The impact of green bond issuance on carbon emission intensity and path analysis.

Reducing carbon emission intensity is crucial for achieving sustainable development. Carbon emission intensity is expressively affected by the issuance of green bonds. Thus, it is imperative to assess the influence of green bond issuance on carbon emissions and examine their correlation. Such research holds great potential to expedite the overhaul and modernization of businesses and to construct a circular economy system. This paper uses the spatial Durbin model to draw empirical conclusions by using data from 26 provinces in China between 2016 and 2021. Firstly, under different spatial matrices, it has been analyzed that an increase of 1% in the issuance of green bonds leads to a reduction of 0.306% or 0.331% in carbon emission intensity. It shows that green bonds have the potential to substantially reduce carbon intensity. Additionally, the intensity of emissions in the current period is driven by the intensity of emissions in the previous period. Secondly, the analysis of mediated transmission suggests that green bonds can ultimately reduce carbon emission intensity by changing the energy consumption structure or improving the efficiency of green technology innovation. Thirdly, the analysis of heterogeneity shows that the inhibitory effect of green bond issuance on carbon emissions is stronger in less economically developed regions than in economically developed regions. There is a significant inhibitory effect of green bond issuance in neighboring provinces on local carbon emission intensity. This effect is present only in provinces in less economically developed regions and not in economically developed regions.

Identifying and Validating an Angiogenesis-related Signature for the Prognosis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

AIMS: The present study aimed todevelop a prognostic model for HNSCC treatment on the basis of angiogenesis-related signatures. BACKGROUND: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most frequent malignancy with poor prognostic outcomes in the head and neck. Angiogenesis plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and is expected to be an effective therapeutic target. OBJECTIVE: The RNA-seq dataset TCGA-HNSCC and the hallmark gene set were used for angiogenesis-related RiskScore model construction. METHODS: The RNA-seq data was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the hallmark gene set was used to measure the angiogenesis score using the GSVA R package. Then, the optimal cutoff point for prognostic classification was calculated by the survminer package, and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify angiogenesis gene modules . Multi/univariable and Lasso Cox analyses were performed to develop the RiskScore model, and the classifier efficiency was evaluated by the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC). Furthermore, a nomogram was designed for survival probability prediction, and the immune infiltration and immunotherapy differences among different risk patients were assessed. RESULTS: After calculating the angiogenesis score, we found that this indicator and patients' prognosis were closely correlated, especially when patients with a high angiogenesis score had a poor prognosis. Then, WGCNA identified a blue gene module positively correlated with angiogenesis. Multivariate and Lasso Cox analysis further identified 9 risk model genes for developing a RiskScore, which was used to divide low- and high- -risk groups of patients. Those with a high risk tended to show poor prognosis, immune infiltration, and higher immune escape. Finally, a nomogram was developed to optimize the risk model, and it exhibited excellent short- and long-term survival prediction performance. CONCLUSION: We constructed a reliable RiskScore model for the prognostic prediction of HNSCC patients, contributing to precise therapeutic intervention of the cancer.

Survival benefit of local consolidative therapy for patients with single-organ metastatic pancreatic cancer: a propensity score-matched cross-sectional study based on 17 registries.

Background: The continuous exploration of oligometastatic disease has led to the remarkable achievements of local consolidative therapy (LCT) and favorable outcomes for this disease. Thus, this study investigated the potential benefits of LCT in patients with single-organ metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: Patients with single-organ metastatic PDAC diagnosed between 2010 - 2019 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to minimize selection bias. Factors affecting survival were assessed by Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier estimates. Results: A total of 12900 patients were identified from the database, including 635 patients who received chemotherapy combined with LCT with a 1:1 PSM with patients who received only chemotherapy. Patients with single-organ metastatic PDAC who received chemotherapy in combination with LCT demonstrated extended median overall survival (OS) by approximately 57%, more than those who underwent chemotherapy alone (11 vs. 7 months, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that patients that received LCT, younger age (< 65 years), smaller tumor size (< 50 mm), and lung metastasis (reference: liver) were favorable prognostic factors for patients with single-organ metastatic PDAC. Conclusion: The OS of patients with single-organ metastatic pancreatic cancer who received LCT may be prolonged compared to those who received only chemotherapy. Nevertheless, additional prospective randomized clinical trials are required to support these findings.

Comparison of the composition and function of gut microbes between adult and juvenile Cipangopaludina chinensis in the rice snail system.

Cipangopaludina chinensis is an important economic value snail species with high medicinal value. The gut microbes of aquatic animals plays a vital role in food digestion and nutrient absorption. Herein, we aimed at high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA to further investigate whether there were differences in the composition and function of gut microbes of adult and juvenile C. chinensis snails, as well as sediments. This study found that the microbial diversity of the sediment was significantly higher than that of the snails gut (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between the gut flora of adult and juvenile snails (P > 0.05). A total of 47 phyla and 644 genera were identified from all samples. Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia were the two dominant phyla in all samples, and overall relative abundances was 48.2% and 14.2%, respectively. Moreover, the relative abundances of Aeromonas and Luteolibacter in the gut of juvenile snails (30.8%, 11.8%) were higher than those of adults (27.7%, 10.6%) at the genus level (P > 0.05). Then, four indicator genera were found, namely Flavobacterium, Silanimonas, Geobacter and Zavarzinella, and they abundance in the gut of juvenile snails was significantly higher than that of adults (P < 0.05). This results imply the potential development of Silanimonas as a bait for juvenile snail openings. We observed that Aeromonas was the primary biomarker of the snail gut and sediments (P < 0.001), and it may be a cellulose-degrading bacteria. Function prediction revealed significantly better biochemical function in the snail gut than sediments (P < 0.001), but no significant differences in adult and juvenile snail (P > 0.05). In conclusion, studies show that the snail gut and sediment microbial composition differ, but the two were very similar. The microbial composition of the snail gut was relatively stable and has similar biological functions. These findings provide valuable information for in-depth understanding of the relationship between snails and environmental microorganisms.

First-Line Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Combined With Local Consolidative Radiation Therapy for Elderly Patients With Oligometastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring EGFR Activating Mutations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of combined applications of local consolidative radiation therapy (LCRT) and first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for the treatment of primary tumors and oligometastatic sites in oligometastatic NSCLC harboring Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) activating mutations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Elderly patients with oligometastatic NSCLC (≤5 metastases) harboring EGFR activating mutations at the time of diagnosis were identified. They were treated with first-line TKIs alone or in combination with LCRT. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated through the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 122 elderly patients were enrolled between February 2010 and January 2018. Among them, 41.0% (n = 50) received TKIs combined with LCRT (TKIs + LCRT group), whereas 59.0% (n = 72) received TKIs monotherapy (TKIs alone group). Patients were followed up for a median length of 34 months (ranging from 7.0 to 64 months). The median PFS in TKIs + LCRT group was 17 months (95%CI: 15.37-18.63), which was significantly longer than that of the TKIs-alone group (12 months; 95%CI: 11.05-12.95) (p <0.001). Median OS in TKIs + LCRT group was 38 months (95%CI: 35.61-40.39), while that of the TKIs-alone group was 29 months (95%CI: 26.86-31.14) (p <0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that LCRT, one to two metastases, and good ECOG PS were independent predictors for better PFS (p <0.001, p = 0.004, and p = 0.027). Moreover, LCRT, good ECOG PS, and T1-2 stage were independent predictors for better OS (p <0.001, p = 0.007 and p = 0.007). Most of the patients suffered from grade 1 to 2 toxicities, and treatment-related deaths were not recorded. CONCLUSION: First-line TKIs combined with LCRT may improve survival outcomes for elderly patients with oligometastatic NSCLC harboring EGFR activating mutations. This approach was not associated with much toxicity, therefore, it can be used for the treatment of elderly patients with oligometastatic disease.

Efficacy and Safety of Local Radiotherapy to All Oligometastatic Sites in Elderly Patients with Metachronous Oligometastatic Cancers After Initial Treatment for the Primary Tumor.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of maintenance therapy combined with local radiotherapy at all oligometastatic sites (LRTOS) in elderly patients with metachronous oligometastatic cancers (MOC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 242 elderly patients with MOC (≤5 metastases) and primary tumor well controlled after definitive treatment was retrospectively analyzed between August 2014 and February 2020 at Beijing Geriatric Hospital and Air Force General Hospital. Patients were divided into maintenance therapy group (maintenance therapy alone) and local radiotherapy group (maintenance therapy combined with LRTOS). RESULTS: There were 86 patients in the local radiotherapy group and 156 patients in the maintenance therapy group. The median length of follow-up was 36 months (range, 8.0-62 months). Median overall survival (mOS) was 25 months (95% CI: 21.1-28.9) in the local radiotherapy group and 16 months (95% CI: 14.5-17.6) in the maintenance therapy group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that LRTOS (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.35-0.67, p < 0.001), good Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS, HR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49-0.97, p = 0.032), longer duration between diagnosis of primary tumor and occurrence of progression (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78-0.97, p = 0.015), and subsequent systemic treatment (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.38-0.72, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of good OS. In patients who did not receive subsequent systemic treatment, their mOS was 21 months (95% CI: 12.8-29.2) for those treated with LRTOS and 14 months (95% CI: 11.4-16.6) for those who did not receive local radiotherapy (p = 0.001). Further multivariate analysis showed that LRTOS was the only independent factor for predicting good OS (HR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.26-0.83, p = 0.010). Patients with metachronous oligometastatic lung cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer had higher survival benefits following LRTOS. Most patients suffered from grade 1-2 toxicities, but no treatment-related death was recorded. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study shows that elderly patients with MOC treated with LRTOS may have better survival outcomes.

Predictors for intraoperative heart failure in children undergoing foreign-body removal.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine the predictors for intraoperative heart failure (HF) in children undergoing foreign-body removal. The clinical data of all children with tracheobronchial foreign-body aspiration admitted to the First, Second, and Fourth Affiliated Hospitals of Harbin Medical University between January 1996 and September 2018 were analyzed. The variables with significant difference in univariate analysis were involved into the multivariate Logistic model to determine the predictors for intraoperative tachycardia. In total, 300 tracheobronchial foreign-body aspiration children were eligible for the study, among whom 60 cases (20%) suffered from HF during the operation. Between the children HF and those without HF, the differences were pronounced in history of allergy, history of asthma, congenital heart disease, preoperative respiratory infection, retention time of foreign bodies, duration of operation, and poor anesthesia effect (P < .05). Multivariate analysis results showed that history of allergy (odds ratio [OR]: 1.395, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.202-1.620, P < .001), congenital heart disease [OR: 3.071, 95% CI: 1.141-8.264, P < .001], preoperative respiratory infection [OR: 2.345, 95% CI: 1.027-5.355, P = .043], retention time of foreign bodies [OR: 1.013, 95% CI: 1.010-1.016, P < .001], duration of operation [OR: 1.030, 95% CI: 1.027-1.033, P < .001], and poor anesthesia effect [OR: 1.125, 95% CI: 1.117-1.134, P < .001] were identified as the influencing factors for intraoperative HF. In conclusions, for children undergoing foreign-body removal, history of allergy, congenital heart disease, preoperative respiratory infection, retention time of foreign bodies, duration of operation, and poor anesthesia effect are associated with an increased risk of intraoperative HF.

Outcomes of Hypofractional Tomotherapy in Patients with Stage III Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Who Are Not Eligible for Surgery or Concurrent Chemoradiation.

PURPOSE: We assessed the clinical outcomes and toxicities following hypofractionation with helical tomographic intensity-modulated radiotherapy technology (tomotherapy) in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were not candidates for surgery or concurrent chemoradiation. METHODS: Forty-three patients with stage III NSCLC who were treated between 2011 and 2017 were enrolled. The prescription doses for gross target volume and clinical target volume were 70 Gy and 60 Gy (respectively) delivered in 15-25 fractions over 3-5 weeks. RESULTS: The median overall survival (OS) time was 34.23 (range 11.33-99.33) months. The estimated 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 97.7%, 74.4%, and 55.9%, respectively; the corresponding progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 79.1%, 53.5%, and 36.1%, respectively. The local disease recurrence, regional disease recurrence, and distant metastasis rates at 3 years were 4.7%, 11.62%, and 55.81%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, dose regimen (<19 f vs. ≥19 f) was an independent prognostic factor affecting OS, PFS, and DM (p < 0.05). Seven patients developed grade 1-2 acute radiation pneumonia (RP), 5 patients developed grade 1-2 late RP, while 3 patients developed grade 3 late RP. None of the patients developed grade 4-5 radiation lung injury. CONCLUSION: Tomotherapy may be an effective treatment option for patients with stage III NSCLC. It may be a viable alternative to surgery with lower incidence of side effects.

MicroRNA­195 is associated with regulating the pathophysiologic process of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be associated with the modulation of tumor development, including alterations associated with the development of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The present study was designed to investigate whether miRNA­195 was associated with the pathophysiologic process of human LSCC and to identify its potential roles and underlying molecular mechanisms. To determine whether miRNA­195 serves a role in LSCC, reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect miRNA­195 expression in LSCC tissues. The tumor­suppressive effect of miRNA­195 was determined by in vitro assays. Gain­of­function studies using miRNA­195 mimics were performed to investigate cell viability, migration and invasion, and apoptosis in the AMC­HN­8 cell line. Western blotting was performed to reveal the molecular mechanisms of miRNA­195 and its downstream signaling pathways in the LSCC AMC­HN­8 cell line. The present study demonstrated that miRNA­195 is downregulated in primary LSCC tumors. Upregulating miRNA­195 in vitro suppressed cell viability, migration and invasion in AMC­HN­8 cells. Overexpression of miRNA­195 alone in AMC­HN­8 cells was sufficient to induce cell apoptosis, as identified by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Compared with the high expression of miRNA­195 in AMC­HN­8 cells, the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor­II protein and downstream signaling pathway proteins, which were associated with cell viability, migration, invasion and apoptosis, were markedly decreased compared with control or miRNA­195 negative control treatment group. Together, these data suggest the therapeutic potential of miRNA­195 in modulating cell growth, migration and apoptosis during the pathophysiological progression of LSCC and that miRNA­195 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in human LSCC.

Promising Clinical Outcome With Long Term Follow-Up After Body Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients With Early Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Introduction: Stereotactic ablative radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is the standard treatment for patients with inoperable early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the body gamma knife SRS (ɤ-SRS) is a special SABR technology developed in China. This study prospectively assessed the clinical outcome, toxicity and cost following body ɤ-SRS for early stage NSCLC. Methods: From 2007 to 2010, a total of 29 patients with early stage NSCLC were prospectively enrolled in this study. The prescription dose for Planning Target Volume (PTV), Clinical Target Volume (CTV), and Gross Target Volume (GTV) were 50, 60, and 70 gray (Gy) in 10 fractions. Isodose curves of 50, 60, and 70% covered at least 100% of PTV, 90% of CTV, and 80% of GTV, respectively. The body ɤ-SRS was delivered 5 days per week and completed in 2 weeks. Results: Median follow-up time was 62.0 (range 11.1-140.3) months. 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rates were 93.1%, 72.0%, 60.3%; PFS rates were 86.2, 64.2 and 48.8%; and LR, RR, and DM rates were 10.9%, 21.4%, 29.0%. The median cost of the body ɤ-SRS during treatment was 4,838 (range 4,615-4,923) dollars and the median cost through 5 years was 36,960 (range 9920-56,824) dollars. Conclusion: With existing clinical data, the body ɤ-SRS is an effective treatment option for patients with medically inoperable early stage NSCLC or patients who do not prefer operation, as they may benefit from the minimized toxicity. Due to excellent cost effectiveness, the availability of the body ɤ-SRS will expand, especially in developing nations, and underdeveloped countries.