Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis treated with arthroscopic total synovial peel.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is prone to recurrence after surgery, and it is difficult to achieve a long-term complete cure. OBJECTIVE: To reduce the recurrence rate of PVNS, the author pioneered the arthroscopic total synovial peel (ATSP). METHODS: From March 2014 to July 2020, a total of 19 patients (6 males and 13 females) with diffuse PVNS of the knee were treated in our department and underwent ATSP. It's 'peel' rather than simple excision. This method is similar to peeling bark. Relapse rates and functional scores were determined, with follow-ups ranging from 12 to 72 months, on average 36 months. RESULTS: Treatment efficacy was assessed by imaging and functional scores. Imaging results indicated a recurrence rate of 10.5%. In patients without recurrence, the visual analog score (VAS) decreased from 4.76 ± 2.02 preoperatively to 1.56 ± 1.15 postoperatively. The Tegner-Lysholm knee function score (TLS) score increased from 67.76 ± 15.64 preoperatively to 90.32 ± 8.32 postoperatively. Compared with the literature, ATSP significantly reduces the postoperative recurrence rate of diffuse PVNS. The preliminarily findings suggest that this approach could greatly reduce the recurrence rate of postoperative PVNS in follow-up studies. CONCLUSION: This approach may be a viable option for treating diffuse PVNS via arthroscopy and is worthy of clinical consideration.

Artificial Dermal Scaffold Loaded with Platelet-Rich Plasma Promotes Wound Healing in Pigs by Favoring Angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND The development of artificial dermis provides a new therapeutic method for full-thickness skin defects. However, the slow regeneration of blood vessels in the wound site still cannot be solved perfectly. In our study, we combined platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with Lando® artificial dermal scaffold to promote vascular regeneration and wound healing in pigs. MATERIAL AND METHODS First, PRP was compounded with the artificial dermal scaffold. Then, this material was co-cultured with human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the growth and proliferation of HUVECs were assessed. Bama miniature pigs wound models were fabricated, the materials were transplanted into the skin defect, and wound healing and blood vessel regeneration were assessed by HE staining and CD31 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that PRP formed round particles on the surface of the artificial dermis material. Cell co-culture experiments showed that the PRP composite artificial dermal scaffold can promote the growth and proliferation of HUVECs. CCK8 experiments demonstrated that the number of cells in the PRP composites group on days 2, 3, 4, and 5 was higher than that in the material alone group (P<0.01). The results of animal experiments showed that PRP composite artificial dermal material can promote wound healing. Histological staining and immunohistochemical staining indicated that the PRP composites group promoted epithelial tissue thickening and blood vessel regeneration in wounds (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our experimental results showed that the artificial dermal scaffold loaded with platelet-rich plasma can promote the revascularization of wounds and accelerated wound healing.

The role of carbonic anhydrase III and autophagy in type 2 diabetes with cardio-cerebrovascular disease.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases among the elderly people. The T2DM increases the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CCD), and the main pathological change of the CCD is atherosclerosis (AS). Meanwhile, the carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are involved in the formation and progression of plaques in AS. However, the exact physiological mechanism of carbonic anhydrase III (CAIII) has not been clear yet, and there are also no correlation study between CAIII protein and T2DM with CCD. The 8-week old diabetic mice (db/db-/- mice) and wild-type mice (wt mice) were feed by a normal diet till 32 weeks, and detected the carotid artery vascular opening angle using the method of biomechanics; The changes of cerebral cortex and myocardium were watched by the ultrastructure, and the autophagy were observed by electron microscope; The tissue structure, inflammation and cell injury were observed by Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining; The apoptosis of cells were observed by TUNEL staining; The protein levels of CAIII, IL-17, p53 were detected by immunohistochemical and Western Blot, and the Beclin-1, LC3, NF-κB were detected by Western Blot. All statistical analysis is performed using PRISM software. Compared with wt mice, db/db-/- mice' carotid artery open angle increased significantly. Electron microscope results indicated that autophagy in db/db-/- mice cerebral cortex and heart tissue decreased and intracellular organelle ultrastructure were damaged. HE staining indicated that, db/db-/- mice' cerebral cortex and heart tissue stained lighter, inflammatory cells infiltration, cell edema were obvious, myocardial fibers were disorder, and myocardial cells showed different degrees of degeneration. Compared with wt mice, TUNEL staining showed that there was obviously increase in db/db-/- mice cortex and heart tissue cell apoptosis. The results of immunohistochemistry and Western Blot indicated that CAIII, Beclin-1 and LC3II/I expression levels conspicuously decreased in cortex and heart tissue of db/db-/- mice, and the expression level of IL-17, NF-κB and p53 obviously increased. The carotid artery' vascular stiffness was increased and which was probably related with formation of AS in diabetic mice. And the autophagy participated in the occurrence and development of diabetic CCD. CAIII protein might somehow be involved in the regulation of autophagy probably through affecting cell apoptosis and inflammation, but the underlying mechanism remains to be further studied.

Intraventricular Hemorrhage Growth: Definition, Prevalence and Association with Hematoma Expansion and Prognosis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to propose a definition of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) growth and to investigate whether IVH growth is associated with ICH expansion and functional outcome. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of ICH patients between July 2011 and March 2017 in a tertiary hospital. Patients were included if they had a baseline CT scan within 6 h after onset of symptoms and a follow-up CT within 36 h. IVH growth was defined as either any newly occurring intraventricular bleeding on follow-up CT scan in patients without baseline IVH or an increase in IVH volume ≥ 1 mL on follow-up CT scan in patients with initial IVH. Poor outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6 at 90 days. The association between IVH growth and functional outcome was assessed by using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: IVH growth was observed in 59 (19.5%) of 303 patients. Patients with IVH growth had larger baseline hematoma volume, higher NIHSS score and lower GCS score than those without. Of 44 patients who had concurrent IVH growth and hematoma growth, 41 (93.2%) had poor functional outcome at 3-month follow-up. IVH growth (adjusted OR 4.15, 95% CI 1.31-13.20; P = 0.016) was an independent predictor of poor functional outcome (mRS 3-6) at 3 months in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: IVH growth is not uncommon and independently predicts poor outcome in ICH patients. It may serve as a promising therapeutic target for intervention.

Expansion-Prone Hematoma: Defining a Population at High Risk of Hematoma Growth and Poor Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Noncontrast computed tomography (CT) markers are increasingly used for predicting hematoma expansion. The aim of our study was to investigate the predictive value of expansion-prone hematoma in predicting hematoma expansion and outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: Between July 2011 and January 2017, ICH patients who underwent baseline CT scan within 6 h of symptoms onset and follow-up CT scan were recruited into the study. Expansion-prone hematoma was defined as the presence of one or more of the following imaging markers: blend sign, black hole sign, or island sign. The diagnostic performance of blend sign, black hole sign, island sign, and expansion-prone hematoma in predicting hematoma expansion was assessed. Predictors of hematoma growth and poor outcome were analyzed using multivariable logistical regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 282 patients were included in our final analysis. Of 88 patients with early hematoma growth, 69 (78.4%) had expansion-prone hematoma. Expansion-prone hematoma had a higher sensitivity and accuracy for predicting hematoma expansion and poor outcome when compared with any single imaging marker. After adjustment for potential confounders, expansion-prone hematoma independently predicted hematoma expansion (OR 28.33; 95% CI 12.95-61.98) and poor outcome (OR 5.67; 95% CI 2.82-11.40) in multivariable logistic model. CONCLUSION: Expansion-prone hematoma seems to be a better predictor than any single noncontrast CT marker for predicting hematoma expansion and poor outcome. Considering the high risk of hematoma expansion in these patients, expansion-prone hematoma may be a potential therapeutic target for anti-expansion treatment in future clinical studies.

EGb761 improves the cognitive function of elderly db/db-/- diabetic mice by regulating the beclin-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways.

To assess whether EGb761 could protect elderly diabetic mice with cognitive disorders and explore the role of beclin-1-mediated autophagy in these protective effects. Two-month-old male db/db-/- mice and wild-type C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into six groups: db/db-/- control, db/db-/- 50 mg, db/db-/- 100 mg, wild-type (WT) control, WT 50 mg, and WT 100 mg. EGb761 (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg of bodyweight) was given by gavage once a day for 1 month from the age of 6 months. Y-maze and social choice tests were performed at 8th months. The blood pressure was measured. The imaging changes in the brain were measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The expression and distribution of beclin-1, LC3, and NF-κB were detected using immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting. Ultrastructure alterations in the hippocampus were observed using transmission electron microscopy. Compared with WT mice, the learning ability, memory and overall cognitive function of db/db-/- mice decreased (P < 0.05), and EGb761 could significantly improve the learning and memory function of db/db-/- mice (P < 0.05). EGb761 significantly improved systolic blood pressure in db/db-/- mice (P < 0.01). In addition, fMRI-bold showed a decline in the hippocampus of mice in the db/db-/- group compared with WT. EGb761 could improve these above changes. Immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting confirmed that EGb761 significantly increased beclin-1 and reduced LC3-II/I levels in the brains of db/db-/- mice (P < 0.05). NF-κB levels were obviously higher in the db/db-/- group than that in the WT group, and EGb761 significantly reduced NF-κB levels in db/db-/- mice (P < 0.05). There was a trend of increased autophagosomes in db/db-/- mice, but EGb761 did not change obviously the number of autophagosomes. Compared with normal aged WT mice, aging db/db-/- mice had more common complications of cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive dysfunction. EGb761 could significantly improve the cognitive function of aging db/db-/- mice via a mechanism that may involve the regulation of beclin-1, LC3, and NF-κB.

[Degradation Characteristics of Spectral Analysis of Straw Nursery Containers in Situ Soil Culture].

This paper aimed to reveal the degradation behavior of a new type of biodegradable containers. The biodegradable containers, which was made of modified soybean adhesive and straw, was processed in situ biodegradation under natural condition. The physicochemical property and microstructure of straw nursery containers treated and untreated were characterized with Cellulose Tester, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope - Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Thermo-gravimetry Analysis (TGA), respectively. The results indicated that the content of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin of treated specimen decreased to 21.43%, 21.41% and 9.54% from 29.03%, 30.44% and 12.52%, respectively, comparing with those of untreated straw nursery container. FTIR analysis revealed that the ester and fat bond have been ruptured, and the aromatic characteristic peak became weakened. SEM-EDS spectrum showed the microfibril chain in the container has been fragmentation, and the soybean adhesive was also degradation. The surface of container appeared oxidization degradation. TGA analysis showed that a large number of small molecules have been produced in the process of degradation and the thermo-stability of treated samples improved.

Porous nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen scaffold containing drug-loaded ADM-PLGA microspheres for bone cancer treatment.

To develop adriamycin (ADM)-encapsulated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles in a porous nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen scaffold (ADM-PLGA-NHAC). To provide novel strategies for future treatment of osteosarcoma, the properties of the scaffold, including its in vitro extended-release properties, the inhibition effects of ADM-PLGA-NHAC on the osteosarcoma MG63 cells, and its bone repair capacity, were investigated in vivo and in vitro. The PLGA copolymer was utilized as a drug carrier to deliver ADM-PLGA nanoparticles (ADM-PLGA-NP). Porous nano-hydroxyapatite and collagen were used to materials to produce the porous nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen scaffold (NHAC), into which the ADM-PLGA-NP was loaded. The performance of the drug-carrying scaffold was assessed using multiple techniques, including scanning electron microscopy and in vitro extended release. The antineoplastic activities of scaffold extracts on the human osteosarcoma MG63 cell line were evaluated in vitro using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) method and live-dead cell staining. The bone repair ability of the scaffold was assessed based on the establishment of a femoral condyle defect model in rabbits. ADM-PLGA-NHAC and NHAC were implanted into the rat muscle bag for immune response experiments. A tumor-bearing nude mice model was created, and the TUNEL and HE staining results were observed under optical microscopy to evaluate the antineoplastic activity and toxic side effects of the scaffold. The composite scaffold demonstrated extraordinary extended-release properties, and its extracts also exhibited significant inhibition of the growth of osteosarcoma MG63 cells. In the bone repair experiment, no significant difference was observed between ADM-PLGA-NHAC and NHAC by itself. In the immune response experiments, ADM-PLGA-NHAC exhibited remarkable biocompatibility. The in vivo antitumor experiment revealed that the implantation of ADM-PLGA-NHAC in the tumor resulted in a improved antineoplastic effect and fewer adverse side effects than direct intraperitoneal injection of ADM. The ADM-PLGA-NHAC developed in this study exhibited excellent extended-release drug properties, bone repairing and antineoplastic efficacy, which make it a promising osteoconductivity material with the capability to inhibit osteosarcoma.

Effect of tiotropium on neural respiratory drive during exercise in severe COPD.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that tiotropium once daily reduces lung hyperinflation and dyspnea during exercise and improves exercise tolerance in patients with COPD. Mechanisms underlying the effects of the muscarinic receptor antagonist tiotropium on COPD have not been fully understood. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated whether improvement in neural respiratory drive is responsible for reducing dyspnea during exercise and improving exercise tolerance in COPD. METHODS: Twenty subjects with severe COPD were randomized into two groups: no treatment (Control, n = 10, 63.6 ± 4.6 years, FEV1 29.6 ± 13.3%pred) or inhaled tiotropium 18 µg once daily for 1 month (n = 10, 66.5 ± 5.4 years, FEV1 33.0 ± 11.1%pred). All subjects were allowed to continue their daily medications other than anti-cholinergics during the study. Constant cycle exercise with 75% of maximal workload and spirometry were performed before and 1 month after treatment. Diaphragmatic EMG (EMGdi) and respiratory pressures were recorded with multifunctional esophageal catheter. Efficiency of neural respiratory drive, defined as the ratio of minute ventilation (VE) and diaphragmatic EMG (VE/EMGdi%max), was calculated. Modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) was used for the evaluation of dyspnea before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in spirometry before and after treatment in both groups. Diaphragmatic EMG decreased significantly at rest (28.1 ± 10.9% vs. 22.6 ± 10.7%, P < 0.05) and mean efficiency of neural respiratory drive at the later stage of exercise increased (39.8 ± 2.9 vs. 45.2 ± 3.9, P < 0.01) after 1-month treatment with tiotropium. There were no remarkable changes in resting EMGdi and mean efficiency of neural respiratory drive post-treatment in control group. The score of mMRC decreased significantly (2.5 ± 0.5 vs. 1.9 ± 0.7, P < 0.05) after 1-month treatment with tiotropium, but without significantly difference in control group. CONCLUSION: Tiotropium significantly reduces neural respiratory drive at rest and improves the efficiency of neural respiratory drive during exercise, which might account for the improvement in exercise tolerance in COPD.

[Effect of nitrogen supply on biomass accumulating and root respiration dynamic changing of Glycyrrhiza uralensis].

This paper aimed to study the effect nitrogen supplying on biomass accumulation and root respiration dynamic change of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and reveal the metabolic pathway of root respiration impact the biomass accumulating of G. uralensis. Six groups of one-year-old G. uralensis were fertilized with total nutrition containing various nitrogen concentration (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 mmol x L(-1)) every week. At the end of every month, from June to October, the volume respiration rate and biomass of different classes of root samples were determined, and the correlation between root respiration and biomass was analyzed. The results indicated a negative correlation between volume respiration rate and biomass, nitrogen supply significantly affected both root respiration and biomass of G. uralensis by reducing root respiration and increasing root biomass. Under 8 mmol x L(-1) nitrogen supplying, there existed the optimal inhibition of root respiration, which has increased biomass of G. uralensis.

Ultrasound­guided erector spinae plane block in posterior lumbar surgery (Review).

The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a novel fascial planar block technique, which is used to reduce postoperative pain in several surgical procedures, including breast, thoracic, spine and hip surgery. Due to its recognizable anatomy and low complication rate, the application of ESPB has been significantly increased. However, it is rarely used in clinical practice for postoperative analgesia after posterior lumbar spine surgery, while the choice of adjuvant drugs, block levels and drug doses remain controversial. Based on the current literature review, ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine could be considered as the best available drug combination. The present review aimed to analyze the currently available clinical evidence and summarize the benefits and challenges of ESPB in spinal surgery, thus providing novel insights into the application of ESPB in the postoperative management of posterior lumbar surgery.

Increased Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Responsive Element is Closely Associated with the Pathogenesis of Drug-resistant Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is a refractory neurological disorder. There is ample evidence that suggest that γ-aminobutyric acid-a (GABAA) receptors could be one of the mechanisms responsible for the development of drug resistance in epilepsy. It is also known that the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) plays a possible key role in the transcriptional regulation of GABAA. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the role of CREB in the development of DRE and the effect of CREB on GABA-related receptors in DRE. METHODS: The CREB expression was increased or decreased in the hippocampus of normal rats by lentiviral transfection, who then underwent the lithium-pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model. Phenobarbital (PB) sodium and carbamazepine (CBZ) were used to select a drug-resistant epileptic model. The expression levels of GABAA receptor α1, ß2, and γ2 subunits and CREB protein were measured in the rat hippocampus by western blot and fluorescent quantitative PCR. RESULTS: The frequency and duration of seizures increased in the overexpression group compared to that in the control group. In addition, the severity, frequency, and duration of seizures decreased in the group with decreased expression. The hippocampus analysis of the expression levels of the CREB protein and CREB mRNA yielded similar findings. Altering the CREB protein expression in the rat hippocampus could negatively regulate the expression and transcript levels of GABAA receptors α1, ß2, and γ2, suggesting that CREB may serve as a potential target for the development of treatment protocols and drugs for epilepsy. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that enhanced CREB expression promotes the development of DRE and negatively regulates GABAA receptor levels and that the inhibition of CREB expression may reduce the incidence of DRE.

Impact of inclusive leadership on employees' innovative behavior: A relational silence approach.

Introduction: Although employees' silence is a common phenomenon in organizations, the mediating role of relational silence has not been studied in inclusive leadership and innovative behavior. In this study, based on the theory of social exchange, relational silence is used as a mediating variable to explore the internal mechanisms of inclusive leadership on employees' innovative behavior. Methods: Data from 263 in-service leaders and employees were collected using convenience sampling and analyzed using Amos and SPSS statistical software package via questionnaires distributed to companies in six cities in the Guangdong province of China. Results: The results showed that inclusive leadership has a significant positive predictive effect on employees' innovative behavior (ß = 0.590, p < 0.01), while inclusive leadership is negative and significantly correlated with relational silence (ß = -0.469, p < 0.01). More so, relational silence has a significant negative correlation with employees' innovative behavior (ß = -0.408, p < 0.01), and relational silence partially mediates the relationship between inclusive leadership and employee innovation behavior. Discussion: The mediating role of relational silence between inclusive leadership and employees' innovative behavior is revealed for the first time, theoretically broadening and enriching the connotation of inclusive leadership's influence mechanism on employees' innovative behavior and providing new ideas in practice for constructing inclusive leadership styles, reducing the incidence of relational silence, and evoking employees' innovative behavior.

Case report: Inspiration from a rare fatal heart perforation after percutaneous vertebroplasty.

The principal benefit of employing percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for managing osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures lies in its capacity to facilitate early mobilization in elderly patients, thereby effectively avoiding the potential catastrophic complications associated with prolonged bedridden states. However, bone cement leakage, as the most common complication of PVP, may have fatal consequences. Here, we report a case involving an 85-year-old male patient with L1 vertebral compression fracture who underwent PVP at our hospital and was discharged on the same day of the surgical intervention. Subsequently, the patient experienced symptoms of chest tightness and palpitations. Cardiac ultrasound examination revealed pericardial effusion, while pulmonary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) demonstrated a strip high-density shadow in the right ventricular area. Finally, it was determined that the perforation of the right ventricular wall was caused by bone cement embolism. Through this comprehensive case report, we aim to deepen the understanding of orthopedic doctors on the importance of preventing bone cement leakage.

Higher Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Burden in Patients With Small Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Objective: To investigate the association between cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) and hematoma volume in primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: Patients from a prospective ICH cohort were enrolled. Admission and follow-up CT scan within 72 h after onset were reviewed to calculate the final hematoma volume. We evaluated cortical superficial siderosis and the global SVD score, including white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, enlarged perivascular space, and cerebral microbleeds on MRI. We conducted the multivariate logistic regression analyses to explore the association between SVD markers and small ICH, as well as hematoma volume. Hematoma location was stratified into lobar and non-lobar for subgroup analysis. Results: A total of 187 patients with primary ICH (mean age 62.4 ± 13.4 years, 67.9% male) were enrolled. 94 (50.2%) patients had small ICH. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an association between global SVD score and small ICH [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.27, 95% CI 1.03-1.57, p = 0.027] and a trend of higher global SVD score towards non-lobar small ICH (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 0.95-1.58, p = 0.122). In the multivariate linear regression analysis, global SVD score was inversely related to hematoma volume of all ICH (ß = -0.084, 95% CI -0.142 to -0.025, p = 0.005) and non-lobar ICH (ß = -0.112, 95% CI -0.186 to -0.037, p = 0.004). Lacune (ß = -0.245, 95% CI -0.487 to -0.004, p = 0.046) was associated with lower non-lobar ICH volume. Conclusion: Global SVD score is associated with small ICH and inversely correlated with hematoma volume. This finding predominantly exists in non-lobar ICH.

Evaluation of a Functional Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor ACE2 That Is Potentially Involved in Long COVID.

Since the occurrence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has led to a global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A better understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 at the genetic level would help combat COVID-19, particularly for long COVID. We performed a genetic analysis of ACE2 and searched for its common potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with minor allele frequency >0.05 in both European and Chinese populations that would contribute to ACE2 gene expression variation. We thought that the variation of the ACE2 expression would be an important biological feature that would strongly affect COVID-19 symptoms, such as "brain fog", which is highlighted by the fact that ACE2 acts as a major cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2 attachment and is highly expressed in brain tissues. Based on the human GTEx gene expression database, we found rs2106809 exhibited a significant correlation with the ACE2 expression among multiple brain and artery tissues. This expression correlation was replicated in an independent European brain eQTL database, Braineac. rs2106809*G also displays significantly higher frequency in Asian populations than in Europeans and displays a protective effect (p = 0.047) against COVID-19 hospitalization when comparing hospitalized COVID-19 cases with non-hospitalized COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 test-negative samples with European ancestry from the UK Biobank. Furthermore, we experimentally demonstrated that rs2106809*G could upregulate the transcriptional activity of ACE2. Therefore, integrative analysis and functional experiment strongly support that ACE2 SNP rs2106809 is a functional brain eQTL and its potential involvement in long COVID, which warrants further investigation.

Genetic screening for hypertension and COVID-19 reveals functional variation of SPEG potentially associated with severe COVID-19 in women.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to more than 6.4 million deaths worldwide. The prevalent comorbidity between hypertension and severe COVID-19 suggests common genetic factors may affect the outcome of both diseases. As both hypertension and severe COVID-19 demonstrate sex-biased prevalence, common genetic factors between the two diseases may display sex-biased differential associations. By evaluating COVID-19 association signals of 172-candidate hypertension single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) derived from more than 1 million European individuals in two sex-stratified severe COVID-19 genome-wide association studies from UK BioBank with European ancestry, we revealed one functional cis expression quantitative trait locus of SPEG (rs12474050) showing sex-biased association with severe COVID-19 in women. The risk allele rs12474050*T associates with higher blood pressure. In our study, we found it is significantly correlated with lower SPEG expression in muscle-skeletal but with higher expression in both brain cerebellum and cerebellar hemisphere. Additionally, nominal significances were detected for the association between rs12474050*T and lower SPEG expression in both heart left ventricle and atrial appendage; among these tissues, the SPEG expression is nominally significantly higher in females than in males. Further analysis revealed SPEG is mainly expressed in cardiomyocytes in heart and is upregulated upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, with significantly higher upregulation of SPEG only observed in female but not in male COVID-19 patients compared to both normal female and male individuals, suggesting upregulation of SPEG is a female-specific protective mechanism against COVID-19 induced heart damage. Taken together, our analyses suggest the involvement of SPEG in both hypertension and severe COVID-19 in women, which provides new insights for sex-biased effect of severe COVID-19 in women.

[Preparation and characterization of wood/methylolurea composite with in-situ polymerization].

Wood/methylolurea composite was prepared with the in-situ polymerization. The green timber with high moisture content was impregnated by a pulse-dipping machine and then was dried in a hot-press drying kiln. The cross-linking reaction was taken under the heat treatment between the wood modifier and the wood composition, including cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. The chemical composition was analyzed according to the Chinese standard, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDXA). The changes in chemical composition of modified wood and carbon and nitrogen element were disused in the research The results showed that the content of water extraction and benzene alcohol extraction increased 187.43% and 230.87% respectively compared with the natural wood, while the lignin and holocellulose decreased 26.55% and 26.39% respectively. XPS showed that the concentrations of O and C atoms increased 9.4% and N element content increased 137.2%. 13C-NMR analysis showed that chemical reaction of the hydroxyl methyl urea with the hydroxyl in timber structure took place, with the reduction of hydroxyl content and increase in ether bond content. EDXA showed that the processing method can get impregnated modification wood and nitrogen element is evenly distributed in wood cell walls and intercellular space.

[Preparation and properties of wood/modified UF prepolymer composite materials].

In the present research, the urea-formaldehyde prepolymer and multilayer hot-press drying were used to modify poplar plantation. The prepolymer was impregnated into cell lumen space by pulse-dipping machine. Then the timbers were compressed and dried by the multilayer hot-press drying kiln. The results showed that the physical and chemical properties of poplar were changed in this investigation. The basic density of modified wood increased 1.06 times compared with the natural wood, and the bending strength increased 33% for modified wood, compressive strength parallel to grain increased 74%, the water absorption decreased to 97% from 104%. The crystallinity decreased slightly from 39.65 to 36.89 because of the modifier impregnated. TGA analysis showed that the heat resistance of modified wood increased, the three exothermic peaks in DTA curve of modified wood were 280, 360 and 485 degrees C which were higher than natural wood in the corresponding position FTIR analysis showed that the hydroxyl modified material has a good association phenomenon, and carbonyl content decreased. The SEM spectrum showed the distribution of the prepolymer in the modified timber.

[The influence of reference data noise on the NIR prediction results].

This article used hemicelluloses content in acacia spp. wood as a case study to demonstrate the influence of noise in the reference data on the results of NIR calibration model. The results indicated that the accuracy of NIR calibration model was affected by the reference data noise. The less noisy data was used in calibration model, the better result could be obtained. But when the noise was larger, NIR calibration model which was built by using regression mathematics methods can perform better than using primary reference data.