Design of a Compact Transfer Radiometer for a Radiometric Benchmark Transfer Chain.

In order to meet the high-accuracy calibration requirements of satellite remote sensing instruments, a transfer radiometer for an on-orbit radiometric benchmark transfer chain has been developed, which provides vital technical support for realizing the radiometric calibration uncertainty of the order of 10-3 for remote sensing instruments. The primary role of the transfer radiometer is to convert from the spectral power responsivity traceable to a cryogenic radiometer to the spectral radiance responsivity and transfer it to the imaging spectrometer. At a wavelength of 852.1 nm, the combined uncertainty of the radiance measurement comparison experiment between the transfer radiometer and a radiance meter is 0.43% (k = 1), and the relative deviation of the measurements between the transfer radiometer and the radiance meter is better than 0.36%, which is better than the combined uncertainty of the radiance measurement comparison experiment. This demonstrates that the transfer radiometer can achieve radiance measurements with a measurement uncertainty better than 0.3% (k = 1).

Identified lung adenocarcinoma metabolic phenotypes and their association with tumor immune microenvironment.

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), causes high mortality around the world. Previous studies have suggested that the metabolic pattern of tumor is associated with tumor response to immunotherapy and patient's survival outcome. Yet, this relationship in LUAD is still unknown. METHODS: Therefore, in this study, we identified the immune landscape in different tumor subtypes classified by metabolism-related genes expression with a large-scale dataset (tumor samples, n = 2181; normal samples, n = 419). We comprehensively correlated metabolism-related phenotypes with diverse clinicopathologic characteristics, genomic features, and immunotherapeutic efficacy in LUAD patients. RESULTS: And we confirmed tumors with activated lipid metabolism tend to have higher immunocytes infiltration and better response to checkpoint immunotherapy. This work highlights the connection between the metabolic pattern of tumor and tumor immune infiltration in LUAD. A scoring system based on metabolism-related gene expression is not only able to predict prognosis of patient with LUAD but also applied to pan-cancer. LUAD response to checkpoint immunotherapy can also be predicted by this scoring system. CONCLUSIONS: This work revealed the significant connection between metabolic pattern of tumor and tumor immune infiltration, regulating LUAD patients' response to immunotherapy.

Nontarget metabolomics profiling of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

To investigate the characteristic of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, UHPLC-MS was used to identify metabolites by metabolite extraction and on-machine detection. Multivariate analysis methods were used to complete differential metabolite screening and metabolic pathway analysis. The content of eight substances, such as tryptophan and l-glutamic acid in the plasma of NMOSD patients, was higher than that of the healthy control group. Moreover, no differential metabolite was found in the plasma of patients with AQP-4 antibody-positive and antibody-negative NMOSD. The content of five substances including 3-hydroxybutyric acid in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with NMOSD was reduced. We demonstrated that the distribution of metabolites in plasma between NMOSD patients and healthy counterparts was significantly different. However, there is no significant difference in plasma metabolites between AQP-4 antibody positive and negative NMOSD. There were some differences in metabolites between the cerebrospinal fluid of NMOSD patients and that of healthy controls. A variety of amino-acid abnormalities, sphingomyelin dysfunction, energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction are involved in the pathogenesis of NMOSD.

Tumor-Penetrating Peptide-Modified DNA Tetrahedron for Targeting Drug Delivery.

DNA self-assembling nanostructure has been considered as a promising candidate as a drug delivery vehicle because of its compactness, mechanical stability, and noncytotoxicity. In this work, we developed functional, multiform DNA nanostructures by appending a tumor-penetrating peptide to tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (p-TDN). This functional structure is able to efficiently increase the rate of uptake of glioblastoma cell U87MG compared with the DNA tetrahedron and the double-stranded DNA structures. We found that the DNA tetrahedron plays the main role in the endocytosis of U87MG cells, whereas the tumor-penetrating peptide could also bind to transmembrane glycoprotein neuropilin-1 and mediate the endocytosis of the p-TDN nanostructure. Moreover, given the high efficiency of the growth inhibitory effect of the p-TDN loading doxorubicin hydrochloride, the p-TDN distinguishes itself as a promising candidate as an effective delivery carrier.

Similar Fecal Microbiota Signatures in Patients With Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Patients With Depression.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often have psychiatric comorbidities. Alterations in the intestinal microbiota have been associated with IBS and depression, but it is not clear if there is a microbial relationship between these disorders. We studied the profiles of fecal microbiota samples from patients with IBS, depression, or comorbidities of IBS and depression; we determined the relationships among these profiles and clinical and pathophysiological features of these disorders. METHODS: We used 454 pyrosequencing to analyze fecal microbiota samples from 100 subjects (40 with diarrhea-predominant IBS [IBS-D], 15 with depression, 25 with comorbidities of IBS and depression, and 20 healthy individuals [controls]), recruited at Peking University. Abdominal and psychological symptoms were evaluated with validated questionnaires. Visceral sensitivity was evaluated using a barostat. Colonic mucosal inflammation was assayed by immunohistochemical analyses of sigmoid tissue biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Fecal microbiota signatures were similar between patients with IBS-D and depression in that they were less diverse than samples from controls and had similar abundances of alterations. They were characterized by high proportions of Bacteroides (type I), Prevotella (type II), or nondominant microbiota (type III). Most patients with IBS-D or depression had type I or type II profiles (IBS-D had 85% type I and type II profiles, depression had 80% type I and type II profiles). Colon tissues from patients with type I or type II profiles had higher levels of inflammatory markers than colon tissues from patients with type III profiles. The level of colon inflammation correlated with the severity of IBS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBS-D and depression have similar alterations in fecal microbiota; these might be related to the pathogenesis of these disorders. We identified 3 microbial profiles in patients that could indicate different subtypes of IBS and depression or be used as diagnostic biomarkers.

[Analysis of the dietary factors on sarcopenia in elderly in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the dietary factors on sarcopenia in elderly in Beijing and provide nutritional recommendations for the sarcopenia. METHOD: A total of 830 participants aged 60 and above and without serious diseases were selected from two representative communities in Beijing. A cross-sectional research design was used, including inquiry investigation, dietary surveys (food frequency questionnaire) anthropometry, muscle mass and functional assessment. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 20.1% in this area, the men was 17.1%, while the women was 21.6% (P > 0.05). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the five age groups has significant statistically difference (chi2 = 19.03, P = 0.0008) and increased with age rising (Z = -4.18, P < 0.0001). The prevalence of sarcopenia would be downward if the time of exercise prolonged and body mass index (BMI) increased (P < 0.05). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the group of meat consumption <35, 35-70, > 70 g/d was 24.5%,19.9% and 15. 3% (chi2 = 6.02, P = 0.0492), respectively (trend test for groups comparison, Z = 2.45, P =0.0141). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the group of egg consumption <35, 35-60, >60 g/d was 25.8%, 18.7% and 11.3% (chi2 = 6.50, P = 0.0388), respectively ( trend test for groups comparison, Z =2. 55, P = 0.0109). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the group of energy consumption < 1612, 1612-2109, > 2109 kcal/d was 25.8%,19.5% and 15. 0% (x2 = 8. 19 , P = 0. 0158), respectively (trend test for groups comparison, Z = 2.87, P = 0.0042). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the group of protein consumption < 58.2, 58.2 - 78.4, > 78.4 g/d was 25.3%, 18.2% and 16.7% (chi2 = 5.97, P = 0. 0505 ) , respectively (Z = 2.28, P = 0.0227). After controlling the influence of age, BMI, exercise and education, meat consumption (beta = -0.1703, P = 0.0119), egg consumption (beta = -0.1545, P = 0.0302) and the high quality protein consumption (beta = -0.1805, P = 0.0302) were negatively related with sarcopenia. CONCLUSION: Animal food, such as meet and egg, is an important protective factor for sarcopenia. Therefore, it is the first important thing for the elderly to ensure adequate energy intake, then you should increase the animal food intake which contains high quality protein to prevent sarcopenia.

[Esophageal motility characteristics of refractory heartburn: a study based on high resolution manometry and 24 hour pH-impedance monitoring].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the esophageal motility characteristics of refractory heartburn with different reflux patterns and preliminarily clarify the roles of esophageal disorder in refractory heartburn. METHODS: A total of 176 refractory heartburn patients were enrolled from 2009 to 2013. After gastroscopy and 24 hour pH-impedance monitoring, they were divided into 4 groups of reflux esophagitis (RE, n = 29), non-erosive reflux disease with acid reflux (NERD-acid, n = 51), NERD with weakly acidic reflux (NERD-weakly acid, n = 51) and non-reflux associated heartburn (n = 45). All subjects undertake high resolution manometry test and their esophageal motility functions were analyzed by the Chicago classification criteria 2012. RESULTS: Among them, 60.23% (106/176) patients presented esophageal motility disorders. And 42.61% (75/176) fulfilled the criteria of weak peristalsis, 7.39% (13/176) distal esophageal spasm, 4.55% (8/176) rapid contraction, 3.98% (7/176) EGJ outflow obstruction, 1.14% (2/176) hiatus hernia and 1 Jackhammer esophagus. The detection rates of esophageal motility disorder were similar among 4 groups and weak peristalsis was the most common disorder in all groups (41.38% in RE, 37.25% in NERD-acid patients, 54.90% in NERD-weakly acid and 35.56% in non-reflux associated heartburn patients). However, hypertensive motility disorders in non-reflux associated heartburn group (31.11%, 14/45) were more than GERD subgroups (11.45%, 15/131) (P < 0.05) . The relax ratio of low esophagus sphincter (LES) in GERD subgroups were higher than that in non-reflux associated heartburn patients. And the relax ratio of NERD-weakly acid was significantly higher than that in non-reflux associated heartburn patients (65% (50%-80%) vs 58% (42%-67%) , P < 0.05). The integrated relaxation pressure in GERD subgroups were lower than that of non-reflux associated heartburn patients without significant differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal weak peristalsis is one of the most common motility disorders in refractory heartburn patients, and esophageal hypertensive motility disorders are common in non-reflux associated heartburn patients. Esophageal manometry is necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of refractory heartburn.

Shared and distinct aberrations in frontal-striatal system functional patterns among patients with irritable bowel syndrome and major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Considering the high comorbidity, shared risk factors, and genetic pathways between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and major depressive disorder (MDD), we hypothesized that there would be both shared and disorder-specific alterations in brain function. METHODS: A total of 39 IBS patients, 39 MDD patients, and 40 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled and matched for sex, age, and educational level. All subjects underwent resting-state functional MRI. The clinical variables of anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal symptoms and alexithymia were recorded. The 12 subregions of the striatum were employed as seeds to assess their functional connectivity (FC) with every voxel throughout the whole brain. RESULTS: Compared to HC, IBS and MDD patients exhibited aberrant frontal-striatal circuitry. We observed a common decrease in FC between the dorsal striatum and regions of the hippocampus, sensorimotor cortex, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) in both IBS and MDD patients. Patients with IBS exhibited disorder-specific decreases in FC within the striatum, along with reduced connectivity between the ventral striatum and sensorimotor cortex. In contrast, MDD patients showed disorder-specific hyperconnectivity in the medial PFC-limbic system. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that frontal-striatal FC values could serve as transdiagnostic markers of IBS and MDD. Within the IBS group, striatal connectivity was not only negatively associated with weekly abdominal pain days but also negatively correlated with the levels of anxiety and alexithymia. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory analysis indicated that patients with IBS and MDD exhibited both shared and disorder-specific frontal-striatal circuit impairments, potentially explaining both comorbidity and distinct phenotypes.

The causal effect of air pollution on the risk of essential hypertension: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Air pollution poses a major threat to human health by causing various illnesses, such as cardiovascular diseases. While plenty of research indicates a correlation between air pollution and hypertension, a definitive answer has yet to be found. Methods: Our analyses were performed using the Genome-wide association study (GWAS) of exposure to air pollutants from UKB (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and NOX; n = 423,796 to 456,380), essential hypertension from FinnGen (42,857 cases and 162,837 controls) and from UKB (54,358 cases and 408,652 controls) as a validated cohort. Univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) were conducted to investigate the causal relationship between air pollutants and essential hypertension. Body mass index (BMI), alcohol intake frequency, and the number of cigarettes previously smoked daily were included in multivariable MRs (MVMRs) as potential mediators/confounders. Results: Our findings suggested that higher levels of both PM2.5 (OR [95%CI] per 1 SD increase in predicted exposure = 1.24 [1.02-1.53], p = 3.46E-02 from Finn; OR [95%CI] = 1.04 [1.02-1.06], p = 7.58E-05 from UKB) and PM10 (OR [95%CI] = 1.24 [1.02-1.53], p = 3.46E-02 from Finn; OR [95%CI] = 1.04 [1.02-1.06], p = 7.58E-05 from UKB) were linked to an increased risk for essential hypertension. Even though we used MVMR to adjust for the impacts of smoking and drinking on the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and essential hypertension risks, our findings suggested that although there was a direct positive connection between them, it is not present after adjusting BMI (OR [95%CI] = 1.05 [0.87-1.27], p = 6.17E-01). Based on the study, higher exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 increases the chances of developing essential hypertension, and this influence could occur through mediation by BMI. Conclusion: Exposure to both PM2.5 and PM10 is thought to have a causal relationship with essential hypertension. Those impacted by substantial levels of air pollution require more significant consideration for their cardiovascular health.

A TGF-ß signaling-related lncRNA signature for prediction of glioma prognosis, immune microenvironment, and immunotherapy response.

AIMS: The dysregulation of TGF-ß signaling is a crucial pathophysiological process in tumorigenesis and progression. LncRNAs have diverse biological functions and are significant participants in the regulation of tumor signaling pathways. However, the clinical value of lncRNAs related to TGF-ß signaling in glioma is currently unclear. METHODS: Data on glioma's RNA-seq transcriptome, somatic mutation, DNA methylation data, and clinicopathological information were derived from the CGGA and TCGA databases. A prognostic lncRNA signature was constructed by Cox and LASSO regression analyses. TIMER2.0 database was utilized to deduce immune infiltration characteristics. "ELMER v.2" was used to reconstruct TF-methylation-gene regulatory network. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy response predictions were implemented by the TIDE algorithm and GDSC database, respectively. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to verify the results and clarify the regulatory mechanism of lncRNA. RESULTS: In glioma, a TGF-ß signaling-related 15-lncRNA signature was constructed, including AC010173.1, HOXA-AS2, AC074286.1, AL592424.1, DRAIC, HOXC13-AS, AC007938.1, AC010729.1, AC013472.3, AC093895.1, AC131097.4, AL606970.4, HOXC-AS1, AGAP2-AS1, and AC002456.1. This signature proved to be a reliable prognostic tool, with high risk indicating an unfavorable prognosis and being linked to malignant clinicopathological and genomic mutation traits. Risk levels were associated with different immune infiltration landscapes, where high risk was indicative of high levels of macrophage infiltration. In addition, high risk also suggested better immunotherapy and chemotherapy response. cg05987823 was an important methylation site in glioma progression, and AP-1 transcription factor family participated in the regulation of signature lncRNA expression. AGAP2-AS1 knockdown in in vitro and in vivo experiments inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells, as well as the growth of glioma, by downregulating the expression levels of NF-κB and ERK 1/2 in the TGF-ß signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: A prognostic lncRNA signature of TGF-ß signaling was established in glioma, which can be used for prognostic judgment, immune infiltration status inference, and immunotherapy response prediction. AGAP2-AS1 plays an important role in glioma progression.

[The characteristics of anorectal manometry in Parkinson's disease with constipation and functional constipation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the discrepancy of anorectal function in patients of Parkinson's disease (PD) with constipation and functional constipation (FC). METHODS: Fifteen consecutive male PD patients with constipation and 45 male FC patients were recruited for the study. All subjects underwent colonoscopy or barium enema in order to exclude organic colon diseases. Every patient underwent anorectal manometry and was categorized into subgroups of either dyssynergia defecation (F3a) or inadequate defecatory propulsion (F3b). RESULTS: The ages of PD with constipation and FC patients were (70 ± 11) and (68 ± 11) years old respectively. The rectal resting pressure in PD with constipation was higher than that in FC group without statistical significance [9.0(4.0, 15.0) mm Hg vs 6.0(3.0, 9.5) mm Hg, P = 0.082, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa]. The anal resting pressure in PD group was not different from FC group [(51.2 ± 17.2) mm Hg vs (59.7 ± 20.4) mm Hg, P = 0.152]. During anal squeezing, the maximal contraction pressure and area under the squeeze curve in PD with constipation group were both significantly lower than FC patients [maximal contraction pressure: (136.9 ± 43.8) mm Hg vs (183.0 ± 62.1) mm Hg, P = 0.010; area under the squeeze curve: (823.5 ± 635.7) mm Hg·s vs (1392.4 ± 939.9) mm Hg·s, P = 0.033]. During forced defecation, both of the defecation rectal pressure and defecation anal pressure in PD with constipation group were significantly lower than that of FC patients [22.0(15.0, 30.0) vs 42.0(31.0, 55.0) mm Hg, P = 0.000; and (46.3 ± 23.3) vs (77.9 ± 35.1) mm Hg, P = 0.002]. The proportions of F3a subtype were 10/15 and 46.7% (21/45) in PD with constipation and FC patients respectively. There was no significant difference in the constituent ratio (P = 0.120). Initial rectal sensory volumes were (91.3 ± 56.9) ml and (67.2 ± 38.9) ml in PD with constipation and FC patients respectively. Even both volumes were higher than the normal controls, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.074). CONCLUSIONS: Both PD with constipation and FC patients have abnormal anorectal motility and sensation comparing to the FC group, the parameters of anal contraction and defecation are significantly lower, F3b is dominant, and rectal sensory threshold is higher in PD with constipation patients. These parameters could possibly characterize the anorectal manometry for PD with constipation patients, which is helpful to understand the pathogenesis of PD and differentiate from other diseases.

Association between depression and HIV infection vulnerable populations in United States adults: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES from 1999 to 2018.

Background: Although the government has made a commitment to advance education on HIV disclosure, depression continues to play a significant role in whether people living with HIV (PLWH) choose to disclose their HIV status to families or friends. Vulnerable populations who are at risk of contracting HIV may also be more susceptible to mental illness. However, there is a limited understanding of the association between depression and vulnerable populations affects by HIV among United States adults. We aimed to explore the incidence of depression in the HIV infection vulnerable populations and assessed the association between the HIV infection vulnerable populations and depression. Methods: We analyzed the most current statistics from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that included 16,584 participants aged 18 years or older between 1999 and 2018. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate symptoms of depressive disorder. Demographic characteristics were compared between the HIV infection vulnerable groups and HIV infection low-risk groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was also carried out to evaluate the odds rate and association between the HIV infection vulnerable populations and depression. Results: Based on the most recent statistics from NHANES, HIV infection vulnerable populations were male, younger, less married or living together, non-Hispanic White people, lower income, and lower body mass index (BMI), with higher levels of cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, a higher prevalence of depression, lower prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM; p < 0.05). Additionally, individuals with severe depression had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, DM, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and a higher proportion of HIV infection vulnerable populations and less married or living together (p < 0.01). Finally, the odds of depression from the logistic regression were significantly increased in HIV infection vulnerable groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Depression might be associated with HIV infection vulnerable populations in the United States adults. More research is needed to evaluate the association between HIV infection vulnerable populations and depression and explore their causal associations. In addition, prevention efforts focusing on HIV disclosure and HIV infection vulnerable populations in the United States should address common co-prevalent depression to reduce new HIV infections.

A novel prognostic related lncRNA signature associated with amino acid metabolism in glioma.

Background: Glioma is one of the deadliest malignant brain tumors in adults, which is highly invasive and has a poor prognosis, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have key roles in the progression of glioma. Amino acid metabolism reprogramming is an emerging hallmark in cancer. However, the diverse amino acid metabolism programs and prognostic value remain unclear during glioma progression. Thus, we aim to find potential amino-related prognostic glioma hub genes, elaborate and verify their functions, and explore further their impact on glioma. Methods: Glioblastoma (GBM) and low-grade glioma (LGG) patients' data were downloaded from TCGA and CCGA datasets. LncRNAs associated with amino acid metabolism were discriminated against via correlation analysis. LASSO analysis and Cox regression analysis were conducted to identify lncRNAs related to prognosis. GSVA and GSEA were performed to predict the potential biological functions of lncRNA. Somatic mutation data and CNV data were further built to demonstrate genomic alterations and the correlation between risk scores. Human glioma cell lines U251 and U87-MG were used for further validation in vitro experiments. Results: There were eight amino-related lncRNAs in total with a high prognostic value that were identified via Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses. The high risk-score group presented a significantly poorer prognosis compared with the low risk-score group, with more clinicopathological features and characteristic genomic aberrations. Our results provided new insights into biological functions in the above signature lncRNAs, which participate in the amino acid metabolism of glioma. LINC01561 is one of the eight identified lncRNAs, which was adopted for further verification. In in vitro experiments, siRNA-mediated LINC01561 silencing suppresses glioma cells' viability, migration, and proliferation. Conclusion: Novel amino-related lncRNAs associated with the survival of glioma patients were identified, and a lncRNA signature can predict glioma prognosis and therapy response, which possibly has vital roles in glioma. Meanwhile, it emphasized the importance of amino acid metabolism in glioma, particularly in providing deeper research at the molecular level.

PD-L1-related IncRNAs are associated with malignant characteristics and immune microenvironment in glioma.

BACKGROUND: The expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) can function as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker for tumors. This research explores the role of PD-L1-related lncRNAs in affecting malignant characteristics and the immune microenvironment of glioma. METHODS: Downloading gene expression profiles and clinicopathological information of glioma from TCGA and CGGA databases, 6 PD-L1-related lncRNAs were identified through correlation analysis, Cox and LASSO regression analysis, establishing the risk score model based on them. Bioinformatics analysis and cell experiments in vitro were adopted to verify the effects of LINC01271 on glioma. RESULTS: Risk scores based on 6 PD-L1-related lncRNAs (AL355974.3, LINC01271, AC011899.3, MIR4500HG, LINC02594, AL357055.3) can reflect malignant characteristics and immunotherapy response of glioma. Patients with high LINC01271 expression had a worse prognosis, a higher abundance of M1 subtype macrophages in the immune microenvironment, and a higher degree of tumor malignancy. Experiments in vitro confirmed its positive regulatory effect on the proliferation and migration of glioma cells. CONCLUSIONS: The risk score model based on 6 PD-L1-related lncRNAs can reflect the malignant characteristics and prognosis of glioma. LINC01271 can independently be used as a new target for prognosis evaluation and therapy.

A comparative study of 22-channel water-perfusion system and solid-state system with 36-sensors in esophageal manometery.

BACKGROUND: To compare the characteristics between 22-channel water-perfusion manometry (WPM) and solid-state manometry (SSM) with 36 sensors of the pressure measurements, as well as patients' discomfort indices in nose and pharynx, the preparation and operation time of the manometry. METHODS: 12 volunteers were included in the study. Each of the volunteers underwent esophageal manometry by both 22-channel water-perfusion catheter (WPC) and solid-state catheter (SSC) with 36 sensors in random order, and separated by 30 min. The subjects gave a VAS score soon after each test. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze the differences and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the consistency of the two systems. RESULTS: During the wet swallows, there were significant differences between the two systems in three measurements of location of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) upper margin (Z = -2.11, P = 0.035), LES relax ratio (Z = -2.20, P = 0.028) and IRP4s (Z = -2.05, P = 0.041). During the jelly pocket swallows, LES relax ratio measurements of the two systems showed significant differences (Z = -2.805, P = 0.005). Further Bland-Altman plots analysis presented good agreement between the two systems measurements of location of LES upper margin, LES relax ratio and IRP4s. The discomfort indices of subjects' nasal sensation were higher when inserting the solid-state catheter [5(3.75-5)] than water-perfusion one (2.5(2-4)) (Z = -2.471, P = 0.013), as well as the discomfort indices of pharyngeal sensation (7.5(4.75-9) vs. 4.5(3.75-6.5)), (Z = -2.354, P = 0.019). The preparation time for WPC was 40(39-41) minutes, which was much longer than that for SSC 32.5(31.75-33) minutes, (Z = -3.087, P = 0.002). And the nurses reported it's much easier to insert WPC (Z = -3.126, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, most pressure measurements were consistent between WPM and SSM. Patients tolerated better with WPC, while for operators, the SSC presented more convenient.

Target recognition of ladar range images using even-order Zernike moments.

Ladar range images have attracted considerable attention in automatic target recognition fields. In this paper, Zernike moments (ZMs) are applied to classify the target of the range image from an arbitrary azimuth angle. However, ZMs suffer from high computational costs. To improve the performance of target recognition based on small samples, even-order ZMs with serial-parallel backpropagation neural networks (BPNNs) are applied to recognize the target of the range image. It is found that the rotation invariance and classified performance of the even-order ZMs are both better than for odd-order moments and for moments compressed by principal component analysis. The experimental results demonstrate that combining the even-order ZMs with serial-parallel BPNNs can significantly improve the recognition rate for small samples.

A novel inflammation-related lncRNAs prognostic signature identifies LINC00346 in promoting proliferation, migration, and immune infiltration of glioma.

In this study, a total of 13 inflammation-related lncRNAs with a high prognostic value were identified with univariate, multivariate Cox regression analysis, and LASSO analysis. LINC00346, which is one of the 13 lncRNAs identified, was positively associated with type 2 macrophage activation and the malignant degree of glioma. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemical staining showed that LINC00346 was highly expressed in high-grade glioma, while type 2 macrophages key transcription factor STAT3 and surface marker CD204 were also highly expressed simultaneously. LINC00346 high-expression gliomas were more sensitive to the anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy. LINC00346 was also associated with tumor proliferation and tumor migration validated by EdU, cell colony, formation CCK8, and transwell assays. These findings reveal novel biomarkers for predicting glioma prognosis and outline relationships between lncRNAs inflammation, and glioma, as well as possible immune checkpoint targets for glioma.

Development of a Diagnostic Model Focusing on Esophageal Dysmotility in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Esophageal dysmotility is a common and neglected complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) associated with poor prognosis, while the assessment remains a challenge. We aimed to develop a diagnostic model for esophageal dysmotility in SSc patients that provides individualized risk estimates. METHODS: Seventy-five SSc patients who underwent high-resolution manometry (HRM) were included in the study. Esophageal widest diameter (WED) was measured on a chest CT scan. Esophageal parameters between patients with and without esophageal dysmotility were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression were used to fit the model. The diagnostic model was evaluated by discrimination and calibration. Internal validation was estimated using the enhanced bootstrap method with 1000 repetitions. RESULTS: Sixty-one systemic sclerosis patients (81.3%) were diagnosed with esophageal dysmotility according to the Chicago Classification v 3.0. The diagnostic model for evaluating the probability of esophageal dysmotility integrated clinical and imaging features, including disease duration, ILD, and WED. The model displayed good discrimination with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.923 (95% CI: 0.837-1.000), a Brier score of 0.083, and good calibration. A high AUC value of 0.911 could still be achieved in the internal validation. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic model, which combines the disease duration, ILD, and imaging feature (WED), is an effective and noninvasive method for predicting esophageal dysmotility in SSc patients.