Identification and validation of ferroptosis-related gene SLC2A1 as a novel prognostic biomarker in AKI.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence reveals the key role of ferroptosis in the pathophysiological process of acute kidney injury (AKI). Our study aimed to investigate the potential ferroptosis-related gene in AKI through bioinformatics and experimental validation. METHODS: The AKI single-cell sequencing dataset was retrieved from the GEO database and ferroptosis-related genes were extracted from the GENECARD website. The potential differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes of AKI were selected. Functional enrichment analysis was performed. Machine learning algorithms were used to identify key ferroptosis-related genes associated with AKI. A multi-factor Cox regression analysis was used to construct a risk score model. The accuracy of the risk score model was validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We extensively explored the immune landscape of AKI using CIBERSORT tool. Finally, expressions of ferroptosis DEGs were validated in vivo and in vitro by Western blot, ICH and transfection experiments. RESULTS: Three hub genes (BAP1, MDM4, SLC2A1) were identified and validated by constructing drug regulatory network and subsequent screening using experimentally determined interactions. The risk mode showed the low-risk group had significantly better prognosis compared to high-risk group. The risk score was independently associated with overall survival. The ROC curve analysis showed that the prognosis model had good predictive ability. Additionally, CIBERSORT immune infiltration analysis suggest that the hub gene may influence cell recruitment and infiltration in AKI. Validation experiments revealed that SLC2A1 functions by regulating ferroptosis. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our study not only identifies SLC2A1 as diagnostic biomarker for AKI, but also sheds light on the role of it in AKI progression, providing novel insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of AKI.

A high-grade breast mucoepidermoid carcinoma without MAML2 rearrangement: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the breast is an extremely rare primary breast tumor. Between 1979 and June 2022, only 50 cases were reported. The pathological morphology and biological behavior of breast MEC remain poorly understood. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 47-year-old female was presented with a 10-day-old left breast mass detected by physical examination. DIAGNOSES: Ultrasonography could not distinguish whether the breast tumor was benign or malignant. After a biopsy of a breast tumor excision specimen, combined with immunohistochemical results, the patient was diagnosed with high-grade mucoepidermoid breast carcinoma. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent a modified radical mastectomy for her left breast. OUTCOMES: The patient was still free from local recurrence or metastases at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: A high-grade MEC case without MAML2 rearrangement shows good recovery without complications. The diagnosis was confirmed by histomorphology and immunohistochemical markers. It is sometimes necessary to distinguish it from adenosquamous, adenoid cystic, or mucinous carcinoma. The primary treatment is surgical resection, and the prognosis is closely related to the pathological grade.

Deciphering PDH1's role in mung bean domestication: a genomic perspective on pod dehiscence.

Mung bean (Vigna radiata) stands as a crucial legume crop in Asia, contributing to food security. However, our understanding of the underlying genetic foundation governing domesticated agronomic traits, especially those linked to pod architecture, remains largely unexplored. In this study, we delved into the genomic divergence between wild and domesticated mung bean varieties, leveraging germplasm obtained from diverse sources. Our findings unveiled pronounced variation in promoter regions (35%) between the two mung bean subpopulations, suggesting substantial changes in gene expression patterns during domestication. Leveraging transcriptome analysis using distinct reproductive stage pods and subpopulations, we identified candidate genes responsible for pod and seed architecture development, along with Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis. Notably, our research conclusively confirmed PDH1 as a parallel domesticated gene governing pod dehiscence in legumes. This study imparts valuable insights into the genetic underpinnings of domesticated agronomic traits in mung bean, and simultaneously highlighting the parallel domestication of pivotal traits within the realm of legume crops.

Characterizing complete mitochondrial genome of Aquilegia amurensis and its evolutionary implications.

BACKGROUND: Aquilegia is a model system for studying the evolution of adaptive radiation. However, very few studies have been conducted on the Aquilegia mitochondrial genome. Since mitochondria play a key role in plant adaptation to abiotic stress, analyzing the mitochondrial genome may provide a new perspective for understanding adaptive evolution. RESULTS: The Aquilegia amurensis mitochondrial genome was characterized by a circular chromosome and two linear chromosomes, with a total length of 538,736 bp; the genes included 33 protein-coding genes, 24 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and 3 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. We subsequently conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mitochondrial genomes of 18 Aquilegia species, which were roughly divided into two clades: the European-Asian clade and the North American clade. Moreover, the genes mttB and rpl5 were shown to be positively selected in European-Asian species, and they may help European and Asian species adapt to environmental changes. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we assembled and annotated the first mitochondrial genome of the adaptive evolution model plant Aquilegia. The subsequent analysis provided us with a basis for further molecular studies on Aquilegia mitochondrial genomes and valuable information on adaptive evolution in Aquilegia.

DCAF13 inhibits the p53 signaling pathway by promoting p53 ubiquitination modification in lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with the highest mortality worldwide. Abnormalities in the ubiquitin proteasome system are considered to be contributed to lung cancer progression with deleterious effects. DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 13 (DCAF13) is a substrate receptor of the E3 ubiquitin ligase CRL4, but its role in lung cancer remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of DCAF13 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). METHODS: So as to investigate the effect of DCAF13 on lung adenocarcinoma cell function using in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, we have identified the downstream targets of DCAF13 by using RNA-sequencing, as well as ubiquitination assays, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and chromatin immunoprecipitation - qPCR experiments. RESULTS: Our findings reveal that DCAF13 is a carcinogenic factor in LUAD, as it is highly expressed and negatively correlated with clinical outcomes in LUAD patients. Through RNA-sequencing, it has been shown that DCAF13 negatively regulates the p53 signaling pathway and inhibits p53 downstream targets including p21, BAX, FAS, and PIDD1. We also demonstrate that DCAF13 can bind to p53 protein, leading to K48-linked ubiquitination and degradation of p53. Functionally, we have shown that DCAF13 knockdown inhibits cell proliferation and migration. Our results highlight the significant role of DCAF13 in promoting LUAD progression by inhibiting p53 protein stabilization and the p53 signaling pathway. Furthermore, our findings suggest that high DCAF13 expression is a poor prognostic indicator in LUAD, and DCAF13 may be a potential therapeutic target for treating with this aggressive cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The DCAF13 as a novel negative regulator of p53 to promote LUAD progression via facilitating p53 ubiquitination and degradation, suggesting that DCAF13 might be a novel biomarker and therapeutical target for LUAD.

The Circular RNA circFOXK2 Enhances the Tumorigenesis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Through the miR-149-3p/IL-6 Axis.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are the non-coding types of RNAs and are thoughts to be linked with human cancer progression. circFOXK2 is believed to be associated with cancers, however, the molecular mechanisms of circFOXK2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are still unclear. Here we firstly reported that circFOXK2 enhances the tumorigenesis of NSCLC through the miR-149-3p/IL-6 axis. The expression of circFOXK2, microRNA-149-3p (miR-149-3p) and IL-6 were assessed by qRT-PCR and western blot. Transwell, colony formation, wound healing, and CCK-8 assays were used to elucidate NSCLC cells' proliferation, migration, and invasion. MiR-149-3p interaction with circFOXK2 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay (DLRGA). Furthermore, the biological effect of circFOXK2 on NSCLC progression was detected by tumor xenograft assay. CircFOXK2 were upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells, miR-149-3p were downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. In addition, circFOXK2 stimulated NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Mechanical analysis indicated that circFOXK2 modulated IL-6 via miR-149-3p sponging. Furthermore, circFOXK2 overexpression promoted tumor growth in vivo. Overall, this research verified that circFOXK2 enhances the tumorigenesis of NSCLC through the miR-149-3p/IL-6 axis.

The positive efficacy of dexmedetomidine on the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing renal transplantation: evidence from meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Whether dexmedetomidine (DEX), an anesthetic adjuvant, can improve renal transplant outcomes is not clear. METHODS: We systematically identified clinical trials in which DEX was administered in renal transplantation (RT). On November 1, 2022, we searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/. The main outcomes were delayed graft function and acute rejection. RESULTS: A total of seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that compared with the control, DEX significantly reduced the occurrence of delayed graft function (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.60-0.98), short-term serum creatinine [postoperative day (POD) 2: (MD -22.82; 95% CI -42.01 - -3.64)] and blood urea nitrogen [POD 2: (MD -2.90; 95% CI -5.10 - -0.70); POD 3: (MD 2.07; 95% CI -4.12 - -0.02)] levels, postoperative morphine consumption (MD -4.27; 95% CI -5.92 - -2.61) and the length of hospital stay (MD -0.85; 95% CI-1.47 - -0.23). However, DEX did not reduce the risk of postoperative acute rejection (RR 0.75; 95% CI 0.45-1.23). The results of the subgroup analysis showed that country type, donor type, and average age had a certain impact on the role of DEX. CONCLUSIONS: DEX may improve the short-term clinical outcome of RT and shorten the length of hospital stay of patients.

Anlotinib in patients with recurrent platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer: a prospective, single arm, phase II study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib in patients with platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer. METHODS: In this prospective, single arm, phase II study, patients with platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer received anlotinib (12 mg once daily; days 1-14; 21 days per cycle) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or study withdrawal. The study was conducted between May 2019 and May 2021. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. Secondary endpoints were disease control rate, progression free survival, overall survival, and safety. An exploratory biomarker analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation of baseline TP53 mutation status with outcomes. RESULTS: 33 of 34 enrolled patients received at least one dose of anlotinib. The objective response rate was 31.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 16.1% to 50.0%), with 2 (6.3%) complete and 8 (25.0%) partial responses. In total, 14 (43.8%) patients achieved stable disease, resulting in a disease control rate of 75.0% (95% CI 56.6% to 88.5%). With a median follow-up of 4.6 months (range 0.5-17.2) at data cut-off (September 16, 2022), median progression free survival was 5.3 months (95% CI 4.04 to 6.56) and median overall survival was not reached. In a subgroup analysis, patients with a TP53 mutation showed a trend towards worse progression free survival than those with the wild-type TP53 (4.4 months vs 8.4 months; hazard ratio 2.48 (95% CI 0.91 to 6.76), p=0.067). Common adverse events were hypertension (42.4%), hand-foot syndrome (27.3%), and fatigue (24.2%). Grade 3 events were reported in 3 (9.1%) patients and no grade 4-5 events or deaths were observed. CONCLUSION: Anlotinib showed antitumor activity with an acceptable safety profile in patients with platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer, and it might be a potential treatment in this population.

Carnosine attenuates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting GPX4-mediated ferroptosis.

Increasing evidence and our preliminary work have revealed the significant role of ferroptosis in acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Carnosine (Car), a dipeptide consisting of ß-alanine and L-histidine, has been shown to ameliorate HG-induced tubular epithelial cells inflammation. Whether Car exerts protective effects on AKI, and its molecular mechanism have not been clarified. Our in vivo and in vitro IR-AKI mouse models demonstrated that Car alleviates kidney injury, inflammation and ferroptosis. In hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) induced human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK2), Car treatment reduced lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation, suppressed oxidative stress, and inhibited ferroptosis. Through cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and molecular docking, we identified GPX4 as a potential target that binds with Car. Further study showed that overexpressed GPX4 had a comparable protective effect on HK2 cells under HR conditions, similar to Car. Additionally, our findings demonstrated that Car exhibited similar anti-ferroptosis effects in both folic acid (FA)-induced AKI mouse models and Erastin induced HK2 cells. In conclusion, our results highlight that Car alleviate renal IR injury by inhibiting GPX4-mediated ferroptosis. Car shows promise as a potential therapeutic drug for IR-AKI and other diseases associated with ferroptosis.

STING/ACSL4 axis-dependent ferroptosis and inflammation promote hypertension-associated chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension is a primary modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which often induces renal end-organ damage and complicates chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the present study, histological analysis of human kidney samples revealed that hypertension induced mtDNA leakage and promoted the expression of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in renal epithelial cells. We used angiotensin II (AngII)- and 2K1C-treated mouse kidneys to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Abnormal renal mtDNA packing caused by AngII promoted STING-dependent production of inflammatory cytokines, macrophage infiltration, and a fibrogenic response. STING knockout significantly decreased nuclear factor-κB activation and immune cell infiltration, attenuating tubule atrophy and extracellular matrix accumulation in vivo and in vitro. These effects delayed CKD progression. Immunoprecipitation assays and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry showed that STING and ACSL4 were directly combined at the D53 and K412 amino acids of ACSL4. Furthermore, STING induced renal inflammatory response and fibrosis through ACSL4-dependent ferroptosis. Last, inhibition of ACSL4 using small interfering RNA, rosiglitazone, or Fer-1 downregulated AngII-induced mtDNA-STING-dependent renal inflammation. These results suggest that targeting the STING/ACSL4 axis might represent a potential strategy for treating hypertension-associated CKD.

The survival benefit from surgery on patients with large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the lung: a propensity-score matching study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of surgery in large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNC) patients. METHODS: A total of 453 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database diagnosed with stage T1-4N0-2M0 LCNC from 2010 to 2015 were analyzed. The propensity-score matching analysis with a ratio of 1:1 was used to minimize the bias effect of other clinical characteristics, and 77 pairs of patients' data were performed for subsequent statistical analysis. The Cox proportional hazards model, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Log-rank test were used in the present study. The primary observational endpoint was cancer-specific survival (CSS). RESULTS: The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year CSS rates were 60.0%, 45.0%, and 42.0% in those 453 LCNC patients. Compared with patients who underwent surgical resection, patients without surgery had a lower 5-year CSS rate (18.0% vs. 52.0%, P < 0.001). After analyses of multivariable Cox regression, chemotherapy, T stage, N stage, and surgery were identified as independent prognostic indicators (all P < 0.05). In the cohort of old patients, the median survival time was longer in cases after surgery than those without surgery (13.0 months vs. NA, P < 0.001). Besides, in patients with different clinical characteristics, the receiving surgery was a protective prognostic factor (all hazard ratio < 1, all P < 0.05). In addition, for the cohort with stage T1-2N0-2M0, patients after the operation had more improved outcomes than patients without surgery (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We proposed that the surgery could improve the survival outcomes of LCNC patients with stage T1-4N0-2M0. Moreover, old patients could benefit from surgery.

Polydopamine-modification of a magnetic composite constructed from citric acid-cross-linked cyclodextrin and graphene oxide for dye removal from waters.

The effect of polydopamine (PDA) modification on aminated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NH2)/graphite oxide (GO)/ß-cyclodextrin polymer cross-linked by citric acid (CDP-CA) composites were studied for the removal of a cationic dye (methylene blue, MB) and an anionic dye (Congo red, CR) from waters. The micro-structural and magnetic characterizations confirmed the successful preparation of Fe3O4-NH2/GO/CDP-CA and PDA/Fe3O4-NH2/GO/CDP-CA composites. The maximum MB and CR adsorption capacities of Fe3O4-NH2/GO/CDP-CA were 75 mg/g and 104 mg/g, respectively, while the corresponding amounts for PDA/Fe3O4-NH2/GO/CDP-CA composite were 195 mg/g and 64 mg/g, respectively. The dye sorption behaviors of these two composites were explained by their corresponding surface-charged properties according to the measured zeta potential results. Moreover, the high saturation magnetizations and the stable dye removal rate in the adsorption-desorption cycles indicated the good recyclability and reusability of the fabricated composites.

Geographic-genomic and geographic-phenotypic differentiation of the Aquilegia viridiflora complex.

How species diverge into different lineages is a central issue in evolutionary biology. Despite the increasing evidence indicating that such divergences do not need geographic isolation, the correlation between lineage divergence and the adaptive ecological divergence of phenotype corresponding to distribution is still unknown. In addition, gene flow has been widely detected during and through such diverging processes. We used one widely distributed Aquilegia viridiflora complex as a model system to examine genomic differentiation and corresponding phenotypic variations along geographic gradients. Our phenotypic analyses of 20 populations from northwest to northeast China identified two phenotypic groups along the geographic cline. All examined traits are distinct from each other, although a few intermediate individuals occur in their contacting regions. We further sequenced the genomes of representative individuals of each population. However, four distinct genetic lineages were detected based on nuclear genomes. In particular, we recovered numerous genetic hybrids in the contact regions of four lineages. Gene flow is widespread and continuous between four lineages but much higher between contacting lineages than geographically isolated lineages. Gene flow and natural selection might result in inconsistency between heredity and phenotype. Moreover, many genes with fast lineage-specific mutations were identified to be involved in local adaptation. Our results suggest that both geographic isolation and local selection exerted by the environment and pollinators may together create geographic distributions of phenotypic variations as well as the underlying genomic divergences in numerous lineages.

Feasibility of 3.0 T balanced fast field echo non-contrast-enhanced whole-heart coronary magnetic resonance angiography.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common diseases seriously harmful to human health caused by atherosclerosis. Besides coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and invasive coronary angiography (ICA), coronary magnetic resonance angiography (CMRA) has become an alternative examination. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of 3.0 T free-breathing whole-heart non-contrast-enhanced coronary magnetic resonance angiography (NCE-CMRA). Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, the NCE-CMRA data sets of 29 patients acquired successfully at 3.0 T were evaluated independently by two blinded readers for visualization and image quality of coronary arteries using the subjective quality grade. The acquisition times were recorded in the meantime. A part of the patients had undergone CCTA, we represented stenosis by scores and used the Kappa to evaluate the consistency between CCTA and NCE-CMRA. Results: Six patients did not get diagnostic image quality because of severe artifacts. The image quality score assessed by both radiologists is 3.2±0.7, which means the NCE-CMRA can show the coronary arteries excellently. The main vessels of the coronary artery on NCE-CMRA images are considered reliably assessable. The acquisition time of NCE-CMRA, is 8.8±1.2 min. The Kappa of CCTA and NCE-CMRA on detecting stenosis is 0.842 (P<0.001). Conclusions: The NCE-CMRA results in reliable image quality and visualization parameters of coronary arteries within a short scan time. The NCE-CMRA and CCTA have a good agreement for detecting stenosis.

Efficacy and safety of apatinib in patients with recurrent uterine malignancy: a prospective, single-center, single-arm, phase 2 study.

Background: Apatinib, a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, has clinical activity in recurrent/advanced gynecological cancers. However, its efficacy in uterine malignancy remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of single-agent apatinib in patients with recurrent uterine malignancy. Methods: This is a prospective single-center, single-arm, phase 2 study that enrolled patients aged 18-70 years with histopathologically confirmed recurrent endometrial cancer (EC) and recurrent uterine sarcoma (US), received at least 2 chemotherapy regimens, and an Eastern Cooperative Group performance status of 0-1. Apatinib (500 mg) was administered orally once daily. A treatment cycle was defined as 4 weeks. The patients were followed up every 2 cycles for tumor radiological assessment until disease progression. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Adverse events (AEs) were recorded throughout the treatment and within 30 days of the last study treatment and graded as per the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria Version 4.0. Results: A total of 33 patients (22 with EC and 11 with US) were enrolled between October 2018 and April 2021. Median follow-up duration was 11.7 months (interquartile range: 6.8-32.5 months). The patients received apatinib for a median of 4.79 cycles (range 2-13 cycles). In the EC and US cohorts, the ORRs were 27.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 10.7% to 50.2%] and 9.1% (95% CI, 0.2% to 41.3%), the median PFS were 4.4 months (95% CI, 4.2 to 6.7 months) and 7.0 months (95% CI, 3.2 to 11.6 months), and the median OS were 11.7 months (95% CI, 6.8 months to not reached) and 18.1 months (95% CI, 9.2 months to not reached), respectively. The most common treatment-related AEs of all grades were hypertension (36.4%), proteinuria (33.3%), and hand-foot syndrome (30.3%). No treatment-related serious AEs or deaths occurred. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study assessing the efficacy and safety of apatinib in patients with uterine malignancy. The results suggested that apatinib might be a potential treatment option for these patients.

Transcriptome reveals insights into biosynthesis of ginseng polysaccharides.

BACKGROUND: Ginseng polysaccharides, have been used to treat various diseases as an important active ingredient. Nevertheless, the biosynthesis of ginseng polysaccharides is poorly understood. To elucidate the biosynthesis mechanism of ginseng polysaccharides, combined the transcriptome analysis and polysaccharides content determination were performed on the roots, stems, and leaves collected from four cultivars of ginseng. RESULTS: The results indicated that the total contents of nine monosaccharides were highest in the roots. Moreover, the total content of nine monosaccharides in the roots of the four cultivars were different but similar in stems and leaves. Glucose (Glc) was the most component of all monosaccharides. In total, 19 potential enzymes synthesizing of ginseng polysaccharides were identified, and 17 enzymes were significantly associated with polysaccharides content. Among these genes, the expression of phosphoglucomutase (PGM), glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI), UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (UGP2), fructokinase (scrK), mannose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase (GMPP), phosphomannomutase (PMM), UDP-glucose 4-epimerase (GALE), beta-fructofuranosidase (sacA), and sucrose synthase (SUS) were correlated with that of MYB, AP2/ERF, bZIP, and NAC transcription factors (TFs). These TFs may regulate the expression of genes involved in ginseng polysaccharides synthesis. CONCLUSION: Our findings could provide insight into a better understanding of the regulatory mechanism of polysaccharides biosynthesis, and would drive progress in genetic improvement and plantation development of ginseng.

[Predictive value of combined assessment of diaphragmatic and pulmonary ultrasound for weaning outcomes in mechanical ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical predictive value of combined diaphragmatic and pulmonary ultrasound in acute respiratory failure patients with mechanical ventilation (MV). METHODS: From January 2020 to August 2022, patients with acute respiratory failure admitted to People's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University who underwent invasive MV and weaning were enrolled. After meeting the weaning standards, spontaneous breathing test (SBT) was performed using T-tube. Right diaphragm excursion (DE), diaphragm thickness and lung ultrasound score (LUS) were collected by bedside ultrasound at 30 minutes of SBT, and rapid shallow respiratory index (RSBI), diaphragmatic-shallow respiratory index (D-RSBI) and diaphragmatic thickening rate (DTF) were calculated. According to the weaning outcome, the patients were divided into successful weaning group and failed weaning group. The clinical data of all patients were collected, and the ultrasound parameters and clinical indicators were compared between the two groups. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to evaluate the predictive value of D-RSBI, RSBI, DE combined with LUS score and DTF combined with LUS score for weaning failure patients. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were enrolled, including 54 cases in the successful weaning group and 23 cases in the failed weaning group. The right DE and DTF of patients in successful weaning group were significantly higher than those in failed weaning group [right DE (cm): 1.28±0.39 vs. 0.88±0.41, DTF: (32.64±18.27)% vs. (26.43±15.23)%, both P < 0.05], LUS score, RSBI and D-RSBI were significantly lower than those in failed weaning group [LUS score: 11.45±2.67 vs. 18.33±3.62, RSBI (times×min-1×L-1): 72.21±19.67 vs. 107.35±21.32, D-RSBI (times×min-1×mm-1): 0.97±0.19 vs. 1.78±0.59, all P < 0.05]. ROC curve analysis showed that when the cut-off value of D-RSBI and RSBI was 1.41 times×min-1×mm-1 and 56.46 times×min-1×L-1, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting weaning failure was 0.972 and 0.988; and the sensitivity was 95.7% and 87.0%, respectively; the specificity was 81.0% and 100.0%, respectively. The AUC of right DE combined with LUS score and DTF combined with LUS score in predicting weaning failure were 0.974 and 0.985, respectively, with a sensitivity of 91.3% and a specificity of 98.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Combined assessment of diaphragmatic and pulmonary ultrasound is a good parameter to effectively predict weaning failure in MV patients, which has high application value in guiding weaning in MV patients, and is worthy of clinical application.

Fast and high-accuracy measurement of particle size and location from a linear interferogram.

In this paper, we propose, to the best of our knowledge, a novel method of simultaneously detecting and evaluating the location and size of particles from a compression particle interferogram. The 2D position of the particle can be determined with high accuracy, as evaluated by the unidirectional gradient-match with the conjoint to centroid method. The fast-Rife method provides sub-pixel accuracy and high speed for estimating the fringe frequency from the Fourier spectrum of a particle interferogram. The capability mentioned above is well verified using synthetic and experimental data. The computational load falls almost 50%, and the relative error of the measured particle diameter is less than 1.12% for homogeneous solutions of polystyrene spheres of 50 µm and 70 µm. The results demonstrate that the method presented here is considerably promising for its application to a high-density particle field, such as spray, in accurately measuring both the particle size and its location.