Small intestine and colon tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells exhibit molecular heterogeneity and differential dependence on Eomes.

Tissue-resident memory CD8+ T (TRM) cells are a subset of memory T cells that play a critical role in limiting early pathogen spread and controlling infection. TRM cells exhibit differences across tissues, but their potential heterogeneity among distinct anatomic compartments within the small intestine and colon has not been well recognized. Here, by analyzing TRM cells from the lamina propria and epithelial compartments of the small intestine and colon, we showed that intestinal TRM cells exhibited distinctive patterns of cytokine and granzyme expression along with substantial transcriptional, epigenetic, and functional heterogeneity. The T-box transcription factor Eomes, which represses TRM cell formation in some tissues, exhibited unexpected context-specific regulatory roles in supporting the maintenance of established TRM cells in the small intestine, but not in the colon. Taken together, these data provide previously unappreciated insights into the heterogeneity and differential requirements for the formation vs. maintenance of intestinal TRM cells.

Mobile iodides capture for highly photolysis- and reverse-bias-stable perovskite solar cells.

For halide perovskites that are susceptible to photolysis and ion migration, iodide-related defects, such as iodine (I2) and iodine vacancies, are inevitable. Even a small number of these defects can trigger self-accelerating chemical reactions, posing serious challenges to the durability of perovskite solar cells. Fortunately, before I2 can damage the perovskites under illumination, they generally diffuse over a long distance. Therefore, detrimental I2 can be captured by interfacial materials with strong iodide/polyiodide (Ix-) affinities, such as fullerenes and perfluorodecyl iodide. However, fullerenes in direct contact with perovskites fail to confine Ix- ions within the perovskite layer but cause detrimental iodine vacancies. Perfluorodecyl iodide, with its directional Ix- affinity through halogen bonding, can both capture and confine Ix-. Therefore, inverted perovskite solar cells with over 10 times improved ultraviolet irradiation and thermal-light stabilities (under 85 °C and 1 sun illumination), and 1,000 times improved reverse-bias stability (under ISOS-V ageing tests) have been developed.

Estimation of the Time-Varying Effective Reproductive Number of COVID-19 Based on Multivariate Time Series of Severe Health Outcomes.

The time-varying effective reproduction number (Rt at time t) measures the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 and is conventionally based on daily case counts, which may suffer from time-varying ascertainment. We analyzed Rt estimates from case counts and severe COVID-19 (intensive care unit admissions, severe or critical cases, and mortality) across 2022 in Hong Kong's fifth and sixth waves of infection. Within the fifth wave, the severe disease-based Rt (3.5) was significantly higher than the case-based Rt (2.4) but not in the sixth wave. During periods with fluctuating underreporting, data based on severe diseases may provide more reliable Rt estimates.

Effectiveness of Vaccines and Antiviral Drugs in Preventing Severe and Fatal COVID-19, Hong Kong.

We compared the effectiveness and interactions of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and 2 vaccines, CoronaVac and Comirnaty, in a large population of inpatients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Both the oral antiviral drugs and vaccines were associated with lower risks for all-cause mortality and progression to serious/critical/fatal conditions (study outcomes). No significant interaction effects were observed between the antiviral drugs and vaccinations; their joint effects were additive. If antiviral drugs were prescribed within 5 days of confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, usage was associated with lower risks for the target outcomes for patients >60, but not <60, years of age; no significant clinical benefit was found if prescribed beyond 5 days. Among patients >80 years of age, 3-4 doses of Comirnaty vaccine were associated with significantly lower risks for target outcomes. Policies should encourage COVID-19 vaccination, and oral antivirals should be made accessible to infected persons within 5 days of confirmed diagnosis.

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Inhibitors Show Activity in Colorectal Cancer With ALK Rearrangements: Case Series and Literature Review.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement is a well-known driver oncogene detected in approximately 5% of non-small cell lung cancer. However, ALK rearrangement is much less frequent in other solid tumors outside the lungs, such as colorectal cancer (CRC); thus, the optimal management of CRC with ALK rearrangements has yet to be established. In this report, we describe 2 cases of ALK-positive CRC, both of which benefited from ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (ALK-TKI) therapy. Case 1 was a postoperative patient with poorly differentiated colon adenocarcinoma, who was diagnosed with metastatic relapse shortly after surgery. Both fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) and bevacizumab combined with 5-fluorouracil, l-leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) proved ineffective against the disease. The patient was then treated with ensartinib, as the CAD-ALK fusion gene was detected by genomic analysis. The patient was initially treated with ensartinib monotherapy for 9 months, then with ensartinib combined with local radiotherapy and fruquintinib for another 4 months for isolated hilar hepatic lymph node metastasis. The patient experienced disease progression with an acquired ALK G1202R resistance mutation that responded well to lorlatinib. Case 2 involved a 72-year-old man with advanced colon cancer (pT4bN2aM1b, stage IV) harboring an EML4-ALK fusion. The patient underwent resection of the right colon tumor due to intestinal obstruction, but the disease continued to progress after 12 courses of FOLFIRI and bevacizumab chemotherapy. However, the patient responded remarkably well to alectinib. Our report emphasizes the importance of gene detection in the treatment of malignant tumors, and the significance of ALK mutations in CRC.

PTEN Deficiency Facilitates Exosome Secretion and Metastasis in Cholangiocarcinoma by Impairing TFEB-mediated Lysosome Biogenesis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In eukaryotes, the ubiquitin-proteasome system and the autophagy-lysosome pathway are essential for maintaining cellular proteostasis and associated with cancer progression. Our previous studies have demonstrated that phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancers, limits proteasome abundance and determines chemosensitivity to proteasome inhibitors in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). However, whether PTEN regulates the lysosome pathway remains unclear. METHODS: We tested the effects of PTEN on lysosome biogenesis and exosome secretion using loss- and gain-of-function strategies in CCA cell lines. Using in vitro dephosphorylation assays, we explored the regulatory mechanism between PTEN and the key regulator of lysosome biogenesis, transcription factor EB (TFEB). Using the migration assays, invasion assays, and trans-splenic liver metastasis mouse models, we evaluated the function of PTEN deficiency, TFEB-mediated lysosome biogenesis, and exosome secretion on tumor metastasis. Moreover, we investigated the clinical significance of PTEN expression and exosome secretion by retrospective analysis. RESULTS: PTEN facilitated lysosome biogenesis and acidification through its protein phosphatase activity to dephosphorylate TFEB at Ser211. Notably, PTEN deficiency increased exosome secretion by reducing lysosome-mediated degradation of multi-vesicular bodies, which further facilitated the proliferation and invasion of CCA. TFEB agonist curcumin analog C1 restrained the metastatic phenotype caused by PTEN deficiency in mouse models, and we highlighted the correlation between PTEN deficiency and exosome secretion in clinical cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: In CCA, PTEN deficiency impairs lysosome biogenesis to facilitate exosome secretion and cancer metastasis in a TFEB phosphorylation-dependent manner.

Stable-Isotope N-Me Aziridination Enables Accurate Quantitative C═C Isomeric Lipidomics.

Accurate lipid quantification is essential to revealing their roles in physiological and pathological processes. However, difficulties in the structural resolution of lipid isomers hinder their further accurate quantification. To address this challenge, we developed a novel stable-isotope N-Me aziridination strategy that enables simultaneous qualification and quantification of unsaturated lipid isomers. The one-step introduction of the 1-methylaziridine structure not only serves as an activating group for the C═C bond to facilitate positional identification but also as an isotopic inserter to achieve accurate relative quantification. The high performance of this reaction for the identification of unsaturated lipids was verified by large-scale resolution of the C═C positions of 468 lipids in serum. More importantly, by using this bifunctional duplex labeling method, various unsaturated lipids such as fatty acids, phospholipids, glycerides, and cholesterol ester were accurately and individually quantified at the C═C bond isomeric level during the mouse brain ischemia. This study provides a new approach to quantitative structural lipidomics.

T cell-mediated skin-brain axis: Bridging the gap between psoriasis and psychiatric comorbidities.

Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, is often accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and other mental disorders. Psychological disorders may also play a role in the development and progression of psoriasis. The intricate interplay between the skin diseases and the psychiatric comorbidities is mediated by the 'skin-brain axis'. Understanding the mechanisms underlying psoriasis and psychiatric comorbidities can help improve the efficacy of treatment by breaking the vicious cycle of diseases. T cells and related cytokines play a key role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and psychiatric diseases, and are crucial components of the 'skin-brain axis'. Apart from damaging the blood-brain barrier (BBB) directly, T cells and secreted cytokines could interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to exacerbate skin diseases or mental disorders. However, few reviews have systematically summarized the roles and mechanisms of T cells in the interaction between psoriasis and psychiatric comorbidities. In this review, we discussed several key T cells and their roles in the 'skin-brain axis', with a focus on the mechanisms underlying the interplay between psoriasis and mental commodities, to provide data that might help develop effective strategies for the treatment of both psoriasis and psychiatric comorbidities.

Potential drug targets for gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus identified through Mendelian randomization analysis.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent chronic ailment, and present therapeutic approaches are not always effective. This study aimed to find new drug targets for GERD and Barrett's esophagus (BE). We obtained genetic instruments for GERD, BE, and 2004 plasma proteins from recently published genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to explore potential drug targets. We further winnowed down MR-prioritized proteins through replication, reverse causality testing, colocalization analysis, phenotype scanning, and Phenome-wide MR. Furthermore, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network, unveiling potential associations among candidate proteins. Simultaneously, we acquired mRNA expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from another GWAS encompassing four different tissues to identify additional drug targets. Meanwhile, we searched drug databases to evaluate these targets. Under Bonferroni correction (P < 4.8 × 10-5), we identified 11 plasma proteins significantly associated with GERD. Among these, 7 are protective proteins (MSP, GPX1, ERBB3, BT3A3, ANTR2, CCM2, and DECR2), while 4 are detrimental proteins (TMEM106B, DUSP13, C1-INH, and LINGO1). Ultimately, C1-INH and DECR2 successfully passed the screening process and exhibited similar directional causal effects on BE. Further analysis of eQTLs highlighted 4 potential drug targets, including EDEM3, PBX3, MEIS1-AS3, and NME7. The search of drug databases further supported our conclusions. Our study indicated that the plasma proteins C1-INH and DECR2, along with 4 genes (EDEM3, PBX3, MEIS1-AS3, and NME7), may represent potential drug targets for GERD and BE, warranting further investigation.

Rice transformation treatments leave specific epigenome changes beyond tissue culture.

During transgenic plant production, tissue culture often carries epigenetic, and genetic changes that underlie somaclonal variations, leading to unpredictable phenotypes. Additionally, specific treatments for rice (Oryza sativa) transformation processes may individually or jointly contribute to somaclonal variations, but their specific impacts on rice epigenomes toward transcriptional variations remain unknown. Here, the impact of individual transformation treatments on genome-wide DNA methylation and the transcriptome were examined. In addition to activating stress-responsive genes, individual transformation components targeted different gene expression modules that were enriched in specific functional categories. The transformation treatments strongly impacted DNA methylation and expression; 75% were independent of tissue culture. Furthermore, our genome-wide analysis showed that the transformation treatments consistently resulted in global hypo-CHH methylation enriched at promoters highly associated with downregulation, particularly when the promoters were colocalized with miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements. Our results clearly highlight the specificity of impacts triggered by individual transformation treatments during rice transformation with the potential association between DNA methylation and gene expression. These changes in gene expression and DNA methylation resulting from rice transformation treatments explain a significant portion of somaclonal variations, that is, way beyond the tissue culture effect.

Cell-free DNA from nail clippings as source of normal control for genomic studies in hematologic malignancies.

Comprehensive genomic sequencing is becoming a critical component in the assessment of hematologic malignancies, with broad implications for patient management. In this context, unequivocally discriminating somatic from germline events is challenging but greatly facilitated by matched analysis of tumor:normal pairs. In contrast to solid tumors, conventional sources of normal control (peripheral blood, buccal swabs, saliva) could be highly involved by the neoplastic process, rendering them unsuitable. In this work we describe our real-world experience using cell free DNA (cfDNA) isolated from nail clippings as an alternate source of normal control, through the dedicated review of 2,610 tumor:nail pairs comprehensively sequenced by MSK-IMPACT-heme. Overall, we find nail cfDNA is a robust source of germline control for paired genomic studies. In a subset of patients, nail DNA may have tumor DNA contamination, reflecting unique attributes of the hematologic disease and transplant history. Contamination is generally low level, but significantly more common among patients with myeloid neoplasms (20.5%; 304/1482) compared to lymphoid diseases (5.4%; 61/1128) and particularly enriched in myeloproliferative neoplasms with marked myelofibrosis. When identified in patients with lymphoid and plasma-cell neoplasms, mutations commonly reflected a myeloid profile and correlated with a concurrent/evolving clonal myeloid neoplasm. For nails collected after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation, donor DNA was identified in 22% (11/50). In this cohort, an association with recent history of graft-vs-host disease was identified. These findings should be considered as a potential limitation for the use of nail as normal control but could also provide important diagnostic information regarding the disease process.

Outcomes of different pulmonary rehabilitation protocols in patients under mechanical ventilation with difficult weaning: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The endeavor of liberating patients from ventilator dependence within respiratory care centers (RCCs) poses considerable challenges. Multiple factors contribute to this process, yet establishing an effective regimen for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) remains uncertain. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate existing rehabilitation protocols, ascertain associations between clinical factors and patient outcomes, and explore the influence of these protocols on the outcomes of the patients to shape suitable rehabilitation programs. METHODS: Conducted at a medical center in northern Taiwan, the retrospective study examined 320 newly admitted RCC patients between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2017. Each patient received a tailored PR protocol, following which researchers evaluated weaning rates, RCC survival, and 3-month survival as outcome variables. Analyses scrutinized differences in baseline characteristics and prognoses among three PR protocols: protocol 1 (routine care), protocol 2 (routine care plus breathing training), and protocol 3 (routine care plus breathing and limb muscle training). RESULTS: Among the patients, 28.75% followed protocol 1, 59.37% protocol 2, and 11.88% protocol 3. Variances in age, body-mass index, pneumonia diagnosis, do-not-resuscitate orders, Glasgow Coma Scale scores (≤ 14), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE) scores were notable across these protocols. Age, APACHE scores, and abnormal blood urea nitrogen levels (> 20 mg/dL) significantly correlated with outcomes-such as weaning, RCC survival, and 3-month survival. Elevated mean hemoglobin levels linked to increased weaning rates (p = 0.0065) and 3-month survival (p = 0.0102). Four adjusted models clarified the impact of rehabilitation protocols. Notably, the PR protocol 3 group exhibited significantly higher 3-month survival rates compared to protocol 1, with odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 3.87 to 3.97 across models. This association persisted when comparing with protocol 2, with ORs between 3.92 and 4.22. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that distinct PR protocols significantly affected the outcomes of ventilator-dependent patients within RCCs. The study underlines the importance of tailored rehabilitation programs and identifies key clinical factors influencing patient outcomes. Recommendations advocate prospective studies with larger cohorts to comprehensively assess PR effects on RCC patients.

Two genes encoding caffeoyl coenzyme A O-methyltransferase 1 (CCoAOMT1) are candidate genes for physical seed dormancy in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.).

KEY MESSAGE: The major QTL Sdp1.1+ controlling seed dormancy in cowpea was finely mapped, and two CCoAOMT1 genes were identified as candidate genes for the dormancy. Seed dormancy in wild cowpea may be useful in breeding cultivated cowpea with pre-harvest sprouting resistance. A previous study identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for seed dormancy, Sdp1.1+ , using the population of the cross between cultivated cowpea 'JP81610' and wild cowpea 'JP89083.' However, the molecular basis of seed dormancy in cowpea is not yet known. In this study, we aimed to finely map the locus Sdp1.1+ and identify candidate gene(s) for it. Germination tests demonstrated that the seed coat is the major factor controlling seed dormancy in the wild cowpea JP89083. Microscopic observations revealed that wild cowpea seeds, unlike cultivated cowpea seeds, possessed a palisade cuticle layer. Fine mapping using a large F2 population of the cross JP81610 × JP89083 grown in Thailand revealed a single QTL, Sdp1.1+ , controlling seed dormancy. The Sdp1.1+ was confirmed using a small F2 population of the same cross grown in Japan. The Sdp1.1+ was mapped to a 37.34-Kb region containing three genes. Two closely linked genes, Vigun03g278900 (VuCCoAOMT1a) and Vigun03g290000 (VuCCoAOMT1b), located 4.844 Kb apart were considered as candidate genes for seed dormancy. The two genes encoded caffeoyl coenzyme A O-methyltransferase 1 (CCoAOMT1). DNA sequencing and alignment of VuCCoAOMT1a and VuCCoAOMT1b between JP89083 and JP81610 revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) causing an amino acid change in VuCCoAOMT1a and several SNPs leading to six amino acid changes in VuCCoAOMT1b. Altogether, these results indicate that VuCCoAOMT1a and VuCCoAOMT1b are candidate genes controlling physical seed dormancy in the wild cowpea JP89083.

Maresins as novel anti-inflammatory actors and putative therapeutic targets in sepsis.

Sepsis, a complex clinical syndrome characterized by an exaggerated host response to infection, often necessitates hospitalization and intensive care unit admission. Delayed or inaccurate diagnosis of sepsis, coupled with suboptimal treatment strategies, can result in unfavorable outcomes, including mortality. Maresins, a newly discovered family of lipid mediators synthesized from docosahexaenoic acid by macrophages, have emerged as key players in promoting inflammation resolution and the termination of inflammatory processes. Extensive evidence has unequivocally demonstrated the beneficial effects of maresins in modulating the inflammatory response associated with sepsis; however, their bioactivity and functions exhibit remarkable diversity and complexity. This article presents a comprehensive review of recent research on the role of maresins in sepsis, aiming to enhance our understanding of their effectiveness and elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying their actions in sepsis treatment. Furthermore, emerging insights into the management of patients with sepsis are also highlighted.

Epinephelus coioides Sec3 promotes Singapore grouper iridovirus infection by negatively regulates immune response.

Exocyst, a protein complex, plays a crucial role in various cellular functions, including cell polarization, migration, invasion, cytokinesis, and autophagy. Sec3, known as Exoc1, is a key subunit of the Exocyst complex and can be involved in cell survival and apoptosis. In this study, two subtypes of Sec3 were isolated from Epinephelus coioides, an important marine fish in China. The role of E. coioides Sec3 was explored during Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) infection, an important pathogen of marine fish which could induce 90 % mortality. E. coioides Sec3 sequences showed a high similarity with that from other species, indicating the presence of a conserved Sec3 superfamily domain. E. coioides Sec3 mRNA could be detected in all examined tissues, albeit at varying expression levels. SGIV infection could upregulate E. coioides Sec3 mRNA. Upregulated Sec3 significantly promoted SGIV-induced CPE, and the expressions of viral key genes. E. coioides Sec3 could inhibit the activation of NF-κB and AP-1, as well as SGIV-induced cell apoptosis. The results illustrated that E. coioides Sec3 promotes SGIV infection by regulating the innate immune response.

Sncg, Mybpc1, and Parm1 Classify subpopulations of VIP-expressing interneurons in layers 2/3 of the somatosensory cortex.

Neocortical vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-expressing (VIP+) interneurons display highly diverse morpho-electrophysiological and molecular properties. To begin to understand the function of VIP+ interneurons in cortical circuits, they must be clearly and comprehensively classified into distinct subpopulations based on specific molecular markers. Here, we utilized patch-clamp RT-PCR (Patch-PCR) to simultaneously obtain the morpho-electric properties and mRNA profiles of 155 VIP+ interneurons in layers 2 and 3 (L2/3) of the mouse somatosensory cortex. Using an unsupervised clustering method, we identified 3 electrophysiological types (E-types) and 2 morphological types (M-types) of VIP+ interneurons. Joint clustering based on the combined electrophysiological and morphological features resulted in 3 morpho-electric types (ME-types). More importantly, we found these 3 ME-types expressed distinct marker genes: ~94% of Sncg+ cells were ME-type 1, 100% of Mybpc1+ cells were ME-type 2, and ~78% of Parm1+ were ME-type 3. By clarifying the properties of subpopulations of cortical L2/3 VIP+ interneurons, this study establishes a basis for future investigations aiming to elucidate their physiological roles.

Downregulation of Rad51 expression and activity potentiates the cytotoxic effect of osimertinib in human non-small cell lung cancer cells.

INTRODUCTION: Osimertinib (AZD9291) is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has shown significant clinical benefits in patients with EGFR-sensitizing mutations or the EGFR T790M mutation. The homologous recombination (HR) pathway is crucial for repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Rad51 plays a central role in HR, facilitating the search for homology and promoting DNA strand exchange between homologous DNA molecules. Rad51 is overexpressed in numerous types of cancer cells. B02, a specific small molecule inhibitor of Rad51, inhibits the DNA strand exchange activity of Rad51. Previous studies have indicated that B02 disrupted Rad51 foci formation in response to DNA damage and inhibited DSBs repair in human cells and sensitized them to chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro and in vivo. However, the potential therapeutic effects of combining osimertinib with a Rad51 inhibitor are not well understood. The aim of this study is to elucidate whether the downregulation of Rad51 expression and activity can enhance the osimertinib-induced cytotoxicity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. METHODS: We used the MTS, trypan blue dye exclusion and colony-formation ability assay to determine whether osimertinib alone or in combination with B02 had cytotoxic effects on NSCLC cell lines. Real-time PCR was conducted to measure the amounts of Rad51 mRNA. The protein levels of phosphorylated AKT and Rad51 were determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: We found that osimertinib reduced Rad51 expression by inactivating AKT activity. Rad51 knockdown using siRNA or AKT inactivation through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 or si-AKT RNA transfection enhanced the cytotoxic and growth inhibitory effects of osimertinib. In contrast, AKT-CA (a constitutively active form of AKT) vector-enforced expression could mitigate the cytotoxic and cell growth inhibitory effects of osimertinib. Furthermore, B02 significantly enhanced the cytotoxic and cell growth inhibitory effects of osimertinib in NSCLC cells. Compared to parental cells, the activation of AKT and Rad51 expression in osimertinib-resistant cells could not be significantly inhibited by osimertinib treatment. Moreover, the increased expression of Rad51 is associated with the resistance mechanism in osimertinib-resistant H1975 and A549 cells. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the downregulation of Rad51 expression and activity enhances the cytotoxic effect of osimertinib in human NSCLC cells.

Association between sleep apnea-specific hypoxic burden and severity of coronary artery disease.

PURPOSE: Sleep apnea-specific hypoxic burden (SASHB) is a polysomnographic metric that comprehensively measures the degree of nocturnal desaturation caused by obstructive sleep apnea. This research was conducted to elucidate the relationship between SASHB and coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. METHODS: We carried out a prospective study of hospitalized patients with CAD of unstable angina who were expected to undergo invasive coronary angiography at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from February to September 2023. SASHB values were calculated using a self-programmed C + + program. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the association between SASHB and the prevalence of severe CAD, documented by the Gensini Score, and the SYNTAX (Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) Score. RESULTS: This study enrolled 137 patients with a median age of 59 years, 96 (70.1%) of whom were male. A total of 125 (91.2%) patients had coronary stenosis of ≥ 50% in at least one location. Patients with a high SASHB of ≥ 18% min/h had a significantly higher Gensini Score (32.0 vs. 18.5, P = 0.002) and SYNTAX Score (14.0 vs. 7.0, P = 0.002) than those with a low SASHB. After adjusting for multiple covariates, a high SASHB was significantly associated with the prevalence of severe CAD, determined by a Gensini Score ≥ 21 (OR 2.67, P = 0.008) or a SYNTAX Score > 22 (OR 4.03, P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed a robust and independent association between SASHB and CAD severity in patients with unstable angina, highlighting the potential value of SASHB as a predictor of risk and a target for interventions aimed at preventing cardiovascular diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry No. ChiCTR2300067991 on February 2, 2023.

Breaking prolonged sitting increases 24-h physical activity and self-perceived energy levels but does not acutely affect cognition in healthy adults.

INTRODUCTION: It is unknown whether predetermined (un)interrupted sitting within a laboratory setting will induce compensatory changes in human behaviours (energy intake and physical activity) once people return to a free-living environment. The effects of breaking up prolonged sitting on cognition are also unclear. METHODS: Twenty-four (male = 13) healthy participants [age 31 ± 8 y, BMI 22.7 ± 2.3 kg/m2 (mean ± SD)] completed 320 min mixed-feeding trials under prolonged sitting (SIT) or with 2 min walking at 6.4 km/h every 20 min (ACTIVE), in a randomised crossover design. Human behaviours were recorded post-trial under free-living conditions until midnight. Cognitive performance was evaluated before and immediately after SIT and ACTIVE trials. Self-perceived sensations (appetite, energy and mood) and finger prick blood glucose levels were collected at regular intervals throughout the trials. RESULTS: There were no differences between trials in eating behaviour and spontaneous physical activity (both, p > 0.05) in free-living conditions, resulting in greater overall total step counts [11,680 (10740,12620) versus 6049 (4845,7253) steps] and physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) over 24-h period in ACTIVE compared to SIT (all, p < 0.05). Greater self-perceived levels of energy and lower blood glucose iAUC were found in ACTIVE trial compared to SIT trial (both, p < 0.05). No differences were found in cognitive performance between trials (all, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Breaking up sitting does not elicit subsequent behavioural compensation, resulting in greater 24-h step counts and PAEE in healthy adults. Breaking up sitting reduces postprandial glucose concentrations and elicits greater self-perceived energy levels, but these positive effects do not acutely translate into improved cognitive function.

Comparison of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation in preterm infants after patent ductus arteriosus ligation: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) to synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) in preterm infants requiring mechanical ventilation after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on intubated preterm infants who underwent PDA ligation at our hospital from July 2021 to January 2023. Infants were divided into NAVA or SIMV groups based on the ventilation mode after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty preterm infants were included. During treatment, peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and mean airway pressure (MAP) were lower with NAVA compared to SIMV (PIP: 19.1 ± 2.9 vs. 22.4 ± 3.6 cmH2O, P < 0.001; MAP: 9.1 ± 1.8 vs. 10.9 ± 2.7 cmH2O, P = 0.002). PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 were higher with NAVA (PaO2: 94.0 ± 11.7 vs. 84.8 ± 15.8 mmHg, P = 0.031; PaO2/FiO2: 267 [220-322] vs. 232 [186-290] mmHg, P = 0.025). Less sedation was required with NAVA (midazolam: 1.5 ± 0.5 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 µg/kg/min, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to SIMV, early use of NAVA post PDA ligation in preterm infants was associated with decreased PIP and MAP. Early NAVA was also associated with reduced sedation needs and improved oxygenation. However, further studies are warranted to quantify the benefits of NAVA ventilation.