Broad/narrowband switchable terahertz absorber based on Dirac semimetal and strontium titanate for temperature sensing.

A broadband and narrowband switchable terahertz (THz) absorber based on a bulk Dirac semimetal (BDS) and strontium titanate (STO) is proposed. Narrowband and broadband absorption can be switched by adjusting the Fermi level of the BDS. When the Fermi level of the BDS is 100 meV, the device is an absorber with three narrowband absorption peaks. The frequencies are 0.44, 0.86, and 1.96 THz, respectively, when the temperature of STO is 250 K. By adjusting the temperature of STO from 250 to 500 K, the blue shifts of the frequencies are approximately 0.14, 0.32, and 0.60 THz, respectively. The sensitivities of the three absorption peaks are 0.56, 1.27, and 2.38 GHz/K, respectively. When the Fermi level of the BDS is adjusted from 100 to 30 meV, the device can be switched to a broadband absorber with a bandwidth of 0.70 THz. By adjusting the temperature of STO from 250 to 500 K, the central frequency shifts from 1.40 to 1.79 THz, and the bandwidth broadens from 0.70 to 0.96 THz. The sensitivity of the central frequency is 1.57 GHz/K. The absorber also has a wide range of potential applications in multifunctional tunable devices, such as temperature sensors, stealth equipment, and filters.

Medium-Term Prognostic Implications of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the medium-term prognostic implications of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). METHODS: A systematic literature search of Embase, PubMed, and The Cochrane Library was performed. Eligible studies reported outcomes of CMR-assessed MINOCA with a mean follow-up period of >6 months. The primary endpoint was all-cause death. Secondary endpoints included cardiac death, reinfarction, and cardiovascular rehospitalisation. The pooled effect sizes with 95% confidence interval (CIs) were estimated using a random effect model. RESULTS: A total of 3,050 patients from twenty-one studies were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of myocarditis, "true" myocardial infarction, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and normal CMR imaging was 36%, 25%, 14%, and 19%, respectively. Pooled data showed that the annualised event rates for all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, reinfarction, and cardiovascular rehospitalisation were 1.01% (95% CI 0.59%-1.51%), 0.06% (95% CI 0.00%-0.39%), 0.68% (95% CI 0.18%-1.38%), and 5.67% (95% CI 3.11%-8.85%), respectively. Compared with patients with a diagnosis of myocarditis on CMR, patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (RR 7.11; 95% CI 3.04-16.66) and "true" myocardial infarction (RR 3.82; 95% CI 1.65-8.86) were associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality, whereas a similar risk of all-cause mortality was observed in patients with normal imaging (RR 1.01; 95% CI 0.28-3.59). No association was found between CMR diagnoses and the risk of secondary endpoints in MINOCA. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with MINOCA assessed by CMR, the overall absolute incidence rates of mortality and reinfarction were low. However, certain imaging diagnoses were associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality, with most deaths attributed to non-cardiac causes. Additionally, these patients experienced a high burden of cardiovascular rehospitalisation. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42022323615).

The evaluation of bone marrow edema in sacroiliac joint in patients with ankylosing spondylitis using magnetic resonance imaging Dixon sequence.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow edema of the sacroiliac joint is the early imaging manifestation, an indicator of inflammatory activity of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (Yang R, et. al. Medicine (Baltimore) 98:e14620, 2019). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Dixon sequence in the diagnosis of marrow edema of the sacroiliac joint in patients with AS. METHODS: Forty-five patients with AS admitted in our hospital between November 2016 and February 2019 were selected retrospectively as the case group. Forty-five healthy subjects recruited between November 2016 and February 2019 served as the control group. Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were recorded after admission to the hospital. The Dixon sequence water-fat ratio of the iliac and sacral surfaces of the bilateral sacroiliac joints in the study group were compared with indicators above in order to find the correlation. RESULTS: The water-fat ratio under the bilateral sacroiliac joints on Dixon sequence images in the case group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group (P<0.05). The Dixon sequence water-fat ratio of the iliac and sacral surfaces of the bilateral sacroiliac joints in the study group were positively correlated with spinal arthritis research (SPARCC), BASFI and BASDAI score (all P < 0.05), but did not correlate with ESR and CRP. CONCLUSION: The water-fat ratio of magnetic resonance Dixon sequence can be used as a reference index to evaluate the degree of bone marrow edema in active stage of sacroiliac arthritis.

Gastrodin Attenuates Neuronal Apoptosis and Neurological Deficits after Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Gastrodin, a glucoside of gastrodigenin, inhibits cerebral oxidant stress and apoptosis in multiple central nervous system injury, but its effect in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of gastrodin on neuronal apoptosis and neurological deficits in rat ICH model. METHODS: In vitro experiments were performed using hematoma lysate-induced cell damage model in primary cortical neurons. Rat ICH model was produced by a caudatum injection of collagenase. Gastrodin was intraperitoneal injected after 2 hours following ICH. Cell viability, brain water content, neurological score, western blot, and immunofluorescence experiments were performed. RESULTS: Gastrodin significantly decreased hematoma lysate-induced reduction of cell viability and cell apoptosis in primary cortical neurons. Gastrodin significantly improved brain edema and neurological deficits post-ICH. Moreover, gastrodin administration significantly reduced levels of ROS, 8-OHDG, 3-Nitrotyrosine and MDA, while increased GSH-Px and SOD activity, and stimulated the upregulation of Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1 signaling at 72 hours post-ICH. Furthermore, gastrodin significantly increased Bcl-2 expression, while reduced level of Bax, active caspase-3 and active caspase-9, also reduced the number of active caspase-3 or TUNEL positive neurons at 72 hours post-ICH. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that gastrodin is neuroprotective after ICH and the mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis.

The effects of simulated acid rain on internal nutrient cycling and the ratios of Mg, Al, Ca, N, and P in tea plants of a subtropical plantation.

Acid rain alters nutrient cycling in tea plantations. However, the acquisition of Mg and Ca by plants and their nutrient interactions with Al, N, and P in response to acid rain are poorly understood. Experimental treatments simulating acid rain at various acidities (pH 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5) were performed within a red soil tea plantation in China. The available Mg, Al, Ca, N, and P were analyzed in the rhizosphere and bulk soils. Further, these elements were measured in absorptive, transportive, and storative roots in addition to twigs, tea, and mature leaves. Available soil Mg and Ca exhibited negative and positive rhizosphere effects, respectively, but the levels of both decreased due to acid rain treatment. In addition, average Mg and Ca concentrations generally decreased in plant tissues with increasing acidity. In contrast, average Al concentration increased across all plant tissues with increasing acidity treatment. Meanwhile, the ratios of Al/Mg and Al/Ca increased with increasing acidity but that of N/Al decreased in twigs and roots. Lastly, the ratios of N/Al, P/Ca, and N/P were all altered by acid treatment in tea and/or mature leaves. Taken together, these results indicated that elevated acidity increased the internal cycling of Al in plants but decreased Mg and Ca fluxes between soils and roots. Further, the response of interactions among the five measured elements to different acidities varied with tea plant tissue. Our findings may advance our understanding of plant adaptation to increasing soil acidification and atmospheric acid deposition around the world.

Positive association of MMP 14 gene polymorphism with vulnerable carotid plaque formation in a Han Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: MMP 14 is expressed in atherosclerotic plaques and potentially plays an important role in the development of vulnerable carotid plaques. MMP 14 gene polymorphisms can influence the bioactivity or expression of MMP 14. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MMP 14 position + 7096 T > C (NM_004995.2:c.855T> C, rs2236307) polymorphism and vulnerable carotid plaque formation. METHODS: 1370 patients with ischemic cerebral infarctions were enrolled and divided into three groups according to their carotid ultrasound examination: No plaque group (n = 346), stable plaque group (n = 695) and vulnerable plaque group (n = 329). The traditional atherosclerosis risk factors were recorded, and the MMP 14 polymorphism were genotyped by Applied Biosystems 7300 Real-Time PCR System using the TaqMan assay. RESULTS: In the multiple logistic regression analysis done among the sub-groups, compared to no carotid plaque group, individuals with the MMP 14 position + 7096 TC+ CC genotype showed a significantly (p = 0.009) lower risk for vulnerable plaque (AOR = 0.675; 95% CI, 0.568-0.922) formation compared with subjects of the TT genotype; however, no relation between TC+ CC genotype and stable carotid plaque was observed (p > 0.125). Age was a risk factor for both stable plaque (p = 0.000; AOR = 3.732; 95% CI: 2.496-5.58) and vulnerable plaque formation (p = 0.001; AOR = 2.234; 95% CI: 1.387-3.597). Meanwhile, fibrinogen (> 4.0 g/L) was a risk factor for stable plaque (p = 0.004; AOR = 2.313; 95% CI: 1.308-4.091). CONCLUSIONS: The MMP 14 position + 7096 TC+ CC genotype might lower the risk of vulnerable carotid plaque formation. Fibrinogen (> 4.0 g/L) was a risk factor for stable plaque.

[Association between matrix metalloproteinase-10 gene polymorphisms and instability of carotid plaque].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in exonic regions of matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) gene and instability of carotid plaques in a Han Chinese population. METHODS: Five hundred and eighty-five patients were divided into carotid vulnerable plaque group (n=206) and stable plaque group (n=379) based on results of carotid B-mode ultrasonography. The SNPs were genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reaction using an ABI 7300 TaqMan platform. RESULTS: The distribution of rs17435959 between the two groups was significantly different at both genotypic (GC+CC vs. GG, P=0.006, OR=2.012) and allelic levels (C vs. G, P=0.001,OR=2.160). Above differences have remained significant with binary logistic regression analysis (P=0.007, OR=2.022; P=0.002, OR=2.104). The minor allele frequency of rs17293607 was 0.56%. CONCLUSION: Above findings suggested that rs17435959 of the MMP-10 gene is associated with carotid vulnerable plaque in ethnic Chinese Hans. The C allele may be a susceptible predictor for carotid vulnerable plaque.

[Association between matrix metalloproteinase-8 -799C/T polymorphism and instability of carotid plaque].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between a -799C/T polymorphism in the promotor region of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) gene and instability of carotid plaque in Chinese Han population. METHODS: A total of 451 acute infarction patients from the Department of Neurology of Taizhou Hospital were divided into carotid vulnerable plaque group and carotid stable plaque group according to the results of carotid B-mode ultrasonography. Serum MMP -8 level was measured by the means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At the same time, the MMP-8 -799C/T polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: Serum level of MMP-8 in the carotid vulnerable plaque group was higher than that in the carotid stable plaque group (t= 2.894, P= 0.004). The genotype distribution of -799C/T polymorphism between the two groups was significantly different (Chi-square = 13.65, P= 0.000). Serum level of MMP-8 in patients with TT genotype was higher than that in patients with CC genotype (t= 3.141, P= 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that serum level of MMP-8 and the -799C/T polymorphism of MMP-8 gene are associated with carotid vulnerable plaque in Chinese Han population, and the T allele may be a predictor for the susceptibility of carotid vulnerable plaque.

Comparison of laboratory parameters, clinical symptoms and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 and influenza in pediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: New and more severe clinical manifestations associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are emerging constantly in the pediatric age group. Patients in this age group are also primary carriers of the influenza virus and are at a higher risk of developing severe infection. However, studies comparing influenza and COVID-19 to show which condition causes a more severe form of disease amongst the pediatric age group are scarce. AIM: To compare the laboratory results, clinical symptoms and clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and influenza. METHODS: A systematic and comprehensive search was carried out in databases and search engines, including EMBASE, Cochrane, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar from 1964 until January 2022. A meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effects model and pooled odds ratio (OR) or standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95%CI. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Pediatric COVID-19 patients had a significantly reduced risk of cough (pooled OR = 0.16; 95%CI: 0.09 to 0.27), fever (pooled OR = 0.23; 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.43), and dyspnea (pooled OR = 0.54; 95%CI: 0.33 to 0.88) compared to influenza patients. Furthermore, total hemoglobin levels (pooled SMD = 1.22; 95%CI: 0.29 to 2.14) in COVID-19 patients were significantly higher as compared to pediatric influenza patients. There was no significant difference in symptoms such as sore throat, white blood cell count, platelets, neutrophil and lymphocytes levels, and outcomes like mortality, intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation or length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 is associated with a significantly lower rate of clinical symptoms and abnormal laboratory indexes compared to influenza in the pediatric age group. However, further longitudinal studies of the outcomes between influenza and COVID-19 pediatric patients are needed.

Comparison of intravitreal aflibercept and dexamethasone implant in the treatment of macular edema associated with diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion: a Meta-analysis and systematic review.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravitreal aflibercept with dexamethasone implant in the treatment of macular edema (ME) associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) or retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: A comprehensive search of studies comparing dexamethasone and aflibercept in patients with ME was conducted at PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from the beginning of library to April 16, 2021. Extracting the data including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), number of injections and serious adverse events (SAEs) from the final qualified articles. RevMan 5.3 software was used for Meta-analysis of the included studies. RESULTS: Totally 7 studies with 369 eyes were included. The causes of ME in the final screening study included RVO and DR. Compared with the aflibercept treatment group, the BCVA of the dexamethasone implant treatment group showed no significant difference in the follow-up for 3mo [mean difference (MD): -0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.11, 0.02; P=0.17] and 12mo (MD: -0.01, 95%CI: -0.38, 0.37; P=0.98), but it was slightly worse than the aflibercept group at 6mo (MD: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.21; P=0.008). In terms of CRT reduction, there was no significant difference between the two groups at 3mo (MD: -28.14, 95%CI: -79.95, 23.67; P=0.29), 6mo (MD: 27.67, 95%CI: -84.89, 140.24; P=0.63), and 12mo (MD: -59.00, 95%CI: -127.37, 9.37; P=0.09). However, dexamethasone implant had fewer injections, but more adverse events such as elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and cataract. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of aflibercept and dexamethasone implant can both effectively increase BCVA and reduce CRT. Compared with aflibercept, dexamethasone implant is not inferior in improving vision and reducing CRT in the initial treatment period (3mo) and long-term treatment period (12mo). Besides, it has fewer injections and more likely to cause elevated IOP and cataract.

Genotype association of C(-735)T polymorphism of the MMP-2 gene with the risk of carotid atherosclerosis-vulnerable plaque in the Han Chinese population.

The aim of the current study was to explore the possible association of the polymorphism of C(-735)T in MMP-2 with the vulnerable plaque risk in ultrasound-confirmed carotid atherosclerosis cases. Serum MMP-2 levels were measured to investigate the relationship between the MMP-2 level and the genetic variability. The MMP-2 polymorphism was detected by PCR-RFLP in the 243 cases with stable plaque and 221 cases with vulnerable plaque. Serum MMP-2 levels were measured with ELISA. The results showed that MMP-2 was significantly higher in the cases with vulnerable plaque than in the cases with stable plaque. A statistical difference was found between the genotype distributions in the vulnerable plaque cases and that in the stable cases. T-allele frequency was also found to be over-represented in the stable plaque cases than in the vulnerable plaque cases, which might partially explain the observed difference in the serum MMP-2 levels in the different plaque cases. The current results also suggested that MMP-2 was a risk factor in the cases with vulnerable plaques, whereas TT genotype and T allele might be protective factors in the cases with vulnerable plaques.

Association of a functional polymorphism in the MMP7 gene promoter with susceptibility to vulnerable carotid plaque in a Han Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) may play an important role in the development of vulnerable carotid plaque. An A-to-G transition (-181A/G) in the promoter region of MMP7 is functional in vitro by altering the transcriptional activity of the gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the MMP7 -181A/G polymorphism and vulnerable carotid plaque formation. METHODS: The authors enrolled 641 patients and divided them into three groups according to the carotid ultrasound examination: vulnerable plaque group (n=118), stable plaque group (n=385) and no plaque group (n=138). Traditional atherosclerosis risk factors were recorded and the MMP7 -181A/G polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: In the multinomial logistic regression analysis, compared to the no plaque group, no relationship between MMP7 -181AG+GG genotypes and stable carotid plaque was observed [odds ratio (OR) 1.50; p=0.239]. However, the frequency of AG+GG genotypes was significantly higher in the vulnerable plaque group (OR 2.74; p=0.008). Age was a risk factor for plaque formation, while statin treatment can reduce the prevalence of atherosclerotic plaque. Additionally, using binary logistic regression analysis between the stable and vulnerable plaque groups, this MMP7 polymorphism was associated with vulnerable plaque independently of other factors [OR 1.83; 95% confidence interval 1.08- 3.11; p=0.026]. CONCLUSIONS: The MMP7 -181A/G polymorphism is associated with the development of vulnerable carotid plaques. Age is a risk factor for plaque formation, while statin therapy is associated with a decreased prevalence of carotid atheromatous plaques.

Effects of compound probiotics and aflatoxin-degradation enzyme on alleviating aflatoxin-induced cytotoxicity in chicken embryo primary intestinal epithelium, liver and kidney cells.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most dangerous mycotoxins for humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of compound probiotics (CP), CP supernatant (CPS), AFB1-degradation enzyme (ADE) on chicken embryo primary intestinal epithelium, liver and kidney cell viabilities, and to determine the functions of CP + ADE (CPADE) or CPS + ADE (CPSADE) for alleviating cytotoxicity induced by AFB1. The results showed that AFB1 decreased cell viabilities in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. The optimal AFB1 concentrations and reactive time for establishing cell damage models were 200 µg/L AFB1 and 12 h for intestinal epithelium cells, 40 µg/L and 12 h for liver and kidney cells. Cell viabilities reached 231.58% (p < 0.05) for intestinal epithelium cells with CP addition, 105.29% and 115.84% (p < 0.05) for kidney and liver cells with CPS additions. The further results showed that intestinal epithelium, liver and kidney cell viabilities were significantly decreased to 87.12%, 88.7% and 84.19% (p < 0.05) when the cells were exposed to AFB1; however, they were increased to 93.49% by CPADE addition, 102.33% and 94.71% by CPSADE additions (p < 0.05). The relative mRNA abundances of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, iNOS, NF-κB, NOD1 (except liver cell) and TLR2 in three kinds of primary cells were significantly down-regulated by CPADE or CPSADE addition, compared with single AFB1 group (p < 0.05), indicating that CPADE or CPSADE addition could alleviate cell cytotoxicity and inflammation induced by AFB1 exposure through suppressing the activations of NF-κB, iNOS, NOD1 and TLR2 pathways.

Clinical Applicable AI System Based on Deep Learning Algorithm for Differentiation of Pulmonary Infectious Disease.

Objective: To assess the performance of a novel deep learning (DL)-based artificial intelligence (AI) system in classifying computed tomography (CT) scans of pneumonia patients into different groups, as well as to present an effective clinically relevant machine learning (ML) system based on medical image identification and clinical feature interpretation to assist radiologists in triage and diagnosis. Methods: The 3,463 CT images of pneumonia used in this multi-center retrospective study were divided into four categories: bacterial pneumonia (n = 507), fungal pneumonia (n = 126), common viral pneumonia (n = 777), and COVID-19 (n = 2,053). We used DL methods based on images to distinguish pulmonary infections. A machine learning (ML) model for risk interpretation was developed using key imaging (learned from the DL methods) and clinical features. The algorithms were evaluated using the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs). Results: The median AUC of DL models for differentiating pulmonary infection was 99.5% (COVID-19), 98.6% (viral pneumonia), 98.4% (bacterial pneumonia), 99.1% (fungal pneumonia), respectively. By combining chest CT results and clinical symptoms, the ML model performed well, with an AUC of 99.7% for SARS-CoV-2, 99.4% for common virus, 98.9% for bacteria, and 99.6% for fungus. Regarding clinical features interpreting, the model revealed distinctive CT characteristics associated with specific pneumonia: in COVID-19, ground-glass opacity (GGO) [92.5%; odds ratio (OR), 1.76; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.71-1.86]; larger lesions in the right upper lung (75.0%; OR, 1.12; 95% CI: 1.03-1.25) with viral pneumonia; older age (57.0 years ± 14.2, OR, 1.84; 95% CI: 1.73-1.99) with bacterial pneumonia; and consolidation (95.8%, OR, 1.29; 95% CI: 1.05-1.40) with fungal pneumonia. Conclusion: For classifying common types of pneumonia and assessing the influential factors for triage, our AI system has shown promising results. Our ultimate goal is to assist clinicians in making quick and accurate diagnoses, resulting in the potential for early therapeutic intervention.

Altered Brain Functional Hubs and Connectivity Underlie Persistent Somatoform Pain Disorder.

This study investigated the degree of brain functional impairment in persistent somatoform pain disorder (PSPD) by examining changes in the patterns of brain functional hubs. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 21 PSPD patients with headache as the main symptom and 17 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Degree centrality (DC) analysis as well as the connectivity among these hubs by functional connectivity (FC) analysis and Granger causality analysis (GCA) were performed to characterize abnormal brain networks in PSPD (Gaussian random field corrected: P < 0.001, Z > 3.09). The relationships between DC and connectivity and clinical parameters were also examined. DC values in the bilateral inferior occipital gyrus (IOG), bilateral calcarine fissure (CAL), and left paracentral lobule (PCL) and FC values of right IOG-left CAL, right IOG-right CAL, right IOG-left IOG, left CAL-right CAL, left CAL-left IOG, left CAL-left PCL, right CAL-left PCL, and left IOG-left PCL were lower in PSPD patients as compared to controls. A negative causal effect from the left CAL to the left paracentral lobule and a positive effect from the right CAL to the right IOG were observed in PSPD patients. Abnormal DC, FC, and signed-path coefficients in PSPD patients were negatively correlated with self-rating anxiety and depression scale scores. These results indicate that altered functional hubs and connectivity patterns in the somatosensory cortex may reflect emotional disturbance in PSPD patients.

Prognostic value of mutant p53, Ki-67, and TTF-1 and their correlation with EGFR mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation have been well studied. However, the correlation of EGFR mutation with mutant p53, Ki-67, and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) and their prognostic value remain indistinct. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical and pathological characteristics and overall survival were analysed retrospectively in 523 surgically resected NSCLC patients. The expression levels of p53, Ki-67, and TTF-1 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry, and an amplification refractory mutation system was used to access the status of EGFR mutations. RESULTS: Of 523 patients with surgically resected NSCLC, 210 patients (38.4%) harboured EGFR mutations. Compared to the EGFR wild-type lung cancer, mutated EGFR harboured significantly increased mutant p53-positive or TTF-1-positive tumors (P<0.001 and<0.001, respectively). Former or current smokers, pathological stage and mutant p53-or TTF-1-positive status were independent predictors of EGFR mutation (P=0.001, 0.014, 0.014 and <0.001, respectively). Patients with p53 under expression had significantly better overall survival in the whole cohort and wild-type EGFR cohort (P=0.0010 and 0.0020, respectively) as well as in Ki-67-negative and TTF-1-positive patients (P<0.0001 and 0.0009, and P<0.0001 and 0.0004, respectively). Interestingly, in patients harbouring EGFR mutations, p53-under expression and Ki-67-negative cases still had better survival than positive cases, whereas there was no obvious difference between TTF-1-negative and TTF-1-positive cases (P=0.0198, 0.0068 and 0.3684, respectively). Finally, in NSCLC patients with wild-type EGFR, positive Ki-67 expression was the independent predictor for the worst survival (P=0.022). CONCLUSION: The expression levels of mutant p53, Ki-67, and TTF-1 were correlated with EGFR mutation. High expression of mutant p53 and Ki-67 correlated with poor survival in the entire cohort, EGFR mutation or wild-type cohort. In addition, Ki-67 might have an impact on the prognosis for patients with NSCLC with wild-type EGFR.

Isolation and characterization of two phosphate-solubilizing fungi from rhizosphere soil of moso bamboo and their functional capacities when exposed to different phosphorus sources and pH environments.

Phosphate-solubilizing fungi (PSF) generally enhance available phosphorus (P) released from soil, which contributes to plants' P requirement, especially in P-limiting regions. In this study, two PSF, TalA-JX04 and AspN-JX16, were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) widely distributed in P-deficient areas in China and identified as Talaromyces aurantiacus and Aspergillus neoniger, respectively. The two PSF were cultured in potato dextrose liquid medium with six types of initial pH values ranging from 6.5 to 1.5 to assess acid resistance. Both PSF were incubated in Pikovskaya's liquid media with different pH values containing five recalcitrant P sources, including Ca3(PO4)2, FePO4, CaHPO4, AlPO4, and C6H6Ca6O24P6, to estimate their P-solubilizing capacity. No significant differences were found in the biomass of both fungi grown in media with different initial pH, indicating that these fungi could grow well under acid stress. The P-solubilizing capacity of TalA-JX04 was highest in medium containing CaHPO4, followed by Ca3(PO4)2, FePO4, C6H6Ca6O24P6, and AlPO4 in six types of initial pH treatments, while the recalcitrant P-solubilizing capacity of AspN-JX16 varied with initial pH. Meanwhile, the P-solubilizing capacity of AspN-JX16 was much higher than TalA-JX04. The pH of fermentation broth was negatively correlated with P-solubilizing capacity (p<0.01), suggesting that the fungi promote the dissolution of P sources by secreting organic acids. Our results showed that TalA-JX04 and AspN-JX16 could survive in acidic environments and both fungi had a considerable ability to release soluble P by decomposing recalcitrant P-bearing compounds. The two fungi had potential for application as environment-friendly biofertilizers in subtropical bamboo ecosystem.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations and Their Prognostic Value with Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Pathological T1 Lung Adenocarcinoma.

AIMS: The prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in the context of serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels remains controversial in T1 lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Clinical and pathological characteristics, preoperational carcinoembryonic antigen levels, EGFR mutations, and disease-free and overall survival were analysed retrospectively in 573 pathological T1 patients in East China. RESULTS: EGFR mutations were detected in 220 of 573 patients (38.4%). Patients with serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels ≥ 2.12 ng/mL had worse disease-free (P < 0.001) and overall survival (P < 0.001) than had others, although survival was comparable between patients with and without EGFR mutations. However, patients with exon 21 mutations in EGFR had significantly better overall survival than had patients with exon 19 mutations (P = 0.016), although disease-free survival was comparable (P = 0.424). Among patients with serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels ≥ 2.12 ng/mL, disease-free (P = 0.019) and overall survival (P < 0.001) was also better than that in those with exon 21 mutations. Finally, the exon 19 deletion was found to be an independent predictor of unfavourable overall survival (P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: EGFR mutations were associated with preoperational serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels ≥ 2.12 ng/mL. In patients with levels above this threshold, those with the exon 19 deletion have less favourable prognosis than have those with the exon 21 mutation.

[Spatial and temporal patterns of the ecological compensation criterion in Jiangxi Province, China based on carbon footprint.] / åŸºäºŽç¢³è¶³è¿¹çš„æ±Ÿè¥¿ç”Ÿæ€è¡¥å¿æ ‡å‡†æ—¶ç©ºæ ¼å±€.

Carbon footprint is a new method to measure carbon emissions, and the ecological compensation criterion can be determined according to the regional carbon footprint and carbon carrying capacity. The spatial and temporal patterns of ecological compensation criterion were studied among 11 cities in Jiangxi Province using carbon footprint, carbon capacity and carbon surplus/deficit models. Our results found that carbon footprint in Jiangxi Province showed a rapid growth trend from 2000 to 2013, with an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. The carbon carrying capacity always remained surplus, but the net carbon surplus amount decreased from 2000 to 2013. Among the 11 cities, Nanchang and Jiujiang made the biggest contribution to total carbon emission, and Ganzhou, Ji'an and Shangrao had provided the largest contribution to carbon total absorption. In 2013, the total carbon surplus amount was 2.273 billion yuan in Jiangxi Province. Ganzhou, Ji'an, Fuzhou and Shangrao should be given priority to ecological compensation money. These results could provide a scientific basis for the establishment of ecological compensation mechanism in Jiangxi Province and the transfer of CO2 emission rights.

[Influence of simulated acid rain on nitrogen and phosphorus contents and their stoichiome-tric ratios of tea organs in a red soil region, China]. / æ¨¡æ‹Ÿé ¸é›¨å¯¹çº¢å£¤åŒºèŒ¶æ ‘å™¨å®˜æ°®ç£·å«é‡åŠå ¶åŒ–å­¦è®¡é‡æ¯”çš„å½±å“.

A 25-year-old tea plantation in a typical red soil region was selected for an in situ simulated acid rain experiment treated by pH 4.5, 3.5, 2.5 and water (control, CK). Roots with different functions, leaves and twigs with different ages were collected to measure nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents in the third year after simulated acid rain treatment. The N/P and acid rain sensitivity coefficient of tea plant organs were also calculated. The results indicated that with the increase of acid rain intensity, the soil pH, NO3--N and available P decreased, while the absorption root N content increased. Compared with the control, the N content in absorption root was increased by 32.9% under the treatment of pH 2.5. The P content in storage root significantly decreased with enhanced acid rain intensity, and the acid rain treatment significantly enhanced N/P of absorption root. Young and mature leaf N, P contents were not sensitive to different intensities of acid rain, but the mature leaf N/P was significantly increased under pH 3.5 treatment compared with the control. The effects of acid rain treatments differed with tea twig ages. Compared with the control, low intensity acid treatment (pH 4.5) significantly increased young twig N content and N/P, while no signi-ficant differences in old twig N content and N/P were observed among four acid rain treatments. Acid rain sensitivity coefficients of absorption root, young leaf and twig N contents were higher than that of storage root, old leaf and twig, respectively. And the storage root and leaf P had higher acid rain sensitivity coefficient than other tea organs. In sum, tea organs N content was sensitive to acid rain treatment, and moderate acid rain could increase young organ N content and N/P, and change the cycle and balance of N and P in tea plantation.