[Mechanism of Ganke Granules intervening acute lung injury based on network pharmacology and experimental verification].

This study aims to explore the potential mechanism of action in the intervention of acute lung injury(ALI) based on the blood entry components of Ganke Granules in rats and in conjunction with network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experimental validation. The blood entry components of Ganke Granules in rats were imported into the SwissTargetPrediction platform to predict drug targets, and ALI-related targets were collected from the disease database. Intersections were taken, and protein-protein interaction(PPI) networks were constructed to screen the core targets, followed by Gene Ontology(GO) functional and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and gnomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. A "blood entry components-target-pathway-disease" network was constructed, and the core components for disease intervention based on their topological parameters were screened. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding ability of the core components to key targets. The key targets of Ganke Granules in the intervention of ALI were verified by the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced ALI mouse model. Through PPI topological parameter analysis, the top six key targets of STAT3, SRC, HSP90AA1, MAPK3, HRAS, and MAPK1 related to ALI were obtained. GO functional analysis showed that it was mainly related to ERK1 and ERK2 cascade, inflammatory response, and response to LPS. KEGG analysis showed that the main enrichment pathways were MAPK, neutrophil extracellular trap(NET) formation, and so on. Six core components(schizantherin B, schisandrin, besigomsin, harpagoside, isotectorigenin, and trachelanthamine) were filtered out by the "blood entry components-target-pathway-disease" network based on the analysis of topological parameters. Molecular docking results showed that the six core components and Tectoridin with the highest content in the granules had a high affinity with the key targets of MAPK3, SRC, MAPK1, and STAT3. In vivo experiment results showed that compared with the model group, Ganke Granules could effectively alleviate LPS-induced histopathological injury in the lungs of mice and reduce the percentage of inflammatory infiltration. The total protein content, nitric oxide(NO) level, myeloperoxidase(MPO) content, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), gamma interferon(IFN-γ), interleukin-1ß(IL-1ß), interleukin-6(IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), and chemokine(C-X-C motif) ligand 1(CXCL1) chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were decreased, and the expression levels of lymphocyte antigen 6G(Ly6G), citrullinated histones 3(Cit-H3), and phosphorylated proteins SRC, ERK1/2, and STAT3 in lung tissue were significantly down-regulated. In conclusion, Ganke Granules could effectively inhibit the inflammatory response of ALI induced by LPS, protect lung tissue, regulate the release of inflammatory factors, and inhibit neutrophil infiltration and NET formation, and the mechanism of action may be related to inhibiting the activation of SRC/ERK1/2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the altered innate immunity in immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myocarditis.

Myocarditis has emerged as a rare but lethal immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated toxicity. However, the exact mechanism and the specific therapeutic targets remain underexplored. In this study, we aim to characterise the transcriptomic profiles based on single-cell RNA sequencing from ICI-related myocarditis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were collected from four groups for single-cell RNA sequencing: (1) patients with newly diagnosed lung squamous cell carcinoma before treatment (Control Group); (2) patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma with PD-1 inhibitor therapy who did not develop myocarditis (PD-1 Group); (3) patients during fulminant ICI-related myocarditis onset (Myocarditis Group); and (4) Patients with fulminant ICI-related myocarditis during disease remission (Recovery Group). Subcluster determination, functional analysis, single-cell trajectory and cell-cell interaction analysis were performed after scRNA-seq. Bulk-RNA sequencing was performed for further validation. Our results revealed the diversity of cellular populations in ICI-related myocarditis, marked by their distinct transcriptional profiles and biological functions. Monocytes, NKs as well as B cells contribute to the regulation of innate immunity and inflammation in ICI-related myocarditis. With integrated analysis of scRNA-seq and bulk sequencing, we identified S100A protein family as a potential serum marker for ICI-related myocarditis. Our study has created a cell atlas of PBMC during ICI-related myocarditis, which would shed light on the pathophysiological mechanism and potential therapeutic targets of ICI-related myocarditis in continuous exploration.

[Effect of Kümmell's disease with kyphosis on spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Kümmell's disease with kyphosis on the sagittal morphology of the spine-pelvis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 34 patients of Kümmell's disease with kyphosis （Kümmell group） admitted from August 2015 to September 2022, including 10 males and 24 females with an average age of （71.1±8.5） years old. A control group of 37 asymptomatic population aged （69.3±6.7） years old was matched. Spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters were measured on the anterior-posterior and lateral X-rays of the whole spine in the standing position, including segmental kyphosis（SK） or thoracolumbar kyphosis（TLK）, thoracic kyphosis（TK）, lumbar lordosis（LL）, pelvic incidence（PI）, pelvic tilt（PT）, sacral slope（SS）, sagittal vertical axis（SVA）, T1 pelvic angle（TPA） and PI-LL. Vertebral wedge angle（WA） in Kümmell was measured and differences in parameters among groups were analyzed and the relationship between spino-pelvic parameters and WA, SK were also investigated. RESULTS: TK, SK, PT, SVA, TPA and PI-LL in Kümmell group were significantly larger than those in control group （P<0.05）, LL and SS in Kümmell group were significantly decreased than those in control group （P<0.05）, and there was no significant difference in PI between two groups （P>0.05）. In Kümmell group, WA（30.8±5.9）° showed a positive correlation with SK and TK（r=0.366, 0.597, P<0.05）, and SK was significantly correlated with LL and SS（r=0.539, -0.591, P<0.05）. Strong positive correlation between LL and PI, SS, SVA, TPA, PI-LL were also confirmed in patients with Kümmell with kyphosis（r=0.559, 0.741, -0.273, -0.356, -0.882, P<0.05）. CONCLUSION: Patients with Kümmell with kyphosis not only have segmental kyphosis, but also changes the overall spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters, including loss of lumbar lordosis, pelvic retrorotation, trunk forward tilt. The surgical treatment of Kümmell disease should not only pay attention to the recovery of the height of the collapsed vertebra, but also focus on the overall balance of the spine-pelvic sagittal plane for patients with kyphosis.

3D-Printed river-type thick carbon electrodes for docking possible practical application-level capacitive deionization.

The low carbon mass loading along with serious imbalance between the carbon mass loading and the electrode performance greatly hinders practical applications of capacitive deionization (CDI). Traditional thick bulk-type (BT) carbon electrodes often suffer from extremely limited active sites, thereby being vital to explore a basic strategy to unlock the performance. Herein, 3D-printed thick carbon electrodes were utilized for CDI desalination for the first time. The experimental outcomes revealed that BT electrodes existed a serious salt adsorption capacity (SAC) drop under variable mass loading of 3-30 mg/cm2. In contrary, 3D-printed river-type (RT) electrodes acquired a superior SAC of 10.67 mg/g and achieved 54.1 % SAC rise compared with that of BT electrodes (500 mg/L; 1.0 V; 30 mg/cm2). Meanwhile, RT electrodes took only 12 min to reach the equilibrium SAC of BT electrodes, being 44 min faster. Further, RT electrodes with diverse mass loading of 30-45 mg/cm2 were investigated, and it still kept 7.13 mg/g SAC under ultrahigh mass loading of 45 mg/cm2. This strategy has been successfully extended and carbons with proper micro-meso pore distribution, high specific capacitances and low resistance may be a better selection. Besides, the impact of electrode channel structure on the desalting performance was investigated, and the influence mechanism was revealed via COMSOL simulation. Overall, this work demonstrates the splendid feasibility of utilizing 3D-printed thick carbon electrodes for possible practical application-level CDI desalination.

[Treatment of acetabular fracture involving quadrilateral body by external rectus abdominis incision combined with calcaneal profiled plate internal fixation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of lateral rectus abdominis incision combined with winged calcaneal plate on pelvic and acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral body. METHODS: From January 2017 to April 2021, 21 cases of pelvic and acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral bodies were retrospectively analyzed, including 12 males and 9 females. The age ranged from 21 to 73 years with an average of (43.23±6.45) years. All patients were treated by lateral incision of rectus abdominis combined with open reduction and internal fixation with aerofoil plate, including 12 cases of pelvis with anterior and posterior column fractures, 7 cases of acetabular fractures with quadrilateral involvement, and 2 cases of acetabular fractures with central dislocation. RESULTS: All 21 patients were followed up for 12 to 36 months with an average of (18.60±6.45) months. All fractures healed. According to Matta's image reduction evaluation after operation, 11 cases of pelvic anterior and posterior column fractures were all anatomic reduction, 1 case was satisfactory reduction, 7 cases of acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral were anatomic reduction, 1 case with central dislocation was anatomic reduction, and 1 case was satisfactory reduction. The modified Merle D'Aubigne Postel hip joint score was 13 to 17 points. CONCLUSION: Lateral incision approach of rectus abdominis combined with wing-shaped steel plate can obtain good radiological and clinical results in the treatment of complex pelvic and acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral bodies, and has advantages in the treatment of complex pelvic fractures and acetabular quadrilateral fractures.

Research progress of microRNAs involved in hematopoiesis.

Hematopoiesis plays an important role(s) in maintenance and physiology of life. Hematopoiesis in vertebrates mainly includes self-renewal of the hematopoietic stem cells, proliferation and differentiation of the hematopoietic progenitor cells, and maturation of the blood cells. The regulation of hematogenesis involves a variety of transcription factors, membrane receptors, hematopoietic growth factors, and microRNAs, which interact with each other and form a variety of signaling pathways and signal networks. MicroRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs widely distributed in eukaryotic cells and play important roles in the hematopoietic process. The expression of microRNAs is regulated by transcription factors involved in hematopoietic signaling pathways. In turn, their expression can inhibit or down-regulate those of transcription factors involved in hematopoietic related signaling pathways and other related regulatory factors, thereby affecting the signaling pathways related to hematopoiesis and ultimately the hematopoietic process. In this review, we introduce the hematopoiesis processes and related signal pathways in vertebrates, focusing on the relationships between microRNAs and hematopoietic transcription factors and signal pathways, and summarizing the recent research progress of microRNAs in hematopoiesis.

Exploring the 4d1analogue of cuprates: theoretical studies on bulk NbF4and NbF4monolayer stabilized on MgO (001) plane.

The recent research in infinite-layer nickelates has inspired new effort in finding the cuprate analogs. Here we propose that NbF4, which contains niobium-centered fluorine octahedra, is a promising 4d1analogue of cuprates. Using the density functional theory, we first show that bulk NbF4is in close proximity tod1configuration, with Nb4dxyorbital nearly half-filled. A single band with dominating4dxycharacter crosses the Fermi level, forming a square-like Fermi surface. The intralayer G-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) order is energetically favored and the Coulomb interaction drives the system into an AFM insulator. Next we demonstrate that the NbF4layer can be stabilized on MgO substrate with main electronic and magnetic features retained, offering an alternative route to realize the NbF4-related high-Tcsuperconductors. Furthermore, we derive effective single orbital models for both systems and investigate the electron correlation effects via functional renormalization group. We find that the G-type AFM dominates near half-filling butdx2-y2-wave superconductivity (SC) prevails upon suitable hole/electron doping. Based on the striking similarities between NbF4and cuprates, we suggest that NbF4-related compounds may be exotic candidates for searching new high-Tcsuperconductors.

Tunable quantum criticalities in an isospin extended Hubbard model simulator.

Studying strong electron correlations has been an essential driving force for pushing the frontiers of condensed matter physics. In particular, in the vicinity of correlation-driven quantum phase transitions (QPTs), quantum critical fluctuations of multiple degrees of freedom facilitate exotic many-body states and quantum critical behaviours beyond Landau's framework1. Recently, moiré heterostructures of van der Waals materials have been demonstrated as highly tunable quantum platforms for exploring fascinating, strongly correlated quantum physics2-22. Here we report the observation of tunable quantum criticalities in an experimental simulator of the extended Hubbard model with spin-valley isospins arising in chiral-stacked twisted double bilayer graphene (cTDBG). Scaling analysis shows a quantum two-stage criticality manifesting two distinct quantum critical points as the generalized Wigner crystal transits to a Fermi liquid by varying the displacement field, suggesting the emergence of a critical intermediate phase. The quantum two-stage criticality evolves into a quantum pseudo criticality as a high parallel magnetic field is applied. In such a pseudo criticality, we find that the quantum critical scaling is only valid above a critical temperature, indicating a weak first-order QPT therein. Our results demonstrate a highly tunable solid-state simulator with intricate interplay of multiple degrees of freedom for exploring exotic quantum critical states and behaviours.

Anisotropic Scattering Caused by Apical Oxygen Vacancies in Thin Films of Overdoped High-Temperature Cuprate Superconductors.

There is a hot debate on the anomalous behavior of superfluid density ρ_{s} in overdoped La_{2-x}Sr_{x}CuO_{4} films in recent years. The linear drop of ρ_{s} at low temperatures implies the superconductors are clean, but the linear scaling between ρ_{s} (in the zero temperature limit) and the transition temperature T_{c} is a hallmark of the dirty limit in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) framework [I. Bozovic et al., Nature (London) 536, 309 (2016)NATUAS0028-083610.1038/nature19061]. This dichotomy motivated exotic theories beyond the standard BCS theory. We show, however, that such a dichotomy can be reconciled naturally by the role of increasing anisotropic scattering caused by the apical oxygen vacancies. Furthermore, the anisotropic scattering also explains the "missing" Drude weight upon doping in the optical conductivity, as reported in the THz experiment [F. Mahmood et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 122, 027003 (2019)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.122.027003]. Therefore, the overdoped cuprates can actually be described consistently by the d-wave BCS theory with the unique anisotropic scattering.

Measurement of the relative position of the femoral head center, greater trochanter, and lesser trochanter.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the relationship between the greater trochanter, the lesser trochanter, and the femoral head center is helpful to achieve satisfactory lower limb length in hip arthroplasty, and it may be more important when the contralateral side of the surgical hip cannot be referenced. This work aims to measure the relative position of the femoral head center, the greater trochanter, and the lesser trochanter, and analyze the relationship between these anatomical landmarks. METHODS: The femoral head diameter (D), the linear distance (G) from the femoral head center (C) to the greater trochanter, and the linear distance (L) from the femoral head center to the lesser trochanter were measured by pelvic X-ray. The basic information of the data was analyzed, the ratios of G to D and L to D were calculated, the functional relationship between the data was analyzed after the factors of gender and age were included, and the 95% reference intervals of the basic data and ratio data were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients with 194 hips were enrolled in this study. The diameter D was 5.08±0.43 cm, the distance G was 4.68±0.45 cm, and the distance L was 4.28±0.49 cm. The G/D ratio was 0.92±0.07, and the 95% reference range was 0.78-1.06. The L/D ratio was 0.84±0.08, and the 95% reference range was 0.68-1.00. Gender (g) was included in the regression analysis, and the regression equations G =1.890+0.536*D and L =1.129+0.620*D were obtained. Age was not related to the distances G and L. CONCLUSIONS: The basic data of G, D, and L was measured, and the relationship between these anatomical landmarks was analyzed.

Genome-Wide Profiling Reveals HPV Integration Pattern and Activated Carcinogenic Pathways in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant etiologic driver of penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC). The integration pattern of HPV and its carcinogenic mechanism in PSCC remain largely unclear. We retrospectively reviewed 108 PSCC cases who received surgery between 2008 and 2017. Using high-throughput viral integration detection, we identified 35 HPV-integrated PSCCs. Unlike cervical cancer, the HPV E2 oncogene was not prone to involvement in integration. Eleven of the 35 (31.4%) HPV-integrated PSCCs harbored intact HPV E2; these tumors had lower HPV E6 and E7 expression and higher expression of p53 and pRb proteins than those with disrupted E2 did (p < 0.001 and p = 0.024). Integration breakpoints are preferentially distributed in or near host genes, including previously reported hotspots (KLF5, etc.) and newly identified hotspots (CADM2, etc.), which are mainly involved in oncogenic signaling pathways (MAPK, JAK/STAT, etc.). Regarding the phosphorylation levels of JNK, p38 was higher in HPV-positive tumors with MAPK-associated integration than those in HPV-positive tumors with other integration and those in HPV-negative tumors. In vitro, KLF5 knockdown inhibited proliferation and invasion of PSCC cells, while silencing CADM2 promoted migration and invasion. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of HPV-induced carcinogenesis in PSCC, which may not only rely on the E6/E7 oncogenes, but mat also affect the expression of critical genes and thus activate oncogenic pathways.

Reducing autocorrelation time in determinant quantum Monte Carlo using the Wang-Landau algorithm: Application to the Holstein model.

When performing a Monte Carlo calculation, the running time should, in principle, be much longer than the autocorrelation time in order to get reliable results. Among different lattice fermion models, the Holstein model is notorious for its particularly long autocorrelation time. In this paper, we employ the Wang-Landau algorithm in the determinant quantum Monte Carlo to achieve the flat-histogram sampling in the "configuration weight space," which can greatly reduce the autocorrelation time by sacrificing some sampling efficiency. The proposal is checked in the Holstein model on both square and honeycomb lattices. Based on such a Wang-Landau assisted determinant quantum Monte Carlo method, some models with long autocorrelation times can now be simulated possibly.

[Analysis of related risk factors for the refracture of adjacent vertebral body after percutaneous kyphoplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of vertebral refracture after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoprotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs), and to provide reference for clinical prevention. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 228 OVCFs patients who met the inclusion criteria admitted from November 6, 2013 to December 14, 2018. There were 35 males and 193 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 3∶20, and aged 58 to 91 years with an average of (69.70±7.03) years. All patients were treated with PKP and had complete clinical data. According to whether refracture occurred after operation, they were divided into refracture group (24 cases) and non refracture group (204 cases). Factors that may be related to refracture (including gender, age, surgical segment, number of vertebral bodies in the surgical segment, whether combined with degenerative scoliosis, whether anti-osteoporosis treatment) were included in the univariate analyses, and the single factor analysis of statistically significant risk factors was carried out with multiple Logistic regression analysis to further clarify the independent risk factors for vertebral body refracture after PKP. Survival analysis was performed using the time of vertebral refracture after PKP as the end time of follow up, the occurrence of refracture after PKP as the endpoint event, and the presence or absence of degenerative lateral curvature as a variable factor. RESULTS: All 228 patients were followed up for 1.8 to 63.6 months with an average of (28.8±15.6) months, and the refracture rate was 10.5%(24/228). There were statistically significant differences between two groups in age, number of operative vertebral bodies, whether combinedwith degenerative scoliosis and whether anti osteoporosis treatment (P<0.05). Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of vertebral bodies in the surgical segment and whether combined with degenerative scoliosis may be risk factors for refracture after PKP. Multiple Logistic regression analysis of the above possible risk factors showed that combined scoliosis was an independent risk factor for vertebral refracture of the vertebral body. Survival analysis showed that the mean survival time was 42.1 months, the P value was 0.00, and the mean 95% confidence interval was 34.4-49.7 months, indicating that the combination of degenerative lateral bending might be related to the occurrence of refracture. CONCLUSION: Combined scoliosis is an independent risk factor for refracture after OVCFs vertebroplasty, and it is also a possible high-risk factor for refracture after surgery.

Improved Perioperative Sleep Quality or Quantity Reduces Pain after Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of improved perioperative sleep on pain, analgesic consumption, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients who were undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: Original studies published from 1 January 1970 to 30 September 2020 were queried in three unique databases using a common search term. The searches sought randomized controlled trials (RCT) investigating the effectiveness of sleep quality or quantity interventions for pain control early after TKA or THA. Grey literature was also searched by screening trial registers. There was no limitation on published language and patients. Two reviewers then assessed studies for eligibility. Eligible studies should have primary outcomes including perioperativeWe have comfirmed the edits. visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score and analgesic consumption; and secondary outcomes including side effects, such as PONV. Data extracted from the literature were abstracted into a comma-separated database spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel. A meta-analysis was then performed. Pooled statistics were calculated with weighting by inverse variance assuming a random effect model. I2 was calculated as a quantifier of heterogeneity and interpreted according to the Cochrane manual. All data analysis was performed using Revman software. RESULTS: From a total of 1285 potential records identified in the electronic search, six studies eventually fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The six controlled RCTs consisted of 207 patients in the sleep-improving group and 209 patients in the control group. The severity of rest pain was significantly lower in the sleep-improving group compared with the control group at day 1 and day 3 postoperatively; the severity of active pain was significantly lower in the sleep-improving group compared with the control group at day 3 postoperatively. Data concerning analgesic drugs could not undergo a meta-analysis due to the difference of eligible studies. No significant difference was found in the incidence of PONV between the sleep-improving group and the control group. CONCLUSION: Improved perioperative sleep, regardless of quality or quantity, could significantly reduce the pain level at the early stage after TKA or THA, thus the total amount of analgesic drugs consumed was decreased, without significant increase in the incidence of PONV.

Epidemiology of Takayasu arteritis in Shanghai: A hospital-based study and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a rare large vessel vasculitis, and epidemiological data on TAK are lacking in China. Thus, we designed this study to estimate the TAK prevalence and incidence in residential Shanghai, China. METHODS: Data on diagnosed TAK cases aged over 16 years were retrieved from 22 tertiary hospitals in Shanghai through hospital electronic medical record systems between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017 to estimate the prevalence and incidence. A systematic literature review based on searches in PubMed, Ovid-Medline, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was performed to summarize TAK distribution across the world. RESULTS: In total 102 TAK patients, with 64% female, were identified. The point prevalence (2015-2017) was 7.01 (95% CI 5.65-8.37) cases per million, and the mean annual incidence was 2.33 (1.97-3.21) cases per million. The average age of TAK patients was 44 ± 16 years, with the highest prevalence (11.59 [9.23-19.50] cases per million) and incidence (3.55 [0.72 3.74] cases per million) in the 16 to 34 years population. Seventeen reports were included in the system review, showing that the epidemiology of TAK varied greatly across the world. The incidence and prevalence were both relatively higher in Asian countries, with the prevalence ranging 3.3-40 cases per million and annual incidence ranging 0.34-2.4 cases per million. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and incidence of TAK in Shanghai was at moderate to high levels among the previous reports. The disease burden varied globally among racial populations.

VISTA and PD-L1 synergistically predict poor prognosis in patients with extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma.

Although PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy confers salutary effects across cancer types, their efficacy in Extranodal Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) patients is limited and unpredictable. Here, we comprehensively evaluated the expression profile of a panel of immune-regulatory makers to identify novel prognostic biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for this malignancy. Using immunohistochemistry and multiplex immunofluorescence, we found that the expression of VISTA (88.1%) was predominantly in CD68+ macrophages and much higher than PD-L1 expression (68.7%) in ENKTCL. B7-H4 and HHLA2 proteins were not detected in ENKTCL. B7-H3 was expressed in minority of ENKTCL patients (13.7%) and mainly colocalized with CD31. A close correlation was detected between VISTA and PD-L1, but they were not co-expressed in the same cells. High expressions of VISTA or PD-L1 were significantly associated with detrimental clinicopathological characteristics, dismal prognosis, and high density of CD8+ TILs, and high VISTA expression was also significantly associated with high density of Foxp3+ TILs. VISTA combined with PD-L1 was an independent prognostic factor for PFS and OS. Moreover, the patients with high VISTA showed a poor response to PD-1 blockades in ENKTCL. In conclusion, these findings provide a rationale for VISTA as an ideal immunotherapeutic target next to PD-L1 for ENKTCL.

Observation of Distinct Spatial Distributions of the Zero and Nonzero Energy Vortex Modes in (Li_{0.84}Fe_{0.16})OHFeSe.

The energy and spatial distributions of vortex bound state in superconductors carry important information about superconducting pairing and the electronic structure. Although discrete vortex states, and sometimes a zero energy mode, had been observed in several iron-based superconductors, their spatial properties are rarely explored. In this study, we used low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy to measure the vortex state of (Li,Fe)OHFeSe with high spatial resolution. We found that the nonzero energy states display clear spatial oscillations with a period corresponding to bulk Fermi wavelength; while in contrast, the zero energy mode does not show such oscillation, which suggests its distinct electronic origin. Furthermore, the oscillations of positive and negative energy states near E_{F} are found to be clearly out of phase. Based on a two-band model calculation, we show that our observation is more consistent with an s_{++} wave pairing in the bulk of (Li, Fe)OHFeSe, and superconducting topological states on the surface.

Comparison of Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy and Microendoscopic Discectomy for the Surgical Management of Symptomatic Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study with a Minimum of 2 Years' Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) and microendoscopic discectomy (MED) are alternative minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH). However, insufficient literature exists to highlight the differences between the procedures. OBJECTIVES: This study intended to clarify whether PTED results in better clinical outcomes compared with MED in the surgical management of single-level LDH. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter retrospective cohort study. SETTING: This study took place in 2 spinal minimally invasive centers in Beijing, China. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in consecutive patients diagnosed with symptomatic LDH receiving PTED or MED in 2 spinal minimally invasive centers from April 2009 to July 2016. A total of 1,053 patients were recruited, of which 632 underwent PTED and 421 underwent MED. All patients were followed with a minimum of 2 years; a set of clinical outcomes were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: The operation time was similar between groups (71.2 ± 15.1 minutes in the PTED group and 69.4 ± 12.5 minutes in the MED group; P = 0.518); length of incision was significantly shorter; intraoperative blood loss was less in the PTED group (P < 0.001); hospital stay was 3.6 ± 1.5 days in the PTED group and 5.4 ± 2.8 days in the MED group with significant differences detected (P = 0.018); however, intraoperative fluoroscopy was longer with significantly higher cost with the PTED group (P < 0.001). Transient dysesthesia and wound complications were more common in the MED group (P = 0.039 and P = 0.026, respectively); however, no significant differences were found with total complications (P = 0.139). Significant lower Visual Analog Scale pain score (back and leg) were detected on day 1 postoperatively (P = 0.007 and P = 0.018, respectively). No significant differences were found at all other time points (P > 0.05). Significantly better Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score was detected postoperatively at 1 month in the PTED group (19.6 ± 9.8 vs. 27.2 ± 9.3; P = 0.016); ODI score at other time points did not differ significantly between groups (P > 0.05). Modified MacNab criteria showed that most patients experienced excellent and good results with no significant differences between groups (P = 0.511). LIMITATION: This was a multicenter retrospective study wherein the surgeons may have introduced bias to the study. CONCLUSIONS: Both PTED and MED present to be an acceptable long-term efficacy for the treatment of LDH. Although PTED is associated with longer intraoperative fluoroscopy and a little more cost, it should still be considered superior to MED considering the benefits of lesser invasion, shorter hospital stays, quicker pain relief, and functional recovery.

Upregulation of iASPP ameliorates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes by upregulating Nrf2 signaling.

The inhibitor of apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (iASPP) acts as a key modulator of cellular protection against oxidative stress. In the present work, we assessed the role of iASPP in the regulation of cardiomyocyte injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). We found that H/R-exposed cardiomyocytes expressed decreased levels of iASPP. The upregulation of iASPP repressed H/R-induced injury by decreasing levels of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species production. The upregulation of iASPP increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and enhanced Nrf2 activation. The overexpression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 reversed iASPP-mediated promotion of Nrf2 activation. Nrf2 inhibition abrogated iASPP-mediated cardioprotective effects in H/R-exposed cardiomyocytes. Our work demonstrates that the upregulation of iASPP ameliorates H/R-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes via potentiating Nrf2 signaling via modulation of Keap1.