Comparative diagnostic accuracy of the IOTA SRR and LR2 scoring systems for discriminating between malignant and Benign Adnexal masses by junior physicians in Chinese patients: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of ultrasound in distinguishing benign from malignant adnexal masses is highly correlated with the experience of ultrasound physicians. In China, most of ultrasound differentiation is done by junior physicians. PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic performance of the International Ovarian Tumour Analysis (IOTA) Simple Rules Risk (SRR) and IOTA Logistic Regression Model 2 (LR2) scoring systems in Chinese patients with adnexal masses. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of ovarian cancer tumor patients who underwent surgery at a hospital in China from January 2016 to December 2021. Screening patients with at least one adnexal mass on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two trained junior physicians evaluated each mass using the two scoring systems. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to test the diagnostic performance of each system. RESULTS: A total of 144 adnexal masses were retrospectively collected. Forty masses were histologically diagnosed as malignant. Compared with premenopausal women, postmenopausal women had a much higher rate of malignant masses. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) of the SRR was 97.5% (95% CI: 86.8 -99.9%), 82.7% (95% CI: 74.0 -89.4%), 68.4% (95% CI: 58.7 -76.8%) and 98.9% (95% CI: 92.5 -99.8%). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of the LR2 were 90.0% (95% CI: 76.5 -97.2%), 89.4% (95% CI: 81.9 -94.6%), 76.6% (95% CI: 65.0 -85.2%), and 95.9% (95% CI: 90.2 -98.3%). There was good agreement between two scoring systems, with 84.03% total agreement and a kappa value of 0.783 (95% CI: 0.70-0.864). The areas under the curve for predicting malignant tumours using SRR and LR2 were similar for all patients (P > 0.05 ). CONCLUSION: The two scoring systems can effectively distinguish benign from malignant adnexal masses. Both scoring systems have high diagnostic efficacy, and diagnostic efficacy is stable, which can provide an important reference for clinical decision making.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing and proteomics analysis in pediatric viral encephalitis and meningitis.

Introduction: Early and accurate identification of pathogens is essential for improved outcomes in patients with viral encephalitis (VE) and/or viral meningitis (VM). Methods: In our research, Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) which can identify viral pathogens unbiasedly was performed on RNA and DNA to identify potential pathogens in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 50 pediatric patients with suspected VEs and/or VMs. Then we performed proteomics analysis on the 14 HEV-positive CSF samples and another 12 CSF samples from health controls (HCs). A supervised partial least squaresdiscriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal PLS-DA (O-PLS-DA) model was performed using proteomics data. Results: Ten viruses in 48% patients were identified and the most common pathogen was human enterovirus (HEV) Echo18. 11 proteins overlapping between the top 20 DEPs in terms of P value and FC and the top 20 proteins in PLS-DA VIP lists were acquired. Discussion: Our result showed mNGS has certain advantages on pathogens identification in VE and VM and our research established a foundation to identify diagnosis biomarker candidates of HEV-positive meningitis based on MS-based proteomics analysis, which could also contribute toward investigating the HEV-specific host response patterns.

Proteomic profiling of cerebrospinal fluid in pediatric myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease.

BACKGROUND: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. METHODS: Extracted proteins from 34 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples [patients with MOGAD (MOG group, n = 12); healthy controls (HC group, n = 12); patients with MOG seronegative and metagenomics next-generation sequencing-negative inflammatory neurological diseases (IND group, n = 10)] were processed and subjected to label-free quantitative proteomics. Supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal PLS-DA (O-PLS-DA) models were also performed based on proteomics data. Functional analysis of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) was performed using Gene Ontology, InterPro, and Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genomes. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the complement levels in serum from patients with MOGAD. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-nine DEPs (149 upregulated and 280 downregulated proteins) were identified in the MOG group compared to the HC group according to the P value and fold change (FC). Using the O-PLS-DA model, 872 differentially abundant proteins were identified with variable importance projection (VIP) scores > 1. Five proteins (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, cathepsin F, interalpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 5, latent transforming growth factor beta-binding protein 4 and leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 1) overlapping between the top 30 DEPs with top-ranked P value and FC and top 30 proteins in PLS-DA VIP lists were acquired. Functional analysis revealed that the dysregulated proteins in the MOG group were primarily involved in complement and coagulation cascades, cell adhesion, axon guidance, and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis compared to the HC group. CONCLUSION: The proteomic alterations in CSF samples from children with MOGAD identified in the current study might provide opportunities for developing novel biomarker candidates.

[Polymorphisms of 35 Insertion/deletion Loci and Genetic Structure of the Han Population in Shaanxi Province].

Objective To evaluate the genetic polymorphisms and forensic efficiencies of 35 deletion/insertion polymorphism(DIP)loci and explore the genetic structure of the Han population in Shaanxi province.Methods Blood samples of 305 unrelated healthy individuals of the Han population in Shaanxi province were collected.And the allelic frequencies and forensic parameters of 35 DIP loci were calculated and analyzed based on their genotyping results by a self-developed amplification system.The genetic relationship of the Han population in Shaanxi province with the reference populations was explored by molecular variance analyses,phylogenetic tree reconstruction,multidimensional scale analyses,principal component analyses,and STRUCTURE analyses.Results The combined power of discrimination and probability of exclusion of the 35 DIP loci in the Han population in Shaanxi province were 0.999 999 999 999 991 119 and 0.9991,respectively.Population genetic analyses indicated that the Han population in Shaanxi province shared relatively closer genetic relationships with those in other regions of China.Conclusions The 35 DIP loci possessed high polymorphisms and could be used as an effective tool for forensic identification of individuals of the Han population in Shaanxi province.Furthermore,the 35 DIP loci could provide basic data for the genetic analysis of the Han population in Shaanxi province.

Construction of pH-Dependent Nanozymes with Oxygen Vacancies as the High-Efficient Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenger for Oral-Administrated Anti-Inflammatory Therapy.

It is of great significance to eliminate excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Herein, for the first time, a novel nanozyme NiCo2 O4 @PVP is constructed via a step-by-step strategy. Noticeably, the existence of oxygen vacancy in the NiCo2 O4 @PVP is helpful for capturing oxygenated compounds, while both redox couples of Co3+ /Co2+ and Ni3+ /Ni2+ will offer richer catalytic sites. As expected, the obtained NiCo2 O4 @PVP exhibits pH-dependent multiple mimic enzymatic activities. Benefiting from the introduction of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), the NiCo2 O4 @PVP possesses good physiological stability and excellent biosafety in stomach and intestines' environment. Meanwhile, the NiCo2 O4 @PVP also presents strong scavenging activities to ROS in vitro, including • O2- , H2 O2 , as well as • OH. Furthermore, a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model is established for evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity of NiCo2 O4 @PVP in vivo. Based on the size-mediated and charge-mediated mechanisms, the nanozyme can pass through the digestive tract and target the inflamed site for oral-administrated anti-inflammatory therapy. More interestingly, compared with the model group, the expression levels of inflammatory factors (e.g., Interleukin- 6 (IL-6), Interleukin- 1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)) in colon of mice show a significant decrease after nanozyme intervention, thereby inhibiting the development of IBD. In short, current work provides an alternative therapy for patients suffering from IBD.

Efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound treatment for cystic adenomyosis: a report of four cases.

BACKGROUND: Cystic adenomyosis is a particular type of adenomyosis, High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as a non-invasive method, has also been used to treat adenomyosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of HIFU for the treatment of cystic adenomyosis. METHODS: Diagnosis of cystic adenomyosis was obtained through trans-vaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasound-guided HIFU ablation was performed under conscious sedation. The patients were evaluated by the comparison of pre-HIFU and post-HIFU imaging, as well as the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire subscales, consisting of Symptom Severity Score (SSS) and Heath Related Quality of Life (HRQL). RESULTS: HIFU was effective in treating cystic adenomyosis. No complications were observed in the four patients who were successfully treated with HIFU. Compared to preoperative symptoms and patient satisfaction, symptoms at the first follow-up observed significant improvements, with no dysmenorrhea and high health-related quality of life. During the outpatient follow-up of one month, three months, and six months postoperation, the four patients were still without dysmenorrhea and were highly satisfied with the HIFU ablation. CONCLUSIONS: HIFU, as a non-invasive treatment, supplies a safe and effective possibility for the treatment of cystic adenomyosis.

Effects of soil nutrient variability and competitor identify on growth and co-existence among invasive alien and native clonal plants.

Changes in soil nutrients variability could significantly interact with other global change processes (such as community dynamics, biological invasion). Global exchange and accumulation of alien species caused environmental and economic threats in the introduced ranges. Their invasion success or not in local plant communities is largely depended on the interactions and competitive outcomes with other species and environmental conditions. Here, we tested whether the interactions of nutrient variability and competitor identity influence plant performance, potential invasion success of invasive species and their co-existence with native species. In both greenhouse and field experiment, we subjected three congeneric and naturally co-occurring pairs of invasive alien and native clonal plants in China to different nutrient variability (constant high, multiple pulses and/or single pulse) and competitor identity (intra-specific competitors, native competitors, invasive competitors and both native & invasive competitors). Our results showed that total biomass or the increase of cover of invasive species was significantly larger than those of the native species regardless of competitor identity. Native competitors significantly decreased biomass proportion of native species, but did not affect that of invasive species. The whole community with invasive target species accumulated more total biomass than with native species under multiple pulses nutrient when with the native competitors. Invasive species produced significantly higher biomass proportion than natives under all competitor identity treatments except for native & invasive competitors. Multiple mixed competitors (i.e. native & invasive competitors) decreased the plant performance and dominance of invasive target species, to some extent, thus construction of multi-species competition might facilitate coexistence of native and invasive species in communities. Interactions between native competitors or native & invasive competitors, and nutrient variability play important roles in plant performance and potential invasion success in communities. Multiple invasional interference may have significant implications for the co-existence of invasive and native species, and for management of invasive species.

[A genotyping study of 13 cases of early-onset Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics and genetic variation of early-onset Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). METHODS: Children with a clinical diagnosis of early-onset CMT were selected for the study. Relevant clinical data were collected, and electromyogram and CMT-related gene detection were performed and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 13 cases of early-onset CMT were enrolled, including 9 males (69%) and 4 females (31%). The mean age at consultation was 4.0±2.1 years. Among them, 12 children (92%) had an age of onset less than 2 years, 9 children (69%) were diagnosed with CMT type 1 (including 6 cases of Dejerine-Sottas syndrome), 1 child (8%) with intermediate form of CMT, and 3 children (23%) with CMT type 2. The genetic test results of these 13 children showed 6 cases (46%) of PMP22 duplication mutation, 3 cases (23%) of MPZ gene insertion mutation and point mutation, 3 cases (23%) of MFN2 gene point mutation, and 1 case (8%) of NEFL gene point mutation. Eleven cases (85%) carried known pathogenic mutations and 2 cases (15%) had novel mutations. The new variant c.394C>G (p.P132A) of the MPZ gene was rated as "possibly pathogenic" and the new variant c.326A>G (p.K109R) of the MFN2 gene was rated as "pathogenic". CONCLUSIONS: Early-onset CMT is mainly caused by PMP22 gene duplication mutation and MPZ gene mutations. The clinical phenotype is mainly CMT type 1, among which Dejerine-Sottas syndrome accounts for a considerable proportion.

A modified culture strategy of human keratinocytes to shorten the primary culture time.

Shortening time from biopsy to graft preparation is crucial for the coverage of extensive burn wound in major burn patients. This study was aimed to shorten the culture time of keratinocytes by means of one modified cell culture method. Three factors (temperature of dispase, area of skin, and age of patient) that might have impacts on cell behavior were evaluated. The results showed that cells isolated with dispase at 37°C exhibited an improved cell activity than being isolated at 4°C. The time that cells reached subconfluence with various skin areas was in order of 3 cm(2) < 2 cm(2) < 1 cm(2) (120.07 ± 5.03 h, 141.33 ± 4.16 h, and 193.33 ± 6.11 h, respectively). Furthermore, compared with the young and middle-aged groups, proliferation of keratinocytes isolated from children skin tissue was better. These results indicated that 3 cm(2) skin biopsy from a young patient, isolated with dispase at 37°C, was a promising strategy to shorten the cultivation of keratinocytes.

Anion-exchange and anthracene-encapsulation within copper(II) and manganese(II)-triazole metal-organic confined space in a single crystal-to-single crystal transformation fashion.

A new multidentate ligand 1-(9-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)anthracen-10-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (tatrz) was designed and synthesized. Using tatrz as a building block, three novel coordination frameworks, namely, {[Cu(tatrz)2(NO3)2]·(CH3OH)·4H2O}n (1), {[Cu(tatrz)2(H2O)2](BF4)2}n (2), and [Mn(tatrz)2(SCN)2(CH3OH)]·2H2O (3) can be isolated. Anion-exchange experiment indicates that NO3(-) anions in the two-dimensional (2D) copper framework of 1 can be completely exchanged by ClO4(-) in an irreversible single crystal-to-single crystal (SC-SC) transformation fashion, as evidenced by the anion-exchange products of {[Cu(tatrz)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2·4CH3OH} (1a). Further, if 1a was employed as a precursor in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), an isomorphic solvate of {[Cu(tatrz)2(DMF)2](ClO4)2·2H2O}n (1b) can be generated during the reversible dynamic transformation process. When 1 was immersed in CH3OH, a distinct 2D layer {[Cu(tatrz)2(NO3)2]·4.4CH3OH·0.6H2O}n (1c) was isolated. Interestingly, the solvent-exchange conversion is also invertible between 1 and 1c, which exhibits spongelike dynamic behavior with retention of crystalline integrity. If the 2-fold interpenetrating three-dimensional (3D) framework 2 is selected, it can be transformed into another 2-fold interpenetrating 3D framework {[Cu(tatrz)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2·5.56H2O}n (2a) in a reversible SC-SC transformation fashion. However, when the light yellow crystals of mononuclear complex 3 were exposed to trichloromethane containing aromatic organic anthracene (atan), through our careful observation, the crystals of 3 were dissolved and reassembled into dark brown crystals of 2D crystalline coordination framework {[Mn(tatrz)2(SCN)2]·(atan)}n (3a). X-ray diffraction revealed that in 3a, atan acting as an organic template was encapsulated in the confined space of the 2D grid. Luminescent measurements illustrate that 3a is the first report of multidimensional polymers based on triazole derivatives as luminescent probes of Mg(2+).