identifying future ACS within 3 years. KEY POINTS: • Plaque score based on conventional plaque characteristics had certain limitations in the prediction of ACS. • Radiomics signature of PCAT surrounding plaques could have the potential to improve the predictive ability of subsequent ACS. • Radiomics-based integrated score significantly outperformed plaque score in the identification of future ACS within 3 years.

Lesion-Specific Peri-Coronary Fat Attenuation Index Is Associated With Functional Myocardial Ischemia Defined by Abnormal Fractional Flow Reserve.

Background: The association between abnormal invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) and the fat attenuation index (FAI) of lesion-specific peri-coronary adipose tissue (PCAT) is unclear. Method: Data of patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and subsequent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and FFR measurement within 1 week were retrospectively included. Lesion-specific FAI (FAIlesion), lesion-free FAI (FAInormal), epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and attenuation was collected, along with stenosis severity and plaque characteristics. Lesions with FFR <0.8 were considered functionally significant. The association between FFR and each parameter was analyzed by logistic regression or receiver operating characteristic curve. Result: A total of 227 patients from seven centers were included. EAT volume or attenuation, traditional risk factors, and FAInormal (with vs. without ischemia: -82 ± 11 HU vs. -81 ± 11 HU, p = 0.65) were not significantly different in patients with or without abnormal FFR. In contrast, lesions causing functional ischemia presented more severe stenosis, greater plaque volume, and higher FAIlesion (with vs. without ischemia: -71 ± 8 HU vs. -76 ± 9 HU, p < 0.01). Additionally, the CTA-assessed stenosis severity (OR 1.06, 95%CI 1.04-1.08, p < 0.01) and FAIlesion (OR 1.08, 95%CI 1.04-1.12, p < 0.01) were determined to be independent factors that could predict ischemia. The combination model of these two CTA parameters exhibited a diagnostic value similar to the invasive coronary angiography (ICA)-assessed stenosis severity (AUC: 0.820 vs. 0.839, p = 0.39). Conclusion: It was FAIlesion, not general EAT parameters, that was independently associated with abnormal FFR and the diagnostic performance of CTA-assessed stenosis severity for functional ischemia was significantly improved in combination with FAIlesion.

Dual-layer spectral detector CT to study the correlation between pericoronary adipose tissue and coronary artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship of pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) with coronary artery stenosis using dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT). METHODS: 99 patients were retrospectively divided into normal group, non-significant stenosis group and significant stenosis group (n = 33 in each group). Fat attenuation index (FAI) 40kev, spectral curve slope (λHU), effective atomic number (Eff-Z) and epicardial fat volume (EFV) were quantitatively evaluated of the narrowest part of the lesion tissue by SDCT. RESULTS: There were significant differences in PCAT parameters on SDCT (FAI40keV, λHU, Eff-Z and EFV) among the three groups (P < 0.05). FAI40keV, λHU, and Eff-Z in significant stenosis group were statistically different from those in normal group and non-significant stenosis group (P < 0.05). FAI40keV, λHU, and Eff-Z in non-significant stenosis group were statistically different from significant stenosis group (P < 0.05). EFV in normal group were significantly lower in non-significant stenosis group and significant stenosis group (P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified FAI40keV (OR = 1.50, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.09) and λHU (OR = 6.81, 95%CI 1.87 to 24.86) as independent predictors of significant stenosis. FAI40keV and λHU had quite good discrimination, with an AUC of 0.84 and 0.80 respectively. CONCLUSION: FAI40keV, λHU, and Eff-Z on SDCT in significant stenosis group were significantly different from normal and non-significant stenosis group while EFV in normal group were significantly different from non-significant stenosis group and significant stenosis group. FAI40kev and λHU were risk factors for significant stenosis.

Ferroelectric 2D ice under graphene confinement.

We here report on the direct observation of ferroelectric properties of water ice in its 2D phase. Upon nanoelectromechanical confinement between two graphene layers, water forms a 2D ice phase at room temperature that exhibits a strong and permanent dipole which depends on the previously applied field, representing clear evidence for ferroelectric ordering. Characterization of this permanent polarization with respect to varying water partial pressure and temperature reveals the importance of forming a monolayer of 2D ice for ferroelectric ordering which agrees with ab-initio and molecular dynamics simulations conducted. The observed robust ferroelectric properties of 2D ice enable novel nanoelectromechanical devices that exhibit memristive properties. A unique bipolar mechanical switching behavior is observed where previous charging history controls the transition voltage between low-resistance and high-resistance state. This advance enables the realization of rugged, non-volatile, mechanical memory exhibiting switching ratios of 106, 4 bit storage capabilities and no degradation after 10,000 switching cycles.

Association of Pericoronary Adipose Tissue Quality Determined by Dual-Layer Spectral Detector CT With Severity of Coronary Artery Disease: A Preliminary Study.

Background: Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) is considered as a source of inflammatory mediators, leading to the development of coronary atherosclerosis. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between PCAT quality derived from dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT) and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), and whether PCAT parameters were independently associated with the presence of CAD. Materials and Methods: A total of 403 patients with symptoms of chest pain who underwent SDCT were included. PCAT quality including fat attenuation index (FAI) measured from conventional polychromatic CT images (FAI120kvp) and spectral virtual mono-energetic images at 40 keV (FAI40keV), slope of spectral HU curve (λHU), and effective atomic number (Eff-Z) were measured around the lesions representing the maximal degree of vascular stenosis in each patient. Meanwhile, overall epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) attenuation was acquired in the conventional polychromatic energy imaging. Results: FAI40keV, λHU, Eff-Z, and FAI120kvp increased along with the degree of CAD in general and were superior to the overall EAT attenuation for detecting the presence of CAD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that FAI40keV was the most powerful independent indicator (odds ratio 1.058, 95% CI 1.044-1.073; p < 0.001) of CAD among these parameters. Using an optimal cut-off (-131.8 HU), FAI40keV showed higher diagnostic accuracy of 80.6% compared with the other parameters. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that FAI40keV on SDCT may be an appealing surrogate maker to allow monitoring of PCAT changes in the development of CAD.

Influence of the interaction between parental myopia and poor eye habits when reading and writing and poor reading posture on prevalence of myopia in school students in Urumqi, China.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prevalence of myopia in school students in Urumqi, China, and explore the influence of the interaction between parental myopia and poor reading and writing habits on myopia to identify the at-risk population and provide evidence to help school students avoid developing myopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 6,883 school students aged 7-20 years in Urumqi in December 2019. The Standard Eye Chart and mydriatic optometry were used to determine whether students had myopia. Falconer's method was used to calculate the heritability of parental myopia. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors for myopia and the additive and multiplicative interaction of parental myopia and poor reading and writing habits. RESULTS: After standardizing the age of the 6,883 students, the overall prevalence rate of myopia was 47.50 %. The heritability of parental myopia was 66.57 % for boys, 67.82 % for girls, 65.02 % for the Han group, and 52.71 % for other ethnicities. There were additive interactions between parental myopia and poor reading and writing habits; among them, parental myopia and poor eye habits when reading and writing (the distance between the eyes and book is less than 30 cm when reading and writing, fingers block the sight of one eye while holding the pen, and leaning one's body when reading and writing; habit 1) increased the risk of myopia by 10.99 times (odds ratio [OR] = 10.99, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 8.33-14.68), parental myopia and poor reading posture (reading while lying down, walking, or in the car; habit 2) increased the risk of myopia by 5.92 times (OR = 5.92, 95 % CI = 4.84-7.27). There was no multiplicative interaction between parental myopia and habit 1 or habit 2 (OR = 0.69, 95 % CI = 0.44-1.08; OR = 0.89, 95 % CI = 0.66-1.21, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of myopia among students in Urumqi, Xinjiang is relatively high. The risk of developing myopia is affected by parental myopia and poor reading and writing habits. In addition, parental myopia amplifies the harm caused by poor reading and writing habits, thereby increasing the risk of myopia. Students with parents who have myopia should be targeted during myopia prevention efforts.

Prevalence and influencing risk factors of eczema among preschool children in Urumqi city: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Eczema is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with impaired quality of life. We identified indoor environmental risk factors, to provide strong evidence for the prevention and control of eczema in preschool children. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study with stratified random cluster sampling, we conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey among 8153 parents of children aged 2-8 years in 60 kindergartens in six districts of Urumqi city during August 2019. RESULTS: Among 8153 preschool children, 12.0% of the children have been diagnosed with eczema. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that caesarean section (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.36), being an only child (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.18-1.57), presence of mould or moisture in the mother's home before pregnancy (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.17-2.00), presence of flies or mosquitoes in the dwelling currently (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10-1.55), pets kept in the child's home currently (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01-1.51), presence of pets during child's first year (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.14-1.85), and family history of eczema (OR = 3.53, 95% CI: 2.98-4.19) are the risk factors for the development of eczema, whereas ethnicity other than the Han Chinese (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61-0.96) is a protective factor for eczema. CONCLUSION: Preschool children in Urumqi are at a high risk of eczema, particularly those of the Han Chinese ethnicity. Parents should be attentive to the indoor living environment of children and take actions to reduce indoor humidity, pest control and elimination, and avoid raising pets to reduce the risk of development of eczema in children.