Epicardial and pericoronary adipose tissue and coronary plaque burden in patients with Cushing's syndrome: a propensity score-matched study.

PURPOSE: To assess coronary inflammation by measuring the volume and density of the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI) and coronary plaque burden in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) based on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS: This study included 29 patients with CS and 58 matched patients without CS who underwent CCTA. The EAT volume, EAT density, FAI and coronary plaque burden were measured. The high-risk plaque (HRP) was also evaluated. CS duration from diagnosis, 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC), and abdominal visceral adipose tissue volume (VAT) of CS patients were recorded. RESULTS: The CS group had higher EAT volume (146.9 [115.4, 184.2] vs. 119.6 [69.0, 147.1] mL, P = 0.006), lower EAT density (- 78.79 ± 5.89 vs. - 75.98 ± 6.03 HU, P = 0.042), lower FAI (- 84.0 ± 8.92 vs. - 79.40 ± 10.04 HU, P = 0.038), higher total plaque volume (88.81 [36.26, 522.5] vs. 44.45 [0, 198.16] mL, P = 0.010) and more HRP plaques (7.3% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.026) than the controls. The multivariate analysis suggested that CS itself (ß [95% CI], 29.233 [10.436, 48.03], P = 0.014), CS duration (ß [95% CI], 0.176 [0.185, 4.242], P = 0.033), and UFC (ß [95% CI], 0.197 [1.803, 19.719], P = 0.019) were strongly associated with EAT volume but not EAT density, and EAT volume (ß [95% CI] - 0.037[- 0.058, - 0.016], P = 0.001) not CS was strongly associated with EAT density. EAT volume, FAI and plaque burden increased (all P < 0.05) in 6 CS patients with follow-up CCTA. The EAT volume had a moderate correlation with abdominal VAT volume (r = 0.526, P = 0.008) in CS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CS have higher EAT volume and coronary plaque burden but less inflammation as detected by EAT density and FAI. The EAT density is associated with EAT volume but not CS itself.

Mediating effects of carbon monoxide on the development of hypertension in China.

OBJECTIVES: Understanding the relationship between ambient carbon monoxide (CO) exposure and hypertension is crucial for advancing public health research. We investigated the association between air pollution CO exposure and hypertension and determined whether various health indicators played a mediating role. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study. METHODS: Our study examined the data of 13,240 participants in the China Health and Aging Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted in 2015. A logistic regression approach was used to investigate the association between CO concentration and hypertension. The mediating effects (MEs) of health indicators on the association between carbon monoxide and hypertension prevalence were explored using mediation models. RESULTS: Hypertension was diagnosed in 2953 of the participants. A significantly increased prevalence of hypertension was associated with higher concentrations of air pollutant CO after adjusting for all covariates (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.04-1.37) in the matched group (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.03-1.42). The study also showed that proportional mediation was 3.7% by TG, -5.3% by TC, -2.9% by LDL-C and 19.0% by HDL-C for blood lipid; 4.6% by FPG and 12.2% by HbA1c for blood glucose; -2.0% by grip strength and 16.2% by chair rising time for muscle strength; 59.6% by WC and 1.8% by BMI for obesity indicator and -2.3% by nighttime sleep and 7.8% by daytime nap for sleep duration. CONCLUSIONS: A significant positive association has been found between environmental CO exposure and hypertension, and obesity, muscle strength, sleep duration, and metabolic factors may play a significant role in mediating this association.

Spiritual needs and influencing factors among people with stroke in China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is one of the primary causes of disability in China and around the world, having an impact on the health and well-being of stroke patients. The importance of spiritual needs for stroke patients has always been a controversial topic internationally, partly because related research was mostly qualitative and may not directly reflect the degree of spiritual needs. In addition, most studies focus on the same cultural background, there is a lack of research that delves into the nuances of Chinese culture and background. The goal of this study is to evaluate the level of spiritual needs and influencing factors in Chinese stroke patients and to explore the mediating role and pathways of these variables on spiritual needs. METHODS: From August 2022 to January 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 422 stroke patients in the affiliated hospitals of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine in Changsha Province by cluster sampling. We measured the patient's spiritual needs, quality of life, anxiety and depression levels, and family support using the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SPNQ), the MOS36 item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Family Support Self Rating Scale (PSS-Fa). We used the General Information Questionnaire to gain insight into the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients. Nonparametric tests and multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the independent relationship between spiritual needs and quality of life, anxiety, depression, and family support. The mediation model in AMOS 24.0 software was used to analyze the mediating role among the five variables. RESULTS: The score of spiritual needs of people with stroke included in this study was 37 points [IQR 33 to 40)]. The influencing factors of spiritual needs included primary economic sources for disease-related expenditures (p = 0.044), number of stroke occurrences (p = 0.001), duration of illness (p = 0.023), activities of daily living (p = 0.006), depression scores(p = 0.034), and family support scores(p = 0.008). Anxiety (ß = 0.347, p = 0.004), depression (ß = 0.368, p = 0.005), and family support (ß = 0.167, p = 0.023) had directly or indirectly affected the spiritual needs of people with stroke. Quality of life (ß=-0.202, p = 0.017) had a direct effect on spiritual needs. CONCLUSIONS: The spiritual needs of people with stroke were at an intermediate level. Our findings highlight that the SPNQ score is associated with anxiety, depression, quality of life, and family support. Therefore, nurses should identify the spiritual needs of patients and provide them with effective and comprehensive spiritual care by reducing negative emotions and enhancing social support, promoting the development and progress of spiritual care in China. This study offers a theoretical basis for the spiritual care of clinical people with stroke and constructing a stroke spiritual care model.

[Erythrocytosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: report of 3 cases and literature review].

This is a report of three cases of three male patients. One of the patients had myelodysplastic syndrome, and two had aplastic anemia; their ages were 28, 32, and 21 years old, respectively. Two patients underwent sibling allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and one underwent haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. All the patients showed elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit at 6, 16, and 9 months after transplantation, with normal white blood cells and platelets and no splenomegaly. All causes of secondary polycythemia were ruled out. Bone marrow morphology showed no erythroid hyperplasia. The PCR result for BCR-ABL (P210, P230, P190, and variants) was negative, and there were no mutations at the amino acid site 617 of JAK2, exon 12 of JAK2, exon 9 of CALR, and amino acid site 515 of MPL. All three patients had hypertension. One patient was treated with amlodipine, and the other two patients were treated with angiotensin receptor blockers. The durations of erythrocytosis for these three patients were 6 years and 3 months, 4 years and 7 months, and 5 years and 3 months, respectively through December 2022. There was no tendency for spontaneous remission. Erythrocytosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a rare complication. Previous reports in the literature suggest that the mechanism of post-transplant erythrocytosis in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be different from that of recipients of other transplants.

[Expression and significance of INSM1 and SOX11 in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and significance of insulinoma associated protein 1 (INSM1) and SRY-related high-mobility group box 11 (SOX11) in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN). METHODS: To detect the expression of INSM1, SOX11, Syn, CgA, CD56, ß-catenin, and CD99 in 56 cases of PNET, 42 cases of SPN, 16 cases of ductal adenocarcinoma (DACC) and 8 cases of acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) by immunohistochemistry. The application value of combination of INSM1 and SOX11 was compared with conventional markers (Syn, CgA, CD56, ß-catenin, and CD99) in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PNET and SPN. RESULTS: (1) In the 56 cases of PNET, the positive signals of INSM1 were located in the tumor and islet nucleus, the positive expression rate in the tumor tissues was 91.07% (51/56), whereas the signal was absent in 42 cases of SPN, 16 cases of DACC and 8 cases of ACC, and there were significant statistical difference between PNET with SPN, DACC, and ACC respectively (P < 0.001). (2) The positive signals of SOX11 were located in the tumor nucleus, with the positive expression rate was 92.86% (39/42) in SPN, however, the positive expression rate of SOX11 was 8.93% (5/56) in PNET, which included 3 cases of G1 and 2 cases of G3 types of PNET, the SOX11 positive signal was absent in 16 cases of DACC, 8 cases of ACC and peritumoral nomal pancreatic tissue, and the differences were statistically significant of positive rate between SPN with PNET, DACC and ACC, respectively (P < 0.001). (3) The sensitivity of INSM1(+)/SOX11(-) immunophenotype for PNET was 85.71%, vs. CD56 (57.14%), the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001); vs. Syn (80.36%) and CgA (71.43%), the difference was no statistically significant (P>0.05). The specificity of INSM1(+)/SOX11(-) for PNET was 100.00%, vs. Syn (42.86%) and CD56 (47.62%), the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001); vs. CgA (92.86%), the difference was no statistically significant (P>0.05). The sensitivity of INSM1(-)/SOX11(+) immunophenotype for SPN was 92.86%, vs. ß-catenin (90.48%) and CD99 (85.71%), the difference was no statistically significant (P>0.05). The specificity of INSM1(-)/SOX11(+) for SPN was 96.43%, vs. CD99 (48.21%), the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001); vs. ß-catenin (100.00%), the difference was no statistically significant (P>0.05). (4) The positive expression of INSM1 and SOX11 in PNET and SOX11 were not correlated with clinicopathological parameters (age, gender, tumor size, location, grade, and metastasis) (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The positive expression patterns of INSM1 and SOX11 in PNET and SPN respectively are conductive to distinguish the both tumors. The combination of both take precedence over some corresponding conventional immunohistochemical markers in terms of sensitivity and specificity.

[Genetic characteristics of the first human infection with the G4 genotype eurasian avian-like H1N1 swine influenza virus in Shaanxi Province,China].

Objective: To analyze the genetic characteristics of the first human infection with the G4 genotype of Eurasian avian H1N1 swine influenza virus (EA H1N1 SIV) in Shaanxi Province. Methods: The patient's throat swab samples were collected, and MDCK cells were inoculated for virus isolation to obtain the virus strain. The whole genome deep sequencing method was used to obtain the eight gene segments of the isolated strain. The nucleotide homology analysis was conducted through the Blast program in the GenBank database, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed to analyze the genetic characteristics of the virus. Results: The throat swab specimens of the case were confirmed as EA H1N1 SIV in the laboratory, and the isolated strain was named A/Shaanxi-Weicheng/1351/2022(H1N1v). Homology analysis found that the PB2, NP, HA, NA, and M genes of this isolate had the highest nucleotide homology with A/swing/Beijing/0301/2018 (H1N1), about 98.29%, 98.73%, 97.41%, 97.52%, and 99.08%, respectively. The phylogenetic tree showed that the isolate belonged to G4 genotype EA H1N1 SIV, with PB2, PB1, PA, NP and M genes from pdm/09 H1N1, HA and NA genes from EA H1N1, and NS gene from Triple-reassortant H1N1. The cleavage site of the HA protein was IPSIQSR↓G, which was the molecular characteristic of the low pathogenic influenza virus. No amino acid mutations associated with neuraminidase inhibitors were found in the NA protein. PB2 protein 701N mutation, PA protein P224S mutation, NP protein Q357K mutation, M protein P41A mutation, and NS protein 92D all indicated its enhanced adaptability to mammals. Conclusion: The patient is the first human infection with G4 genotype EA H1N1 SIV in Shaanxi province. The virus is low pathogenic, but its adaptability to mammals is enhanced. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of such SIVs.

Psoriasis may increase the risk of lung cancer: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have indicated that Psoriasis (PsO) could contribute to the risk of lung cancer, no study has reported a clear causal association between them. Our aim was to explore the potential causal association between PsO and the lung cancer risk using Mendelian randomization (MR) design. METHODS: To explore a causal association between the PsO and lung cancer, we used large-scale genetic summary data from genome-wide association study (GWAS), including PsO (n = 337 159) and lung cancer (n = 361 586), based on previous observational studies. Our main analyses were conducted by inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method with random-effects model, with a complementary with the other two analyses: weighted median method and MR-Egger approach. RESULTS: The results of IVW methods demonstrated that genetically predicted PsO was significantly associated with higher odds of lung cancer, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.06 (95%CI, 1.01-1.12; P = 0.02). Weighted median method and MR-Egger regression also demonstrated directionally similar results (All P < 0.05). In addition, both funnel plots and MR-Egger intercepts indicated no directional pleiotropic effects between PsO and lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided potential evidence between genetically predicted PsO and lung cancer, which suggested that enhanced screening for lung cancer allows early detection of lung cancer.

First Report of Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne Graminicola on Brassica Juncea in China.

In southern China, the staple food rice (Oryza sativa) field is commonly rotated with brown mustard Brassica juncea. Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are a major threat to rice production. From 2019 to 2021, B. juncea in 56 fields from 26 counties in Guangxi Province were observed with symptoms of leaf yellowing, stunting, and several hook-shaped galls on the roots. Females and egg masses of Meloidogyne sp. were found within the galls. The females, males, and second-stage juveniles (J2s) were collected, and identified with morphological and molecular characteristics and female perineal patterns. Brassica juncea was transplanted in pots and a pathogenicity test was conducted to confirm the species as Meloidogyne graminicola. In China, this is the first record of a natural infection of mustard with M. graminicola, and this finding has great importance for Chinese mustard production, since this nematode may damage mustard plants and become an additional problem for this crop.

[Multidisciplinary regenerative treatment and mechanisms for rescuing a severe calciphylaxis patient with human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells].

Calciphylaxis is a rare disease with severe pain and high-mortality due to cutaneous ischemic necrosis and infection that currently lacks proved effective therapies. The occurrence of calciphylaxis in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients is known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA), which is characterized histologically by dermal microvessel calcification, intimal fibroplasia and microthrombosis. Here we innovatively treated a severe CUA patient with human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). A 34-year-old uremic woman was presented with progressive, painful malodorous ulcers in buttocks and mummified lower limbs. Skin pathological features supported the diagnosis of calciphylaxis. The patient was refractory to conventional multidisciplinary symptomatic therapies. With the approval of our hospital ethics committee, she was treated with hAMSCs including intravenous and local intramuscular injection, and external application of hAMSC culture supernatant to the wound area. During 15-month follow-up, the patient had regeneration of skin and soft tissues, with improved blood biochemical, inflammatory, mineral and bone metabolic indices and immunoregulation effects. After 15-month hAMSC treatment, the score of pain visual analog scale (VAS) decreased from 10 to 0, Bates-Jensen wound assessment tool (BWAT) score decreased from 65 to 13, and wound-quality of life (Wound-QoL) questionnaire score decreased from 68 to 0. We propose that hAMSC treatment is promising for CUA patients. The therapy is potentially involved in the multiple beneficial effects of inhibiting vascular calcification, stimulating angiogenesis and myogenesis, modulating adverse inflammatory and immunologic responses, promoting re-epithelialization and restoring skin integrity.

[Tuberculosis presenting as gastrointestinal perforation and large confluent pulmonary cavities: a case report].

We report an unusual case presented as acute gastrointestinal perforation and large confluent pulmonary cavities. A 23-year-old male was admitted to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain for 1 month, which exacerbated for 1 day. He also reported a 3-month history of diarrhea and productive cough. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed multiple large confluent cavities in the lung, along with massive free gas in the abdomen suggesting gastrointestinal perforation. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and affected bowel segment was resected. His sputum examination was positive for both acid-fast staining and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex gene (Xpert) testing. Pathology of small intestine revealed micro-abscess formation and was positive for acid-fast bacilli. A final diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and intestinal tuberculosis was made.

An adolescent with ileum herniation through foramen of winslow: A case report and literature review.

Background: Herniation through foramen of Winslow is a relatively rare group of hernias characterized by protrusion of the abdominal contents into the lesser sac. To our knowledge, this is the youngest and the only reported case related to adolescents in the last five years. Case Presentation: A 15-year-old male patient presented to our emergency department after experiencing 4 hours of acute dull upper abdominal pain. We diagnosed the patient with herniation through foramen of Winslow by computed tomography (CT) and other complementary diagnostic methods. After a 3-trocar laparoscopic procedure, the hernia was successfully repositioned and no bowel resection was required. The patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day without complications. He was no recurrence six months after operation. Conclusions: Through the review of the literature, it is clear that herniation through foramen of Winslow (HFW) is a more challenging condition to diagnose preoperatively, which can be achieved with the help of complementary diagnostics especially CT. As a category of diseases with a very low postoperative recurrence rate, clinical experience tells us that only three-trocar laparoscopic surgery can successfully return HFW.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae lipids license TLR-4 for activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy to evoke a proinflammatory response.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an obligate pathogen that causes pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, pharyngitis and asthma in humans. It is well recognized that membrane lipoproteins are immunostimulants exerting as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory responses upon M. pneumoniae infection. Here, we report that the M. pneumoniae-derived lipids are another proinflammatory agents. Using an antibody-neutralizing assay, RNA interference or specific inhibitors, we found that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) is essential for M. pneumoniae lipid-induced tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß production. We also demonstrate that NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome (NLRP3) inflammasome, autophagy and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-dependent pathways are critical for the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, while inhibition of TLR-4 significantly abrogates these events. Further characterization revealed that autophagy-mediated inflammatory responses involved the activation of NF-κB. In addition, the activation of NF-κB promoted lipid-induced autophagosome formation, as revealed by assays using pharmacological inhibitors, 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and Bay 11-7082, or silencing of atg5 and beclin-1. These findings suggest that, unlike the response to lipoprotein stimulation, the inflammation in response to M. pneumoniae lipids is mediated by the TLR-4 pathway, which subsequently initiates the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and formation of a positive feedback loop between autophagy and NF-κB signalling cascade, ultimately promoting TNF-α and Il-1ß production in macrophages.

Differentiated activities of decorin and biglycan in the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the activities of decorin and biglycan in the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). DESIGN: Three-month-old inducible biglycan (BgniKO) and decorin/biglycan compound (Dcn/BgniKO) knockout mice were subjected to the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery to induce PTOA. The OA phenotype was evaluated by assessing joint structure and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) staining via histology, surface collagen fibril nanostructure and calcium content via scanning electron microscopy, tissue modulus via atomic force microscopy-nanoindentation, as well as subchondral bone structure and meniscus ossification via micro-computed tomography. Outcomes were compared with previous findings in the inducible decorin (DcniKO) knockout mice. RESULTS: In the DMM model, BgniKO mice developed similar degree of OA as the control (0.44 [-0.18 1.05] difference in modified Mankin score), different from the more severe OA phenotype observed in DcniKO mice (1.38 [0.91 1.85] difference). Dcn/BgniKO mice exhibited similar histological OA phenotype as DcniKO mice (1.51 [0.97 2.04] difference vs control), including aggravated loss of sGAGs, salient surface fibrillation and formation of osteophyte. Meanwhile, Dcn/BgniKO mice showed further cartilage thinning than DcniKO mice, resulting in the exposure of underlying calcified tissues and aberrantly high surface modulus. BgniKO and Dcn/BgniKO mice developed altered subchondral trabecular bone structure in both Sham and DMM groups, while DcniKO and control mice did not. CONCLUSION: In PTOA, decorin plays a more crucial role than biglycan in regulating cartilage degeneration, while biglycan is more important in regulating subchondral bone structure. The two have distinct activities and modest synergy in the pathogenesis of PTOA.

Influence of glycemic control and hypoglycemia on the risk of fracture in patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) have an increased risk of fracture. Glycemic control is crucial to the management of DM, but there are concerns pertaining to hypoglycemia development in the course of glycemic control target achievement. The extent to which glycemic control may affect the risk of fracture remains less defined. Hypoglycemia-induced falls have been suggested to contribute to an elevated risk of fracture in DM patients. In this meta-analysis of observational studies, we aimed to investigate the relative contribution of glycemic control, as measured by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and hypoglycemia to the risk of fracture in DM. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant studies. A random-effects model was used to generate summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Both increased HbA1c levels (RR per 1% increase 1.08, 95% CI 1.03, 1.14; nstudies = 10) and hypoglycemia (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.23, 1.88; nstudies = 8) were associated with an increased risk of fracture. The association between HbA1c levels and the risk of fracture was somewhat nonlinear, with a noticeably increased risk observed at an HbA1c level ≥ 8%. The positive associations of HbA1c levels and hypoglycemia with the risk of fracture did not reach statistical significance in the studies that adjusted for insulin use, hypoglycemia, or falls for the former and in those that adjusted for falls for the latter. In summary, both increased HbA1c levels and hypoglycemia may increase the risk of fracture in patients with DM. The positive association between HbA1c levels and the risk of fracture appears to be, in part, explained by hypoglycemia-induced falls, possibly due to insulin use. The avoidance of hypoglycemia in the course of achieving good glycemic control through the careful selection of glucose-lowering medications may contribute to fracture prevention by reducing the risk of falls related to treatment-induced hypoglycemia.

Correction: Cellular and molecular basis for stress-induced depression.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Carrier dynamics and lasing behavior of InAs/GaAs quantum dot lasers with short cavity lengths.

The modulation p-doping technique has emerged as an effective way to optimize the carrier dynamics process of quantum dot (QD) structures. Here, the laser structures based on the 1.3µm multiple-layer InAs/GaAs QD were fabricated with and without modulation p-doping. The carrier relaxation rate was increased after modulation p-doping, as demonstrated by transient absorption spectroscopy. The higher relaxation rate in p-doped QDs could be explained by more rapid carrier-carrier scattering process originating from increasing of the hole quasi-Fermi-level movement that increases the probability of occupancy of the valence states. In addition, the lasing behavior of Fabry-Perot lasers with and without modulation p-doping was investigated and compared. It was found that the ground state (GS) lasing in the absence of facet coating was successfully achieved in a p-doped laser diode with short cavity length (400µm), which can be attributed to the higher GS saturation gain caused by p-doping. With assistance of a designed TiO2/SiO2facet coating whose central wavelength (∼1480 nm) is far beyond the lasing wavelength of 1310 nm, the GS lasing could be realized in a laser diode with short cavity lengths (300µm) under continuous wave operation at room temperature, implying great potential for the development of low-cost and high-speed directly modulated lasers.

Identification of hub genes and pathways in the development of gastric cancer by gene co­expression network analysis.

There are many risk factors for gastric cancer (GC), including chronic atrophic gastritis, which involves multiple genes and signaling pathways. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed on GSE111762 to construct free-scale gene co-expression networks and identified four significant modules that consisted of blue, dark orange, dark red and dark violet. In each module, genes with the most connectivity were selected as hub genes, including G antigen 12J (GAGE12J) in blue, proline, histidine and glycine rich 1 (PHGR1) in dark orange, DNA polymerase gamma 2, accessory subunit (POLG2) in dark red and collagen type XXI alpha 1 chain (COL21A1) in dark violet. The transcription level of COL21A1 and GAGE12J was up-regulated in atrophic gastritis vs normal gastric mucosa, but down-regulated in GC vs atrophic gastritis. PHGR1 was consistently down-regulated from normal gastric mucosa to GC, while POLG2 was up-regulated. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was then conducted to study the biological functions of hub genes in the development of GC. It showed that multiple tumorigenesis-related pathways were enriched, including peroxisome, DNA repair and KRAS signaling pathway in COL21A1, IL6-JAK-STAT3, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and TNFα-NF-κB signaling pathway in PHGR1, MYC targets, E2F targets and angiogenesis in POLG2 and peroxisome, Notch signaling pathway and androgen response in GAGE12J. The identified four genes, especially for COL21A1, PHGR1 and POLG2, were important in GC tumorigenesis and affected many cancer-related pathways.

Antibacterial potential and mechanism of action of dithiocyano-methane as a bactericidal agent for farm disinfection.

AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial ability and action mechanism of dithiocyano-methane against Aeromonas hydrophila, so as to provide a reference for its application in farm disinfection. METHODS AND RESULTS: After exposing the bacteria to dithiocyano-methane, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericide concentration (MBC), activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase and electric conductivity in bacterial suspensions were determined, transmission electron microscope images on cellular structure and SDS-PAGE profile of bacterial proteins were analysed and the expression of genes related to the above experimental observations was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. The MIC and MBC of dithiocyano-methane against three tested strains was 1·46 and 2·93 mg l-1 respectively. The results showed that dithiocyano-methane significantly damaged bacterial cell structure, inhibited the biosynthesis of bacterial proteins and changed the integrity and permeability of bacterial cell wall and cell membrane. CONCLUSIONS: Dithiocyano-methane showed remarkable antibacterial ability against three tested strains, indicating it is a potential effective bactericidal agent for preventing animal diseases resulted from Aer. hydrophila. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To our best knowledge, this is the first report to examine the antibacterial ability and action mechanism of dithiocyano-methane against bacteria. The results demonstrate the great potential of dithiocyano-methane as a disinfectant against Aer. hydrophila in settings such as aquaculture ponds and livestock farms.

[Clinical features and prognosis of patients with leptomeningeal metastases].

Objective: To describe the clinical manifestations, neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) cytology and prognosis of Leptomeningeal metastases(LM). Methods: The clinical manifestations, imaging features and CSF cytology of LM patients admitted to Henan Provincial People's Hospital from May 1, 2015 to May 31, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The overall survival (OS) was evaluated by the time from the diagnosis of LM to death. Results: A total of 88 patients with LM were enrolled in the study, and the median age was 59 years (range:28-78 years). There were 42 males (47.7%) and 46 females (52.3%). According to the pathological classification, it was lung cancer in 58 cases (65.9%), gastric cancer in 13 cases (14.8%), breast cancer in 7 cases (8.0%), melanoma in 1 case, esophageal cancer in 1 case, gallbladder cancer in 1 case, renal cell carcinoma in 1 case, double source cancer in 2 cases, and unknown source in 4 cases. The median Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score was 50. LM was the initial manifestation of cancer in 34 patients. All patients had LM-related clinical symptoms, including headache in 73 cases (83.0%), nausea and vomiting in 63 cases (71.6%), abnormal physical and mental behaviors in 37 cases (42.0%), seizure in 41 cases (46.6%). Cranial nerve involvement was observed in 23 patients (39.0%) and spinal nerve involvement in 20(33.9%). There were 61 patients (83.6%) who showed neuroimaging features of LM. Tumor cells or atypical cells were found in 90.8% of patients for the first time, and activated monocytes in 47 cases (54.7%). The median OS was 13.0 weeks (95%CI:2.9-23.1) with the 1-year survival rate of 19.1%. Univariate analysis of survival indicated that lung cancer, lower KPS score, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and whole brain radiotherapy were favorable predictors of survival (P<0.05). Conclusions: The overall prognosis of LM is poor. Good physical condition, TKIs treatment and whole brain radiotherapy might improve clinical outcomes of LM patients.

[The impact of ambient temperature exposure on emergency calls-a time series analysis based on data of Xuchang and Zhengzhou].

Objective: To investigate the effect of hourly ambient temperature exposure on emergency calls in Xuchang city and Zhengzhou city. Methods: The hourly meteorological data, air pollution data and emergency calls of Xuchang city and Zhengzhou city were collected from January 1, 2017 to October 31, 2019. A distributed lag non-linear model was used to calculate the excess relative risk (ERR). The lag effect and cumulative effect of extreme temperature exposure on emergency calls were evaluated. Results: The relationship between hourly temperature exposure and emergency calls was a U-shaped curve. In Xuchang city and Zhengzhou city, both low and high temperatures would increase the number of hourly emergency calls. The earliest effect of low temperature occurred at a lag of 22 h and 52 h, with ERR values (95%CI) about 0.20% (0.00%, 0.39%) and 0.11% (0.00%, 0.22%), respectively. The earliest effect of high temperature occurred at a lag of 0 h with ERR values about 1.59% (1.09%, 2.09%) and 1.45% (1.22%, 1.69%), respectively. High temperature had the greatest impact on the number of emergency calls of cardiovascular disease at a lag of 4-8 h. The cumulative ERR values (95%CI) of the two cities were 8.70% (4.98%, 12.75%) and 3.89% (2.61%, 5.22%), respectively. Conclusion: High temperature exposure could increase the number of emergency calls within a few hours, while the effect of low temperature would not occur until 22 hours later.