Helicobacter pylori-induced REDD1 modulates Th17 cell responses that contribute to gastritis.

OBJECTIVE: Regulated in development and DNA damage responses-1 (REDD1) is a conserved and ubiquitous protein, which is induced in response to multiple stimuli. However, the regulation, function and clinical relevance of REDD1 in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis are presently unknown. APPROACH: Immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were performed to examine the levels of REDD1 in gastric samples from H. pylori-infected patients and mice. Gastric tissues from Redd1-/- and wildtype (WT, control) mice were examined for inflammation. Gastric epithelial cells (GECs), monocytes and T cells were isolated, stimulated and/or cultured for REDD1 regulation and functional assays. RESULTS: REDD1 was increased in gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected patients and mice. H. pylori induced GECs to express REDD1 via the phosphorylated cytotoxin associated gene A (cagA) that activated MAPKp38 pathway to mediate NF-κB directly binding to REDD1 promoter. Human gastric REDD1 increased with the severity of gastritis, and mouse REDD1 from non-marrow chimera-derived cells promoted gastric inflammation that was characterized by the influx of MHCII+ monocytes. Importantly, gastric inflammation, MHCII+ monocyte infiltration, IL-23 and IL-17A were attenuated in Redd1-/- mice. Mechanistically, REDD1 in GECs regulated CXCL1 production, which attracted MHCII+ monocytes migration by CXCL1-CXCR2 axis. Then H. pylori induced MHCII+ monocytes to secrete IL-23, which favored IL-17A-producing CD4+ cell (Th17 cell) polarization, thereby contributing to the development of H. pylori-associated gastritis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study identifies a novel regulatory network involving REDD1, which collectively exert a pro-inflammatory effect within gastric microenvironment. Efforts to inhibit this REDD1-dependent pathway may prove valuable strategies in treating of H. pylori-associated gastritis.

Clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of children with unilateral retinoblastoma and intracranial segment of Retrobulbar optic nerve invasion.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of children with unilateral retinoblastoma (RB) and intracranial segment of retrobulbar optic nerve invasion. METHODS: A total of 14 children with unilateral RB and intracranial segment of retrobulbar optic nerve invasion were enrolled in this retrospective study from January 2009 to December 2018. Clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis were collected and analyzed. Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Of 14 cases, there were 7 male and 7 female, ranging in age from 22.85 to 121.97 months (median, 41.03 months). Seventy-one percent of patients came from first-tier cities in China and effected in the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results indicated that all patients presented with thickened and enhanced optic nerve and intracranial segment of optic nerve invasion. Nine patients received comprehensive therapeutic regimen (chemotherapy, eye enucleation, radiotherapy and intrathecal therapy). The patients were followed up to December 2019, with a median follow-up of 20.6 months. The median disease specific survival was 48.99 ± 8.62 months, and the overall survival (OS) rate was 64.3%. Radiotherapy and comprehensive therapeutic regimen had significant impact on survival time (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The overall prognosis of unilateral RB patients with intracranial segment of retrobulbar optic nerve invasion was poor. Chemotherapy and surgical treatment were necessary, but more attention should be paid to radiotherapy and intrathecal therapy for improving prognosis.

ATPR triggers acute myeloid leukaemia cells differentiation and cycle arrest via the RARα/LDHB/ERK-glycolysis signalling axis.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remains a therapeutic challenge and improvements in chemotherapy are needed. 4-Amino-2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl retinate (ATPR), a novel all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) derivative designed and synthesized by our team, has been proven to show superior anticancer effect compared with ATRA on various cancers. However, its potential effect on AML remains largely unknown. Lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) is the key glycolytic enzyme that catalyses the interconversion between pyruvate and lactate. Currently, little is known about the role of LDHB in AML. In this study, we found that ATPR showed antileukaemic effects with RARα dependent in AML cells. LDHB was aberrantly overexpressed in human AML peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and AML cell lines. A lentiviral vector expressing LDHB-targeting shRNA was constructed to generate a stable AML cells with low expression of LDHB. The effect of LDHB knockdown on differentiation and cycle arrest of AML cells was assessed in vitro and vivo, including involvement of Raf/MEK/ERK signalling. Finally, these data suggested that ATPR showed antileukaemic effects by RARα/LDHB/ ERK-glycolysis signalling axis. Further studies should focus on the underlying leukaemia-promoting mechanisms and investigate LDHB as a therapeutic target.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the modified polycystic ovary syndrome health-related quality-of-life questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The modified polycystic ovary syndrome health-related quality-of-life questionnaire (MPCOSQ) is a 30-item instrument measuring quality-of-life in English-speaking patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to: 1) cross-culturally adapt the MPCOSQ into Chinese, and 2) assess the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the MPCOSQ (Chi-MPCOSQ). METHODS: The MPCOSQ was translated using the forward-backward method, and its validity and reliability were assessed among 283 Chinese patients with PCOS. Internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were assessed by Cronbach's α and intra-correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. Construct validity was tested through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Discriminant validity was assessed by Mann-Whitney U test to compare the scores on the Chi-MPCOSQ between 283 women with PCOS and 93 women without PCOS. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis generated a 7-factor structure of the 30-item version of the Chi-MPCOSQ, which accounted for 77% of the overall variance. The Chi-MPCOSQ had high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.88) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.89). Compared to PCOS patients, women without PCOS had consistently lower scores for every dimension of the Chi-MPCOSQ, demonstrating its good discriminant validity. CONCLUSION: The Chi-MPCOSQ is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring quality-of-life among Chinese women with PCOS.

HS-SPME GC-MS characterization of volatiles in processed walnuts and their oxidative stability.

Processed walnuts including hot air-dried and roasted walnuts were prepared. Volatiles in raw and processed walnuts were analyzed using head-space solid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Oxidative stability of hot air-dried walnuts in different antioxidants, with or without vacuum package was studied to find a proper package for oxidation stability of hot air-dried walnuts. The results showed that there were 14 volatiles in raw walnuts, 28 in hot air-dried walnuts and 38 in roasted walnuts. The changes of oil quality indices, total phenols, malondialdehyde and free radical scavenging activities during storage at 60 °C showed that the oil oxidation increased with storage time. The addition of antioxidants and vacuum package could slow down the oxidation. Vacuum aluminum foil package (14 × 20 cm) can delay the oil oxidation and extend the shelf life to ~ 230 days of hot air-dried walnuts at 20 °C. With added antioxidant this was extended to ~ 257 days.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy indications for thyroid nodules: compare a point-based risk stratification system with a pattern-based risk stratification system.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to compare the diagnostic performance to assess thyroid nodules and reliability for recommending fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) between American College of Radiology thyroid image reporting and data system (ACR TI-RADS) and American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines. METHODS: In total, this retrospective study included 1001 consecutive thyroid nodules in 918 patients from May 2016 to December 2017. US features of the thyroid nodules, including composition, echogenicity, shape, margins, echogenic foci, and size, were reviewed and were classified according to ACR TI-RADS and ATA guidelines, respectively. The diagnostic performance to assess thyroid nodules and reliability for recommending fine needle aspiration biopsy were compared between ACR TI-RADS and ATA guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 1001 thyroid nodules, 609 (60.8%) were benign and 392 (39.2%) were malignant. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 96.7%, 77.3%, 73.3%, 97.3%, and 84.9%, respectively, for ACR TI-RADS and 99.2%, 16.1%, 43.2%, 97.0%, and 48.7%, respectively, for ATA guidelines. AUC of ACR TI-RADS was significantly greater than ATA guidelines (0.935 (0.918, 0.949) vs 0.884 (0.862, 0.903), p < 0.001). Biopsy yield of malignancy, biopsy rate of malignancy, and unnecessary FNAB rate were 59.5%, 91.3%, and 40.5%, respectively, for ACR TI-RDS and 38.5%, 97.4%, and 61.5%, respectively, for ATA guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: ACR TI-RADS was more accurate than ATA guidelines for differentiating malignant thyroid nodules from benign nodules and more reliable than ATA guidelines for recommending thyroid nodules for FNAB. KEY POINTS: • Malignant risk of thyroid nodules can be stratified by ultrasound. • American College of Radiology guidelines were more accurate for differentiating malignant thyroid nodules from benign nodules. • American College of Radiology guidelines were more reliable for recommending thyroid nodules for biopsy.

Radiofrequency Ablation versus Hepatic Resection for Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.

Purpose To compare the benefits and harms of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and hepatic resection (HR) and to test the consistency of currently available evidence. Materials and Methods PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effects of HR and RFA for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer very early or early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The primary outcome was overall survival, and secondary outcomes were recurrence rate, complication rate, and hospitalization duration. A random- or fixed-effects model according to the level of heterogeneity was applied. The meta-analysis was performed by using software, and trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed. Results Five trials examining 742 patients were included in this study (sizes of trials: 161, 230, 168, 120, and 63 patients). The meta-analysis showed that RFA and HR had similar overall survival at 1 year (relative risk [RR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36, 5.33; P = .63) and 3 years (RR, 1.40; 95% CI: 0.75, 2.62; P = .29), whereas RFA resulted in decreased overall survival compared with HR at 5 years (RR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.32, 2.79; P = .001). The TSA showed that more trials were needed to control random errors. The incidence of overall recurrence was markedly higher and the hospitalization duration was significantly shorter in the RFA group than in the HR group, which was confirmed by TSA. Complications may have been less frequent in the RFA group, but TSA showed that additional trials were necessary to confirm this conclusion. Conclusion The indication for RFA as a primary treatment for patients who are eligible for HR with early stage HCC is unclear, and additional well-designed RCTs are needed. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Kappa-opioid receptor agonist U50448H protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats via activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is regarded as a leading cause of acute kidney failure and renal dysfunction. Previous studies show that kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists can attenuate IRI in cardiomycytes and neuronal cells. In this study we explored the effects of a KOR agonist on renal IRI and the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. An IRI model was established in SD rats, which were intravenously pretreated with a KOR agonist U50448H (1 mg/kg), a KOR antagonist Nor-BNI (2 mg/kg) followed by U50448H (1 mg/kg), or the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (1.4 mg/kg) followed by U50448H (1 mg/kg). U50448H pretreatment significantly decreased the serum levels of creatinine (Cr) and BUN, the renal tubular injury scores and the apoptotic index (AI) in IRI model rats. Furthermore, U50448H significantly increased SOD activity and NO levels, and reduced the MDA levels in the kidney tissues of IRI model rats. Moreover, U50448H significantly increased the phosphorylation of Akt, eNOS and PI3K in the kidney tissues of IRI model rats. All the beneficial effects of U50448H were blocked by Nor-BNI or wortmannin pre-administered. Similar results were observed in vitro in renal tubular epithelial NRK-52E cells subjected to a hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) procedure. Our results demonstrate that the KOR agonist U50448H protects against renal IRI via activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Dimensions of the ciliary muscles of Brücke, Müller and Iwanoff and their associations with axial length and glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: To assess the dimensions of Brücke's muscle, as the longitudinal portion, and of Müller's muscle and Iwanoff's muscle combined as circular and radial/reticular portions of the ciliary muscle. METHODS: The histomorphometric study included human globes that had been enucleated due to an ocular tumor or end-stage glaucoma. After immunohistochemical staining of the ciliary muscles, the histology slides were examined under a light microscope applying a digitized image analysis system. RESULTS: The study included 55 globes [axial length 25.6 ± 3.0 mm (range 21.0 mm-36.0 mm)] from 55 patients [mean age, 33.7 ± 18.3 years (range:1-66 years)]. Length of Brücke's muscle (mean 3.40 ± 0.76 mm) increased with longer axial length (P < 0.001; regression coefficient beta: 0.52) and was not significantly associated with age (P = 0.12), presence of glaucoma (P = 0.11) or Brücke's muscle thickness at the scleral spur (P = 0.32), at the site of the maximum thickness of the ciliary body (P = 0.84) or at the posterior end of Müller's/Iwanoff's muscle (P = 0.66), or with thickness (P = 0.29) and cross-sectional area (P = 0.85) of Müller's/Iwanoff's muscle. Mean distance between Brücke's muscle end and the ora serrata measured 1.73 ± 1.13 mm and increased with longer axial length (P < 0.001; beta: 0.46). Distance from the scleral spur to the ora serrata (mean: 4.94 ± 1.42 mm; range: 3.08-9.09 mm) increased with longer axial length (P < 0.001; beta: 0.61). Maximal thickness (mean: 245 ± 125 µm) and cross-section area (mean: 0.19 ± 0.11 mm2) of Müller's/Iwanoff's muscle decreased significantly with the diagnosis of glaucoma (P = 0.02;beta:-0.38) and longer axial length (P = 0.03; beta: -0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Length of Brücke's muscle increased with axial length of the globe, while its cross-sectional area was independent of axial length. Müller's/Iwanoff's muscle decreased in cross-sectional area with longer axis, and in particular with the presence of glaucoma, while the dimensions of Brücke's muscle were not related to glaucoma.

Contribution of p38 MAPK to the Ameliorating Effect of Enriched Environment on the Cognitive Deficits Induced by Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: An enriched environment (EE) ameliorates learning and memory impairments induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway exerts both beneficial and deleterious effects on the nervous system during the progression of ischemia. METHODS: The present study investigated whether p38 MAPK participates in the process by which EE exposure ameliorates the cognitive deficits induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. RESULTS: EE exposure significantly enhanced the cognitive performance of vascular dementia (VD) model rats, and p38 MAPK protein decreased in parallel with cognitive improvements. Inhibition of p38 MAPK function by its selective inhibitor SB203580 improved the cognition index of VD rats and upregulated p38 MAPK expression with p38 MAPK antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. This impaired cognition in VD rats could not be rescued by EE exposure. CONCLUSION: p38 MAPK participates in the process by which EE exposure ameliorates cognitive deficits induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Exploratory serum fatty acid patterns associated with blood pressure in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have assessed relationships between circulating levels of fatty acid (FA) and blood pressure (BP), and their results remain controversial. Nevertheless, data are sparse on serum FA as biomarker and BP in China. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between serum FA and BP in Chinese populations. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study nested within a community-based cohort of 2447 Chinese participants aged 35-79 years who completed a baseline assessment between October 2012 and April 2013. Baseline assessment included the collection of fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements and a personal interview using a validated questionnaire. Serum FA was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Exploratory factor analyses were employed to identify FA-factor as a reflection of serum FA pattern. A multiple regression model was conducted to estimate adjusted mean of BP with 95% confidence interval (CI) by tertile groups of the generated FA-factor scores. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients have significantly higher serum 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n-7, 18:3n-6, 20:3n-6 and Δ(6)-desaturase index (18:3n-6/18:2n-6) as well as lower 18:2n-6, 22:6n-3 and Δ(5)-desaturase index (20:4n-6/20:3n-6) compared with normotensive participants. Factor 1 (low linoleic acid/high saturated FA pattern: 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n-7, 18:2n-6, 18:3n-6, 20:3n-6) and Factor 2 (n-3 PUFA pattern: 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3, 22:6n-3, 18:1n-9) were identified as indicators of the serum FA pattern. After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, hypertension treatment, smoking, alcohol intake, education, profession, exercise habit, salt intake, family history of hypertension, heart rate, blood lipids and fasting blood-glucose levels, per a standard deviation (SD) increment of Factor 1 scores was associated with an increment of 2.44 (95% CI: 1.73, 3.15) mm Hg for systolic BP, whereas per a SD increment of Factor 2 scores was associated with a reduction of 1.40 (95% CI: 0.80, 2.04) mm Hg for diastolic BP. CONCLUSIONS: The serum FA pattern characterized by low proportions of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n-7 and 18:3n-6 as well as high 18:2n-6 and 22:6n-3 was beneficially associated with BP levels in this Chinese population. This evidence well supports the current dietary recommendations in the communities to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat.

Antitumoral Activity of (20R)- and (20S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 on Transplanted Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mice.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the leading causes of malignancy-related death in China. Its therapy in clinics is a big challenge. Ginsenoside Rh2 is one of the most notable cancer-preventing components from red ginseng and it has been reported that ginsenoside Rh2 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against human hepatoma cells. Rh2 exists as two different stereoisomeric forms, (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2. Previous reports showed that the Rh2 epimers demonstrated different pharmacological activities and only (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 showed potent proliferation inhibition on cancer cells in vitro. However, the in vivo anti-hepatoma activity of (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 has not been reported yet. This work assessed and compared the anti-hepatoma activities of (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2 using H22 a hepatoma-bearing mouse model in vivo. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin staining, the deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay, and the semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method were used to further study the apoptosis of the tumors. The results showed that both (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2 suppressed the growth of H22 transplanted tumors in vivo, and the highest inhibition rate could be up to 42.2 and 46.8 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Further, hematoxylin/eosin staining and the deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay indicated that both (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 could induce H22 hepatoma tumor cell apoptosis, with apoptosis indexes of 3.87 %, and 3.80 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, this effect was accompanied by downregulating the level of Bcl-2 mRNA. In conclusion, both (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2 can suppress the growth of H22 hepatomas without causing severe side effects, and this effect is associated with the induction of apoptosis.

Prognostic value of CD133 expression in cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy: a meta-analysis.

Many studies evaluated the correlations of CD133 expression with the clinical outcomes in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) but yielded controversial results. This meta-analysis was performed to identify the impacts of CD133 expression on the prognosis of cancer patients treated with CRT. Electronic databases updated up to March 2014 were searched to find relevant studies. Relevant literatures without any language restrictions were searched via electronic databases as follows: Web of Science (1945 ~ 2013), the Cochrane Library Database (Issue 12, 2013), PubMed (1966 ~ 2013), EMBASE (1980 ~ 2013), CINAHL (1982 ~ 2013), and the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) (1982 ~ 2013). STATA software was used for the current meta-analysis. Hazard ratios (HR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. Six studies were identified with a total of 470 cancer patients treated with CRT. The meta-analysis results showed that CD133-positive patients had poorer overall survival (OS) than that of CD133-negative patients (HR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.20 ~ 3.07, P < 0.001). Furthermore, CD133-positive patients displayed shorter disease-free survival (DFS) than that of CD133-negative patients (HR = 1.74, 95% CI = 0.08 ~ 3.40, P = 0.039). Ethnicity-stratified analysis indicated that CD133 expression positively correlated with shorter OS among the Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish populations (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest that CD133 expression may be positively correlated with poorer prognosis in cancer patients treated with CRT.

[Influence of healing process of extraction on related growth factors in microscrew-bone interface of implanted titanium microscrews near the extraction wounds].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of growth factors relating to bone reconstructions in microscrew-bone interface of implanted titanium microscrews near the extraction wounds, and to determine the influence of healing process on the growth factors. METHODS: Eight male Beagle dogs (age 18 months) were divided into experimental and control groups. Titanium microscrews were implanted near an extraction wound in the dogs in the experimental group, while the controls had implantation without extraction wounds. The dogs were sacrificed at 1, 3, 8, 12 weeks, respectively. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization sections were performed to detect the expression of TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, osteocalcin (OC) protein and Cbfal mRNA. RESULTS: The experimental group had higher levels of expression of TGF-beta, TNF-alpha protein and Cbfa1 mRNA than the controls, with significant differences appearing at week one for TNF-alpha (P<0.05), week three for TGF-beta and TNF-alpha (P<0.05), and week eight for Cbfa1 mRNA (P<0.05). The expression of OC increased over time and reached peak at week eight (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Microscrews implanted near extraction wounds can maintain stability. Severe inflammation occurs in the early stage of healing, but does not sustain. Bone remodeling remains active over the healing process. But prolonged healing phase without force loading could weaken the remodeling.

Effect of CETP polymorphism on atorvastatin lipid-regulating effect and clinical prognosis of patients with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of genetic polymorphism of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene polymorphism -629C/A on the therapeutic effect of atorvastatin and clinical outcome in Han Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: From October 2011 to December 2012, 348 patients with angiographically confirmed CHD were recruited. CETP gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Serum level of CETP was determined with enzyme-1inked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lipid 1evel in all patients was determined at baseline and after 12 months of treatment with 20 mg/d of atorvastatin. All the patients were followed-up at least 12 months. Major adverse cardiac events, including death, non-fatal infarction, revascularization, and stroke (MACE), were recorded. RESULTS: The frequency of the -629A allele was 0.412. Compared with CC or CA genotypes, individuals with AA genotype had lower CETP levels (P=0.026) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (P=0.035). After 12 months of atorvastatin therapy, carriers with CC genotype had greater reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.001), reduced LP (a) (P=0.005), and elevated HDL-C (P=0.045) compared with CA or AA genotypes. The incidence of MACE after a mean follow-up of 17.3±5.2 months was 8.8%. The cumulative MACE-free survival rates were 90.1%, 85.2%, and 71.1% for CC, CA, and AA genotypes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the AA variant of the -629A allele of CETP gene had higher HDL-C levels and reduced CETP levels, but patients with CC genotype appeared to have benefited more from statin therapy with reduction in LDL-C and LP (a) levels. Long-term clinical prognosis was, however, not affected by the 3 genotypes.

Comparison of the miracidium hatching test and modified Kato-Katz method for detecting Schistosoma japonicum in low prevalence areas of China.

The diagnosis of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) infection in low prevalence areas of the People's Republic of China is challenging due to the sensitivity of the detection methods, leading to an underestimation of the disease burden. We compared the sensitivities of the miracidium hatching test (MHT) with the modified Kato-Katz method (KK) and the combination of the two methods (KK-MHT) to detect Sj infection in low prevalence areas of China. The stool samples of 3,853 residents from 8 villages with a light to moderate prevalence (0-23%) of Sj infection were examined by KK, MHT and KK-MHT. The findings were inconsistent. The KK-MHT conbination gave more positives than either the KK or MHT alone. Using the KK-MHT, we determined the missed rates with the KK (mR(K)) and MHT (mR(H)) to be 30.1% and 10.2%, respectively. At light prevalence sites (infection rate < 10%) the mR(K) was 60.6%, significantly higher than the mR(K) of 22.3% found at moderate prevalence sites (10-23%). However, the mR(H) at the light and moderate prevalence sites were 11.54% and 9.90%, respectively (p > 0.05). The combination KK-MHT had the best sensitivity in low Sj prevalence areas in China and the KK method alone was the least sensitive. Using KK alone as a screening method will result in an underestimation of Sj infection disease burden.

Geometric Understanding of Discriminability and Transferability for Visual Domain Adaptation.

To overcome the restriction of identical distribution assumption, invariant representation learning for unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) has made significant advances in computer vision and pattern recognition communities. In UDA scenario, the training and test data belong to different domains while the task model is learned to be invariant. Recently, empirical connections between transferability and discriminability have received increasing attention, which is the key to understand the invariant representations. However, theoretical study of these abilities and in-depth analysis of the learned feature structures are unexplored yet. In this work, we systematically analyze the essentials of transferability and discriminability from the geometric perspective. Our theoretical results provide insights into understanding the co-regularization relation and prove the possibility of learning these abilities. From methodology aspect, the abilities are formulated as geometric properties between domain/cluster subspaces (i.e., orthogonality and equivalence) and characterized as the relation between the norms/ranks of multiple matrices. Two optimization-friendly learning principles are derived, which also ensure some intuitive explanations. Moreover, a feasible range for the co-regularization parameters is deduced to balance the learning of geometric structures. Based on the theoretical results, a geometry-oriented model is proposed for enhancing the transferability and discriminability via nuclear norm optimization. Extensive experiment results validate the effectiveness of the proposed model in empirical applications, and verify that the geometric abilities can be sufficiently learned in the derived feasible range.

Intraocular schwannoma: case series of 28 patients and literature review.

PURPOSE: Intraocular schwannoma is a rare tumour, which is often misdiagnosed. We presented the demographics and clinical characteristics of patients with intraocular schwannoma. METHODS: Retrospective case series were collected between May 2005 and July 2021 in Beijing Tongren Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were diagnosed with intraocular schwannoma on histopathological examination of surgical specimen. The median age was 39 years (range: 12-64). Fourteen patients were female and 14 were male. Among the all subjects, 21/28 patients (75.0%) presented as visual loss, and 3/28 patients (10.7%) had visual field loss. Intraocular schwannoma presented as nonpigmented mass in the ciliary body in 12/28 cases (42.9%), in the choroid in 9/28 cases (32.1%), and in ciliochoroid in 7/28 cases (25.0%). Intraocular schwannoma was often clinically misdiagnosed as uveal melanoma, which occurred in 16/28 patients (57.1%). Tumour excision with pars plana vitrectomy was performed for all included patients. Endoresection with lens removal was performed for tumours in the choroid, while transscleral resection was performed for tumours located in ciliary body or ciliochoroid. Increased light transmission was detected in 12/28 cases (42.9%). In the consecutive follow-up (median: 73 months, range: 7-193 months), no cases of recurrence or metastatic disease were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular schwannoma is a rare benign tumour. It usually presents as nonpigmented mass, which can easily be misdiagnosed as nonpigmented uveal melanoma.

Rs12218 In SAA1 gene was associated with serum lipid levels.

BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a kind of apolipoprotein. Several studies indicated that SAA genetic polymorphism rs12218 was associated with carotid atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and serum uric acid levels. However, the relation between rs12218 and lipid levels remains unclear. This study assessed the correlation between SAA1 gene rs12218 polymorphism and lipid levels in a Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 823 participants were selected from the subjects for health check in Shanghai Huashan hospital from Jan. 2013 to Mach. 2013. Correlations between rs12218 polymorphism and lipid levels were investigated through the identification of rs12218 genotypes using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: We found that the SNP rs12218 was associated with triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels by analyses of a dominant model (P<0.001, P=0.002, P=0.003, respectively), a recessive model (P<0.001, P=0.001, P=0.005, respectively) and an additive model (P<0.001, P=0.001, P=0.002, respectively), and the difference remained significant after the adjustment of sex, age, alcohol intake, and smoking (All P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that the rs12218 in the SAA1gene was associated with lipid levels in a Chinese population.

[The impact of water level changes on the Oncomelania snail habitats in Poyang Lake regions before and after the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir on Oncomelania snail habitats of Poyang Lake. METHODS: Four counties with schistosomiasis endemic around the Poyang Lake, naming as Xingzi, Duchang, Jinxian and Xinjian, were selected as study areas. The average daily water level of four major hydrological stations near the above 4 counties from 1997 to 2008 were collected, as well as the elevation of 215 marshlands with snails in those 4 counties, the data of schistosomiasis endemic situation and snail survey of 4 counties in the year before the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir (2002) and the 6th year after the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir (2008). The fluctuations of water levels of Poyang Lake, flooding day of marshland with snails as well as the changes of the indicators in snail survey and prevention and control measures before and after the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir were compared. RESULTS: Before the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir, the fluctuations of average water level of the four hydrological stations around Poyang Lake was 6.91-12.93 m; which reduced to 5.72 - 10.75 m after the impoundment. The D-value of the fluctuations of average water level was (1.06 ± 0.47) m. The date of the annual maximum water level delayed by an average of 12 d; while the date of annual minimum water level arrived an average of 12 d earlier than the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir. The average flooding days of marshland with snails were separately (100.04 ± 42.06) d before the impoundment and (64.13 ± 22.30) d after the impoundment. The difference was statistically significant (t = 3.70, P < 0.05). The density of snails in the 4 counties around Poyang Lake was 0.8437/0.1 m(2) after the impoundment; declining by 31.04% from the snail density (1.2234/0.1 m(2)) before the impoundment. The density of infectious snails was 0.0014/0.1 m(2) after the impoundment; dropping by 67.34% from it (0.0042/0.1 m(2)) before the impoundment; the infection rate of snails was separately 0.34% after the impoundment and 0.16% before the impoundment. The difference was statistically significant (χ(2) = 53.25, P < 0.05). The coverage rate of chemotherapy increased from 4.45% (35 558/798 200) in 2002 to 9.80% (79 457/810 400) in 2008; the difference was statistically significant (χ(2) = 17 336.63, P < 0.05). The coverage rate of snail killing increased from 1.35% (389.04/28 824.66) in 2002 to 7.49% (2260.90/30 166.22) in 2008; the difference was also statistically significant (χ(2) = 28 824.66, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The impact of the impoundment of Three Gorges reservoir shortened the flooding days of marshland with snails and helped the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Poyang Lake regions as the environment went against the breeding of the snails.